Microsoft Slashing Zune Prices

Microsoft Slashing Zune Prices

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - by Michael Santo
Microsoft introduced its latest Zune models, as well as the version 3.0 update of its software in September. And here we are, already facing a price cut, and a pretty good one at that. Although Microsoft would like to call it a holiday price cut, one would have to wonder if the difficult economy, which has led to some pretty sad forecasts from retailers, has anything to do with this.

Just FYI, these cuts are only for flash-based Zunes and accessories. According to the official Zune blog, the prices, starting tomorrow, will be as follows:

Zune 4GB - $99.99 (-$30)
Zune 8GB - $139.99 (-$10)
Zune 16GB - $179.99 (-$20)
Car Pack - $69.99 (-$10)
Home/AV Pack - $59.99 (-$20)
Dock Pack - $39.99 (-$10)

Note that these are all MSRP. Compare the 8 GB version to an 8 GB iPod nano's MSRP and you see a $10 difference. An 8 GB iPod nano is $149. Would that be enough to swing you to the Zune? Not us.

In related news, Zune software 3.1 is available. Not like it's a game-changer, but it adds more free games (whoopee), a refresh to Zune Social and "incremental improvements to the software" (i.e, bug fixes).
On the games front, we are giving away three new additions, Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle, plus a new multiplayer mode and single player difficulty levels for Texas Hold’em. The team also did some great work the Zune Social visual refresh to make it easier to navigate, as well as adding a new feature called “like minded listeners,” which will let you see how compatible your music tastes are with other listeners and friends.
Hmmm ... Sudoku might be interesting. Still, nah.
Via: Microsoft | News Archive | Tags: Microsoft, Zune, CES, OS, Price, Ice
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Comments

By imAcpufan on Nov 19, 2008

Well, updates are good...but I had enough of the Zune when I did tech support for it. I've had much better experiences with my Creative Zen Vision.

By bob_on_the_cob on Nov 19, 2008

imAcpufan:

Well, updates are good...but I had enough of the Zune when I did tech support for it. I've had much better experiences with my Creative Zen Vision.

I love my Zen as well. I like my ipods menu more, but overall I love my Zen. The Zunes have some of the best screens I have seen though.

 

By imAcpufan on Nov 20, 2008

bob_on_the_cob:

imAcpufan:

Well, updates are good...but I had enough of the Zune when I did tech support for it. I've had much better experiences with my Creative Zen Vision.

I love my Zen as well. I like my ipods menu more, but overall I love my Zen. The Zunes have some of the best screens I have seen though.

 

 

 Yeah, I agree the screen is one of the best in its class.  lol...I always told customers that the screen was my favourite part....and I honestly meant it.  It's a nice resolution and the horizontal layout makes a lot of sense.  I think the Zune had a lot of potential...it just ended up too bogged down with drm and buggy software. 

By JeffB on Nov 20, 2008

I'm not sure why people are so negative on the Zune. Been using my Zune 80GB for 12 months and absolutely love it. Been very reliable, connects to my home theater and car easily and the Zune 3.1 software is pretty decent. I have encountered no bugginess with the player nor the software on Vista 64. This hasn't even locked up once and I use it virtually everyday. Fairly simple to get around the DRM thing, which is an issue with iTunes or Zune. When it comes time to buy another player, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

By imAcpufan on Nov 21, 2008

JeffB:

I'm not sure why people are so negative on the Zune. Been using my Zune 80GB for 12 months and absolutely love it. Been very reliable, connects to my home theater and car easily and the Zune 3.1 software is pretty decent. I have encountered no bugginess with the player nor the software on Vista 64. This hasn't even locked up once and I use it virtually everyday. Fairly simple to get around the DRM thing, which is an issue with iTunes or Zune. When it comes time to buy another player, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

 

 I have to admit I'm a bit biased...lol...working tech support all I got to play with were broken zunes and crashing software.  It's funny though, almost every Best Buy I've been to has had a frozen Zune on display.  The employees I've talked to had no idea on how to unfreeze them either...so I usually have fun resetting Zunes. lol  It's good to hear your Zune works nicely.  I actually wouldn't mind playing around with a Zune again sometime...it's just my previous experience with them has been a bit negative.  Do you know if the Zunes now offer portable storage capabilites?

By Devin_P on Apr 14, 2009

I have a Zune as well and am very happy with it. With the a la carte zune pass that I share with 2 other people, I'm paying 5 bucks a month and downloading on average 100-200 songs that I absolutely love. Combined with the fact that we split the 10 free purchases a month and its been great. Also, while working out, while it isn't a nano or anything, having the FM tuner allows me to tune into all the TV's so easily at the gym to listen in if I decide to hit the tredmill for a bit in between sets.

By yoda8232 on Apr 14, 2009

Not bad but I got something better for the price.

Creative Zen 8GB, FM Tuner, SD Card Slot (Max 32GB), GREAT interface, plays movies, lots of accessories, size of a credit card. Only for $109.99, amazing eh?

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