Microsoft: In Zune We Trust

If Microsoft did not really openly communicate about the Zune immediately after its launch, to our point of view, it is clearly because results are below expectation. They have now changed their strategy, and according to Bryan Lee, corporate vice president for Microsoft's entertainment group, regarding the beginning of the Zune: "We think that's actually pretty awesome". They expect to sell 1 million Zune by ... June 2007! So, it would imply that Redmond's Giant expect to sell 1 million of its digital music player within 8 months... in comparison, Apple has sold 39 millions iPods (all models included) over the last 12 months, ending in September 2006 (so not taking into accounts Christmas 2006 sales).
When using Amazon ranking list for evaluating if a product is popular, the Zune is now 70th...
Of course, Microsoft will bring price done in order to attract more consumers. But third-party manufacturers might not be super motivated to launch accessories for the Zune ("Made for the Zune", but there are almost no Zune on the market)... and Universal CEO probably stopped dreaming about multi millions US$ income, based on the 1$/Zune...
Yep, success of a product is not only linked to its price or its raw specs.