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The L.A.Times is reporting that Mircosoft will begin selling its own
MP3 players. The article begins:

Two questions confront Microsoft Corp. as it prepares to launch its
answer to Apple Computer Inc.'s hugely popular iPod.  First, how
badly do the 79% of Americans who don't already own a portable
digital media player want one?  And second, will they want one made
by Microsoft?

According to the article, Micosoft has expertise in entering markets
late and doing very well (Think the XBox). In fact the same executive
team that initially brought out the X Box is now going to bring out
Microsoft's MP3 player, called Zune. Microsoft also has the cash
reserves to build name recognition for its new gadget.

Read a Similar Article!!

Lesson Ideas:

  • Tell students to pretend that Microsoft has hired them to do
    some market research. Microsoft has asked them to conduct a
    market survey as to whether or not people they know would
    buy the Zune from Microsoft. First, students will have to figure
    out the questions that they want answered. Then they'll have to
    decide to whom they want to ask these questions. Next, they'll
    ask the questions. Finally, have them compile the questions into
    a product that is easy to read. For example, a set of graphs.
    You might want to post these results on a graph. You might
    ask another class to conduct a similar study. Then the different
    answers could be posted on a blog and the two classes could
    consider how the answers compare and why they compare as
    they do.

  • Tell students that Microsoft has hired them to develop a
    marketing campaign on behalf of the Zune. In groups of three
    to four, ask students to develop four proposals for the best
    way to market the Zune. After they have developed these ideas,
    reconvene the class and have the various groups share their
    ideas.

  • Ask students to develop an ad or a commercial for the Zune.

  • Ask students to select ten songs that they would place on an
    MP3 player if the leaders of our civilization asked them to
    identify ten songs that best represent our times, that would be
    passed down as a representation of our times, forever. Allow
    them to work in groups of two to three to develop this list.
Microsoft's Zune
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