Gizmodo
While at the Zune Media Event in Redmond on Monday, the media had some downtime between presentations, and naturally the conversation moved to Microsoft vs. Apple. The mix of bloggers, reporters and Microsoft advertorial/internal bloggers provided an interesting, if predictable dialogue. Then the convo turned to iPod vs. Zune, and the question of Zune's lack of Mac support came up. The closest anyone came to giving a good reason was suggesting Mac users bought Apple products more for the logo than the actual product, meaning they'd never abandon the iPod for a Zune. A fair point, perhaps, but a silly reason for a company to justify their lack of support for another platform. Here are a few reasons Zune should support OS X:
Tech Journalists and Reviewers Use Macs: Sure, Microsoft may not think it's profitable to develop software for a platform where users are unlikely to purchase their products, but what about drawing interest from the media? If you look around any tech media event, you're going to see more people using Macs than PCs. And sure, most, if not all, of us have both platforms running. But for those of us who use OS X as our primary OS, how many are using Zune past the initial review stage? It's more of a hassle to go back and forth between machines just to use devices, especially when it comes to the storage of media files. I think the media would be more interested in the nuances of Zune if it fit in with their daily lives.
Zune 2.0 Is a Quality Product: Pound for Pound, I'd say the Zune80 is a better product than the iPod Classic. It has a better UI, more features (hardware and software), a better platform and control mechanism for gaming, and a decent enough design. While many companies in the past have put out good MP3 players, none have hands-down outclassed the iPod. The Zune80 might be the first to challenge the supremacy of the iPod. Why not have faith that Mac users will see that?
Devices And Platforms Should Never Be Exclusive: The iPod never really took off until it began supporting Windows with it's 2G iteration. Of course, Apple had more to gain from opening up to a much, much larger Windows user base, but it never hurts to make a product more widely available to the public.
How Costly Can Mac Support Be?: Even if the number of potential Mac users who would buy Zune products is minuscule, how expensive can it be to code an app? There have been far smaller companies who have supported both platforms, and Microsoft has other Mac apps, so what gives?
All The Cool Kids Are Doing It: The iPod didn't become the de facto standard for MP3 players because of its technical prowess alone. The great white earbud craze of 2004 probably started because a handful of popular kids liked the design of the iPod a year or two earlier, which in turn made them technological tastemakers. All the kids who want to be popular generally follow along. I think it goes without saying that it's currently considered "cool" to own a Mac. Microsoft is never going to get Zunes in the hands of this group if they can't get their music on it.
It's entirely possible adding Mac support won't have a huge impact, but with open source technology and DRM-free media growing more popular by the day, giving people the freedom of platform is always good for the image.
Comments
why does microsoft even make an mp3 player? the margins can't be very high...
although clearly I welcome competition in the gadget space
If you do Zune support for the Mac, then you lose money because Microsoft isn't getting your Windows subscription dollars.
The mentality of the people building Zune will be the death of Microsoft.
It runs in XP if you dual boot - what the problem?
You Mac guys have MS Office what more you want?
wait- you mean people are still buying Zunes??
Who knew.
Um, because nobody in the real word cares about mac's. Only Mac people care about themselves and think they are owed something. I mean what do they have a couple percent of the market? Peanuts, I say.
This article should read "Why aren't mac users switching to Windows so they can use all the cool gadgets." Like ipods and Zunes.
Flame on....
If they make it mac compatible and two mac users buy them then wouldn't the Zune double it's market share?
@flyboy: dual boot is unsupported by zune warranty.
You don't call a retarded person a retard. You call your friends retard when they are acting retarded.
Basically, I'm saying that Microsoft is a retard.
"suggesting Mac users bought Apple products more for the logo than the actual product"
how about not? is it THAT hard to believe that a lot of us mac users are such because we feel that it is the best product available for our personal usage?
@fastm3driver:
Doesn't apple have a larger portion of the personal computer market than MS has of the mp3 player market?
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say nobody in the real world cares about zunes?
I own a Zune and I'm going to be getting a new laptop soon and I was considering getting a macbook pro, but if I can't use my zune on it, I'll just stick with a dell. I didn't realize that I wouldn't be able to use it on a mac.
I would ditch my iPod tomorrow if Microsoft gave the Zune OSX Support. I feel the Zune is a quality product I would use, and its a shame that their loosing another customer.
