The Zune talks, but is anyone listening?
Looking through the paper today, I see that Microsoft has dropped the price on the Zune 8gb by $20, down to $179. Personally, I think this is a brilliant move by MS – right now, at a high level, the Zune has failed to distinguish itself from the iPod. Yes, there are feature-by-feature differences, but the bottom line is that you can get a 80gb iPod for $249, or a 80gb Zune for $249; same with the the 4gb iPods/Zunes ($149) and, up until today, the 8gb iPods/Zunes ($199). Now, though, there is a distinction – price point. Until the Zunes deliver the next “killer” feature (which ain’t wifi, btw), this is a great way to draw a distinction without underpricing itself – drop the price on its mid-range offering.
I think the most interesting part will be to see if Apple responds. I think it will not, since it never has in the past. Dropping the price on the iPod would be a show that it considers the Zune a threat, and I don’t think that’s how Apple rolls.
Microsoft is relasing there view of the killer ipod move, XNA Games, on your zune, yes, you heard me right, you will be able to play games on your zune, the only reason this isnt really a killer move is, ipod’s can play games already, but the games are free. and you wont have to pay a thing, its a good thing for all those zune people that want to do somthin when there in the subway.
Proud 8 GB Zune owner
I’ve been looking forward to that, as well. You can load it up now if you want:
http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=89121