Microsoft Shifts One Million Zunes

To be honest I haven't spent much time writing about the Zune since its release in November last year. This is because 1. It's not available anywhere outside the US, 2. It's had a lukewarm (at best) critical reception and 3. Points 1 and 2 are enough.

Still, one million Yanks have been convinced...

That is the news from Microsoft's ninth circle this week and given America's estimated 301,783,000 population is it really so bad?

For one (I'm in a very numbery mood today) it falls in line with Microsoft's (admittedly modest) expectations for the Zune's first six months. Second, it is only on sale in a single country (with a target market in the region of one hundred million), third - it is a first generation product and fourth, it has a rival called iPod...

Another interesting factor that shouldn't be overlooked (though perhaps qualified) is Apple's iPod – which recently shipped its one hundred millionth unit – didn't hit the one million mark until its eighth quarter of release. Admittedly, the market has enlarged exponentially since then, but it has also become monopolised too.

In sum then while I can't say purchasing a Zune is particularly high on my list of things to do (it ranks somewhere between the washing up and flossing), the player has had a reasonable start to life and isn't the complete sales dud many have reported.

It is however boring, ugly and - with its crippled WiFi - flawed. Time for v2.0 and a global release please, methinks.

Link:
Zune Homepage