Gizmodo
Hey Microsoft, did you really think you were going to eat into Macworld coverage by announcing a new paintjob for the Zune 80 for Valentine's Day? You can't just cut into someone else's party like that; it'd be like Apple announcing some major product during CES or something. If you are so inclined to get a red Zune for your sweetie for V-Day, though, be sure to order by Feb. 4.
Red Zune 80GB and New Collection of Artwork Debut on Zune Originals Customizable gift options and themed playlists from Zune Marketplace help consumers share the love this Valentine's Day[Zune]Responding to consumer excitement for the Zune 80GB, Microsoft is making the popular wireless media player available in red via Zune Originals, just in time for Valentine's Day. Inspired by the themes of love and sharing, an exclusive collection of 20 new laser-engraved designs will also be available to consumers for a limited time at the Zune Originals Web site. Zune Marketplace will also feature Valentine's Day themed playlists that can be shared with friends or loved ones via Zune-to-Zune wireless sharing or the Zune Social online music community.
Comments
Wow, kudos to Microsoft's marketing department. Way to steal that Apple thunder....
IM sure seeing this post is Kudos enough for them :) But good for Giz for sharing all the news, fair and impartial.
@tamoko: Correction. Way to *TRY* to steal Apple's thunder....
Yet another example of how MS's arse doesn't know what its other body parts are doing. BTW is this a (RED) tm Zune or just a red one. Probably the later in which case it's another missed opportunity... and might have made the fact that you bought her a Zune instead of an iPod a little less egregious.
@TheSonOfKrypton:
No Tamoko got it right the first time. Red Zune w00t! I'm first in line! Screw the Apple MacBook Air!
Naw, Gizmodo isn't being too Applefanboy/girl-ish.
Well, I think it worked because we'll be getting headlines about how Microsoft tried to steal Apple´s thunder. Gizmodo already started.
Oh no, heaven forbid the rest of the world keeps working during MacWorld.
Hey, here it is on Gizmodo, stole enough thunder to break the 20 MBP Air posts...
YES! this is what i needed to finally upgrade to the zune80!
Will they charge $20? extras for "premium" laser etching?
That's genius! lol
Wait Matt, didn't Apple announce the new 8-core Mac Pros and servers during CES?
It can be fun to be hard on Microsoft and all, but it's nearing February, and I imagine people like to get their Valentine's Day gifts ahead of time.
Well, you posted it didn't you? I think it was planned to make sure that MS was at least mentioned once on the blogs today.
Finally they made the Zune 80GB in another color. It's about time. It's also nice to see how good the color red they picked is. The Red on the first gen Zune was not so red. But this red is perfect. Way to go Microsoft. You got a hit on your hands!
This is weak, even for Gizmodo.
At least MS & Sony doesn't charge extra for firmware updates.
@thomasora: That's what made it a joke.
Hey Giz, I'm thinking that from now on you should use blinking html tags on all your punchlines to avoid confusion. Especially when joking about Apple or Microsoft, since stories about those companies tend to turn your readers into humorless angry freaks.
This story is so lame. Any and everything Apple is ok and made for the world in general but not Microsoft.
I wonder why do you Giz guys bother to write anything about MS. Please don't bother next time; good or bad. Keep it all Apple so that only Apple lovers will bother to read your articles. Maaannn...LAME!
Wait, damn!
Oh, and one more thing...
lol, Matt Buchanan. Grow the fuck up.
Thanks to Microsoft for the comedic relief.
@monstergoc: True...I do enjoy a balanced view point.. regardless of the often partisian, clashing ideologies that we all often have.
So Microsoft didn't reveal that "killer" gadget... tehy still deserve some attention. I'm already bored with the whole Macbook Air affair.
NEXT!!
@TheSonOfKrypton: Exactly... I should of been a bit more expressive.
IT's actually not that bad of an idea. Get mention amongst all the Mac news as some sort of joke. it's not like Zune's losing any credibility... everyone already pokes about on Zune as a failure as it is. One more mention during in oppositional news might be a good thing.
