14 DAY TRIAL // While it's easy to say that the Zune media player will become number one, getting to the actual number one spot is a whole different matter altogether. Of course that Bill Gates wasn't referring exclusively to Zune, but also to Microsoft's position on the market in comparison with competitors such as Google and Sony.
"We want to either be No. 1 or on our way to being No. 1," Gates stated during the third annual TechNet Innovation Summit. And it is an interpretable affirmation. This because being second, third, or even last doesn't necessarily mean that Microsoft in not on track to becoming number one.
Meanwhile, Zune has generated a consistent increase in criticism and is not exactly taking off. Moreover, it's gathering dust on the shelves in the US. The Amazon.com list of most popular items updated hourly features the Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Black) only in the 14 place. There are no less than five different versions of the iPod ahead of Zune.
Bill Gates additionally revealed that Microsoft is planning to expand the wireless capabilities of Zune. "We will take it even further or connecting the Zune to the Windows PC or Xbox. There is a lot more coming there." This in the context where the over-applauded WiFi features of the Zune devices proved to deliver nothing more than disappointment and ended up being put down by Apple CEO Steve Jobs and needed up the focus of ridicule.
"We've sold 10 already today," said Best Buy general manager Ben Bagwell in the first day the device was available. "The Zune's actually been doing pretty well, better than I expected."