The Zune of Steve's eye
14th Nov 2006, 21:54 GMT
I met with the people doing the Zune at Microsoft in the summer of 2004, when podcasting was gaining traction (in Seattle no less), but wasn't showing on their radar yet. I explained how they could make their device a perfect podcast client. I couldn't tell what they were thinking of course, but it seemed they weren't convinced podcasting was real. Too bad, they could have made a simple product, not had to do any deals with Hollywood, and do an end-run around Apple, which still hasn't made the corner turn to DRM-less media (which is one of the most profound things about podcasting, and no accident, I assure you). A striking thing about that little section of Microsoft: pictures of Steve Jobs on doors, walls, bulletin boards, each with a quote from Steve below it. The pictures were there, I was told, to motivate them, and to remind them of their goal. The usual thing for Microsoft, a taillight chase. One more thought, a question actually, does anyone know about the protocol that allows Zunes to share tunes with other Zunes? Is it open and clonable (ie, if I made a podcast device, could I use the protocol). And I suppose it's naive to ask if it's patented, but what the heck -- is it?
The Zune of Steve's eye related news:
- Steve Jobs Likes The Word Boom — Gizmodo
- Zune Day — Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise
- Ballmer sees wireless Zune challenging iPod — Computerworld Wifi News
- MS Zune 开盒照、影片！ — Engadget Simplified Chinese
- Microsoft to Add Wireless Video Sharing to the Zune — Neowin.net
- Zune Software Plays Nicely With iTunes — Gizmodo
- Ballmer: Zune to add video sharing ability — Engadget
- Zune on Sell Ahead of Launch at Some Retailers — I4U News
- Here today, Zune tomorrow? — Things That ... Make You Go Hmm
- I’m Not Buying a Zune!!! — Chris Pirillo