Xbox killed PS2, Why hasn't the Zune killed the IPod yet?

Very interesting thought, and sure to generate some conversation around this. Sony was top in video game consoles, then the Xbox came out. The Xbox just murdered the competition and set itself apart from every other gaming system. Now the XBox is known as a "hard-core gamer" system and part of the widely popular Halo Series.

But what about the Zune? Microsoft went through the same exact steps developing the zune as they did with the xbox, yet the xbox has more fame. Why? According to this article:

Why was Microsoft able to create such a compelling video game system only to churn out a mediocre portable music player? The competitive context was the same. The research was similar. The design and engineering resources brought to the challenge were significant in both cases. What makes a company deliver a bravura performance one day and fall flat the next? Empathy. As one member of the team confided: "The biggest challenge with Zune was trying to figure out who we were building it for. With Xbox, we knew those guys. Hell, we were those guys."

Something to think about. Do take notice though in what Microsoft put into the Zune. It is not some wimpy player as some would have you believe. What you are holding in your hands absolutely crushes the competition. What other player do you know can sync wirelessly to not only your computer, but also other players?

Microsoft also created a program embracing those of the podcasting community, knowing that we would take notice (which we did).

My thoughts on this? The market for the Zune should be podcasts. It should be geared not only to to those who create podcasts, but also for the listener. Sure the Zune is a good video and music player, but this should be the defining point. What should I listen to a podcast on? The Zune. Why? One-click subscribe, zune-to-zune sharing, as well as the whole social end. "Zune luvs Podcasts" ads and more.

Here is an interesting twist to think about. I'm not saying that Microsoft should have done this, this is just an idea to spark thought. Not to long ago, the IPod was associated with listening to podcasts. Out of that came a youtube video and many people saying you don't need an ipod to listen to podcasts. You can listen to a podcast on whatever you want, the choice is yours. What Microsoft should have done at that point is start spreading the word that the Zune is the device of choice. All that many people were wondering was, "What should I listen to podcasts with?" Something to think about…

I've given my thoughts, now I'm curious as to what you think. The platform is yours.