Zune: The would-be iPod killer

2025-11-02 · 76 min · 7 entities

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Feed author/publisher: The Verge
mentioned Technology company

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Feed category: Technology
discusses Technology company

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Feed category: Technology
hosted by The Verge company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: The Verge

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mentioned History website

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: History
discusses History website

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: History

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mentioned The would-be iPod killer concept

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Zune: The would-be iPod killer

Episode description as stored

In 2006, Microsoft came for the iPod's throne with an innovative MP3 player called the Zune. It had a bunch of features the iPod didn't: WiFi, music sharing, a bigger screen, a beautiful UI, even an FM radio. And to hear Microsoft describe it, it was even kind of a social network. Nilay Patel and Victoria Song join David Pierce to break down why, despite all that, the Zune never really took off. And why it came in brown. Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices