Recently I found out that Microsoft’s mp3 player will soon be added the opportunity of downloading and playing games. I then thought that this way the appeal of iPod’s rival will increase and maybe so will it’s market share. In preparation for that day I decided to remember you the history of this device that was once though to be the iPod killer.

First of all let me tell you that the first time the specs were made available it sounded like tough competitor to the other products on the market (Apple’s products to be more exact). But between the announcement and the availability of the product several months passed and meanwhile the iPod line benefited from upgrades and price cuts turning Microsoft’s product into an average one. The only important feature it had over the iPod was the wireless connectivity meant to transform the Zune into a social attraction. But the other features were ordinary; at launch the players strong points were 30 GB of storage, video and audio playback, picture watching, a slightly bigger screen and of course the WiFi connection.

Then came the launch day and after the first week the Zune rapidly gained 2nd spot after the iPod. Everything seemed nice but the weeks and months that followed pushed the device further down in the top of the bestselling mp3 players. The blame was mainly put on the wireless music sharing that failed to convince as many buyers as expected.

New announcements regarding the Zune are expected soon if Microsoft wants to stay in the fight. We have seen several new products at CES 2007 that are tough competitors even for the iPods and the Zune is not even by far in a similar position. The games availability is a small step but fans can only hope for more because I can only see a grim future for this version of Zune if Microsoft doesn’t act fast.

Filed under Audio, Portable Media