Apple CEO Dismisses Microsoft's Zune

With Microsoft's entry into the digital music industry scheduled to launch before the holidays, many are wondering how Apple's iPod will fare against the new threat.

In a recent interview with Newsweek, Apple CEO Steve Jobs left nothing unclear when expressing his lack of concern. Mircosoft's Zune, he says, does not measure up to his company's widely popular iPod.

When asked point blank if he was worried about Zune, Jobs simply replied "In a word, no." (Source: news.com)

Jobs went on to dismiss Zune's capability for sharing music wirelessly, a feature that Microsoft has touted as a key advantage over the iPod: "I've seen the demonstrations on the Internet about how you can find another person using a Zune and give them a song they can play three times. It takes forever." (Source: betanews.com)

Jobs also took the opportunity to address speculation that the iPod will lose its "cool" factor due to its overwhelming popularity, making room in the market for Zune. "It doesn't make any sense," Jobs responded. "We don't strive to appear cool. We just try to make the best products we can. And if they are cool, well, that's great." (Source: betanews.com)

With the iPod's five year anniversary approaching on October 23rd, Jobs has a lot to boast about. The iPod has been a colossal success for Apple, and helped create a new "hip" image for the company.

Jobs said he had a feeling that the iPod would be a hit, because everyone who saw the device, including the developers, wanted one for themselves. "We believe that customers are smart, and want objects which are well thought through," Jobs remarked about the iPod. (Source: betanews.com)

While Jobs seems totally unruffled about the thought of Zune launching in about a month, Microsoft surely has another outcome in mind. Apple and Microsoft certainly are not strangers to playing tug-or-war for market share -- so let the games begin!