Microsoft Tries To Catch Up

Microsoft, which has been struggling to come up with something to rival the iPod, is going to bring original video programming to their Zune product.

Their first program is called "Cinemash" which will feature various celebrities like James McAvoy, Elizabeth Bnks, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, and Seth Rogan, playing roles in movies they wish they had been in. It seems like it could be pretty funny - but is it really going to be a deciding factor for customers standing in Best Buy debating whether or not to get a Zune or an iPod? 3 million people own Zunes, 173 million people use iPods. That's quite a difference to make up. However, the Zune device is only available in the United States and Canada.

I found an old article on the New York Times when the Zune first came out. David Pogue, who wrote the article, said that although it can't match the "coolness" of the iPod, it's actually an excellent player and sounds just as good as the iPod.

Here are the two articles:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999529.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/09/technology/09pogue.html?scp=3&sq=zune&st=cse