wraggster
September 29th, 2006, 18:40
Yesterday, Microsoft announced the pricing and release date for the first of its Zune MP3 players. Set to hit stores on November 14--three days ahead of the PlayStation 3 and five prior to the Wii launch--the 30GB player will cost $249.99, in line with Apple's 30GB iPod.
Zune will also use Xbox Live Marketplace's currency.
However, unlike Apple's iTunes Music Store, the Zune Marketplace won't just deal in real-world coin. It will use a virtual currency well-known to Xbox 360 owners--Microsoft Points. According to the software giant, "users can purchase songs individually using Microsoft Points for 79 points per track." As anyone who's ponied up for a new set of nonrefundable premium gamer pictures knows, that 80 points comes to about $0.99--the same per-song-cost as iTunes.
Microsoft also clarified that the Microsoft Points used on Zune and XBLM are one and the same--meaning the company is essentially creating its own currency, which it prefers to call a "stored value system." "Microsoft Points ... can be redeemed at a growing number of online stores, including the Xbox Live Marketplace," it said in a statement.
But does the shared currency mean that the Zune and Xbox Live Marketplaces will be unified at some level ? Will there be any connectivity between the two--i.e. will one be able to access Zune Marketplace songs via Xbox Live and download them right to a connected player? (Note: All Mp3 players, inlcuding iPods, can already stream music onto a 360 when when connected via a USB port.) That's unclear for now, as Microsoft had not responded to requests for clarification as of press time.
Zune will also use Xbox Live Marketplace's currency.
However, unlike Apple's iTunes Music Store, the Zune Marketplace won't just deal in real-world coin. It will use a virtual currency well-known to Xbox 360 owners--Microsoft Points. According to the software giant, "users can purchase songs individually using Microsoft Points for 79 points per track." As anyone who's ponied up for a new set of nonrefundable premium gamer pictures knows, that 80 points comes to about $0.99--the same per-song-cost as iTunes.
Microsoft also clarified that the Microsoft Points used on Zune and XBLM are one and the same--meaning the company is essentially creating its own currency, which it prefers to call a "stored value system." "Microsoft Points ... can be redeemed at a growing number of online stores, including the Xbox Live Marketplace," it said in a statement.
But does the shared currency mean that the Zune and Xbox Live Marketplaces will be unified at some level ? Will there be any connectivity between the two--i.e. will one be able to access Zune Marketplace songs via Xbox Live and download them right to a connected player? (Note: All Mp3 players, inlcuding iPods, can already stream music onto a 360 when when connected via a USB port.) That's unclear for now, as Microsoft had not responded to requests for clarification as of press time.