Can Microsoft challenge iPod

Microsoft has released its’ version of the MP3 player to rival iPod called Zune. While they will not displace Apple as the leader they are hoping to offer choices for consumers who are tired of the dominance of Apple. From a positive note, the Zune will is equipped with wireless capabilities, that will allow the user to send and receive downloads from other users, and their screen is slightly larger. They are launching with a 30Gb version for $249 which is priced jsut the same as iPods 30gb version.

They have also launch their own music store called Zune Marketplace, which they will sell single and subscription services. Keep in mind that your itunes will not function on your Zunes, unless you go through some conversion process, which could be quite time consuming if you are not familiar with technology. The one interesting thing about buying songs through Zune, is that you first have to add credits to your account in $5 increments. Since each song only costs .99, you could be letting Microsoft hang onto your money until you purchase more downloads. I see this as being a major inconvenience as with iTunes, you can purchase one song, and have it billed through PayPal, or other payment options. This may sit better with a youthful audience, as they would be less inclined to put money into an account for future downloads.

The new Danzig

I just got the new “Danzig” album yesterday. I’m listening to it now. I have to say, it’s better than I expected. There is a new line-up in the band, so I was a bit unsure. For those who don’t know “Danzig”, it is a heavy metal version of a combined Elvis and Jim Morrison. I know that sounds kind of weird, but it’s true. The new album is titled “Circle of Snakes”, and it has the same feel as some of their older material. There was one album that was just terrible, and that one is called “Blackacidevil”. I don’t recommend anyone get that one. It was just a waste of time and money. All-in-all, every other album has been really good. When they first came out, my friends and I would have what we called “Danzig Christmas”. We would wait all year without buying the latest “Danzig” album, and then give them to each other as gifts, spend all night drinking and listening to the new albums. It was pretty fun, especially for Christmas. This new one takes me back to those days. I’m glad that “Danzig” hasn’t faded away yet. hopefully, they never will.

Alien mind control or what?

Have you ever heard the phrase “you hear it once, you hear it a thousand times”? I think that I’m going to start logging these occurances. It happens to me so often I’m almost forced to believe that something is going on here. Could it be that human beings share more of a “hive-mind” than we think? I mean, what does it mean when Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to love” comes up three times in one day, from different people? Is there a pattern that everyone’s overlooking? If so, where does it lead? What does it mean? Are aliens trying to tell us something, but we’re only picking up bits and pieces? I think that would be a great movie plot. There would be so many people wearing those tin-foil hats, or trying to tune in their radios to outer-space frequencies. Maybe I should write it up. Eventually the code is broken and the secrets of the universe are revealed. Of course, once Hollywood got a hold of it, it would probably be unrecognizable. Anyway, it seemed strange to me that it happens so much. Just thought I’d share.