ABI: 58% may go Zune

As many as 58 percent of current iPod owners may make their next MP3 player a Zune, according to a web survey conducted by ABI Research. The company contacted 1,725 American adults and teenagers, and of the number that said they were likely to buy an MP3 player in the next 12 months, 58 percent of existing iPod owners said they were "somewhat" or "extremely" likely to pick a Zune. Of the users that owned other MP3 players, 59 percent chose the Zune. Conversely, only 15 percent of iPod owners said they were "not very" or "not at all" likely to buy Microsoft's player. More details following the jump.

An ABI analyst believes that Apple may remain in good stead with the market -- this depends, however, on whether or not the Zune's features, such wireless song sampling, will actually separate it from the competition. "[Wireless] isn't all that compelling, at least not now," says Steve Wilson. "There's a lot more you could do with that capability." It may alternately be up to Apple to come up with something dramatic that captures public attention. This could be coming in the form of a touchscreen iPod, long rumored in press circles and mainly supported by the existence of patents filed by the company.

By Electronista Staff