There’s a rumor spreading like wildfire across the web that the Zune will be used as a secondary hard drive for game and content purchases on the Xbox 360.
I’ll outline why it’s a bogus rumor.
See, the rumor started because of a survey. Essentially, the user was asked what they connected to their Xbox 360. One of the questions asked if they stored content on their Zune, as a means of taking it off of the hard drive. But, the question was poorly worded.
What the question meant to ask was “Are you storing pictures and video on your Zune, because your Xbox 360 hard drive is full from game and marketplace content?”
When you realize that’s what they were asking… you can see how the rumor got started. Microsoft does want to know that this is an issue, because over on the PlayStation 3, people can use all kinds of storage options… it takes only a few minutes to upgrade the hard drive with one of your own (and not pay Microsoft’s six-times-cost markup for their puny 120 GB hard drive). If the PS3 is luring away savvy customers over being able to have unbounded storage options… Microsoft needs to tackle that issue (with more than the obnoxious-highway-robbery of their hard drives, of which, I refuse to pay… and use my Xbox 360 less because of it).
Still, that’s not to say this won’t ever happen. Microsoft has always had the option of allowing people to store game content on USB hard drives. Heck, Microsoft could release a $20 SATA sled and let you use your own hard drive (a la PlayStation 3). If this rumor does turn out to be true, it will be another instance of people wishing and willing, and in turn forcing, Microsoft to change their tune.
This article is factual. My daughter is hinting at me to buy her a Zune for Christmas. Being a tech-savy dad that I am (growing up with Atari VCS and never quiting!) I did my research. Microsoft is more money driven than Apple! The videos I have downloaded on my 360 will not transfer onto her Zune! Why would I buy it then? Sony, of which I own a PS3 as well, is far more consumer friendly, allowing older (original) geeks such as myself to alter it without voiding its warranty. In fact they support it! Is there a Sony equivalent to the Zune? Why is Microsoft so proprietary? In this present economy, you would think MS would alter their business strategy and (finally) cater to a consumer market that is looking for a break (financially). This isn’t the cadillac market anymore, this is the watered-down ketcup market. Microsoft needs to read the newspapers.
I still prefer low-GB storage devices like a $8 flash drive (they’re cheap, around $20 now!) rather than big & bulky 80 GB MP3’s…
having one of those on you just screams STEAL ME!!! :