Appletell

The Microsoft marketing staff must be getting paid per idea these days! How else can we explain the Seinfeld+Gates response to the “I’m a Mac” campaign?

Or the release of details about the new Zune media players, which comes suspiciously one day before Apple’s Let’s Rock event. Analyst predictions for the September 9th event include updated iPod nanos, refreshes to the iPod Touch, iTunes 8 with fancy new features, or even a Macintosh netbook computer. Oh, and let’s not forget Steve Jobs’ famous, “One more thing…“.  Obviously, nobody knows for certain what Apple will present to the world, but Microsoft sure knows how to try and steal the spotlight.

Find out how after the break.

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After a few recent surveys, one thing is for sure.  Apple’s place in the music history books are set in stone.  An iPodNN report brought a recent Ipsos survey to light that showed that when it comes to music downloading, iTunes is preferred by half of the market, giving it a commanding lead over the second place Napster, which has a relatively meager 10% share.  iTunes also showed a huge jump in overall use.  Although almost all large downloading services have increased in name recognition and use, iTunes is the only one that jumps out as a huge increase. 

And to just pour salt in the competition’s wounds, Apple also has the mp3 player market wrapped up.  As shown in a Electronista report, iPods are used by most teenagers, and iTunes likewise.  Of the teens surveyed, 87% said that they owned an mp3 player of any sort, and a staggering 86% percent reported that mp3 player to be an iPod of some sort.

In comparison to the closest competition, the Microsoft Zune, in second place to the iPod, has an all but generous share of 3% among the teen community, and the second place music store comes in as Real Networks’ Rhapsody, with a 2% share among teens.  With the iPod and iTunes’ seemingly unstoppable attack on the music industry, is there any way to go other then up?  Only time will truly tell. 

• New MacBooks and MacBook Pros require HDCP for some iTunes videos
• Microsoft to cut prices on the Zune starting tomorrow
• Microsoft rolls out new 3.1 update for the Zune

When Microsoft announced the new Zune’s back in November, Microsoft’s Robbie Bach made a comment that finally, the Zune was “a worthy alternative” to the iPod. Steve Jobs was questioned about that comment by an interviewer this week at Macworld. The response was very unexpected. Some may even say it was harsh.

“Was he inebriated?” Jobs asked CNBC reporter Jim Goldman, and then continued with, “Do you even know anyone who owns a Zune?”

Funny, I don’t know anyone who owns a Zune. Last summer when I went on a trip, I saw one man in an airport with one, and stared at it as if it was a relic. Obviously, Steve Jobs doesn’t even consider the Zune a worthy alternative, and is having a good laugh in Cupertino while the guys in Redmond are welcoming people to the social.

Via [Apple Gazette]

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Here’s something to keep you amused. With iPod (and iPhone) theft on the rise, there’s never been a better time to put that funky device somewhere safe. Sure you can chain it up or lock it somewhere, but why not stick it inside some uncool device, let’s say, the Zune? Hide-A-Pod was built to look like a Zune, but the nifty device has a slot for your beloved iPod. Welcome to the (anti-) social.

Oh, and remember how the Zune can “squirt” tunes wirelessly to other zunes? Well, Hide-a-Pod doesn’t leave iPod users out in the cold because it comes with an optional “squirt” feature. Simply fill the “squirt module” with liquid and slide it into your Hide-a-Pod. Each time you see a Zune user, press that play button and “squirt” away. Hours of “squirting” fun for the low price of $29.95.

Disclaimer: This is vaporware (aka it doesn’t exist). Ha! We had you there for a second.

Read [Hide-a-Pod]

• Microsoft to cut prices on the Zune starting tomorrow
• Microsoft rolls out new 3.1 update for the Zune
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