Zune boss steps down

Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 1st February 2007
Comments (18) Stumble
Zune boss steps down

"In new and very large hands" - The Zune project falls to J Allard now.

Ok, so who here owns a Zune? Not many of us - and apparently, Microsoft doesn't really like that fact. Therefore, a little shake-up has taken place under the Zune project, and its current Business Manager is stepping down. Brian Lee, the original controller of the project, will now hand over his reins to none other than J Allard.

Mr. Allard is practically a household name at this point in time - first of all, he's probably the only Microsoft high-level exec to get the term "hip" applied to him in the media...without anyone breaking into fits of laughter. He catapaulted to executive stardom with his sensational job over the original XBox, and then proved he could do it again with the 360. In fact, about the only thing many people fault him for are the original controllers - a giant could have gripped them comfortably. The rest of us, well...not so much.

Microsoft is positioning this as just a routine "changing of the guard" for a product that has transitioned from paper to store shelves. However, these types of transfers are pretty rare in the corporate world, and usually happen when a product meets a pretty dismal response compared to expectations. J Allard is known for his ability to connect to a younger demographic, which is certainly the right target for the Zune, whose tagline is "Welcome to the Social."

With new hands at the helm, perhaps the Zune isn't as down and out as it first appeared. However, I personally think there will need to be some pretty drastic improvements before we start seeing a product worth leaving our current MP3 solutions at home for. However, based on his track record, J Allard may be just what the doctor ordered for the device's commercial standing. Of course, it would probably help more if it were even released in the EU...

Do you have a thought on the changeover? How about what would make the Zune a worthwhile product for you? Tell us about your thoughts on what Brian missed and J could bring to the table in our forums.
Quote Techno-Dann 1st February 2007, 20:46
"Welcome to the social", J?
Quote DXR_13KE 1st February 2007, 20:53
zune is pretty much doomed to hell.
Quote Veles 1st February 2007, 20:56
It's been released?
Quote Tyinsar 1st February 2007, 21:15
If he was sent in to make this a success it seems a little late: The product is already out - unless there's a hardware revision (or massive firmware upgrade) all he can change is the marketing or support. Expecting either hardware or firmware changes would lead me to think that (if I wanted Apple's near monopoly in MP3 players to end in a near MS monopoly) I'd be better off waiting for those changes.

As things stand now my current MP3 player is made by Sansa and is not ever likely to be replaced by one made by Apple or MS.
Quote <A88> 1st February 2007, 21:17
Not in the UK it ain't. Glad they've finally realised it's not doing as well as it should/could be and have reshuffled the operations a bit, maybe we'll see the device reach it's full potential.

<A88>
Quote casey_cole 1st February 2007, 22:26
"How about what would make the Zune a worthwhile product for you?"

Well, if I'd heard of it - that would help :P

Seriously - the only places I've heard any reference to the Zune is Bit-Tech...

CC
Quote HugoB 1st February 2007, 23:47
Hmmm... number

1) release the damn thing outide America

2) make the wifi functions a bit more worthwhile

3) remove buttons, make touch screen, make screen larger (ok, that's kind of 4 and 5 as well)
Quote tuteja1986 2nd February 2007, 01:38
Get rid of the wifi drm and also add more feature to wifi then i will buy a zune.
Quote Colonel Sanders 2nd February 2007, 05:23
Change the name to "mPod" and apply for patents to features MS stole (just look at BlueJ or the whole "Modular OS" thing).

L J
Quote Vonpo 2nd February 2007, 08:31
The Zune wont come to Europe until MS see's that they have a significant advantage on the European market, which is a lot harder to enter compared to the US. I'm also guessing that they want to fix all the baby problems(Wifi) before shipping it to Europe.

Plus, Allard might just be the right guy for they job just as the article say's. For now we can just wait and see.
Quote MrBurritoMan 2nd February 2007, 20:43
everyone that i know who has touched the Zune loves it. i own one and it is way better than my ipod ever could be. it is just depressing to see the apple media machine eating the zune for lunch because by specs alone it is far better than the iPod. i would recommend those of you in Europe to go to the store when it comes out and take a look at it. actually hold the device, surf the menus, and see for yourselves how magnificent this thing really is. in the mean time i am glad that they put Allard on the job. i really hope that he does a better job with the zune. ;)

[EDIT]grammatically exhausted for today[/EDIT]
Quote DLoney 3rd February 2007, 02:25
i have a zune its great
Quote severedhead 3rd February 2007, 10:21
I also have a Zune. Its a fantastic piece of kit. And I'm so glad they didn't bother with a touchpad. The wifi could have better functionality though, like act as a UPnP device or something. The software isn't too shabby either, much better than Sonicstage my old Sony used to use.
Quote Colonel Sanders 3rd February 2007, 23:38
I think the most important change to make the Zune successful would be to ditch the 3x plays policy and use only a 3day policy. Deleting of shared music cant be removed altogether due to the whole piracy thing, but limiting a song to 3 plays is just too restrictive. Then I think MS needs good marketing for the Zune to succeed. I think the main reason the iPod is successful is definitely not for it's features or value but for the fact that it is a clean looking device and everybody and their dog knows what an iPod, iPods are becoming a status symbol.

In my opinion the top reasons to buy an Apple product is because they look good (which is debatable) and everything Apple does is revolutionary (like the Mighty Mouse. :( ). Apple products will show everyone you know your technology, your smart, hip, and the iPod will make your sex-life amazing. :( Lately I really despise apple. . .

L J
Quote Sol Badguy 3rd February 2007, 23:59
by time allard gets to doing what he plans on doing, apple will have released gen6 ipods. zune had its chance, i think sandisk is the only competitor that stands a chance.... they just need to release a harddisk version of the e200
Quote Lucidity 4th February 2007, 02:34
I too have a zune, and I love it. The screen is nice, and it has a very nice feel in your hands. The sound quality is better. With proper firmware upgrades, and a whole new platform (non toshiba gigabeat) I think the Zune will be able to win over a large share of the market. The more kids that have them the better, if kids see that a bunch of other kids are getting them, then they will want them. (Or in otherwords, apples marketing campaign, too bad no one uses their comps....LOL)
Quote bilbothebaggins 6th February 2007, 19:32
What's a Zune??

Something must've slipped my attention
Quote Poisonous 6th October 2007, 11:22
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8729/57186946ut8.jpg

Just thought I'd point them out.
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