Cool New Reader

I've been waiting around for WPF/e to come out for quite a while. It's a new technology from Microsoft that I think will really flip the way we interact with the web. It's kind of like Flash, only more so. Anyhow, here's a sampling where you can read a story and download the reader at the NYTimes beta reader page:

Shadow of the iPod

As to the question of the day, on whether or not Zune will beat iPod, boy there's a lot of talk about that one. Engadget has my biggest worry put to rest... the Zune packaging seems untouched by MS hands :). (BTW I LOVE the music associated with that

Here's my thoughts:

  • First, I'm most definitely not a standard user. When I'm somewhere, I almost always have a computer near by... listening to music generally involves me plugging into that along with what I'm already doing.
  • Second, the Zune is closer to what I want than the iPod, if for no other reason than it comes with built in FM tuner, instead of it being an add on. If you wanted REALLY killer, they would synch it up with Sirius or NPR and give me podcasts of Morning Edition or Howard Stern. That would be awesome.

I think that Zune uptake will mimic the Xbox uptake. A strong #2, but will not get near #1 for a while (if ever). It'll be enough to annoy Apple, but whatever's next will catch both Apple and Microsoft flat footed.