I’m using Windows Live Mesh for a project right now, which is actually pretty cool except for the fact that it doesn’t offer any Mac support.
I’ll ad this to the list of cool products (see Zune) that don’t offer anything to the Mac user.
I understand that Microsoft wants people to be using their OS, but the future of software is really platform agnostic. In the long run, services like Google Docs and Rhapsody, which work equally well on both platforms, will gather a bigger market share.
Actually, I should rephrase that—new software is not platform agnostic, it is a platform in and of itself, and one that connects everyone.
I remember about eight years ago buying a program at Egghead Software (now Newegg) that let me convert word/text documents from “Mac” format to “PC” format and back. Now that software is called “E-mail.”
For better or worse, the OS is becoming a commodity. Why should you limit your services, the ones that you’re going to build the future of your company on, to only the people who are tied in to your old business model?
You are, by definition, limiting your new market to a subset of your old (shrinking) market. In the long run, Microsoft needs to count on services like Xbox Live, Zune, Live Mesh, and other subscription/freemium products for their real revenue, as shrinkwrap software goes the way of the 12-legged-platypus (the what?).
So Microsoft: build in Mac Support. And Linux, too, because why not.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
You do realize that even the main page of live mesh has a picture of a Mac. Indicating that it does work with Mac. Then if you look at the features page it again states that it works with Mac. https://www.mesh.com/Welcome/features/features.aspx#7
Some features are listed as not available yet but “yet” usually means they will be.
Speaking as a Zune *and* an iPod Touch owner, let me ask you a question….
Do you really think that the development time required to build in any form of Mac compatibility into the Zune would increase market share of Zune at all? Can you think of one person who is only a Apple OS user who would switch to Zune ‘if only the Apple OS supported it’?
JR – I actually didn’t know that. I was operating on the statements made by someone I’m working with at Microsoft. I should check & see if I can actually get into things on my Mac, as that would make life much easier.
See? Who needs editors when you have an audience? ;)
John – I’m less concerned about the device than the service. I’m a Zune subscriber, but I have to use Orb to really get at my music. It’s a pain in the ass, and I’m seriously thinking about switching to Rhapsody BECAUSE it’s such a pain in the ass.
I think “switching to Zune” is an easier sell than you make it out to be. Not many people are currently signed up to a subscription music service, and I think it’s the future model for most people. I think MSFT could actually take a serious bite out of Apple’s iTunes revenue by building a Zune client that is mac compatible and promoting it to Mac users, especially if you can ‘cast those tunes to your existing iPhone, iPod, or other MP3 player, like Orb currently allows.
So yes, I think there’d be a lot of Mac only users who would switch to Zune if MSFT built in that compatibility.
I’m gonna start trying it out soon. It looks like just a broader version of Groove. I have been looking for something to help keep the laptop and desktop in sync.
Well put.
The web is the platform.
JR – do so, I’d be interested to hear your impressions.
Cameron – thanks! I’m sure I stole it from someone else ;)
Also, it turns out Amazon bought Egghead for $6M in 2001, and NewEgg was founded independently in California the same year. Thanks be to Wikipedia.
You must log in to post a comment.