A wee bird – the selfsame bird who gave us Zune background a few weeks ago – told us that the Zune, out of the box, is completely non-Mac compatible. No mounting, not data drives, no nothing. There will be no drivers and no support at launch and none, one will assume, later on in the year.
That is quite interesting, but to think of the issue the other way around, Apple would probably not want Microsoft’s Zune to be able to get updated since it could hurt marketshare. Let’s not forget that the original iPod that was released was ONLY Mac compatible. It was not until the 2nd generation of iPods that there was a PC version released and a Mac version thus trying to get people to buy Macs, and today it is universal.
Microsoft will have its people working on a workaround on Mac OS X to get their Zune to update if it would create more marketshare for them just give it time.
Thats no huge surprise to me.
and this hurts apple how
it has its own multibillion dollar mp3 player
I agree why should it be. If people are smart enought to buy a mac they would also get an iPod.
I have had an IPOD and am not fond of the operating system. I used Windows XP for about five years and was never a fan of it, then I tried Vista, but that was a flop to me as well. MAC is a great system for ME to use myself. As the ZUNE is a great little system for me too. I just wish my xp version of windows did not crash, so i could still use my Zune. Now I’m just hoping they come out with a plug-in that will make the Zune compatible with MACS.
I wonder if the strategy here is to continue to grow the Windows installation base on the Mactels. If a Mac is running Windows, then I would expect it could connect to a Zune.
I’m sure despite some Mac fans’ chagrin, that Microsoft is loving the commercials toting the Intel Mac’s ability to run Windows w/ BootCamp or Parallels because it just increases their marketshare. The commercials really only hurt the PC manufacturers.
@Ed
I have a Mac, work on multiple Macs and administer an XServe but definitely not tying myself strictly to the iPod-only option. That is one of the weird things about the Mac cult, it seems so close-minded to other options. I like my PCs too. Share the love. :-)
@atomic
Once upon a time, there was a mega-behemoth company called AOL and all the other providers in the land combined could not match its power. But over time, a dark cloud lingered and the kingdom disappeared. Moral of the story… A shift in marketshare can happen to anyone at anytime…even Apple.
I this the Mac omission is deliberate and don’t expect Microsoft to provide Mac-compatible Zunes.
What percentage of iTunes users are Macintosh? Probably 4% if the ratio is consistent with overall PC use.
So from Microsoft’s viewpoint it’s probably a minor disenfranchisement…
frabgod
http://www.zunerama.com
No big surprise. I don’t like the iPod click wheel, and was planning on getting a zune even after I switch and get an iMac this December. While this is no surprise, its kind of a heartbreaker. Does anyone know if paralels would let me use this thing? Or would I have to use BootCamp?
Actually, I’m a mac user, and the Zune, I think, is pretty damn cool. I want it. But… hm… oh, wait! I CAN’T USE IT! Oh, that tricky Microsoft. Those Microsoft idiot jerks… why can’t we all just be friends???
ipod 6g. thats all i have to say. ipod 6g will destroy the zune. so the zune has a wee little 16:9 display…. wow. How about a 16:9 touchscreen desplay with NO buttons at all and an apple logo on the back?
I personally am not a big fan of touchscreens for things like mp3 players.
And the zune as the social networking and can download music onto it. thats pretty darn cool.
is there anyway that i can connect my zune to my macintosh?
There has been much excitement recently about getting XNJB to work with the Zune. Unfortunately Microsoft have put some protection on file transfers so the Zune has to authenticate with the host computer before files can be transferred. So currently XNJB will only show a list of songs and files on your Zune. You cannot (yet) upload or download anything.
http://www.wentnet.com/projects/xnjb/download.html
i Hate Microsoft..in everyway…Machintosh is so much better because i say it is!
I’ve replaced my iPod multiple times, and it still fails to operate properly.
I love macintosh computers, but the iPod is VERY unreliable.
i want the nylon zune so badly. mac computers are fantastic, but ipods can go to hell. oh! and so can microsoft for not making zune mac compatible!
Why cant eveything just be compatible all the companies can make so easy if they
wanted to
There are things I wished that PC’s had that Mac had and vice versa, so I can’t quite say I like one more than the other. Although I’ve had PC’s all my life, I’ve experienced Mac OSX, and I don’t have any problems with it.
What I want to know…
What on earth (based off the Apple commercials totally laying it out on Microsoft) does a Mac computer need windows op. system if its so superior. If its compatability, well I could understand, I tried all of my plug n’ play hardware that self installed on my PC only to find out that most of them needed software installation. Then I tried all the plug n play hardware that required software on my PC, most often I could not even find software to install it on that Macintosh. Now sure the Mac might now how to speak to a Japanese Digital Camera, fact of the matter is, Macintosh is an art based computer, they are frequently used in slideshows, 3D art development etc. so its of no surprise. So if Macintosh so wished, they could easily hire 3rd party people to create an Apple interface that accepts the Zune.
Maybe they emulate Windows operating Systems because of networking. Considering MS has been in the Network business for several several years, its a possibility that since MS computers are well designed for file-sharing, multi-computer networks, and dominate a large percentage of the internet (ie file extensions, scripts, servers) that Mac had no choice but bow to the Network god that MS is (a monopoly if closely examined.)
My question may stay unanswered for all eternity….
Compatability is a battle amongst all hardware and software companies. Its true MS might never even attempt to make the Zune Macintosh Compatible. Ironically iPods are compatible with the 360 and PC’s. Apple might have had the intention of never making the iPod compatible with PC’s, but of course, Apple then decided to do so in attempt to expand amongst the media. But one had to allow more than just the iPod into their lives. iTunes had to be installed.
Nonetheless I’ll stick to my PC, Zune, Itunes and make kickass art without the help of Macintosh.
~Dan the Man
You can use parallels to use zune on mac.
MAC RULES! PC DRULES!