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Zune, MS Points, & You
Written by Modojo on Friday, September 29, 2006
Microsoft's "iPod killer" Zune had only been peripherally on my radar, until I saw today's news that Microsoft was using MS Points (the same currency used on Xbox Live) to charge for music tracks.
When you take this news, and add it to the major rumblings the company has been making with Microsoft Live Anywhere, you end up with something that is actually really freaking cool. Like, maybe really really. If Microsoft can pull it off.
Imagine buying 1600 MS Points ($20 worth) on your Xbox, through Microsoft.com, or wherever. You can then buy songs for your Zune for 79 points (ie $1) a pop. Then you pick up Chess or Uno or Geometry Wars for your 360 for say 400 points ($5).
Here's where it gets potentially cool. Maybe for an additional 200 points (just $2.50) you can also get a Zune version of the game, to play anytime you're on the go. Or thanks to Live anywhere working with BREW, Java, and other mobile languages you could get the phone version for that price.
Apple may have gotten the jump on MS with iPod games, but if there's one area where the Zune could potentially best Apple right from the word go, it's gaming. While Apple is selling their games for $5, Microsoft could be selling versions for the 360, Zune, and your phone in a bundle for say $10. The idea of having one currency for Xbox Live games and maps, mobile games, and Zune games+music is a powerful one.
Zune is officially on my radar.
[edit] And how could I have forgotten Windows PCs! I work off a mac now, and own a shiny new 5G iPod, but there's no denying that paying one price to have Zuma on a PC, my 360, and my phone, is a sweet, sweet vision. Make it happen, MS.
-Justin Davis
