As some of my readers might of heard Microsoft are saying "sorry" with free Valentine's Zunes. From Ars Technica:
Today we've heard from readers who say that Microsoft is mending broken hearts with some TLZ: tender loving Zunage. Microsoft is e-mailing customers who are on the cusp of not receiving their special Zune orders on time, saying that while they are trying their best to get orders out in time, they might not make it. Maybe your Valentine won't mind, however, because Microsoft says that they are refunding customer's money, too. If you're one of the unlucky people to be sitting on the cusp of a February 14 delivery date, then all of the sudden you're not so unlucky, since you're getting a free Zune out of the deal.
Of course the Apple fanboys are out on patrol, both on Digg and numerous other news websites. Here's one of the best responses:
By the way, this move is anti-competitive. Everyone knows that Microsoft is desperate to eat into the iPod's lead and they have already been convicted of illegal trade practices. This "miss" may be legitimate this time, but still the 100% discount seems to be a little much. If Microsoft starts to orchestrate more ways to distribute Zunes at a price that is FAR below cost, the regulators will need to look into that.
Anti-competitive? So by competing in the market where they have a minority market share they're being anti-competitive - right whatever.
The iPod? They're so 2001. The Zune is a far superior player, although it does have its weaknesses, lack of PlaysForSure support and lack of support for Windows Media Player, that's miles better than the iPod.
Best of all - what this guy is really bitter about, is when Apple bugger you over by dropping the price of something by $200 a week after you buy it, Microsoft for possibly getting something out to you a couple of days later than originally estimated give you the thing for free. Apple fans had to whine to Steve Jobs for ages to get a crappy $100 Apple Store credit note out of him.
As for the regulators needing to get involved, don't speak too soon. What they should be (and are in the EU) looking into is how Apple force extra crap on you - iTunes, and then lock you into them forever, unless you want to buy all your music again with DRM.