Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Microsoft Launches Zune, Apple Answers Back
Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Off-Topic" @ 11:30 PM
"The Zune, Microsoft’s next combined hardware/software service has launched and is now available in an impressive 30,000 retail outlets, arguably the most aggressive attempt to take market share from Apple to date. Apple has responded by cutting deals with a number of airline carries to exclusively support iPods for in-flight entertainment. What makes this particularly interesting is that in both cases the two companies appear to be behaving more like the other firm than themselves."
Apple's latest press release hit my inbox yesterday faster than an SR-71 breaking the sound barrier. It was one that was properly timed in an attempt to steal the limelight from the Zune on its launch day. iPod integration in six major airlines? That's pretty impressive, though Rob Enderle at Digital Trends raises a good point about it ruffling a few anti-trust feathers. Can Apple, a dominant company in the media industry, lock out competing firms in critical markets such as this? Only time will tell. It all seems like a sweet deal now, but Apple had better prepare for the repercussions if they ever arise.
Apple's latest press release hit my inbox yesterday faster than an SR-71 breaking the sound barrier. It was one that was properly timed in an attempt to steal the limelight from the Zune on its launch day. iPod integration in six major airlines? That's pretty impressive, though Rob Enderle at Digital Trends raises a good point about it ruffling a few anti-trust feathers. Can Apple, a dominant company in the media industry, lock out competing firms in critical markets such as this? Only time will tell. It all seems like a sweet deal now, but Apple had better prepare for the repercussions if they ever arise.
