Higgins

My point is that if Microsoft wants to gain marketshare while making the ZuneHD the only current-gen device, they are going to have to directly compete with the iPod Touch. The biggest draw for the iPod Touch: App store.

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[Steam : teh_higgins]

Dr.Zyklon

nice, cant wait to see all the stuff people come up with, by the time i get my own device there should be a great selection of apps.

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darkcloud89

While I don't doubt that Microsoft will release an SDK for the Zune eventually (they already made XNA libraries available for the touch screen and accelerometer), I don't think they have any real intention of competing with the App Store. The exception to this I believe will be games. There's a lot of rumors of stuff going on behind the scenes with Windows Mobile, Zune, and Xbox Live integration and I think it's pretty likely that these platforms are going to be consolidated relatively soon. Just look at some of the stuff they're doing at the moment. The Zune Marketplace is (partially, at first) being integrated to Xbox Live, Microsoft bought Danger (makers of the Sidekick) and is working on a top-secret 'Project Pink' that's rumored to be two Microsoft-branded mobile devices, and combine that with the rumors that Windows Mobile 7 will have tight integration with social networking. The social networking on WM seems like a big deal to me because WM has always been focused on the business side, and this could be the sign of a MAJOR shift if they start marketing to consumers. To me, it seems like they have a lot bigger things planned than they are revealing right now. Maybe they do, maybe they don't but it certainly seems like it.

It's pretty clear that the entire Zune platform is designed around music and to a lesser extent, video. IMO, the Zune Pass is the Zune's "killer feature" because combined with the other things they've added such as Mixveiw, Smart DJ, Social, Marketplace Picks, etc. it's pretty clear that the Zune as is much a music discovery engine as anything. The hard part, for Microsoft, is marketing because the value of the Zune Pass really isn't clear until you try it.

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urgrandpasdog

For most people, that is. Honestly, I never use the appstore on mine, I just have it because of the web browsing and Youtube, otherwise I would have gone with a cheaper player.

Drizzt5

Audiosurf... only thing I want.

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Xerasyte

Great channel then, I'd listen to it. Hell I'd listen to a Pirates one, even if they are terrible.

Anyway, nice to know it looks to be easy to design apps for.

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Lumi

That's all I need.

Also, iTunes is the worst software I have ever used in my entire life. Never before have I seen a company fail over and over again releasing new versions. Never before have I seen so many people going back to their old version because apple couldn't update without screwing the pooch while they were at it.

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OmegaNemesis28

you're telling me.
iTunes is absolutely crap. As you said, the worst software ever. I've never had more problems with anything in the world then I have with iTunes. ESPECIALLY the latest 9.0 version. Holy crap. Talk about resource hogging.

That is my biggest hate against Apple.

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Dyson Poindexter

Am I the only one that doesn't have a problem with iTunes/iPods?

Sure they have their shortcomings, but so does everything else. I chose an iPhone because it's popularity would ensure it would have a high, if not the highest, priority when it comes to app development/ accessories. And it's very good at what it does.

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lordikon

If the Microsoft pushed it indie developed apps the way Apple pushed its indie apps, I'd have a second part-time job right now. But as it stands, making games for the 360 and Zune is more of a hobby than a paying job for most. I know people making a good amount of money off of the Apps Store though. I really hope MS goes for an Apps Store type of approach with the Zune.

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