Coming Zune: Pre-loaded EMI Music Videos
Contrary to previous news we’ve been getting, Microsoft‘s answer to Apple’s iPod will be coming Zune with video capability. MS has tied up with EMI Group Plc, the world’s third largest music company, to provide Zune with pre-loaded music videos from artists including actor Jared Leto’s alternative rock band 30 Seconds To Mars, and English electro-pop band Hot Chip, when this digital media player is released in the market later this year.
According to research company NPD, the iPod currently dominates the digital media player market, constituting more than half of its market sales, while Apple’s iTunes download service has a market share of more than 70 percent in the US. But, if MS is to have a piece of that market, the Zune’s features would not only have to be at par with that of Apple’s iPod…it should be better.
Sources at record labels who have seen the yet unreleased media player say that Zune’s wireless capability, which allows sharing of music between uses, is the clincher that will set Zune apart from the market-dominant iPod. As to whether Microsoft is in negotiation with other music labels such as Universal Music, Warner, and Sony BMG to bring us with more music and videos, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Via Reuters
Contrary to previous news we’ve been getting, Microsoft‘s answer to Apple’s iPod will be coming Zune with video capability. MS has tied up with EMI Group Plc, the world’s third largest music company, to provide Zune with pre-loaded music videos from artists including actor Jared Leto’s alternative rock band 30 Seconds To Mars, and English electro-pop band Hot Chip, when this digital media player is released in the market later this year.
According to research company NPD, the iPod currently dominates the digital media player market, constituting more than half of its market sales, while Apple’s iTunes download service has a market share of more than 70 percent in the US. But, if MS is to have a piece of that market, the Zune’s features would not only have to be at par with that of Apple’s iPod…it should be better.
Sources at record labels who have seen the yet unreleased media player say that Zune’s wireless capability, which allows sharing of music between uses, is the clincher that will set Zune apart from the market-dominant iPod. As to whether Microsoft is in negotiation with other music labels such as Universal Music, Warner, and Sony BMG to bring us with more music and videos, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Via Reuters
About The Author