I for one would like to welcome our new Zune overlords. I Just got to use one of these and it schools the ipod. The screen is better, and I like the square-cle touch pad. The best part though is the matte aluminum back that is scratch and fingerprint free. This makes it thinner than a ipod that requires a thick case to stop it from being all scratched up.
well they must have done something right. Gizmodo reported it, and you're all here talking about it. So yeah, in a small way, they did eat into the monontonous stream of diarrhea coming out of macworld.
Right. It isn't like Apple was announcing a new XServe and Mac 8-core systems during CES.
Oh, wait. They were? Oops.. My bad.
Frankly, it was nice to have at least one non-Apple story today to add a little color (excuse) to the day.
I don't see this as a "bad day". Apple didn't anounce an Valentine iPod on Macworld did it?
Also, worked for free publicity. I mean, I'd probably ignore it if the article was "new Valentine Zunes released!".
Articles about Microsoft x Apple attracts a helluva lot more attention...
I got a Zune 80 from the wife for Christmas and I have to admit I like it MUCH better than my iPod. With the news above, it's refreshing to see MS making attempts to keep the Zune moving forward. The more variables they can throw out there, the better. Sure the Valentine thing is kinda corny but it's still refreshing to see them doing stuff.
The wife gets the Zune while the girlfriend gets the iPod - we get it.
@elmyc: let me know how checking your email is working out for you on your Zune.
oh... you can't? well... what if you give MS $20? still no? oh... that's a shame.
Now now, lets not all break giz's e-balls over their blatant fanboyism...
They might turn off your TV! *snicker*
@fastm3driver: nice attempt at trying to make excuses for a horrible product.
@x23: How are the 5 movies on your fully filled up touch? What, can you even have 5 on it?
Ill enjoy my 80 gigs worth on a 3.2 inch screen, thanks.
Don't make stupid comments like that if you haven't thought of an obvious retort.
@x23: BTW, hows email checking working on your classic and nano?
@ImTheKing: I completely agree with you. Having to put on a protective case onto your MP3 player because it has a fingerprint prone backing that is heavily chromed does not make it good. Like you said, the iPod is a horrible product.
Weak attempt by Apple to try and combat the red zune with that lame Error laptop. Another swing and a miss from ol' turtleneck boy.
Wow. It's like an old ex-lover trying to get your attention after you've moved on. Is microsoft serious:)
Microsoft should stick to what they do best; software--er, nevermind, I take that back.
@hhaller: I'm so sad that you're the only commenter in this entire thread to see the joke.
Apple doesn't need to release something like a Valentine's Day iPod to sell their products.
Zune does.
fuck this PC/winblows bullshit. fuck the zune. get a macbook air bitches. check it out... slimmer than this zune bullshit. love to apple! im a fanboy.
ps. this post IS a lame attempt by Gizmodo to show that they are not apple fangirls by posting ONE non apple related product.
A Zune for Valentines Day? What could be more romantic? "Here, dear. Stick these in your ears and ignore me for the rest of the day!" I'll stick to chocolates and flowers, thank you!
For god sakes they released the info on Jan 15 about a month before Valentines Day get over it, when else would they have released it Jan 1st or Feb 1st if they would have released it Jan 1 people would have been asking why to early and if Feb 1 why so late, so around the 14 or 15 of Jan would have been the right time. Get the fuck over that they released in on the 15th when Mac world was going on; so what.
Also quit comparing the ipod touch to the zune, do you see a fucking zune touch no so why the fuck are you comparing them, compare a zune to a ipod nano or ipod classic but not a ipod touch. The touch is more of a media device than a music player
@elmyc: The engraving (and shipping) is free if you order from their site. Mine came in a really nice package too, including a poster of the art I had engraved and some cards with an artist bio.
Best thing? Unlimited subscription music downloads for 3 devices.
Granted, Microsoft needs a new PR/advertising department...BADLY (or use Apple's government approved brainwashing agency).
I just replaced my old iPod with a Zune 80gb and LOVE it. The ZunePad is the most amazing interface. X+Y axis input, will not react unless your actual finger makes contact with it, turns the backlight back on with mere contact of your finger, rapid scrolling and a flawless interaction.
After giving the Zune a chance, I would NEVER buy another iPod. (and MS didn't charge for a full engraving)
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