HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source
Heraldnet.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 3:10 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Archives:
 

ADVERTISEMENT
Technology Blog
May 23, 2008

Associated Press (click to enlarge)
The Zune's sales apparently aren't worrying Apple executives much. Microsoft's media player hasn't proven to be a serious rival to the iPod.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 

Is the Zune headed for oblivion?

(Or, can ANYTHING beat the iPod?)


Posted at 5:07 pm by Eric Fetters

I love my iPod nano (I've got a second-generation one from a couple of years ago that is crammed with a lot of songs from this band, among others), but even I think the iPod sometimes gets too much fawning press.

On the other hand, millions and millions of consumers can't be wrong. And it seems like nothing yet is poised to beat the iPod. Ask Microsoft. It's tried.

And, according to the headlines today, Microsoft's answer to the iPod has been much less than a rousing success.

GameStop's decided to stop selling the Zune because it "didn't have the appeal" to consumers that the mall-based seller of video games and other electronic media expected. Since the Zune was released in 2006, it has sold 2 million units.

Since then, about 80 million iPods have been sold. So you see the problem.

The Zune, according to the most optimistic estimates, accounts for 4 percent of sales within the MP3 and media player market. The iPod owns more than 70 percent of the market. Ouch.

Should Microsoft throw in the towel on the Zune? At least a few analysts seem to think that's a good idea. This guy even suggests Microsoft could bury the unsold Zunes, kind of like Atari did with unsold video games once upon a time in the 1980s.
READER COMMENTS
Be the first to comment.
You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here.
Log in or register to post new comment | Log out
  Return to Technology Blog
View All Coupons

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE
American Car Care Center

FREE Appetizer with any
purchase daily 2-6pm
Shawn O'Donnell's

All you can Eat Buffets
Angel of the Winds
Watershed Restaurant

Pacific Northwest
Fresh Cuisine
BlackFish Restaurant

$5 OFF
Lunch or Dinner
Lanna Thai Restaurant

15% Off Your
First Time Purchase
Wine Styles

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase
Completely Floored

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!
Sockeye's Restaurant

QuadraFire Save $250
Free Smart-Stat
Home Town Heating

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket
50th Street Burger

FREE Appetizer w/
purchase of 2 entrees
Wild Vine Bistro

Free Dessert!
Click here!
Bistro San Martin

$2 OFF
at Box Office
Everett Silvertips

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients
Tulalip Bay Fine Dining

50% off 2nd Pizza
Special Click Here!
Luca's Italian Restaurant

20% off Click Here*
Buy 1 Offer Click Here*
Bajio Mexican Grill

Family Night Free Sundae
$9.99 Prime Rib
Chopstix - Everett

Come and Relax
Monthly Specials
T-Spa at Tulalip Resort Casino

Buffet Dining
Tulalip Resort
Eagles Buffet

Free Garlic Bread/Free Soda
Click here for details!
Major League Pizza

$5 Off
Stylecut
Third Dimension Salon

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers
Smokey Point Grooming

Great Food
24 Hours a Day
Cedars Cafe

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!
Sockeye's Restaurant
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
>> view all top cars
>> view all cars
Top Homes
>> view all top homes
>> view all homes

ADVERTISEMENT
|Contact Us |Advertiser Services |Home Delivery |Newsstand Locations |Classifieds |Feedback |About the Company |Work@the Herald |Site Map
© 2009 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA.