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I think it's about time we take a deep dive into the history of the Microsoft Zune - a clear example of a great product being discontinued for reasons beyond its control.
The Zune was a series of digital media products and services marketed by Microsoft from 2006 to 2012. Its main competitor? The iPod. While it was an uphill battle from the start, the Zune had a number of features that were arguably superior to its Apple counterpart.
Firstly, the Zune software was smooth and clean, offering a user experience that in many ways, was superior to iTunes. The ability to share songs wirelessly was also a game-changer and was loved by many Zune users.
The device itself had a larger screen than the iPod, and in terms of design, the Zune was sleek, elegant, and felt good in the hand. Not to forget, the Zune pass offered unlimited music for a monthly subscription, something that was unheard of at the time.
Despite all these positives, why did the Zune fail to gain traction? One, the iPod had a significant head start and had already established a loyal consumer base. Two, Microsoft was perceived as 'uncool' compared to 'hip' Apple. Third, poor marketing. Microsoft failed to articulate why one should choose Zune over an iPod.
In the end, the Zune was discontinued in 2011. But many who used it remember it as a great music device that simply couldn’t displace the iPod. It’s indeed a lesson in how even superior features can’t guarantee success in the face of strong competition and brand image.
Submitted 10 months, 2 weeks ago by retrofreak
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Remember that Zune had a larger screen, more flexibility in terms of file formats, and a subscription-based music model way before Apple did anything similar. So before anyone goes off about how the iPod was superior, make sure they remember Zune's innovations.
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The Zune was my first ever music player, so I have a soft spot for it. I remember how cool it was to be able to share tunes wirelessly. I still don't get why it didn't take off - and the 'uncool' label on Microsoft feels so unfair. Zune deserved better.
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Insider here. The Zune story was more corporate politics than anything else. It's a classic example of a great product getting killed off due to internal infighting and poor leadership. Also, Microsoft was late to the market, and by then, Apple had a significant lead and had established the iPod as the 'cool' device to own.