Discuss: Advice for Microsoft: Offer Mac support for the Zune
Well, Microsoft, you finally managed to pull off something that few expected: you've built some legitimate buzz around the Zune . Interest in the upcoming launch of the Zune HD hasn't quite crossed over into the mainstream yet, but it's clear that you've gotten attention of the gadget nerds, and that's a pretty good start (we can also be a tough crowd to win over). The Zune HD is already one of the most wanted gadgets on gdgt -- 2906 wants and counting -- and...
65 replies / Originally posted by peter / Latest reply from chinster / Topic is open
I'd like to get one but the lack of OS X support is what would hold me back. Also, it needs to run apps.
Posted 7 months ago
They might just be waiting to see how the Palm Pre / iTunes stuff lands. iTunes support for Zune (without installing additional software to add capability) would be nice.
Posted 7 months ago
how valid are the "wants" on GDGT.... are you guys keeping metrics of how many wants turn to haves???
Posted 7 months ago
Well said, Peter. And I think it does make a lot of sense to offer some sort of Mac compatibility. Honestly, though, wonder how many consumers there are out there who (1) use a Mac as a primary machine; (2) are geeky/into technology enough to want to go outside the perfectly viable iPod universe to try a Zune HD; and (3) do not have a single machine running Windows or a bootcamp/parallels/vmware virtual machine to use for syncing.
Maybe there are a lot, but I am not convinced. I fit the first two categories, but I have at least a couple of windows boxes and a couple of virtual machines that I will use when I try out the Zune HD.
Maybe there are a lot, but I am not convinced. I fit the first two categories, but I have at least a couple of windows boxes and a couple of virtual machines that I will use when I try out the Zune HD.
Posted 7 months ago
Nice one. I would add, though, that any relatively well-informed iPod user knows a lineup refresh is imminent and therefore will hold off on any purchase decision beforehand.
Posted 7 months ago
How long did it take for Apple to finally port the iPod to PC? I think if we keep that in mind, we're not in for any surprises. Even if the port was possible I don't think Apple would hold well against it. Here's how I think it will break down.
1. MS ports the software to the Mac. (Geeks rejoice!)
2. Apple releases either one last update for Leopard, or it may even last as long as the Snow Leopard release, that completely knocks the Zune HD off of Mac.
3. That's it. No more Zune HD.
Look at the Pre, or Blackberry, for example. Sure they aren't full-fledged media devices, but why is compatibility with the Mac next to nothing?
1. MS ports the software to the Mac. (Geeks rejoice!)
2. Apple releases either one last update for Leopard, or it may even last as long as the Snow Leopard release, that completely knocks the Zune HD off of Mac.
3. That's it. No more Zune HD.
Look at the Pre, or Blackberry, for example. Sure they aren't full-fledged media devices, but why is compatibility with the Mac next to nothing?
Posted 7 months ago
I don't think you get the difference between Microsoft making the Zune HD work with iTunes ala the Palm Pre versus making their own Mac version of the Zune Market place software.
If Microsoft makes their own software Apple won't do anything. If they did then they that would be an instant Anti-Competitive law suite. Even if they hook in to the iTunes library like many other apps legally do then Apple won't try to stop them. BUT if they spoof USB ID's to make the Zune look like an iPod then Apple has the right to break it.
Palm has ex Apple engineers who knew how to cheat the system and they don't have enough resources and money to create their own music management software. Microsoft has entire Mac business unit who could help the Zune guys knock out a Mac version and MS has the money.
If Microsoft makes their own software Apple won't do anything. If they did then they that would be an instant Anti-Competitive law suite. Even if they hook in to the iTunes library like many other apps legally do then Apple won't try to stop them. BUT if they spoof USB ID's to make the Zune look like an iPod then Apple has the right to break it.
Palm has ex Apple engineers who knew how to cheat the system and they don't have enough resources and money to create their own music management software. Microsoft has entire Mac business unit who could help the Zune guys knock out a Mac version and MS has the money.
Posted 7 months ago
Yes, Microsoft is loosing sales for not having support for OS X. I have been a Zune user since they came out and recently switched to a Mac, but I love the subscription model for the Zune marketplace. At some point I am going to get tired of using a virtual machine just to sync my Zune. The experience in virtual machine is not as nice as running the Zune software on a PC. Something will have to give, and it won't be my Mac. Great post Peter.
Posted 7 months ago
Eesh! I didn't even think about this. I'm officially out of the early adopter pool.
Microsoft, you almost had me. Take this advice or chalk one lost sale up to Peter Rojas.
Thanks Peter (and Ryan for tweeting it).
Microsoft, you almost had me. Take this advice or chalk one lost sale up to Peter Rojas.
Thanks Peter (and Ryan for tweeting it).
Posted 7 months ago
ROCK on PETER.....WELL WRITTEN!
Posted 7 months ago
I buy nothing that can't be put into USB Mass Storage mode. I have an iPod Nano, but thanks to Rockbox - problem solved. Even though I have Windows and Linux machines I still would never buy this if it's all locked-down. M$ should make it usable by MAC owners for sure, but let's be honest - how many MAC users would seriously buy a Zune no matter how much better it may be than the current Touch? Not enough to make it worth it. The war for MAC owners portable media players of choice was over before it began.
Posted 7 months ago
Steve Job's Liver shudders at your article!
