Zune, Disney and how Apple should make its own kid-oriented iPod (hint: Disney iPod anyone?)
As an electrical engineer, I am interested in technology. Ok,
I am obsessed with technology. Well ok, even ‘obsessed’ might not be stressing
its overall importance in my life. Let’s just say I like technology. This means
I keep track of certain news coming out of places like
One of the more interesting tidbits revolves around
Microsoft’s newest attempt to redefine their status as the world’s largest
software company into the world’s largest technology company. This time around,
it’s the Zune media player – Microsoft’s so-called answer to Apple’s iPod. Essentially,
it is an attempt by Microsoft to capture the market that Apple dominates with
their iPod and its derivatives.
Now, this is where it gets interesting. The Zune isn’t that
great and its current market share shows it. In just its second week of release,
it is the fifth most popular digital media device in the
2.1% of the market (based on units sold). Apple’s iPod, not so surprisingly,
took the overall lead. What is interesting however, is just who Microsoft tied
for fifth with.