Next week - Macworld and CES!
Things are heating up again post holiday - for CES Microsoft has a nice presence and lots of announcements, and I suspect Apple will give us something to think about at Macworld. I'll try to post during this period, but will be traveling and doing internal intelligence on both so may be a bit slammed.
For the record, I'm betting on the following for Macworld:
- Mac and iPod momentum announcements (with or without snarky Zune sound bite)
- OS X Leopard preview and launch date announcements
- iLife 07
- iTV announcement and demo, but not available until Feb or March
- Maybe...maybe...the Apple phone.
The latter is most iffy - the noise and rumors are huge, but there's no way to tell the signal from the noise at this point. I'll revisit my accuracy after the event.
6 Comments:
vista vista vista...im going to prepare now to get tired of hearing about it. What I want to hear: Microsoft converts "connected entertainment" from being a useless marketing term to something more significant.... can you say online digital media lockers and zune/360/media convergence. Right...I know, keep dreaming.
sportsunit is right. All this talk about Zune, 360, Vista, even Origami ( yes we still remember those ) is all about entertainment at your fingertips. When you want it, where you want it. Music, Viral Videos, Movies, TV shows. I see alot of great ideas ( Soapbox, video marketplace, zune marketplace, UMPCs ) but I don't see any connectivity or unity among these services.
Why isn't soapbox on 360? or zune marketplace? why aren't videos on zune marketplace? why isn't music on 360 marketplace. why can't I download tv shows from my 360 to my zune.
All of these things are okay by themselves, but the dots need to be connected for it to be great.
-Woody
Sportunit..you are not the only one dreaming. Microsoft needs to deliver on this vision...its very disconnected and confusing right now. Hopefully we learn something about the great goals of Zune followed with some real product.
As for Apple, iTV is the one I'm concerned about. I don't think we'll see a iPod/Phone anytime soon but they probably will announce a partnership to develop one.
Apple might dominate portable players but it should be interesting who comes out next with the more convincing ecosystem.
Apple Ecosystem
iLife, iTV, iPod, ??future Phone??
Microsoft Ecosystem
Media Center, XBox, Extenders,
Zune, ?? MS Mobile, Portable Gaming ??
Sony Ecosystem
PS3, PSP, LocationFreeTV
Just throwing in a few predictions for CES
1. Zune Client Software for MS Mobile OS
2. Zune Audio µPlayer (2GB and 4GB)
3. MarketPlace 10ft UI for Vista Media Center
4. XBox Movies available in Zune MarketPlace
5. New Content Partners
And I'd expect a few WIFI enhancements too. Crossing my fingers that we finally have some streaming capabilities.
I seriously do not think there will be unique features coming out in 2007 for Zune. There will be major feature roll out though like:
1. Movie download
2. Podcast
3. Some other features which will bring it on par with iPod.
However maybe after July or towards next Christmas we should see new devices and new unique features like wireless connection to xBox and so on which should give Zune something to talk about. The idea would be to create some momentum before next Christmas.
I also expect to see G2 Zune by this time. Till then I am just hoping to third party Accessories and Movies and Podcast.
2008 will be the year when things would have matured and serious competition will start with the new Windows Mobile coming out.
But hey….all this is guess work. Who know????
Rohit
Post a Comment
<< Home