Microsoft's iPod Killer is Officially Named ZUNE!

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 04:42 AM

Microsoft Argo's Final Name: The Zune?
Our inboxes are on fire with brand new information about the new Microsoft MP3 player. We thought the player was code-named "Argo", but we now got word that the final product name that's been flying around is the "Zune"!

Quote:

The pic on the right seems to be the final design, which makes the player very clean—a definite departure from Microsoft's other endeavors. You all remember the video Microsoft's own people made to illustrate their packaging shortcomings? Well, it seems like they haven't learned much, as our tipster tells us the packaging itself is pretty ugly.

More info after the jump!

Our mole also says there's no game menu to be seen on the device, putting those rumors of portable gaming from Xbox branding in possible jeopardy. More game options possibly coming in the 2nd iteration.

There's also mention of a black version of the Zune, being shown on a music video for the band CSS, and the brown version on the cover for "Band of Horses". You can display Album covers for the song you're listening to on the screen, which is "big enough" and looks "pretty good". Paul Oakenfold also has a tie-in deal.

From the looks of things, the Zune will definitely be ready for a Xmas release.

We'll have more information plus possibly the logo and/or UI Shots tomorrow. Stay tuned! – Jason Chen

Thanks Tipster!

Source: Gizmodo

Get your ZUNE domain names now. They're going fast!

Something Vague · 07-11-2006, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the tip slaughterbeck.

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWN

Thanks for the tip slaughterbeck.

I wish Microsoft nothing but the best with this new device and I'm sure this is going to be a winner for them. Perhaps a true iPod Killer this time.

-Kimmy

kev · 07-11-2006, 04:56 AM

anyone reg any names? do u think microsoft will come down like a tonne of bricks on ppl who reg them?

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

anyone reg any names? do u think microsoft will come down like a tonne of bricks on ppl who reg them?

That’s a difficult question to answer as they’re many factors involved.

kev · 07-11-2006, 05:13 AM

i have went and regged one name and i have promised myself not to reg anymore. The name is zunetunes.com. What do you think?

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

i have went and regged one name and i have promised myself not to reg anymore. The name is zunetunes.com. What do you think?

I love it Kev!

Can you imagine if they really do produce a winner by spending the “Hundreds of Millions” that insiders believe they will on this?

kev · 07-11-2006, 05:17 AM

thanks kimmy. the non plural was already taken but i think the plural is better. I have kicked off so is anyone else going to go ahead and reg some!

BTW, rep and $NP added for kimmy for bringing our attention to this

kev

pmnd1966 · 07-11-2006, 05:22 AM

hi there,

regged ezune.com this time.

thanks for sharing (rep added)

kev · 07-11-2006, 05:26 AM

i was gonna reg that! i had it between ezune.com and zunetunes.com

Gd luck with yours

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 05:32 AM

Remember that this is supposed to be a gaming device also.

Quote:

Microsoft is indeed developing a digital-media player to compete with Apple's iPod, and there's much more to the story.

A few details trickled out last week from music companies that Microsoft is lining up to support the device. Microsoft isn't commenting, but I was able to piece together a broader picture with some research, reporting and information from a source close to the project. What's being developed is actually a complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products, including a device that plays media, a software media player and an online media service.

The project, or at least part of it, is referred to internally at Microsoft by the code name Argo — a reference to the huge warship used by the hero Jason in Greek mythology.

Argo is being developed within the Xbox group under the leadership of Xbox co-founder J Allard. His team includes people who previously worked on MSN Music, an online music service that had a promising debut in 2004 but fell victim to Microsoft's dithering over its music strategy.

Now the company is firmly behind Argo. It has committed hundreds of millions to produce and market the devices.

As reported last week, initially by Bloomberg News, the device is expected to go on sale by Christmas. It has Wi-Fi capability so it can connect wirelessly to home and public networks and other players.

Wi-Fi sounds like a big deal if you're comparing the player to the wire-bound iPod. But this is more than just another MP3 player. It will also compete with game players from Sony and Nintendo that have long had Wi-Fi and work as media players, Internet terminals and communication devices.

Argo is likely to showcase another Allard project — XNA, a new toolkit that helps game developers create titles for multiple platforms.

It's a grand plan, but as with a few other big projects in Redmond, it may be a struggle to get it all done by the end of 2006. The project isn't completed yet, the holidays are approaching fast and the team is under intense pressure to get everything absolutely right.

The timing of the hype cycle is perfect, however. Microsoft's annual meeting with financial analysts is July 27, and it's looking bleak. Wall Street is furious Microsoft won't be selling new versions of Windows and Office in the fall as promised.

advertising
Argo could help the December quarter and give executives something to discuss with analysts other than product delays, Bill Gates' departure and the high cost of doing battle with Google.

I had thought Microsoft would put its holiday marketing effort behind Urge, a music service it developed with MTV and bundled into Windows Vista's new media-player software. It's helping device makers produce players that show off Urge and the software. Now, those efforts are in parallel with Argo.

On the surface it seems like a rebuke of the Windows team that has carried Microsoft's digital-media torch. It's also a test of Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and his reorganization of the company. Has he truly made the product groups more autonomous? Can Xbox's young guns get past the old guard with a less Windows-centric venture?

By approving Argo, Ballmer was at least willing to try a bold new approach and risk alienating device makers that buy a lot of software.

But there's more at stake. Apple and others are becoming entertainment gateways, broadband-era broadcasters. If Microsoft doesn't do the same, it would, heaven forbid, be just a software company.

