“Well, here’s a bit of a surprise: a wireless PMP just showed up on the FCC, featuring a 30GB HDD, FM tuner and a strangely familiar 3-inch screen,” Paul Miller reports for Engadget.
Miller reports, “And it ain’t being manufactured by Microsoft. Instead it looks like Microsoft got their good pal Toshiba to produce the Zune, which not only saves Microsoft the job of gearing up some production lines for the thing, but seems to keep them from stepping on at least one PlayForSure licensee’s toes.”
Full article with photos of the bulky Zune cracked open and completely dissected here.
More photos via the FCC here.
Thick as a brick ain’t gonna sell. This Zune thing gets worse with each passing day (and it wasn’t sounding so great to begin with).
And when’s the last time you saw a laptop that thick? At least it makes the Zune look “thinner.” Imagine how thick a Zune would look next to a MacBook Pro. (shudder)
UPDATE: 1:40pm EDT: Microsoft’s PlaysForSure hacked: FairUse4WM strips Windows Media DRM – August 25, 2006
Related articles:
Microsoft confirms brick-like Zune to be made by Toshiba – August 25, 2006
RUMOR: Microsoft Zune’s user interface revealed in images – August 23, 2006
Details of Microsoft’s Zune interface, features exposed – August 17, 2006
Microsoft to sell single Zune model this fall, rumors of Wi-Fi capability were greatly exaggerated – August 10, 2006
Zune already shedding features? ‘iPod killer’ won’t offer video at launch – August 04, 2006
RealNetworks CEO Glaser a little miffed with Microsoft over Zune – July 28, 2006
Microsoft to spend hundreds of millions, several years on Zune trying to catch Apple iPod+iTunes – July 27, 2006
In wake of Zune announcement, should ex-Microsoft ‘partners’ join iPod ecosystem? – July 27, 2006
Zune: Apple cannot lose. Microsoft cannot win. – July 26, 2006
Analyst: Microsoft partners zune to be the biggest losers – July 25, 2006
In wake of Zune, Microsoft ‘partners’ consider abandoning PlaysForSure – July 25, 2006
Wi-Fi seen limiting battery life on Microsoft’s Zune – July 24, 2006
Why Microsoft’s Zune is doomed to fail – July 24, 2006
Bear Stearns analyst expects Apple to respond to Microsoft’s ‘challenge’ with new iPod innovations – July 24, 2006
Microsoft Zune? They should’ve called it the Microsoft ‘iClod’ – July 24, 2006
Enderle: Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer’ Zune is ‘brilliant strategy’ – July 24, 2006
Microsoft’s so-called ‘iPod killer’ Zune won’t zoom up the charts – July 23, 2006
Microsoft confirms ‘iPod Killer’ plans – July 21, 2006
Microsoft’s rumored ‘iPod killer’ poses little threat to Apple’s domination – July 18, 2006
Microsoft plans Super Bowl ad for ‘iPod killer’ – July 17, 2006
Sounds serious: Microsoft approaches iPod accessory makers for Zune would-be ‘iPod killer’ – July 12, 2006
Microsoft preps complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products – July 11, 2006
Photo of Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer?’ – July 11, 2006
10 reasons why Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer’ will fail – July 11, 2006
Enderle on what it would take for Microsoft to kill Apple’s iPod – July 10, 2006
Microsoft: ‘iPod killer’ reports based on ‘speculation and rumors’ – July 07, 2006
Can Microsoft hit a fast moving target? Apple likely to debut wireless iPod this year – July 07, 2006
Analysts: Microsoft faces uphill fight to supplant Apple’s iPod+iTunes market dominance – July 07, 2006
Microsoft plans to convert iPod users by replacing iTMS songs with free WMA format songs – July 06, 2006
Microsoft to release wireless ‘iPod killer’ by Christmas to challenge Apple – July 05, 2006
Analyst Wu: Microsoft unlikely to dethrone Apple iPod+iTunes – June 21, 2006
Microsoft preps iPod+iTunes killer – June 19, 2006
Report: Microsoft readying Apple iPod+iTunes rival – June 16, 2006
Microsoft: No iPod killer planned – June 05, 2006
Microsoft, Toshiba, DoCoMo, Victor to develop Japan iPod+iTunes killer – June 02, 2006
MTV-Microsoft URGE music service not targeting iPod, iTunes users; Real CEO PlayedForSure? – December 13, 2005
Report: Apple to bring out Bluetooth adapter for iPods – August 25, 2006
Patent application shows iPod capable of live wireless video conferencing – June 13, 2006
Apple patent application filed for wireless iPod+iTunes distribution – May 04, 2006
Generator Research: Apple to Ship $4.2bn in Wireless iPods (WiPods) by 2010 – March 14, 2006
Ready for your wireless Apple iPod? – February 09, 2006
Wireless iPod? CSR and PortalPlayer to bring wireless connectivity to personal media players – February 08, 2006
Wireless Apple iPods coming in 2006? – December 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Dell’s ‘DJ Ditty’ flash-based MP3 player is dead – August 22, 2006
More blood on Apple iTunes Music Store’s play button: MyCokeMusic is dead – June 20, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver gives up on digital media player market – May 23, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Sony’s Walkman Bean is cooked – February 13, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Dell dumps ‘DJ’ hard-drive MP3 player line – February 04, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver pulling out of Europe? – February 01, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Thomson gives up on MP3 player, CE markets – December 12, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: BenQ withdraws from MP3 player markets – November 28, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Olympus halts production of portable digital music players – November 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Rio is dead – August 26, 2005
Apple’s iPod has blood on its Click Wheel: Virgin Electronics is dead – March 08, 2005
Apple’s iTunes Music Store has blood on its play button: BuyMusic.com is dead – March 28, 2004
Oh, BOY … I can’t wait to throw away my iPods and go out and buy three of these things!!!!! </sarcasem>
WOW!!! I am dumping all my AAPl.
