Microsoft's iPod Killer is Officially Named ZUNE!

[slaughterbeck]

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"!

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!

 

[Monsterman]

I m pretty sure "Zune" is the brand name and there are various thing under it.

Like ipod and you have nano, shuffle and so on...

They said they're will be 3 or so portable entertainment things. A full ipod like player (video and all) a nano like player ( small and light) and a portable xbox (psp like) All being under the Zune brand

Maybe Zune will come out with a Micro Zune like nano. MicroZune.com :hehe:

 

[MadAboutDomains]

Don't get too far ahead... the Zune could be a complete flop. You never know!

 

[SteveAR]

What if the name is really "Xune"... and just pronounced Zune.

A couple rumors have said it. :o

That would certainly match their successful "Xbox" theme.

What if Microsoft fooled us all?

What if...

thats why i bought iXune.com just incase that happened. it does make sense and who knows.

 

[Monsterman]

Don't get too far ahead... the Zune could be a complete flop. You never know!

By a complete flop, do you mean they throw a billion dollars of advertising at it for a couple of years? Or do you mean before Christmas?

 

[Static]

Maybe Zune will come out with a Micro Zune like nano. MicroZune.com :hehe:

That is said to have a different name than Zune.

 

[Monsterman]

That is said to have a different name than Zune.

I think I did read that somewhere, I just made that comment up for fun because I own the name MicroZune.

 

[Cole2026]

If I'm not mistaken, MS/Bill Gates owns a nice amount of Apple stock? Why would they make a competitor with such conditions?

Ne'way, I'll never buy a capital product from MS, their OS is already junk enough, I'd hate to see an MP3 by them.

 

[slaughterbeck]

By a complete flop, do you mean they throw a billion dollars of advertising at it for a couple of years? Or do you mean before Christmas?

Excellent question and one that I’ll reiterate.





Best wishes,
Kimmy

 

[Robert Allen]

If I'm not mistaken, MS/Bill Gates owns a nice amount of Apple stock? Why would they make a competitor with such conditions?

Ne'way, I'll never buy a capital product from MS, their OS is already junk enough, I'd hate to see an MP3 by them.

Agreed. Vista and XP suck. explorer.exe keeps randomly restarting and i lose all my tray icons. Once you have a virus, trojen or anything horrid that is it. You are basically buggered unless you spent £50/year on Norton internet security. And no internet security suite is flawless. I have over 20 virus's on my laptop that norton detected and removed instantly (before it crashed my laptop first, even though i have 2GB ram and 1.8GHZ).

Very annoying..

Back on topic now, i am never going to buy a Zune unless it is better and thinner than an iPod Nano.

Robert

 

[wow!]

I hope MS people know that Zune means in Hebrew : "F**k" ...
Anyway I got Zune.sc for any case...

 

[mcaricofe]

Hey, everyone.

I've been away from the boards for about a month (didja miss me? ) but I found this thread and, as usual, overspent.

Now I'm the proud (?) owner of:

ZuneClicks.com
StrictlyZune.com
ZunePolice.com
Zuneteenth.com
ConnectZune.com
ZuneMaven.com
ZuneHelps.com
TurboZune.com
EmoZune.com
ZuneGloom.com
Zunesters.com

Time will, as they say, tell.

But I'd love to hear opinions on any or all of these.

 

[Badger]

ZuneClicks.com
StrictlyZune.com
ZunePolice.com
Zuneteenth.com
ConnectZune.com
ZuneMaven.com
ZuneHelps.com
TurboZune.com
EmoZune.com
ZuneGloom.com
Zunesters.com

yeah, pretty worthless..

I base this on the ipod (an actual product with a proven track record)

ipodclicks.com -----> available
ipodpolice.com -----> available
ipodteenth.com ----> available
connectipod.com ---> available
ipodmaven.com ----> available
ipodhelps.com ------> available
turboipod.com ------> available
emoipod.com -------> available
ipodgloom.com ------> available

What possessed you to even consider buying this stuff?? You must have a game plan when you go into business (which buying a domain represents albeit in a small way) as to what your exit strategy is.. With those names you couldnt even flip (imho) to another domainer at wholesale..

 

[Source]

Here's something to think about... Suppose "zune" is indeed the final name for this thing and ms decides to get aggressive regarding TM violators.

If I were a shrewd attorney, I'd look for the honeypot of potential TM violators (aka this thread). There are probably 200+ zune names in the posts listed here (and I'm sure more will be added after this post), low hanging fruit for a crafty TM lawyer.

I know that as you find that "great name" you want to shout it from the rooftops; however, perhaps due to the litigious nature of ms it may be more prudent to show a bit more discretion and stealth.

Just a word of caution.

 

[wow!]

If MS people surfing here and searching for Zune TM names they are in a big trouble...

 

[DomainBELL]

Hey, everyone.

I've been away from the boards for about a month (didja miss me? ) but I found this thread and, as usual, overspent.

Now I'm the proud (?) owner of:

ZuneClicks.com
StrictlyZune.com
ZunePolice.com
Zuneteenth.com
ConnectZune.com
ZuneMaven.com
ZuneHelps.com
TurboZune.com
EmoZune.com
ZuneGloom.com
Zunesters.com

Time will, as they say, tell.

But I'd love to hear opinions on any or all of these.

- - - I like all yours....
most of all these:
StrictlyZune.com
ZuneMaven.com
TurboZune.com
Zunesters.com

Good Luck with them....

~DomainBeLL (Patricia)

 

[RichieN]

It sounds very nice,hope it will come soon!

 

[Source]

If MS people surfing here and searching for Zune TM names they are in a big trouble...

Posting your domain name in this thread could be viewed as self incrimination.

Easy pickings for an outside / contracted law firm hired by ms.

 

[actelvision]

... a little TM on the picture...

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=199145102&size=o

 

[Monsterman]

... a little TM on the picture...

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=199145102&size=o

That is perfectly normal.

 

[actelvision]

That is perfectly normal.

Yes ,but :
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfiel...h&a_search=Submit+Query&a_search=Submit+Query


..it's slow....lol