It looks like Canada is finally getting the Zune. Zune Canada has announced the official release date for the Zune in Canada as 13 June, 2008.
Zune Pricing
Zune 4GB - $139.99
Zune 8GB - $189.99
Zune 80GB - $249.99
If you live in Canada you can follow Zune details and get the Zune Software on the official Zune Canada page. Microsoft will be having tons of Zune Launch parties in 6 major cities in Canada.
Zune Pre-Release Parties
Vancouver (9 May, 2008)
At the Sweatshop 1945 East
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by The Tranzmitors
Calgary (15 May)
At the Ideal Art Space 202-17 Ave
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by The Ostrich
Edmonton (16 May)
At the Artery 9535 Jasper Ave
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by The Wicked Awesomes
Winnipeg (23 May)
At the Graffiti Gallery 109 Higgins Ave
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by Novillero
Toronto (30 May)
At the Deleon White Gallery 1139 College Street
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by Quest for Fire
Montreal
Details here.
Halifax (6 June)
At the Bus Stop Theater 2203 Gottingen Street
Doors open at 9 PM
19 years and older
Performance by Dog Day
GameStop has announced that it will stop selling the Microsoft Zune and accessories from its 4,500 store locations. Apparently, people that buy games from GameStop are not buying the Zune player. Also, there is not much money to be made in after GameStop sells a Zune since all of the services are sold through the Zune Marketplace. Simply selling Zunes and accessories is not enough of a margin to hold Zune in stock.
GameStop will continue to sell the Zune online, but only until their supply of Zunes run out. It can’t be gret news for Microsoft.
Microsoft has increased their market share of the MP3 market from 3% to 4% selling 2 million Zune since November, 2006. Apple’s iPod dropped 1%, but still makes 71% and remains the clear leader in the MP3 market. I would expect Microsoft to have sold well over 3 million Zune by the end of the 2008 holiday season making the WiFi an option. There are still not enough Zunes out there to expect to bump into other Zune users daily. Hopefully, a year from now there will be 3-4 million Zune users and finding other Zune users to share music with will be a reality.
Currently, the Zune 80 is only available in black. Last Valentine’s Day Microsoft released a limited Red Zune. There is no schedule for the releases yet, but Cesar Menendez has confirmed that the red Zune will be in retail stores soon.
Microsoft released their fourth quarter earnings Friday. They missed earnings, but gave a good outlook for the next 12 months. What surprised me was that for the first time that I have been tracking the Zune was not mentioned in their earnings. The Zune is tracked with the Xbox360, which was mentioned.
Revenue from the division responsible for the Xbox 360 video game system ballooned 68 percent to $1.58 billion, which Microsoft attributed to robust demand for game consoles.
Overall, the Xbox division did very well, but game consoles were attributed to the success. I don’t want to read into anything, but I can only guess that sales for the Zune were flat or they would have mentioned it as a strength. Hopefully, they will release sales numbers soon because I’m curious how many Zune owners there are out there!
A few weeks back Microsoft announced a special Valentine’s Day Zune that comes with custom engravings schemes “inspired by the themes of love and sharing.” If you purchased on of these Zunes and expected it to arrive before Valentine’s Day you likely got a letters from Microsoft stating the device will not be delivered on the 14th, but will come with a full refund when it arrives. While it may be disappointing not to get the Zune on time, it must be nice to get a full refund!