This is the “iPod killer”?
Hmm, so it’s a 30GB device that is thicker and I’m sure heavier than a 60GB iPod. Oh yeah, that’ll sell real well…
You’ll need to purchase the Microsoft® Suspenders™ to hold up your pants when you carry the Zune in your pocket.
Here’s my new Zune playlist:
Brick House by The Commodores
Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
Goodbye Yellowbrick Road by Elton John
Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
Brick By Brick by Iggy Pop
Piece of Crap by Crazy Horse
This Is Junk by Brainpool
Zune is going to die..zoon!!! LOL
Hey, Jimbo, don’t forget “Brick” by Ben Folds Five
dang! that’s hot!
Zune is not a portable, it’s a lug-able with a 2 hour battery life. LOL
Jimbo:
Add “Loser” by Beck to the list.
Seems appropriate….
Maybe Heavy D will like the Zune?
I can’t believe this crap… is that a tiny click wheel-ish thing i see on it? Really, have they no shame whatsoever? I know stupid question. Just ridiculous.
if thats production size, then this is going to be one of the most embarrassing products ever released yet for microsoft.
what a piece of shit.
Well, PC users will buy them.
1. You need an Apple to use a iPod. Why buy another computer just to use a MP3 player?
2. WMP is Windows only.
3. WMP is beeter quality looking and sounding.
4. Heavier just means more storage capacity and faster graphics.
5. Bigger is always bettre.
6. Microsoft is on Dells, so Zune should be gooder than a IPOD.
7. COMPUSA will sell Zunes so it’s easy to get support for them. The iPOD store employees don’t know ANYTHING about Microsoft Dells.
8. Zune won’t scratch, becuse it’s made of plastic not steel, so it’s bettar.
9. IPOD is just an excuse to use ITUNES STORE. Mac makes all their money selling u ur music again. U can’t use ur .wmp or .wma files on a IPOD. Thye want u to use proprietary quicktime formats intead of open-source WMP.
10. Nice big screen to watch FUDcasts on.
</intentionally sarcastic imitation of non-Mac people)
wait a sec…. i thought the pics we’ve been seging floating around had a different colored “wheelie-thingie”???
honestly…. i don’t exactly know what’s real or fake any longer. MDN has posted so much stuff about it… i think it may be Microsoft Daily News.
i hate Zune and am tired of hearing about it.
The Microsoft Zune will never beat the Creative Zen in the marketplace.
The new Zen models will come with an iPod-compatible dock so you can use any accessory on either a Zen or an iPod. The Zune will have no such accessories.
And the Zune’s name is much to close to that of the Zen. Creative’s lawyer’s flush with Apple’s cash infusion will have a great day sending cease-and-desist notices to Microsoft.
You guys are rejoicing just a little too soon… (remember the ‘haha Dell sucks and has to have their laptops recalled’….)
Don’t forget there’s probably going to be just a couple of ads to take the sting out of it’s shortcomings.
But… Stick some wheels on the sides, point it downhill and watch out!
ZZZune…
Wake me up when the iPod stops ROTFL it’s AO.
Zune is to iPod what myspace is to WikiPedia.
MDW MW: didnt
Oh yes I dit.
“Zune?” M$ really screwed up with the name.
They should’ve named it “Crap.”
I’m assigning Jack Bauer to investigate this Zuny thingy. I want answers damn it!
It’s a perfect fit! A retarded-looking player to go with a retarded-sounding name.
“You guys are rejoicing just a little too soon… (remember the ‘haha Dell sucks and has to have their laptops recalled’….)”
Well, I guess your right (slightly…) but remember that “we guys” said the same about Dells Ditty mp3 player and look how that turned out ! = )
This is beginning to paint MS in a WORSE light than even Dell.
What do they think they’re doing?? They have to be complete and utter MORONS!!!
I’d rather listen to Jethro Tull’s “Thick As A Brick” on my iPod.
Young Monk: “Microsoft could not create an iPod killer, that’s impossible. Instead, try to see the truth.”
Neo: “What truth?”
http://ThereIsNoZune.com