Comment on Seriously, Where's the Zune Support for Mac? i need a way to get media from my mac to my xbox 360 the zune software does it on my pc but i have everything on my mac i have seen some software that will do it but is like 30 bucks anyone know of any freebies
@Adrian Covert: really?
How come - Its either running Windows or it ain't.
Windows on an Intel chassis - the case doesn't matter.
The Zune is a sleeper - its better than you first realise. Might get me one.
@jiffy: Nope...
It would triple it!
excellent points, hope someone in Microsoft is reading, I have a zune myself and ipod baiting aside, i feel it is the best MP3 player this side of an iPod Touch.
A certain case for Mac support
Who the hell seriously thinks that owning a Mac is the "Cool thing to do"? Just because you own a mac, doesn't make you cool. Your either an average Mac user, a Steve-Jobs worshiper or a dumbass with computers, so you thought the mac would be a little easier. None of those are reasons to be cool.
@jiffy: Great point. Now if you want Zune for Mac, after you get a Mac, you have to buy Windows. Ingenious plan!
@MrBlahBlah: @Dr. Paul Proteus:
You guys do realize that MS is not currently trying to unseat the iPod, don't you? Their strategy has been clear from the beginning - lock down the No. 2 spot. The guys in Redmond know that they have to walk before they can run. This was MS' strategy with the XBOX (don't try to defeat either Nintendo or Sony out of the gate).
Calling the Zune a failure is a bit premature.
@OMG! Ponies!:
so true - like the early Toyotas and Hondas. Make, learn, dominate.
@jiffy: Maybe but it's still tiny. And many of their sales are to schools and businesses that probably lock out syncing like they do at my work.
I also work with 2 people with Zunes and the new ones are awesome. If my ipod died today I would get the Zune 80 instead. While many more people around here have ipods, I see more of them break. Like 3 in the last 3 weeks. The zune interface/screen is better for music and that's what I use it for.
The classic interface is slow and the touch is really for video's. No tactual feedback. I use mine players more in the car and the "touch" interface sucks for that. In fact the wheel isn't that great either.
While I'm at it, video on the nano is retarded and the 2nd gen design was perfect, just up the memory.
Save it...
we mac fanboys are happy with our ipods/iphones!! No zune for us!! No MS products on our Macs :P
I seriously wanted a Zune (it's brown, I can't help it!), but with no mac support I'm just not loving it. I've had a play with the software and it just doesn't beat itunes for ease of use (plus it's kinda ugly, in a 'where the hell is anything' sort of way).
How about booting to XP or Vista in Bootcamp? (not pratical or possble for all, I realize) That voids your warranty? I don't see how actually, it plays COD4 and many others etc. how would it void your warranty when you had to purchase the OS to run under BootCamp to get the proper support for the Zune? See what I mean? Voiding warranty using boot camp to me doesn't make sense.
Weird.... iPod!
Done!
Faslane
@sho38: then why all the effing fuss then?
@Sam_Zebian: I'm guessing most Mac users are average Mac users, by definition. Glad to see you kept those embarrassing types out of the majority.
Good points. As a mac user (along with the ever-increasing number of new mac users), Zune really isn't an option. If it were, I would at least look into it.
Mac users are not ALL loyal to Apple, and many (including myself) make decisions based on price, functionality and design rather than JUST brand. The Zune is priced competitively, very functional and looks pretty good. And it is arguably better than the iPod for some people's needs.
Sounds like Mac users would fit into their target market very nicely. First, though, they need to increase awareness of the Zune brand. Most people don't even knows the Zune exist, so for the majority of consumers it isn't even considered as an option.
Sounds like a PRIME opportunity for a 3rd Party (ahem, Markspace?) to come up with a solution such as they did with the Missing Sync for Mac to support WinMobile devices.
That is if there were a market for the Zune, what is it anyway? just kidding.....not for me, but to each their own
Just a thought.
Faslane
I use mac and i would buy a zune for sure if it had mac support, but apple have their heads screwed on, and good old DRM means lockdown for a heck of a lot of the music i own
@ Sam_Zebian
I'm Cool!, I think anyway, Been using Macs for 20 years, BUT, I have a pc laptop and a desktop gaming rig too, so...there is a tool for every job. I'm not starting that debate either, just saying I'm cool! LMAO
Faslane
Totally agree. I think there are plenty of Mac users who might flirt with a Zune. Especially, if they want a solid MP3 player with a built-in radio.
