...expect more coverage soon

This is what Ryan Block at Engadget is saying today.

So yesterday I posted a look at the new Zune device and software, which caused quite a stir with the Microsoft faithful in the house (as I suspected it might). Ok, I'm sugarcoating it. Some Zune fans went ballistic over my criticisms of the new products -- and took it out on me, often personally.

There are lots of things I'd like to remind these people of. Like, besides the fact that it's just a product, I (and Engadget) have been a vocal advocate of Microsoft's entry into the space since before the Zune was ever announced. We led the charge in press coverage of the Zune last (and for a while the Apple fans even called us Zune fanboys). Nothing's changed though, we're critical of all this stuff, and whether some people believe it, we don't easily let Apple off the hook either (read our iPhone review and iPod touch review if you want to dig in). If we didn't care about -- or hated -- the new Zune we wouldn't waste our time telling Microsoft how to get it right, we'd just ignore the thing and you wouldn't see any risky, critical editorial. (Believe it or not, PR agencies by far prefer negative reviews than having their product ignored.)

Read the Rest of Ryan's post.

My thoughts from yesterday still stand. Mainly the critisism about the lack of Mac Support. Apple making iTunes PC compatible was a necessity for Apple. PC Users outnumber Mac users by ~10:1. Getting the iTunes going with MOST of the computer users is a must. Like I said yesterday, development cost to make Zune Mac Compatible may not be feasible based on the small percentage of Mac users that would actually buy a Microsoft product other than Office. I may be wrong here, but I am fairly sure economics drive this choice.

I used to play Everquest on and off for more than 6 years. I have played several MMORPGS before. With Everquest I, there was basicly a website external to SOE that was member run for each server and there were also general forums too. The server forums were great because you could arrange event, chit chat, etc.

With Everquest II, SOE came with there own forums. These ended up washing out the server forums. World of Warcraft's official forums are the only truely popular forums as well.

Now Microsoft's Zune.net is the "Official Zune Forums", so where does that leave the other great forum communities like Zune Thoughts, ZuneBoards, and Zunerama? Chances are that forum traffic will stay ok, but I fear that they may not grow much since new users are going to a) catch Zune.net #1 in search engines for Zune terms eventually, b) Microsoft has you go to Zune.net to sign up so new users are already there and c) the Zune Team Members are posting there.

I run forum communities as well and I have seen how things work with these type things.

I don't think this will happen overnight and checking in on the Zune forums I read, the traffic has increased this week. What will it be like in 1 month, 3 months, etc...

I understand companies doing their own Forums, but I don't like it at all. I guess I am being greedy, but I think 3rd party forums really help in more than one way, but I won't get into my theories on the subject here.

I am wishing the great Zune Forum Communities all the best!

... that had 80GB Zunes yesterday. I know that they sold out fast in some markets too. gasusan2005 was unfortunate enough to have a problem and went to return her for another and they were out when she got there.

I purchased 2 at Circuit City yesterday too.

Reading the comment thread a post on Engadget ( Zune 80 not available in stores? ), it seems that this was pretty much all Circuit City all of the US.

Oh well. I got mine!

I don't think that those angry that they can't find one should be attacking Microsoft though. The fact that Circuit City had them shows that they made it out to retailers. Could the problem lie within the Targets, Wal Marts, and Best Buy stores?

I tried to change my Zune Card Status to "At work listening to Zune" and it told me I had a restricted word.

I removed work thinking that Microsoft was being cute... nope. Removed Zune and now we have, "At work listening".

Why in the heck would Zune be restricted?

Update: Zune Team Member, Tonic, says that it's about the brand. He uses Zun3 instead.

I always get the question asked of me, "Why do you like the Zune? Why not iPod?"

Well. The answer is simple and if you have followed me for a while, you will know that a) I am a Microsoft Fanboy b) I don't like the "You have to have an iPod to be cool" thingy going on with today's kids. and c) It really is a nice device.

• I have openly admitted that Apple has done thing right and that the iPod stable is a great stable of players.
• I have openly admitted that I dislike Apple period.
• I have state that the best domain on the internet is taken already, anythingbutipod.com
• I have more than 5 iPods in my home right now.
• I have 4 Zunes in my home right now. (none are 4/8GB or 80GB in capacity)
• I have more than 20 other music players here too!

Why do you like the Zune?