ZuneHD interests me (provided it holds 120GB). A ZunePhone, however, does not.
Once I got my Exchange account working right, I have to say, the iPhone 3GS is a business-class smartphone. After a year, I'm used to typing on the touchscreen (although I still kind of prefer the physical keys). It gives me the information I need.
I don't know if Microsoft can put out a handset to match either the iPhone 3GS or even the BlackBerry Bold.
@OMG! Ponies!: I'm fairly certain that the Zune HD is just a flash device and will have capacity in the 16/32/(64?) range. From all the pictures it is not big enough for a HDD.
@Xeno: If it's only 32GB, then it is a bucket of FAIL. My iPhone can hold that much. I prefer jukebox players specifically because I like to have all my music with me at any given time.
@OMG! Ponies!: Show me the iPhone or iPod with a large multitouch screen that has more than 32GB storage.
Show me *any* such device from anyone.
It's a little unfair to set the bar higher than everyone else and then complain when the new guy doesn't hit it.
If it's a bucket of FAIL for the new ZuneHD or ZunePhone (assuming it's real), then it's just as much a bucket of FAIL for the iPhone and iPod touch, no?
I also have to point out that most of what you're claiming makes the iPhone a 'business-class' smartphone, Windows Mobile's been capable of doing for years. But here's five things WiMo can do that the iPhone can't (at this time):
- Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint Mobile. - .Net 3.5 CF - the easiest way to make new apps. - Multitasking, background tasks and services. - Third party apps that don't require Apple's blessings. - Applications that compete with the ones shipped by MSFT including entire shells such as the ones by HTC.
If the ZunePhone exposes WM7 then I'll be in line for one. If not, then I'll stick with my iPhone.
@TheWerewolf - Causing headlines!: To be honest, I don't care much about the ability to edit documents on the fly. I care about access to them on the fly.
Now that my Exchange account got sorted out (IT error, not Apple error), if my secretary puts a date into my calendar at the office, it's on my phone within seconds. Email hits my phone before my Outlook box. And when IT comes in next, I'm going to have them set up the Citrix app. 80% of the time, when I'm out of the office, I'm at court. I need available dates for conferences and access to key facts and cases for oral arguments. The quicker I get it, the better. There's a lot to be said for being a lawyer who isn't causing a headache for the judge because he doesn't have the info that the judge is asking for.
That's what makes it a business-class smartphone: access to the same data as if I was in my office.
@DreamWalker: ... or maybe even redoing the Gates/Seinfield ads with Gates and Pink and no other changes. It'd be even more strange and compelling than the originals, I might even think about switching to a PC.
Well the rumors on CNET the other day was that it was going to come out as an actual MS branded phone, which is something they previously said they wouldn't do. Its also supposed to have a skin that ends up being exclusive to the phone (phone line?).
But it also made it sound like its just going to be a sidekick 2.0. Whats left of danger is leading the whole thing. Its still supposed to target the same sidekick demographic.
Too bad if that holds true. I've always thought that the sidekick was a solid device that got stuck with the tween label but if they're just going to keep targeting that demographic its not going to grow out of it.
@tande04: I wouldn't be surprised if MS dropped the Zune brand for its phone. The truth is that people associate Zune with a losing product, even if it is undeserved.
@mikeness: I just hope it's not tied to any carrier in particular. If anyone, Microsoft is in a excellent position to make a free open network phone that would work with any carrier ( except for the actual radio compatibility CDMA, GSM, etc..) That would allow any carrier to compete fairly for customers based on service adn features.
Pretty much in the same way the Windows has done for the 1000's of PC manufacturer's.
@aec007: If Microsoft can manage that and retain much of the strongest points of the Zune's interface, consider me sold. I like the iPhone, but dicking around with the device to get it off AT&T is not appealing.
What? But Crispin Porter is responsible for those incredible "I'm a PC" ads and the truly one-of-a-kind Gates/Seinfeld ads! (As well as the crazy-ass Burger King ads!)
@92BuickLeSabre: Was that sarcasm? Crispin Porter had crazy backlash over those ads. The success rate was minimal. They'd have been better off hiring B&C to work with Psyop and get the job done.
