On Tuesday November 14, Microsoft’s answer to the iPod / iTunes one two punch called Zune will go on sale. The 30GB Zune player will be selling for $249.99 (pictured) per information on the brand new Zune website.

Davis Freeberg is just saying no to the Zune (and the PS3):

On Microsoft’s side of the business, they’ve created a product that supports wifi, but then they strip out all of the functionality that wifi could bring. Instead of ending up with an iPod killer, Microsoft has instead ended up with a music player that won’t even play their own music files. This is such a joke, that I can’t believe the company is hyping this as much as they have been

Let’s hope Microsoft doesn’t treat Zune like Sony has treated the PSP. They should make it easy for homebrew developers to create cool add-ins for Zune.

Another question is will we actually be able to buy the Zune player on launch day? I haven’t seen that many UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computers). In fact, I can’t remember seeing even one UMPC in stores locally. The overall buzz I’ve been reading about the Zune has been lukewarm, which could translate to a good chance we’ll be able to walk into the nearest Best Buy and get one of these without much difficulty. I’m intrigued by the use of Microsoft Points to expand beyond the Xbox Live Marketplace and into buying songs. Microsoft has a huge opportunity in the micropayments area if they push it out to the web and beyond the Xbox. Am I $250 USD Zune curious? There’s always paying the restocking fee if the device is lame.

Retail store availability prediction: 90%.
Will we be buying a Zune player? 50% chance yes. When I first heard about the Zune with the bizarre rabbit comingzune ad admittedly I was much less enthusiastic, but as the launch date draws nearer, I’m warming up. Still on the fence until I actually see and touch one of these in store. I’ll be at the store on November 14, money in hand, looking at the demo. I wouldn’t mind having a portable music player for Windows, but I’m not sure how much I’d actually listen to one. Too many things to listen to like satellite radio, terrestrial radio, internet radio and podcasts.

PS3
That same Friday the Zune is released the much anticipated Sony PS3 will be going on sale. Like Zune, the PS3 has been taking PR hits, particularly over the pricing which many feel is too expensive. Ironically, it promises to be the inexpensive way to check out Blu-Ray in your home (compared to the $1,000 player), but I wonder if we’ll see sub $500 Blu-Ray players after the PS3 is launched? The launch game lineup for the PS3 isn’t exactly spectacular on paper, but we’ll see what happens once people start playing the games and reporting back their experiences.

Retail store availability prediction: 10% launch week, 1% holiday season
Will we be buying a PS3 100% yes, but due to the production problems I’m expecting to get blanked this year. I’m looking at this purchase like the Xbox 360 and don’t expect to be able to walk into a store and buy until tax time 2007.

Wii
The same Sunday the Zune is released, Nintendo is breaking out their next generation console the Nintendo Wii. The Wii has family fun with an intriguing looking controller written all over it. It will also be sporting an online connection complete with the Opera browser. Of the three, I’m looking the most forward to the Wii.

I think there will be a chance to snag the Wii the opening week but it will fast become the must have gaming system this holiday season . The PS3 will probably be high in demand too, but not because everybody wants one, but because there aren’t enough systems to sate the hardcore gamers (like me) that will buy most any new game system.

Retail store availability prediction: 70% launch week, 10-25% holiday season
Will we be buying a Wii 100% yes. I told my wife we had a good chance of being able to buy one of these on launch day/week.

Don’t count on it being coincidence that all three of these are being released the week before Black Friday. This is being done to stir up a flurry of interest heading into the all important holiday season shopping frenzy.

It’s your turn. What will you be buying during this month’s tech gadget week? Or maybe I should say “trying” to buy? Which of these three are you looking most forward to checking out?

Did this post make you go hmm?

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