It's clear that even with the huge amount of development time MS have had since the launch of the Touch, they still can't break-free from the MS drone mentality - they have to include a POS browser, effectively handicapping the GUI for web browsing when compared to any current top-of-the-line device.
Of course people underestimate the R&D required to produce a stable PDA OS, a multi-touch interface, and a world-class browser - because Apple make it look so easy.
Fact it, the Touch is a hard act to follow for anyone, and it looks like MS are starting out with a questionable hardware design, and a sub-standard browser, so they aren't helping their chances at all.
This thing doesn't even hold-up to the initial, pre app store, iPod Touch - but I guess it means that MS have been consistent in their inability to deliver true innovation to the space.
'Me-too' just doesn't cut it - IMHO
But I guess they have to put a finger in the Dike somewhere.....
@MINI Driver: Thus far, we haven't had any close encounters of the Zune HD kind, so my recommendation is to sit tight and see where this goes before passing all sorts of judgment. The current Zunes are actually very competent pieces of hardware, and while people are constantly comparing the 120 to the touch, the fact that the mid-range iPod that asks the exact same price as the highest end Zune is rarely mentioned anymore should be a strong indicator of the device's competency.
That said, you're right about one thing. The iPod touch is a hard act to follow, but that's mainly because of the applications. Microsoft's main disadvantage is not having a robust, well-established source of applications for the device.
What I'm curious about most is how they'll handle:
A) Application support/approval, and
B) Application performance (multitasking)
The general consensus is that the Zune has great sound, and is just about equaled with the iPod touch in terms of codec compatibility range. The primary factor is the applications. If they get that right, they can potentially beat it to hell altogether, at least unless/until Apple hits the ground running and pulls something from Steve-O's magic App-in-the-box.
Why do you have to exaggerate IE's flaws? Yes, there are better browsers. I use Firefox myself. To say that it's "hellacious"? That just guarantees you're going to get tuned out by anybody who hasn't already drank the Kool-Aid.
sorry this is way off-topic, I have been newsless for 24 hours and I just needed to say:
F California.
That is all.
On topic: I am looking forward to this zune as a replacement and am excited about the touch features. To browse the web Ill use my phone, or if I am at a wifi location i'll probably have my computer.
@switchblade saints: I am assuming that the majority of CA voters don't agree with your views? The courts did the right thing they upheld what the mojority of the voters wanted. Didn't everyone complain when the courts agreed with the minority and gave Bush the White House? Now the same group is complaining when the courts side with the majority of the voters.
@jklug80: You don't seem to understand the mind-set at hand here. It doesn't matter that Prop 8 passed because the population voted into the constitution according to state law which has been around for a long time. It's that they disagree with Prop 8. And how could anyone possibly disagree with them and be a good person?
Their problem is with the system of amending the state constitution, which they never complained about until it resulted in a situation which they didn't like.
This country was founded on the idea that while the majority rules, it cannot be at the expense of minority rights. The whole point of an ammendable constitution is to lay out a set of permissions and rights, and be readily updated to keep up with new societal forces that were not considered at the time the constituiton was laid out. To ammend a constitution specifically to deny a group a set of rights is a harsh bastardization of what that document was meant to protect in the first place.
@closhedbb: Wow, I didn't think anyone would be so concerned about temporary reduction of assessed property values. I know we're hitting hard times, but... wow.
@ripfire: You clearly have no grasp of logic. Dooosh didn't say the two are mutually exclusive - just that they're different things. One cannot be used to gauge the other.
@Mykbibby: This is EXACTLY why it doesn't pay to be a hater... you end up making foolish comments publicly because your hate makes it impossible to truly stay informed enough about the matter you form opinions of. Ultimately, you fail at a fundamental rule of engagement... "Know thine enemy".
Hey guys, sorry, the key to the charts could use a little explanation. Post updated, and here it is:
CHART KEY: Number value is time for complete page load in seconds; page rendering is rated from "Fail" to "Excellent" for each; and the color (red, yellow, green) indicates overall performance taking into account both speed and rendering accuracy: Green = good overall, Red = fail overall.
Sorry, but the Mobile Safari does not compare to Opera when on a proper phone. Try the HTC Touch Pro when using Opera and you will be very happy.
Yes this is all user opinions in the end, but after leaving both the EDGE iPhone and 3G iPhone for the HTC Touch Pro (on AT&T), Safari just feels lacking when compared to Opera on the right phone. Plus you should take into account the amazing amount of times Safari crashes while the stability of other web browsers is a step above (namely Opera).
05/27/09
Of course people underestimate the R&D required to produce a stable PDA OS, a multi-touch interface, and a world-class browser - because Apple make it look so easy.
Fact it, the Touch is a hard act to follow for anyone, and it looks like MS are starting out with a questionable hardware design, and a sub-standard browser, so they aren't helping their chances at all.
This thing doesn't even hold-up to the initial, pre app store, iPod Touch - but I guess it means that MS have been consistent in their inability to deliver true innovation to the space.
'Me-too' just doesn't cut it - IMHO
But I guess they have to put a finger in the Dike somewhere.....
05/27/09
That said, you're right about one thing. The iPod touch is a hard act to follow, but that's mainly because of the applications. Microsoft's main disadvantage is not having a robust, well-established source of applications for the device.
What I'm curious about most is how they'll handle:
A) Application support/approval, and
B) Application performance (multitasking)
The general consensus is that the Zune has great sound, and is just about equaled with the iPod touch in terms of codec compatibility range. The primary factor is the applications. If they get that right, they can potentially beat it to hell altogether, at least unless/until Apple hits the ground running and pulls something from Steve-O's magic App-in-the-box.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
F California.
That is all.
On topic: I am looking forward to this zune as a replacement and am excited about the touch features. To browse the web Ill use my phone, or if I am at a wifi location i'll probably have my computer.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
Their problem is with the system of amending the state constitution, which they never complained about until it resulted in a situation which they didn't like.
05/27/09
This country was founded on the idea that while the majority rules, it cannot be at the expense of minority rights. The whole point of an ammendable constitution is to lay out a set of permissions and rights, and be readily updated to keep up with new societal forces that were not considered at the time the constituiton was laid out. To ammend a constitution specifically to deny a group a set of rights is a harsh bastardization of what that document was meant to protect in the first place.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
The only thing good they have going for them right now is the Xbox.
05/27/09
I hear that both of those make them a little bit of money.
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
Or was he just over-exaggerating?
05/27/09
05/27/09
05/27/09
03/15/09
03/15/09
Not as my main computer...... but as my on the go device? Absolutely! My lappie never leaves home anymore.
11/19/08
You had a chance to be honest, and at least tie the Android and the iPhone. Instead, it's the same ol', um, 'Apple' polishing.
Enjoy the kickback check, guys.
11/19/08
CHART KEY: Number value is time for complete page load in seconds; page rendering is rated from "Fail" to "Excellent" for each; and the color (red, yellow, green) indicates overall performance taking into account both speed and rendering accuracy: Green = good overall, Red = fail overall.
11/19/08
Instinct takes 2+ min to load WSJ = Excellent, but Dare fails at 38 seconds (both red?)
Bold gets an excellent at 2.5 mins on Wiki (red), instinct does 52 sec (green)?
11/19/08
11/19/08
11/19/08
Yes this is all user opinions in the end, but after leaving both the EDGE iPhone and 3G iPhone for the HTC Touch Pro (on AT&T), Safari just feels lacking when compared to Opera on the right phone. Plus you should take into account the amazing amount of times Safari crashes while the stability of other web browsers is a step above (namely Opera).
11/19/08
11/19/08
11/19/08
11/19/08