iPods aren't just 'right time' items they streamlined the entire interface and made it a hell of a lot easier for the common person to use an MP3 player. Another reason it is so popular is the fact that it uses an open source file format that does not try to force DRM, something alot of people are vehemently against. Zune, is yet another device that tries to force DRM. While it does have some community aspects the novelty of it dies soon as you can only play the borrowed song 3 times, oh and it will only stay on your device for 3 or so days too.

eab said: Big companies piss me off sometimes. MS and Apple. The iPod isn't bad but companies like SanDisk make much better players on the low end market and companies like Creative, Microsoft make much better players players on the high end. But the vast majority of people are so oblivious to these things! I had a Creative Zen for several years and people would look at it and scowl "why don't you have an iPod?" was asked to me for weeks on end. I later heard the same people complain "I wish my iPod had a radio!" or "I need to see if I can buy a microphone attachment so I can record lectures!". Are these people that shallow? I am happy to see the Zune finally breaking people's perceptions of MP3 players but I am still somewhat irate that they ignore all the other companies. Back when the Zune still sucked I heard a TV newscaster say "the iPod is no longer for everyone, the "Zune" is starting to get some of the market!" Of course he makes no mention that while the Zune had just claimed 1.2% of the market, Creative and Sandisk had been holding 8% of it for more than a year. I mean, it's like the non Apple-MS players don't even matter to people, it's either Zune or iPod... no way in hell will anyone buy anything else.

Not to mention that 2 years ago Ipods made apple twice as much as they cost to make... not counting retailer fees.  The profit margins on Ipods are sick.

eab said: Big companies piss me off sometimes. MS and Apple. The iPod isn't bad but companies like SanDisk make much better players on the low end market and companies like Creative, Microsoft make much better players players on the high end. But the vast majority of people are so oblivious to these things! I had a Creative Zen for several years and people would look at it and scowl "why don't you have an iPod?" was asked to me for weeks on end. I later heard the same people complain "I wish my iPod had a radio!" or "I need to see if I can buy a microphone attachment so I can record lectures!". Are these people that shallow? I am happy to see the Zune finally breaking people's perceptions of MP3 players but I am still somewhat irate that they ignore all the other companies. Back when the Zune still sucked I heard a TV newscaster say "the iPod is no longer for everyone, the "Zune" is starting to get some of the market!" Of course he makes no mention that while the Zune had just claimed 1.2% of the market, Creative and Sandisk had been holding 8% of it for more than a year. I mean, it's like the non Apple-MS players don't even matter to people, it's either Zune or iPod... no way in hell will anyone buy anything else.

Not to mention that 2 years ago Ipods made apple twice as much as they cost to make... not counting retailer fees.  The profit margins on Ipods are sick.

I remember this one kid in my school had an MP3 watch way before the Ipod came out, held a couple hundred songs, thing was pretty awesome.

pretty soon zune will pick up even more

HappySqurriel said: The iPod came to market at the right time, with a focus on the right features, and had a level of integration with the PC and Usability that was unmatched; over the past several years Apple has moved away from delivering as focused of a feature set, and has changed/improved upon the useability of the device. The Zune has failed to get much notice because Microsoft hasn't produced as useable of a product as the first generation iPods, and their focus has been on adding features people don't care about.

I disagree with this, actually there's MP3 players with better file support better sound output and better battery life. The reason people don't buy them is they aren't iPods.. it's kinda the same theory I have as to why the Wii may very well win despite price and power. The iPods specs are not very impressive, it's more expensive, has lower battery life and sub par sound decibles compared to many other MP3 player devices. So it's more money and less effective yet still sells. I'm not saying it's a bad thing just saying that a good marketing campaign and interesting product with the right usability by the majority can lead even a technically inferior product to victory.

OK, I recently purchase a Zune and would like to offer my reasons for this.
1) I never previously owned any mp3 player except my phone. So I wasn't stuck with any brand loyalty by necessity or desire.
2)Zune offered a comprehensive package comparable to ipod; integrated online marketplace, multiple format read etc. I actually wanted to get a Toshiba GigabeatS, they got the best reviews and overall performance specs were the best, but alas, no marketplace.
3)Zune had compelling features the ipod did not. Wireless sharing and FM radio were the big ones for me, plus no itunes BS (my brothers (3) all have ipods and hate itunes with a passion). Sound fidelity was also scored higher with the Zune vs. ipod and I love my fidelity
4)MS offers a 14 free-trial of its unlimited downloads on Zune Marketplace when you buy a Zune. I downloaded 50+ gigs of music. It came in a DRM WMV format but for $20 I bought a DRM WMV to Mp3 file converter and all my music still plays (it stops working if you let your subscription to the unlimited download service expire).
4)Woot sold it to me for $100 vs cost of comparable ipod

With the recent firmware update, I can sync with my network and stream to my Xbox360 wirelessly. It also has podcasts on the marketplace but no movies or TV to my dismay(Zune has a way bigger screen than ipod)

If I had owned an ipod before I would have stuck with them, no reason to switch. But as a first time consumer in this market I went with Zune for the above reasons. However, if Toshiba offered a marketplace I would have definitely bought a GigabeatS.
Maybe theres people out there like me and thats why sales of Zune is doing well in the online market.

endurance said: pretty soon zune will pick up even more

Yeah, just like the PS3 will come back in year X

souixan said: HappySqurriel said: The iPod came to market at the right time, with a focus on the right features, and had a level of integration with the PC and Usability that was unmatched; over the past several years Apple has moved away from delivering as focused of a feature set, and has changed/improved upon the useability of the device. The Zune has failed to get much notice because Microsoft hasn't produced as useable of a product as the first generation iPods, and their focus has been on adding features people don't care about.   I disagree with this, actually there's MP3 players with better file support better sound output and better battery life. The reason people don't buy them is they aren't iPods.. it's kinda the same theory I have as to why the Wii may very well win despite price and power. The iPods specs are not very impressive, it's more expensive, has lower battery life and sub par sound decibles compared to many other MP3 player devices. So it's more money and less effective yet still sells. I'm not saying it's a bad thing just saying that a good marketing campaign and interesting product with the right usability by the majority can lead even a technically inferior product to victory.

to me Ipod or Zune its all waste of money and take up pocket space, these day cellphone can do everything why even bother to have something doing the same function and take up pocket space??? I only buy those small tiny mp3 players that can hang on my neck or wrist while joging, thats the only reason I want a mp3 player and the rest of the time I can start up my cellphone and listen to music.

I have to give credit to Apple, they make the IPOD become a trend and advertisse it like something its cool and can get you laid. for that I dont think the zune can compete with it. U.S government is very protective of its domestice products, every wonder why iphone and motorola is the two best looking crap shit in the market??? if the U.S government allow all generic brand in the U.S market the outcome of domestic product will be very different.

I really dislike the word Zune, it's nothing against the product itself, just the name of it doesn't appeal to me.