It's possible that this device would be able to connect with a data plan via 3G and not actually be a phone. If that's the case, then you could have a sort of quasi-Archos gaming device from Microsoft. What will really make or break this thing in the end is the application pool that develops around it. The interest that developers take in whatever comes out will translate into ours. If third-party development is slim, no doubt sales will follow suit.
Details on this better start coming hard and fast, before I drop a few bones on the new OLED Walkman. The last thing I want is to get the Sony and then have Microsoft announce the new Zune cures cancer, as well as enlarges that "certain part" of the male anatomy.
@bosskev: I believe we have someone strategically placing their comment in the thread with the highest responses simply to be seen, despite it's irrelevance to the thread.
@Texas, Texas yee haw_Nick: well, dang it BLam. now nobody will know what i am talking about and i am gonna look like an idiot. you kids and your graffiti.
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"Once I got my Exchange account working right, I have to say, the iPhone 3GS is a business-class smartphone. After a year, I'm used to typing on the touchscreen (although I still kind of prefer the physical keys). It gives me the information I need.
I don't know if Microsoft can put out a handset to match either the iPhone 3GS or even the BlackBerry Bold.
07/02/09
07/02/09
07/02/09
Show me *any* such device from anyone.
It's a little unfair to set the bar higher than everyone else and then complain when the new guy doesn't hit it.
If it's a bucket of FAIL for the new ZuneHD or ZunePhone (assuming it's real), then it's just as much a bucket of FAIL for the iPhone and iPod touch, no?
I also have to point out that most of what you're claiming makes the iPhone a 'business-class' smartphone, Windows Mobile's been capable of doing for years. But here's five things WiMo can do that the iPhone can't (at this time):
- Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint Mobile.
- .Net 3.5 CF - the easiest way to make new apps.
- Multitasking, background tasks and services.
- Third party apps that don't require Apple's blessings.
- Applications that compete with the ones shipped by MSFT including entire shells such as the ones by HTC.
If the ZunePhone exposes WM7 then I'll be in line for one. If not, then I'll stick with my iPhone.
07/02/09
Now that my Exchange account got sorted out (IT error, not Apple error), if my secretary puts a date into my calendar at the office, it's on my phone within seconds. Email hits my phone before my Outlook box. And when IT comes in next, I'm going to have them set up the Citrix app. 80% of the time, when I'm out of the office, I'm at court. I need available dates for conferences and access to key facts and cases for oral arguments. The quicker I get it, the better. There's a lot to be said for being a lawyer who isn't causing a headache for the judge because he doesn't have the info that the judge is asking for.
That's what makes it a business-class smartphone: access to the same data as if I was in my office.
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"07/02/09
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"07/02/09
07/02/09
07/02/09
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"But it also made it sound like its just going to be a sidekick 2.0. Whats left of danger is leading the whole thing. Its still supposed to target the same sidekick demographic.
Too bad if that holds true. I've always thought that the sidekick was a solid device that got stuck with the tween label but if they're just going to keep targeting that demographic its not going to grow out of it.
07/02/09
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"07/02/09
That would allow any carrier to compete fairly for customers based on service adn features.
Pretty much in the same way the Windows has done for the 1000's of PC manufacturer's.
07/02/09
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"How could they not hire them for this?! Madness!
07/02/09
07/02/09
07/02/09
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"But I did like this commercial, that while a bit screwy in the head, did come with that pleasant song snippet.
07/02/09
Zune Phone"Pink"05/15/09
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05/18/09
05/15/09
So the new platform is a scrotum? That's the only thing I can think of between a dick and a shithole.
Oh, c'mon people, settle down! I'm just kidding! The Xbox is NOT a dick of a platform.
05/15/09
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05/15/09
Damn it, I probably will. That would be freaking awsome.
05/15/09
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05/15/09
[home.howstuffworks.com]
Go ahead and look at your crotch after reading that. You know you want to.
05/15/09
05/18/09
I just thought that the YKK thing was interesting, and tried to shoe horn it in. My Bad.
05/12/09
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05/12/09