Source: From yesterday when it was known by the code name Argo.

kev · 07-11-2006, 05:38 AM

so basically, the zune is gonna be a MP3/Gaming device with WiFi
*quickly visits moniker*

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

so basically, the zune is gonna be a MP3/Gaming device with WiFi
*quickly visits moniker*

That's about the sum of it.

Happy spending!

-Kimmy

FanCube · 07-11-2006, 05:41 AM

It´s going fast... a lot of names has already been taken...

pmnd1966 · 07-11-2006, 05:43 AM

its a 9 euro gamble for me, and after a year maybe i decide to let it expire.
not a big deal.

kev · 07-11-2006, 05:46 AM

this is one busy thread. 18 members viewing! Anyone else get any more?

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmnd1966

its a 9 euro gamble for me, and after a year maybe i decide to let it expire.
not a big deal.

You won't let that name expire. If they really have their absolute best "Xbox" people working on this it truly has the chance to be the only rival to iPod dominance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

this is one busy thread. 18 members viewing! Anyone else get any more?

I have a couple.

-Kimmy

webmasterinfo · 07-11-2006, 05:52 AM

Took some
Thanks mate
Jens

central · 07-11-2006, 06:02 AM

Thanks for sharing!

I've been regging names like crazy =) Several names regged by others secounds before I managed to check out and pay. These are going fast!

Rep added and NP$ donated. Thanks again!

central

alex_d · 07-11-2006, 06:04 AM

Thanks for the headsup.

Was able to register ZuneTracks.com

Kev - your ZuneTunes.com is awesome. I am sure you will do very well with that one.

Thanks Again

Alex

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by central

Thanks for sharing!

I've been regging names like crazy =) Several names regged by others secounds before I managed to check out and pay. These are going fast!

Rep added and NP$ donated. Thanks again!

central

I had ZuneDownloads.com in my cart at Namecheap and while I added a few more earlier this morning it had been registered out from under me.

There are still many great names left though.

Good luck,
Kimmy

FanCube · 07-11-2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaughterbeck

I had ZuneDownloads.com in my cart at Namecheap and while I added a few more this earlier morning it had been registered out from under me.

Was going after that one as well... Anyway got a few including zunechat.com which I like. Rep added.

kev · 07-11-2006, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex_d

Thanks for the headsup.

Was able to register ZuneTracks.com

Kev - your ZuneTunes.com is awesome. I am sure you will do very well with that one.

Thanks Again

Alex

thanks alex. if i was bill gates that would be the equivalent to itunes i would use where ppl download there music for there zune from

But im not bg

(..yet)

alex_d · 07-11-2006, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

But im not bg

(..yet)

Yet is only something one has not acheived so far.

On the subject of domains, it seems like a bucketload of Zune related domains have all been regged. But its fun checking what is still available.

Alex

slaughterbeck · 07-11-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevmacmeh

thanks alex. if i was bill gates that would be the equivalent to itunes i would use where ppl download there music for there zune from

But im not bg

(..yet)

I would have agreed but check out all the ccTLDs that they registered ZuneLive in!

This is a possible connection to their Live.com beta which will likely be a full portal by the time the Zune arrives.

-Kimmy

07-11-2006, 04:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Something Vague NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 878 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for the tip slaughterbeck. __________________ CW Media

07-11-2006, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	anyone reg any names? do u think microsoft will come down like a tonne of bricks on ppl who reg them? __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	i have went and regged one name and i have promised myself not to reg anymore. The name is zunetunes.com. What do you think? __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	thanks kimmy. the non plural was already taken but i think the plural is better. I have kicked off so is anyone else going to go ahead and reg some! BTW, rep and $NP added for kimmy for bringing our attention to this kev __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
pmnd1966 NamePros Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 154 295.45 NP$ (Donate)	hi there, regged ezune.com this time. thanks for sharing (rep added) __________________ php.im asp.im List your site here ;) More domains for sale :$:

07-11-2006, 05:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	i was gonna reg that! i had it between ezune.com and zunetunes.com Gd luck with yours __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	so basically, the zune is gonna be a MP3/Gaming device with WiFi quickly visits moniker __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
FanCube NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 787 603.95 NP$ (Donate)	It´s going fast... a lot of names has already been taken... __________________ DomainPeak.com - Domains for Sale \| CodeChaos.com \| XMI.info

07-11-2006, 05:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
pmnd1966 NamePros Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 154 295.45 NP$ (Donate)	its a 9 euro gamble for me, and after a year maybe i decide to let it expire. not a big deal. __________________ php.im asp.im List your site here ;) More domains for sale :$:

07-11-2006, 05:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
kev Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 3,448 850.55 NP$ (Donate)	this is one busy thread. 18 members viewing! Anyone else get any more? __________________ Ultra rare portfolio of 23 single letter domain names - Priced at $40k - Click here for more details

07-11-2006, 05:52 AM	#18 (permalink)
webmasterinfo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: At home Posts: 1,945 1.00 NP$ (Donate)	Took some Thanks mate Jens __________________ 4755 domains

07-11-2006, 06:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
central NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: .no Posts: 537 0.51 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for sharing! I've been regging names like crazy =) Several names regged by others secounds before I managed to check out and pay. These are going fast! Rep added and NP$ donated. Thanks again! central __________________ \| nintendowii.info \|

07-11-2006, 06:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
alex_d NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 837 360.00 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for the headsup. Was able to register ZuneTracks.com Kev - your ZuneTunes.com is awesome. I am sure you will do very well with that one. Thanks Again Alex __________________ Online Petition for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens - Return The Marbles Page Rank is dead - It's the SERPs that count. What's your Serp Rank ?? Greek.tel \| Cypriot.tel \| OnlineTravel.tel \| GreekIslands.tv \| OnlineTravel.tv \| OnlineCasinos.tv

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