Comments on: From Vista to Zune: Why Microsoft Can’t Sell to Consumers http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/ Daniel Eran Dilger in San Francisco Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:49:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Boycott Novell » Another Tough Weekend for Microsoft http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-10837 Boycott Novell » Another Tough Weekend for Microsoft Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:13:17 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-10837 [...] From Vista to Zune: Why Microsoft Can’t Sell to Consumers [...] [...] From Vista to Zune: Why Microsoft Can’t Sell to Consumers [...]

]]> By: MikieV http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8719 MikieV Wed, 28 May 2008 17:47:37 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8719 Piling-on... I like InformationWeek's last paragraph, in their story about zune being dropped by GameStop: http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/ipod/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208200325 "Despite a big investment in developing and marketing the Zune, which Microsoft launched in 2006, the device in the first quarter of this year accounted for only 4% of the U.S. portable music player market. The iPod, on the other hand, accounted for 71%." Piling-on…

I like InformationWeek’s last paragraph, in their story about zune being dropped by GameStop:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/ipod/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208200325

“Despite a big investment in developing and marketing the Zune, which Microsoft launched in 2006, the device in the first quarter of this year accounted for only 4% of the U.S. portable music player market. The iPod, on the other hand, accounted for 71%.”

]]> By: L http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8461 L Mon, 19 May 2008 17:03:54 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8461 I remember reading Gates book. Their methodology is code and sync. That's just ripe for failures. MS has introduced so many APIs where as Apple has one (two with Carbon, but's been dropped). I remember reading Gates book. Their methodology is code and sync. That’s just ripe for failures. MS has introduced so many APIs where as Apple has one (two with Carbon, but’s been dropped).

]]> By: harrywolf http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8447 harrywolf Mon, 19 May 2008 05:53:10 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8447 Its interesting reading through the comments and noticing how most people are unwilling to believe that a giant corporation like Microsoft can be so stupid and useless in so many areas. A large corporation is usually run by a very small group of people, and if those people arent too bright, or have dangerously large egos, anything can happen. The boss of Vivendi wanted to control the world; he wasted billions and was sacked, but until that point, everyone believed his BS. When software was simple and obvious, and merely printing a document successfully was thrilling (back in the late 80's), Microsoft had it easy. But now, Microsoft are exposed as what they have always been, a second-rate company that got lucky, with zero design skills, no taste (Steve Jobs said it first) and a completely false belief that they are number One. They remind me of the lottery winner who is still unhappy and unwise even after winning a billion bucks. Its interesting reading through the comments and noticing how most people are unwilling to believe that a giant corporation like Microsoft can be so stupid and useless in so many areas.

A large corporation is usually run by a very small group of people, and if those people arent too bright, or have dangerously large egos, anything can happen.

The boss of Vivendi wanted to control the world; he wasted billions and was sacked, but until that point, everyone believed his BS.

When software was simple and obvious, and merely printing a document successfully was thrilling (back in the late 80’s), Microsoft had it easy.

But now, Microsoft are exposed as what they have always been, a second-rate company that got lucky, with zero design skills, no taste (Steve Jobs said it first)
and a completely false belief that they are number One.

They remind me of the lottery winner who is still unhappy and unwise even after winning a billion bucks.

]]> By: Partners in Grime http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8443 Partners in Grime Mon, 19 May 2008 02:33:22 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8443 I've never seen a Zune in the wild.... I’ve never seen a Zune in the wild….

]]> By: Llydis http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8435 Llydis Sat, 17 May 2008 21:42:28 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8435 I, personally, still wonder what context a "social," has on the modern music scene. Especially with the age group they're marketing to with Zune. Most people my age are familiar more with clubs and bars. The idea of going to a social for music is kind of alien at this point. Then again, there's a lot of things wrong with the Zune's advertising from the box, to the web sites, color choices for the product's identity... I'm beginning to wonder if their advertising staff has to undergo a lobotomy before they're hired. I've only seen one person use a Zune in the wild, and he was in my math class last semester. I, personally, still wonder what context a “social,” has on the modern music scene. Especially with the age group they’re marketing to with Zune.

Most people my age are familiar more with clubs and bars. The idea of going to a social for music is kind of alien at this point.

Then again, there’s a lot of things wrong with the Zune’s advertising from the box, to the web sites, color choices for the product’s identity… I’m beginning to wonder if their advertising staff has to undergo a lobotomy before they’re hired.

I’ve only seen one person use a Zune in the wild, and he was in my math class last semester.

