Microsoft Zune a threat to iPod throne

ACCORDING TO ABI Research, the latest contender to Apple's mp3 iPod throne the Microsoft Zune may pose a bigger threat than first thought.

1,725 US residents, both teens and adults, were asked if they would be buying an mp3 player over the next year - of those that said they were likely to buy an mp3 player, 58% said that they were either somewhat likely or extremely likely to pick Microsoft's Zune over an iPod or other contenders. Those surveyed were shown a picture and description of the Microsoft Zune before being asked if they fancied one or not.

Out of the 58% that fancied a Zune, every single one of them were existing iPod owners. Of the respondents who owned other brands, 59% admitted they were likely to buy a Zune over any other brand.

As TMCnet reports, the head analyst from ABI Research said that iPod users don't have the same die-hard attitude to their Apple products as Mac fans.

If you fancy having a gander at the results of the survey, you should probably head on over here. µ