Vista’s music pitch: why buy when you can rent

Microsoft has taken the Zune Pass idea and as taken  to a new level with Vista.

Sanity Music is teaming up with Microsoft to offer a subscription music service which, for the monthly cost of “a couple of CDs”, will give users access to the retailer’s entire music catalogue.

This marks the first time that such a service has been offered outside the United States, partners say.

When it’s deployed in April, the service will give consumers an alternative to the pay-per-song/pay-per-album model that is the more common platform for digital music distribution - one that is dominated by Apple’s iTunes Store.

The initiative was announced today at the consumer launch of Vista, Microsoft’s new operating system.

Exact details on the pricing were not announced but it seems the service will cost between $40 and $60 a month for an “all you can eat” menu of music. There are more than a million tracks in the Sanity catalogue.

This is akin to renting music because you will only be able to play a song as long as your subscription is current.

The service also gives users the option of buying individual tracks. Although no details of the pay-per-song price were announced, the current Sanity Digital music download site charges $1.69 a track - the same price as Apple’s.

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Wallpapers: Week of Jan. 29th

I am planning to release wallpapers every week. So here is the first round!

Xphone? Tune?

This article talks about the possibilities of Microsoft buying RIM and what would happen if they did. Also, they mention the integration of all their products into one. Intresting read.

At first glance, my idea of Microsoft (NasdaqGS: MSFT) joining the iPhone market by buying Research in Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM) may seem preposterous, however let us dig into this a little deeper. With no growth rates or year over year earnings comparison here at this time, let us try to think this scenario not only by thinking outside the box but by smashing the box inside and out.

The Case

After playing a secondary role to Apple in the iPod space, Microsoft could tackle Apple, Nokia , Motorola, Samsung and Palm head on in the iPhone world. If Microsoft were to buy Research In Motion \, it would give the former immediate access to the worldwide mobile communications market expanding its portfolio as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of wireless solutions – an area that is the core of RIM’s business model.

Apple’s iPod was released in October 2001; Microsoft’s Zune was release in November 2006. During the five-year lag, Apple captured nearly 80% of the market share. Microsoft could save millions of dollars in research money in trying to find the next “big” product and reduce the product cycle by couple of years. The integration of Microsoft’s products like IE, Windows Media Player, Office, and Vista into RIM’s products is promising. The Big Softee would have arrived in the consumer and corporate phone market.

The Product

With Microsoft and RIM together, the integration of Zune with BlackBerry Pearl becomes a reality. The combined product would have Phone, Email and Text Messaging, Internet, Instant Messaging, Camera and MP3 Player as well as multi-media player capabilities. Throw in a condensed version of Xbox video game console and you have a complete package perfect for todays X, Y and Z generations.

The Name

Replacing the letter “Z” from Zune with other letters from the English alphabets, the most appealing were “Tune” and “Xune”. Although, “Tune” closely rhymes with iTunes, it would be a funny name for a phone. “Xune” would be in line with “Zune”. Apple is the undisputed leader of the “I” series, with iPod, iPhone and iTv. Microsoft will try to capture the letter “X” since Xbox is already popular and name its product as “XPhone” or simply leave it as BlackBerry Pearl.

The Price

Current iPhone pricing is at $499 and $599, by the time Microsoft’s phone arrives in the market, say two years from now, Apple would have probably gone through a series of price cuts selling their phones at $399. This will compel Microsoft to target their product in the $349-$399 range.

Conclusion

The thinking box has been crushed.

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Zune gets some love.

Well,well, it seems some have really enjoyed the Zune. Gizmodo reviews the Zune, three months after and tells us all about the experience. Results? Positive. However, he says don’t ditch your ipods just yet. Which is understandable. The ipod is way ahead of Zune. But to people like to so much and this being the first Gen, is a really good sign.

Read review here

Thanks iwantapinkzune.com for the find!

Belkin introduced the TuneCast 3

Belkin has introduced a new little device called TuneCast3. a universal FM Transmitter for you FM stereo receiver.

uneCast 3 is an enhanced version of its predecessor, the TuneCast II, easier to use; its status indicator tells you when your memory presets have been saved, when it’s processing a request, or when it’s powering off/on.

The device streams audio from any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack, such the Zune, iPod or any portable audio device.

TuneCast 3 is available now in North America and should be launch soon in Asia, Europe, and Australia. The FM transmitter (F8M010) as a retail price tag of $49.99. You can buy it through this affiliate link for a cheaper price.

The features include:

• Transmits on FM channels 88.1MHz-107.9MHz with two memory presets
• Offers cable management and status indicator for intuitive operation
• Includes power cord for battery-free operation, and a mounting clip
• Features a 20 hour battery life

Via ClicZune