]]> By: drx1 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8432 drx1 Sat, 17 May 2008 18:24:53 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8432 The interesting thing here - where the 'whole widget' bears out is the iPod. Microsoft, to a large degree has catered to the geeks, who like complicated things that take a lot of time and intelligence to figure out, fix, etc.... and so everyone knows someone who knows Windows - so that's what they have purchased (in the past) .... because even if they dont like the complicated, geeky parts of Windows - they atleast know someone who can help them out. There there are electronics ... like Sony's or JVC or whatever -this stuff (usually) just works - and if it doesnt, you take it back (or get a new one). This is where the iPod shines - it just works - its an appliance. It is power and it is easy to use, with little fuss and this is where Microsoft gets trapped in their culture of making things overly complicated and/or just do not work well enough for the average user. Also, I would consider Apple making the whole widget, even with the Intel systems. If you have a hardware problem - you go to Apple... if you have a software problem - you go to Apple.... if you have something inbetween - you go to Apple. Also, from what I understand, Apple does have some input on the chip/mobo features - not as much with say PPC/AIM, but its still there. MS does have a lot going for it still ... even though Vista sucks, Microsoft will still make a ton of money off of it. Even though the Zune sucks, it doesnt really matter (in the near term) if it fails. MS Office will still be king for at least 7 to 10 years and well business also are using .NET heavily .... I guess the XBOX360 is doing OK. ... hopefully people and companies wont continue to blindly buy Microsoft. The interesting thing here - where the ‘whole widget’ bears out is the iPod. Microsoft, to a large degree has catered to the geeks, who like complicated things that take a lot of time and intelligence to figure out, fix, etc…. and so everyone knows someone who knows Windows - so that’s what they have purchased (in the past) …. because even if they dont like the complicated, geeky parts of Windows - they atleast know someone who can help them out.

There there are electronics … like Sony’s or JVC or whatever -this stuff (usually) just works - and if it doesnt, you take it back (or get a new one). This is where the iPod shines - it just works - its an appliance. It is power and it is easy to use, with little fuss and this is where Microsoft gets trapped in their culture of making things overly complicated and/or just do not work well enough for the average user.

Also, I would consider Apple making the whole widget, even with the Intel systems. If you have a hardware problem - you go to Apple… if you have a software problem - you go to Apple…. if you have something inbetween - you go to Apple. Also, from what I understand, Apple does have some input on the chip/mobo features - not as much with say PPC/AIM, but its still there.

MS does have a lot going for it still … even though Vista sucks, Microsoft will still make a ton of money off of it. Even though the Zune sucks, it doesnt really matter (in the near term) if it fails. MS Office will still be king for at least 7 to 10 years and well business also are using .NET heavily …. I guess the XBOX360 is doing OK. … hopefully people and companies wont continue to blindly buy Microsoft.

]]> By: khichdo http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8431 khichdo Sat, 17 May 2008 18:18:10 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8431 @david dennis: This is called segmentation. It is the art of trying to upsell to consumers. Even apple does this - with the various price points of macbook/macbook-pro, ipod nano, ipod classic, touch etc. Sure, they dont charge different price for OS, but their hardware is what differentiates the different price points. @david dennis: This is called segmentation. It is the art of trying to upsell to consumers. Even apple does this - with the various price points of macbook/macbook-pro, ipod nano, ipod classic, touch etc.

Sure, they dont charge different price for OS, but their hardware is what differentiates the different price points.

]]> By: JohnWatkins http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8336 JohnWatkins Tue, 13 May 2008 21:19:57 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8336 When I said, "They are very hands on in terms of form, haptic design, and development of new features" I ment to add: You can tell they are involved by some of the poor esthetic decisions that are made. When I said, “They are very hands on in terms of form, haptic design, and development of new features” I ment to add:
You can tell they are involved by some of the poor esthetic decisions that are made.

]]> By: JohnWatkins http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8335 JohnWatkins Tue, 13 May 2008 21:18:08 +0000 http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/05/12/from-vista-to-zune-why-microsoft-cant-sell-to-consumers/#comment-8335 @ danieleran & @ StrictNon-Conformist: Dan is correct when he says, "Microsoft gets credit for selling keyboards and mice, but those are actually built by Logitech and rebranded. Logitech is a consumer-oriented company." But to give Microsoft some of their due, they have had a hardware design group for at least 9 years or so. They are very hands on in terms of form, haptic design, and development of new features (they have researchers,designers engineers, etc.) but indeed, I think they let Logitec to the heavy lifting. @ danieleran & @ StrictNon-Conformist:
Dan is correct when he says, “Microsoft gets credit for selling keyboards and mice, but those are actually built by Logitech and rebranded. Logitech is a consumer-oriented company.”
But to give Microsoft some of their due, they have had a hardware design group for at least 9 years or so. They are very hands on in terms of form, haptic design, and development of new features (they have researchers,designers engineers, etc.) but indeed, I think they let Logitec to the heavy lifting.

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