Zune: Bite Your Tongue
March 31, 2007The link below takes you to an article that looks at the state of Zune, so far. Interspersed with with the quotes from analysts, and the author’s own take, are responses from Microsoft’s own PR guy.
I myself couldn’t care less whether Zune will be a success or not; what struck be about the article was just how painful it is to read what a PR guy has to say about his own product. All thisexploring this space, urban demographics, price points, yada yada…
It’s almost like: it doesn’t matter what you as a company say once a product is out there — it’s always going to sound like an excuse, and all excuses carry with them a certain cringe factor.
Someone once said that the definition of “Cool” is: Never having to explain yourself. Guess who practices that.
On a slightly different but related note; there was a podcast about a year ago where John Sculley was interviewed on Apple’s 30th birthday. His responses were typically smooth, classy and positive. When hewas asked pointed questions about falling out with Steve Jobs, and such things, his response was: “I don’t talk about that.” The interviewer took the hint and moved on.
Say what you like about Sculley (anyone who shepherded the Newton is ok in my book), that was cool.
Playlist: Opinion: How Microsoft can make the Zune a success
