Archive for category Microsoft
Zune glitch indicative of gaining popularity
Posted by Matt in Apple, Digital Media, Microsoft on January 1st, 2009
The recent Microsoft Zune glitch causing many 30GB models to lock up and require a complete erase/reset of the device may be more significant than many would initially believe. Microsoft certainly has some history of buggy software (e.g. the initial release of Windows Vista), and has had a rough year during 2008, but I suspect things may end up differently in 2009.
If, Microsoft truly “missed the boat” in the digital music market, as one analyst remarked, then why are there 20,000+ comments on one forum complaining of locked up 30GB Zunes? If Zunes are truly inferior to iPods or if Apple is not gradually losing market share to other media players, then why would this particular issue cause such a stir? In fact, the number of users with problems doesn’t include those with smaller flash-based Zune players, nor does the statistic indicate the number of people with 80GB (most likely one of the most popular) or 120GB models! My theory is that 2009 may be the year of the Zune. Certainly Apple won’t lose it’s footing in the digital music business overnight, but many users are expressing their disapproval of the iTunes software and the iTunes store, which attaches restrictions known as DRM to most of the available music. The software itself has shown little in the way of innovation over the past several versions. In fact, I’m not really sure iTunes 8 can be considered a major version upgrade (i.e. I think it should have been v7.8). It adds new DRM restrictions to certain types of video and includes the “Genius,” which attempts to suggest new artists and songs based on what the user is currently listening to. Unfortunately, it’s far from smart and just picks obvious alternatives. The Zune software is far more intelligent in this regard, which just provides yet another reason to ditch iTunes and switch to something better.
In conclusion, I’m waiting to see what Microsoft does this year, especially with the possibility of a Zune-based phone and Windows Mobile 7. Combined with the promising features and power of Windows 7, it could end up being a very good year indeed!
Windows 7 Gestures
I’ve been playing with Beta 1 (build 7000) of the up and coming Windows 7 from Microsoft and discovered a new feature today that I haven’t seen documented on other sites or Microsoft docs either. If you grab a window and quickly “jiggle” it back and forth a couple times, all other windows behind it will instantly minimize. Let go and then “jiggle” the window again to make the other windows re-appear.
It seems pretty intentional and has worked every time I’ve tried it. Interesting new feature!
Zune Phone becoming reality?
Posted by Matt in Microsoft, Smartphones on December 10th, 2008
I’m in the market for a smartphone. My two-year contract on my Verizon plan is up in June or July ‘09 and although I’m not necessarily in a hurry to get rid of my current phone (the LG Chocolate 2), I would like something that makes texting and emailing on the go a breeze, plus gives me the option of 3G internet anywhere. I’ve been very pleased with my Verizon service, so I’m definitely sticking with them, but thus far I haven’t been terribly impressed with their smartphone lineup. Which is why today’s announcement/speculation makes me very excited. Yes, I realize that Verizon may get the iPhone by 2010, but given my experience with Apple products, I’m in no hurry to get one of those anyway.
Wired.com is running a story on a potential Microsoft announcement at CES ‘09 on January 7th regarding a new smartphone based on their already well-made Zune product. While this could be a brand-new OS release, it could also be part of the plan for Windows Mobile 7. Either way, it’s pretty exciting stuff, and since AT&T has an exclusivity deal with Apple, I could see Microsoft picking Verizon as a potential partner for their phone. Ultimately the best endgame here would be for Microsoft to get their phone to as many wireless providers as possible in an effort to take as much market share as possible.
I’m a PC (and a human being)
Microsoft is throwing it right back at Apple, who has attempted to stereotype the Personal Computer (PC) as a bloated, disfunctional, and not-very-hip machine. I won’t delve into the many arguments about how Macs are really just PCs with an Apple logo and an alternative OS, or how Linux (which Apple ignores in it’s commercials) runs on many PCs.
So to counter this so-called “stereotype,” Microsoft has released the “I’m a PC” ad campaign. See for yourself why that stereotype is so wrong…