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Original story: Following Microsoft’s “Laptop Hunter” advertising scheme, a new ad takes aim at Apple’s iPod and iTunes. The previous ads attempt to convince would-be Mac purchasers that PC systems are a more cost efficient and rational solution for their needs. This is of course debatable, and the ads mostly only look at primary component specifications, failing to acknowledge the broad spectrum of services and features.
The recent ad tries to compare the cost of filling a 120GB iPod with iTunes, versus the expense of accumulating music on Zune Pass. It argues that filling a 120GB iPod at $1 per song via iTunes would cost $30,000, whereas Zune Pass offers an unlimited amount of downloads for a monthly fee of $14.99. If you’re curious, 120GB breaks down to 122,880MB, divide that by $30,000 and you get about 4MB per $1 song, an estimation that is fair enough. This seems virtually fool proof, I mean who wants to pay an entry level salary filling their iPod with music when Zune Pass provides unlimited downloads for $15?
The catch, you ask? Well, by using iTunes and shelling out money for each song, you’re purchasing the song for keeps, which isn’t exactly the case with Zune Pass. Although you do indeed have access to an unlimited number of downloads while subscribed, you can only physically obtain 10 tunes per month. This means that if you intend on accessing your thousands of songs, you must pay the monthly fee.
Continue reading post - Microsoft Zune promotional video included
You will inevitably spend more than $15 on music using Zune Pass, if you actually want to listen to it. That said, it would take over 166 years to spend $30,000 on Zune Pass. However, at the rate of 10 songs per month, it’d be 250 years before you actually "owned" the 30,000 songs. Both obviously well exceed the human expiration, but realistically, which concept is more appealing to you?
In other related news, Microsoft's Office Twitter account has a couple of new Tweets which may share correlation with the recent attacks. The first of two states that June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers. A response to followers came shortly after which confirms a new product launch, and advises people to hold off on buying an iPhone or Pre. The most logical thing to expect is the release of Microsoft’s Zune HD, but some speculate that an announcement unveiling project Pink is to come. At this point, no matter what Microsoft brings to the table, June is shaping up to be a very busy month.
User Comments: 8
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ok, I would never buy every song i want from itunes, and the zune idea does sound ok, but i would like in this article is how much would it cost to buy that amount of music on CD? as I spend a lot more money buying CD's then ripping them onto itunes? Although, If a new iphone does come out soon, I'm getting one =)
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Well, it is a bit difficult to calculate, considering the fact that there is no "standard" number of songs that ship on a CD. I've had CDs with one song, and others with 15. Some cost $3 off Amazon, others $20 retail.Just divide the average price you usually pay by the average number of songs on your CDs if you want an idea. For example, $15 for a CD divided by 12 songs: 15 / 12 = $1.25 per song. Multiply that by 30,000 songs: $37,500 to fill an iPod.Anyhow, the monthly fee for Zune Pass is $15. So, really, you could look at it as if you're buying 10 songs for $10 and the other $5 allows you to listen to an endless amount of other songs. Not such a bad deal, if you're trying to go the legal route.
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That is true! well i'm a bit of a rave person so my CD's have 50 tracks on for £20, so thats like 20 divided by 50 = 40p per song! multipled by 30,000 = £120,000 thats not bad but you are right the zune service is better. Although this article does make me see the other side of things, the whole illegal route of file sharing, its a hell of a lot cheaper and can fill an ipod as quickly as your internet can allow! but then the entire music industry makes no money. maybe the answer lies in making music cheaper? while stamping out file sharing at the same time?anyway now i'm just ranting.
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One short video doesnt amount to an onslaught. They are talking about the largest of all the ipods available too.If they talked about the shuffle or the smallest nano, it wouldnt amount to anywhere near as massive a figure and most people rip CDs they have already bought.I can buy the laptop vs macbook pro arguments as its a no brainer that a windows based laptop beats a macbook pro for value straight away but this one is a little harder to swallow.edit:: ok took the time to read around and you can fill your zune to the brim with music plus keep 10 tracks permanently each month? only thing i couldnt find is UK pricing for it but the advertisment could be clearer. not alot of info in that one. maybe there are more. cant be bothered to look now tho, should have left work an hour ago
[Edited by yukka on 2009-05-12 12:49:50] -
[b]Originally posted by yukka:[/b][quote]One short video doesnt amount to an onslaught.[/quote]Nope, one short video doesn't. The four "laptop hunters" videos and the message that went along with the campaign (of which nearly the entire first paragraph was dedicated to) is an onslaught.Granted, this is the first attack against iTunes, but the title was more collectively describing Microsoft's ongoing attempt at bringing attention to Apple's high prices.
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if u look at it as service.. i think its a very good deal. 14.99 for the ability to download the latest songs avaiable. thats assuming the zune music store is kept up to date and they try to get music of every genre to satisfy all customers.
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I personally own both and I would have to say if you are someone who loves music more then anything Zune pass is the best way to go hands down. iTunes however does have more to offer then just music, such as your latest TV shows. Zune is definitely lacking beyond music but they are catching up. Of course this is all in context of LEGAL music downloads to fill up your chosen mp3 player and most likely very few people (especially iPod users) have 100% legally obtained music.While the commercial targets a specific product (120gb iPod) to show how the Zune is better it is no more misleading then what Apple has been doing for years against Microsoft. Mac vs PC ads while humorous and it gets there point across, is even more misleading as in a Mac somehow isn't a personal computer but "above it all".In the end its just about preferences and what you like more imo. More choices the better for us all .
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When i went to the zune web site and selected international, I still got the american site with the dollar price tag. is this even available in the Uk?
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