Also, as long as we're talking about what MS should do with the Zune. I can't understand why they don't make a Zune application for Windows Mobile. That would give anyone with a WinMo smartphone a great media player, and the ability to use the Zune desktop app and Zune Marketplace. Essentially, they could turn every WinMo phone into a "ZunePhone". It seems like such low hanging fruit software-wise and an effective way to challenge the iPhone.
But hey what do I know...
I'm loyal to Price and functionality, period.
I have to have a Mac for my business, but like i said above, I have PC's too. My Computers are my Tools, each one for a specific job, the mp3 players are just extras that make life fun and work not to "work" Hell, I'd try a Zune if it had Mac support just to give it a whirl, but I really like my iPod too so can't say whether or not it'd make me sell my iPod...who knows...prob. not for me.
Faslane
Why does iTunes work like garbage on a PC?
Mine works great, more specific please....?
Faslane
I own both a Zune and a Mac and, all fanboy-ism aside, they are each good products.
I used to dual-boot into XP to use my Zune, but that has become too much of a hassle. I cancelled my subscription and have not used my Zune in months.
That being said, if MS did offer Mac support, I would pick up my subscription again immediately.
Here's to hope.
"Devices And Platforms Should Never Be Exclusive"
And that, in a nutshell, is why Microsloth will never support anything other than Windows.
The biggest strawman argument ever created is "Mac users only buy stuff from Apple cause of the Apple logo on it."
The fact that the anti-Mac crowd is so deluded as to come up with some sort of obessesion based rationality rather than the simpler more obvious explanation points more fingers at the source than at the target of their cluelessnes.
The simpler more obvious explanation is that people buy Apple merchandise because they like it. Because its good quality. Because its enjoyable and easy to use. Because its reliable. Because when it comes to features quality is prefered by many over quantity.
Apple's success isn't because of a cult mentality, its success is because it makes products that work and that people can use. Consumer reports June issue shows rankings for satisfaction in both laptop and desktop support:
[www.macworld.com]
In laptops Apple scores an 83, Lenovo comes in second with a whopping 66. In desktops Apple gets an 81. Second place? Dell with 56. Fifty Six.
No one is forcing anyone to use a Mac if they don't want to, and many of us will use products from other companies if they offer a better experience.
Seriously though, while it may soothe your bruised ego to pick on Apple, you only make yourself look foolish to the non-anti-apple crowd with the hyperbole and rhetoric. Apple's not perfect and there is room to criticize, same for Dell, Microsoft, Toshiba, Google, Yahoo, etc. But get overyourself and stop painting Apple as some sort of popularity contest. Sure it helps that the iPod is popular, but it got to BE popular by being good at what it does.
Yes I am a Mac user, I'm also a PC user. I work on PC's all day at work, I have for years and have experience on both sides. Sometimes the PC is better, other times the Mac is better. Each person has different needs and should find the solution that works best for them.
Oh and one last thing, believe it or not, the uber-gadget freaks (aka those of us who post here and read Gizmodo) represent a small fraction of real world users, so pretending like our wants and needs should dictate EVERY product that comes out is down right hilarious. Not everyone wants the fastest, feature crammed, uber device. Most people want a device that does what they need it to and does it well.
@OMG! Ponies!: yes, and I can't wait until they do unseat their throne! (I'll be able to squirt everyone!!! HAHAHA!)jk lol
If they port Zune to OS X they'd need to port the library software as well, and that means porting the DRM, and that means actively managing the DRM against exploits in an entirely different ecosystem.
This is a non-trivial project that's unlikely to gain any users since OS X peeps aren't going to ditch iTunes for the janky MS attempt at music management. It would lead to articles like "Zune on OS X: Epic fail, or just regular fail?" and no real progress. I can see why they're sticking to Windows.
@itchytooth: I knew if I put the mac lovers as the majority I'd get flamed upon, so I took the smarter path.
@ihavenoimaginationwhenitcomestopickingausername: While I'm on a roll. What's with the nono and shuffle colors? I often wonder if that come with Easter bonnets you can wear to let people know you are gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
It's actually brown/green but would buy red. I hate white and shinny PMP's because I hate fingerprints.
@OMG! Ponies!: good point. i doubt anyone will ever convince an apple fanboy to switch to a zune. but giving the zune osx support may just get the attention of consumers that like using products from both companies. and honestly besides the head honchos at these big companies...who gives a rats ass about market share, its boils down to the product. and the zune does have some better featues than the classic.
More importantly, where is the support for Windows XP Media Center 2002... They don't even support their own operating system.