Posted 7 months ago
Very good argument, hopefully they listen, and maybe out the gate they only offer Mass USB, as they work on Zune software for Mac, that is a good alternative I think.
Posted 7 months ago
I agree, Mac support would help considerably; it is, after all, that particular demographic they are going after with a HD media device. However, Mac support is only a fraction of users compared to having a European installed base. Selling it as a global product is far far more important than mac support; especially since Mac support can quite easily patched in, where as generating buzz for different countries at different times is far more difficult.
Posted 7 months ago
woah dude ballsy!
Posted 7 months ago
Thanks to great free software like wine and Virtual Box, I dont think linux users are sweating Zune Support.
So it wont just show up as a USB hard Disk you can drag and drop files too?
So it wont just show up as a USB hard Disk you can drag and drop files too?
Posted 7 months ago
"The easiest way to do this would be to just offer a USB Mass Storage mode for the Zune, that way anyone can easily get files on and off, and you don't have to create any new software."
I so wish they would do just this, but I also would appreciate a full software suite (minus zune pass if needed)
I so wish they would do just this, but I also would appreciate a full software suite (minus zune pass if needed)
Posted 7 months ago
Mass Storage mode would be nice, but like you said, unrealistic. However, I DO think that it will only be a [short] matter of time before there are good firmware hacks for the Zune. If MS doesn't unlock the Zune as a mass storage device, it will hopefully be simple enough to hack it and enable this on a Mac. I just bought an iPod Touch for myself and one for my wife, so I won't be buying this anytime soon, but my iMac wants one plugged into it really bad...Come on Steve-o - here's your chance to show some goodwill to all those open-minded mac geeks!
Posted 7 months ago
Great piece Peter, esp the bit about linux heh
Posted 7 months ago
The main reason to support OS X is that most tech writers use macs and dislike Microsoft.
With less than 10% market share, the mac market isn't exactly a deal breaker, but the hearts and minds of the so called "technorati" are important for public opinion.
With less than 10% market share, the mac market isn't exactly a deal breaker, but the hearts and minds of the so called "technorati" are important for public opinion.
Posted 7 months ago
Closer to 6% of the market.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
Developing for the Mac is expensive and time consuming. There's not really a good reason, because the handful of users who WOULD have bought a ZuneHD and aren't running some flavor of Windows would never make up the kind of expense the development of Zune software for OSX would cost. Apple supported Windows on the iPod because they HAD to, not because they wanted to. MS doesn't have to support OSX, it isn't exactly an adoption hurdle. Most OSX users have iPhones or iPods, because they like the interoperability that going with a single vendor offers.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
Developing for the Mac is expensive and time consuming. There's not really a good reason, because the handful of users who WOULD have bought a ZuneHD and aren't running some flavor of Windows would never make up the kind of expense the development of Zune software for OSX would cost. Apple supported Windows on the iPod because they HAD to, not because they wanted to. MS doesn't have to support OSX, it isn't exactly an adoption hurdle. Most OSX users have iPhones or iPods, because they like the interoperability that going with a single vendor offers.
Posted 7 months ago
Thanks Peter. (you always know how to rock a good boat,ha!)
I am actually slowly but surely falling from the Mac Diehard category.. Not sure about who the new "Apple" is, but I stopped caring since the economic crisis happened as I'm sure many others realized this is an expensive hobby. I believe in good useful tools and looks like Google is paralleled with this concept. Anything that works well together rather than excludes is the way to go.. for all business / home devices.. and easier on the pocket book for all
I am actually slowly but surely falling from the Mac Diehard category.. Not sure about who the new "Apple" is, but I stopped caring since the economic crisis happened as I'm sure many others realized this is an expensive hobby. I believe in good useful tools and looks like Google is paralleled with this concept. Anything that works well together rather than excludes is the way to go.. for all business / home devices.. and easier on the pocket book for all
Posted 7 months ago
Great article. I agree completely. I've been a fan of the Zune for a while now, but have never bought one because I'm a Mac user. I think the Zune HD looks great, and I would definitely consider picking one up if they released Zune software for the Mac. It's just not worth it to me to set up a Windows partition just for the ability to use a media player.
Posted 7 months ago
Great article. If Microsoft listens to you then they owe you a couple million. Here's my summarized take:
What group of people spend the most money on high end gadgets? College Kids
Who is the Zune HD's target audience? College Kids
What computer are college kids buying for school? Macs!
College Kid: Why would I buy a Zune HD that doesn't work with my Mac?
*Nit pick* Why is the word Marketplace cut off on the right side of the Zune HD's "large" screen?
What group of people spend the most money on high end gadgets? College Kids
Who is the Zune HD's target audience? College Kids
What computer are college kids buying for school? Macs!
College Kid: Why would I buy a Zune HD that doesn't work with my Mac?
*Nit pick* Why is the word Marketplace cut off on the right side of the Zune HD's "large" screen?
Posted 7 months ago
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By panamajack
Joined: Jul 3, 2009
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That said, having the ability to show how many switched from "want" to "have" would be very useful information for gdgt, its users and future / existing advertisers.
Not really interested in the Zune, although I'd love to see it succeed. Once you've bought a dozen apps with Apple's appstore I find the idea of switching unattractive, although I did it previously when Palm abandoned its user base during its little "break" in the last several years.
Posted 7 months ago