Fix It Guide To the Zune

The web is abuzz with this guy Michael Pinto's thoughts on the Zune, and why Microsoft has "only" a 4% market share to date here in the US.  Apparently Pinto is a creative consultant that focuses on youth and interactive media.  Other sites are extrapolating this into "Zune is a failure" with the recent decision by GameStop to pull it from its shelves.  The points that Pinto makes are three:

1-The price is too high:  While he advocates a $25 Zune to compete with the iShuffle, I think that is pretty unrealistic unless Microsoft wants to take a hefty loss on each one.  This market is price conscious, as proven by sub-$100 gen 1 Zunes flying off shelves and online at Woot over the holiday season.   I think that the Zune 80 should do a better job of undercutting the iPod 80 if it was $20 or $30 cheaper and build market share a lot faster.  Trying to just compete on features when they're pretty evenly matched with the more popular competition is an uphill battle.

2-More Limited Editions: I don't know what he wants.  Microsoft has done plenty of this, and continues to do so.  Apple hasn't built the iPod on limited editions so Microsoft shouldn't have to either.  They're nothing more than a gimmick (although I'd love an Eric Clapton one...).

3-Preloaded Music: I will admit that I was underwhelmed with what came on my Zune.  Some preloaded tracks would be nice, an included month or two at the Zune Marketplace would even be better.  The Zune Marketplace is one of the selling features over iTunes offering subscription music for an "all you can eat" price, but Microsoft is doing a lousy job at marketing it.

So, is Pinto the new self appointed guru of what's wrong with the Zune?  Maybe 4% market share is as good as it gets for a newer player, and plenty of other companies would be satisfied with these types of numbers.  Who knows what Zune 3 might bring?

Comments

[Jaxim]

I did like his suggestion of selling the zune right after a concert with the songs of the concert preloaded.

As far as the Limited editions, there are plenty of Zune limited editions: i.e. The Halo Zune.

But I think there are other things that Microsoft can do to get more marketshare. There are things that I think they can fix or add to the Zune, but the NUMBER ONE thing that would greatly increase the Zune's marketshare is an effective marketing campaign!

I see the iPods commericals all the time, but I never see any Zune commericals. They're way too infrequent. I never see any posters but I see plenty up in Times Square. They should also get TV shows and movies to place their product. How many times have we seen the big apple logo in the media we watch. That attributes to people thinking something is cool.

[Stowman L Stines II]

I think that a free 14 trial to Zune Pass would get people hooked on a Zune.

[Phil]

I think if they sorted out the software so it actually worked they would be off to a good start. Then maybe add some other features - make proper use of the wi-fi; add internet radio support or the ability to download album art on the go. Hell why not a browser? I don't think they are making full use of the hardware, and certainly aren't helping things with the software (which is slow and feels bloated).

[J_Brisby]

I think the iPod reached its pinnacle with G4, and then they started screwing it up. I'm heartily sick of iPods, and am anxiously awaiting the chance to buy a Zune. I've already downloaded the software, and holy shit...it actually works on Windows! Which is already more than iTunes ever did.

It's safe to say, I think, that Zunes market share is going to increase. I can't be particularly unique.

[AdamEntity]

And they did it once again....
http://www.zune.net/en-us/press/2008/0606-joydivision.htm