Interview with Scott Erickson about the Zune

This morning I had a chance to speak with Scott Erickson, Senior Product Manager for the Microsoft Zune. The Zune, in case you managed to escape the buzz, is a music and video playing handheld device set to launch tomorrow.

Fabienne: The Zune has had such a big buzz on the internet, are there any sorts of differences in the review models that will change with the production model of the device?

Scott Erickson: The devices we sent out for review are the same as those in stores tomorrow. There were some misconceptions in the form of early screen shots that weren't actually from the device.

Fabienne: Are you looking forward with relief to the launch tomorrow after such a long pre-buzz?

Scott Erickson: No, not at all. [laughing] Yes of course, it's going to be one of the largest Microsoft product launches with 30,000 retail outlets including interactive kiosks at retailers. We'll also have the Zune at music stores such as the Virgin Megastore.

Fabienne: What is your favorite part about the Zune -- in the interface, the hardware, or elsewhere?

Scott Erickson: Wow that's a great question, no one has asked me that yet. The first thing that came to mind was the brown model. The brown color is something people either dislike or really take a shining to. It's an unusual color; I think it's really classy looking and no one else is doing it. Also, the wireless sharing functionality is a great feature.

Fabienne: What exactly can you send with the wireless in the Zune?

Scott Erickson: You can send songs and pictures to another person with a Zune device in range. In the future we may include sending to and from computers. The wireless function is implemented in the Zune so we can easily add new functionality later.

Fabienne: When someone has a large collection of purchased music how will that media be treated with respects to playing it on the Zune? In the same vein, how many devices will be able to share music purchased from the Zune store?

Scott Erickson: When you install the Zune the software can search your computer for music already digitized there. The Zune can play WMA, AAC, and MP3 music formats and WMV, MP4 and H.264 video formats. Up to five computers can play the same purchased media and an unlimited number of devices can play that music.

Fabienne: Wow, so you don't have a limit on the number of Zunes that sync per computer?

Scott Erickson: Well, up to 16 Zunes can connect to one computer, after that you can still sync them but you'll have to do it with a manual sync. I can't imagine having that many Zunes for each computer in a household, but if anyone wants to buy 16 that's great!

Fabienne: [laughing] Well you never know, that could happen. We've heard what the experts think about the Zune for the last few months with numerous product reviews. What do you think the consumer reaction will be?

Scott Erickson: I think that the customers are the experts in this case. We've listened to what the customers want: they want a more personal experience, a more social experience and we've attempted to give them that with the Zune.

Fabienne: Thank you so much for your time today, and I wish you a pleasant launch tomorrow.

Scott Erickson: My pleasure.