The 80-gigabyte Zune media player Microsoft Corp. launched Tuesday has sold out across the Web, to the dismay of online shoppers and delight of the world’s largest software maker.
“Anyone know where I can get a Cabbage Patch Doll … er … I mean Zune?” asks an Amazon.com Inc. customer listed as Paul Taylor on the Web retailer’s message board for the product.
Amazon told Taylor and others that their preordered devices for Nov. 13 shipping would not be sent for 10 more days, according to the message board.
While Web retailers have 4 GB and 8 GB versions of the second-generation Zunes in stock, the 80 GB music player is not available on Amazon, Best Buy or Circuit City’s Web sites.
Microsoft said it prioritized the manufacture of the smaller Zune 4 and Zune 8 devices, and that more of the 80 GB version should be on shelves, physical and virtual, in the next 10 to 14 days.
Rumors of a manufacturing delay spread across consumer electronics blogs this week.
“I think they were already probably a little later than they would like to be, given Apple’s iPod announcement” of a new line of the market-leading devices in September, said Matt Rosoff, an analyst at the independent research group Directions on Microsoft. “They probably wanted to get anything out the door as soon as they could.”
Quite a few Zunes have “definitely shipped and sold,” and Amazon is being given a limited number each week, said Anya Waring, an Amazon spokeswoman.
Microsoft, for its part, is happy to see such a positive reaction, according to a spokesman.
They do have the Zune 8s in stock in black only! (Black - Red - Pink) The red and pink Zune 8s have sold out as well! Same for the Zune 4s you can get black only!
So I was browsing Amazon.com to check out the Zunes and I was shocked to learn that Amazon only had only two Zune 80s left!
Only 1 left in stock–order soon (more on the way). Availability: In stock on December 14, 2007. Order it now.
They also sold out on their Zune 8s (Pink, Red and Green) and ony 3 of the Black Zune 8s left!
Only 3 left in stock–order soon.
I will upload some scans later! If you want a Black Zune 8 you better get it now! It is simply amazing that a huge online retailer would sell out of their inventory of Microsoft Zunes through pre-orders and less than 24 hours of the first day of sales. That is what happens when you offer free shipping and no tax on the sale!
The much anticipated Zune 4, 8 and 80s go on sale today at retails stores around the United States. The new Zunes have gotten great reviews from Cnet, PC World, and dozens of other established gadget and computer websites. You can get the new Zune 80 from sites like Amazon.com for $249. You can also get the Zune 4 and Zune 8.
On November 13, the new and improved Zune 80 will be released. The Zune has come a long way since it first launched on 14 November of 2006 with over 1.2 million of the Zune 30 sold. So, what are the major differences between the Zune 30 and Zune 80?
Memory
The obvious major difference between the Zune 30 and Zune 80 is the size of the memory. The number stands for how many gigabytes (GB) of memory each Zune has. The Zune 30 has 30 GB and the new Zune 80 has 80 GB. The Zune 30 already holds 7,500 songs, 25,000 or even 100 hours of video. With the Zune 80 you can nearly triple those numbers!
Dimensions
The main difference between the Zune 30 and Zune 80 regarding size is the thickness, weight and length. The new Zune 80 is 0.50 inches thick (reduced from 0.58) and a litter shorter. The main difference is the reduced weight yet increased screen size. The Zune already had a much bigger screen than the iPod. The screen grows from 3 inches to 3.2 inches and is great for viewing movies or TV shows.
Navigation Pad
The Zune 30 has a circular directional pad that is close to what you would use on a TV remote control. The new Zune 80 upgrades to a Zune Pad that is a touch sensitive surface d-pad much like the iPod with functionality of the Zune 30 navigation as it has the functionality of both.
Price
The good news is the new Zune 80 is being offered at the same price as the Zune 30 was when it was first introduced at $249. So, new Zune users get a significant upgrade (almost 3 times the capability) for the same price of the original Zune. It is not uncommon though to find Zune 30s being sold for less than $100 on major retailer websites or store or for much less on Ebay.
Additionally, Zune is offering Zune 4 (retail: $149.99) and Zune 8 (retail: $199.99) (again 4 GB and 8 GB memory) that are mini-Zunes that are flash based. Like all Zunes they have WI-FI functionality to sync up with other Zunes or your computer.
for $249. You can also get the Zune 4 and Zune 8.
