inthe00s
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Subject: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: mach!ne_he@d on 06/27/16 at 9:11 pm

http://www.billboard.com/files/styles/article_main_image/public/media/microsoft-zune-biz-2015-billboard-650.jpg

Alright, I know we're going deep back into the '00s archives for this one, but who here remembers the Zune? Released in November 2006, the Zune was Microsoft's attempt to enter the then-emerging market for MP3 players by directly taking on Apple's dominant iPod. At first, things looked somewhat promising. Sales for the Zune during 2007 were respectable, though still a ways off from the iPod. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down in 2008 as sales plummeted. By 2011, less than five years after their launch, Microsoft had officially discontinued production of all new Zune hardware.

These days, the Zune is widely regarded as one of the biggest flops in tech history. But, believe it or not, I actually had one myself. :-[ In December 2006 I decided to go ahead an buy my first MP3 player and, inexplicably, I purchased a Zune over an iPod. Don't ask why, because I really have no idea. Perhaps because it was the hot new item on the market, or I was just trying to be different from all of my iPod owning friends? Either way, it's not a fact I'm proud of. :-[

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: 2001 on 06/27/16 at 9:14 pm

I hadn't forgot it LOL ;D Microsoft was so desperate to push that thing, they advertised every chance they got. With every copy of Windows Vista and Xbox 360s there was always some kind of Zune advertisement to go along with it.

At least you picked something different. I just followed the crowd. Got an iPod in late 2005, it broke in two years, bought another one in early 2008, broke in a year, then bought an iPod Touch sometime in late 2009, felt broken the day I bought it.  ::)

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: gibbo on 06/27/16 at 10:13 pm

Does the pair of pliers many used to change the tv channel count as forgotten tech?  Those dials always broke off and the pliers were always beside the tv.  ::)

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: Baltimoreian on 06/30/16 at 9:11 am

I remember the Zune existing during 2007, when it was still available. I thought it was like a cheap iPod, because of how it doesn't look as authentic as the iPod. Even then, I never knew it discontinued a few years later, when nobody wanted the thing.

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: Slim95 on 06/30/16 at 2:19 pm

That thing was pretty dead on arrival to be honest.

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: Baltimoreian on 06/30/16 at 2:32 pm


That thing was pretty dead on arrival to be honest.


It was already dead by sales from its release. Nobody wanted to buy anything except for iPods as MP3 players during the mid 2000s.

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: 2001 on 06/30/16 at 11:51 pm

The PSP UMDs in the end only became useful for Japanese porn. A fall from... well, not grace, what do you say when something horrible only gets worse?

Subject: Re: Remembering Forgotten Tech: The Microsoft Zune

Written By: whistledog on 07/01/16 at 12:01 am

I had a Microsoft Zune because it was the best option for someone like me who didn't want an iPod because all Apple products are pieces of shit. 

It is still the best mp3 player I ever had.


Does the pair of pliers many used to change the tv channel count as forgotten tech?  Those dials always broke off and the pliers were always beside the tv.  ::)


This is so true.

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