Microsoft drops Zune prices, updates software
Microsoft is turning up the heat a bit as part of its holiday plans, and likely in an effort to make its digital player option a bit more of a contender. Firstly, Microsoft has dropped the prices on three Zune models – the 4 GB version is now $99, the 8 GB version drops to $139 and the 16 GB version has dropped $20 to $179. These price drops have already taken effect here in the US and Canada will enjoy the same retail drop on Friday. Beyond pricing, Microsoft has also updated Zune software to version 3.1. The update brings a variety of stability improvements along with three new games and the addition of multiplayer mode to an existing game. Will all this help increase the Zune’s popularity this holiday season? Well, even Zune Marketing Director Adam Sohn didn’t seem convinced. When discussing the matter in a recent interview he said the price cuts “ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season.” Hmm. “Ensure” and “hopefully” are surely not two words you want your spokesperson using in succession when discussing sales strategy. So definitely maybe check out the Zune this holiday season, folks.
Not gonna lie, I am very tempted to get a Zune lately.
@ Jake you should definitely get one. I love mine and the features gets better with every update…plus MS offers all the new features on newer Zunes to the older models through a firmware update.
…I think i may jump on board as well. i’ve needed a new MP3 player for a while now and was going to get a touch, but with these prices i am very tempted.
the only way i’ll get one if they finally have a eq setting on it
Had a Zune 80GB for a year now – LOVE IT and the 3.0 update made it even better.
worth the money
Zune ROCKS I have had a 30G for over a year and the MS updates only enhances it.
I hate to bring it up but these prices aren’t going to help the Zune get any traction, AMAZON has had even better prizes than these price drops for months now and still is not making it to the top 20, in my area some store like Office Depot have even started to take them down do to poor sales, i went from a ipod to a zune and came back to the iPod but i don’t wanna see the Zune die cause it kind of keeps Apple from slacking around.
What else can they do but drop prices and take a loss. The Zune has been a terrible failure in the marketplace.
If you’re not planning on getting an iPod Touch, the HDD Zunes are definitely worth the investment.
Flashed-based Zunes are sort of a toss-up for me, with the Sansa line putting out great products.
On its own I’m not sure I’d care if it was iPod or Zune, but Zune + Zune Pass = Awesome.
@PAUL
One of the reasons why Zune hasn’t had a impact on the market place is because of the lack of marketing. Ipod everything is everywhere. I’m planning on coppin that Zune, thanks BGR!
@ BlackberryMAX:
What was “Welcome to the Social?” MS spent plenty, except nobody showed up to the social.
Gee before the recent software update I thought its lack of sales was mostly due to having NO audiobooks, NO games, NO videos to buy, NO Movies, and best of all NO Podcasts since it came out in 2006! Years later it FINALLY gained some of what the iPod had a very long time ago. Add to the fact that Zune had WiFi that does mostly nothing as there is no browser, email, IM, etc.
Maybe a cheap cheap price will help, but I doubt it, as the main competitor the iPod now has the iPod touch that has WiFi, gaming, browser, email, IM, apps, and much more etc.
Maybe nobody could get to “the social” as it the Zune was not very social with no IM and browser? I say buy it now before MS drops this turkey.
Don’t worry Zune fans, so little people showed up for the “wow” either. I do not think the Zune is a bad MP3 player it was just outclassed. Even GameStop dropped the Zune.
@ jr, not so great when you miss a payment on the Zune pass subscription and Microsoft Axes your entire music library though
Give it up Microsloth, you could give these things away and it still wouldn’t make a dent in ipod sales. Admit failure once again at the hands of Apple and move on to your next failed product.
Marketshare or not its not a failure for them they never expected half of ipods market…personally id say go with a fuze and rhapsody but these little zunes are pretty cool stuff especially for 100 bucks leaps and bounds ahead of the nano feature wise
I think I’m gonna cop one..fuck da ‘ipad’ touch..ha.
Have an 80G Zune for a year. Good player, nice clear video, fm radio comes in handy. One problem for me: Why haven’t they come out with a quality docking station/radio/speaker system? iPod docking is everyone, even in hotel rooms now. Come on Microsoft is anybody awake over there?