The Zune

The Zune, Microsoft's competition to the iPod, is being released tomorrow (14th) in the States.

Features

Connects wirelessly to share song samples (songs you share from someone play 3 times or last 3 days) and pictures

3 inch screen

Turns sideways for video

Comes in black, white, and brown

Customizable background images

The Zune is going to use the Zune Marketplace, similar to the iTunes Store. The brown color looks like a brick of poop. :P We got a few on display at Circuit City on Sunday that I played with and the device is physically much bigger than the 5G iPod. It has the circular wheel on the front but don't try and use the scroll-wheel type ability the iPod has. It seems the wheel is only there so it looks like the iPod - aka, more pleasing to customers who like iPods because everyone has them.

It only comes in a 30gig model but they plan on releasing more later - and as Microsoft seems to be saying more and more often, "they don't plan on making profit off of it right away."

The biggest downside? The slogan they are using is "welcome to the social." Seriously, what the hell is that?

Anyway, I think the Zune will do pretty well and that's coming from a passionate Apple fanboy. I wouldn't mind having one because the screen for videos is very nice, and at the same price of the 30gig iPod. A little too big for my taste, but some won't mind.

What do you all think about it? Will it be able to kill the iPod? Do you want it to kill the iPod?

Ps. Someone at Microsoft goofed and they failed to buy Zune.com so you have to go to Zune.net to get any info. :P

I doubt it will kill the ipod however i think itll give it a bit of a run for its money, it's very nice, and i'd love to own one.

I still like IPODs, no need for me to get that

i guess the installation is a pain...

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/inst ... ne-sucked/

Quite an amusing article indeed.

I was wondering when this would happen. Ive still got a 15 month old 4gen ipod and im gunna need a new one really soon. Ill wait to see how this one plays out before i buy anything though. I think apple got too much of a headstart for now, but i think thats how it was for the computer too =\

I don't think they will beat the iPod unless they start selling them cheaper. They will definitely dent the iPod's 76% market control, but they won't win unless they drop the price $50 and Apple doesn't do so as well.

And then there's the future touch-screen iPod to consider...

I like the wireless music transfer idea.

I'm in need of a new mp3 players and I'm loving this one.. I'd be all over this if they'd release something smaller. 30GB is far more than I need (I only have ~2GB of music + ~1GB of video), and I don't exactly have $250 to spend on it. I hope they release a smaller version shortly after the original release. I'll start saving my money ;)

I like the wireless music transfer idea.

Me too. I've got WAY too many cords to random things laying around.. lol

I like the wireless music transfer idea.

Me too. I think it's possible to set it up so that anyone with a Zune around you can see what you're listening to (if you want to allow it). That seems pretty cool as well.

Since I'm a fanboy, I just hope these features are being put into iPods. :P

 

I like the wireless music transfer idea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me too. I think it's possible to set it up so that anyone with a Zune around you can see what you're listening to (if you want to allow it). That seems pretty cool as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I'm a fanboy, I just hope these features are being put into iPods. :P

It was discussed that the next iPod would have a wireless music transfer, too. :?

my iPod just broke for no reason...i have only had it for a year and half..but the warranty expired 6 months ago :cry: . i am quite disappointed with iPods...they dont seem to last very long

i was just sitting in my bus seat on the way to class and it just crashed and died...i was so upset lol...i am not happy without my music

but i will never ever buy this...i trust apple's hardware over microsoft's anyday...so yeah

Odd mage. I've had mine for a couple of years now and it still works fine. Not going to upgrade either 'til it breaks :D .

I like the wireless music transfer idea.

Within days of release there will most likely be a hack that makes it possible to transfer music without limitations like "3 plays only", I don't get it why they make stuff like that just to please copyright holders. They know people will find a way around it, but then they can say, "at least we tried".

I think it will be better than the Ipod.

Microsoft > Apple.....Simple

I think it will be better than the Ipod.

 

 

 

Microsoft > Apple.....Simple

Hooray for well-reasoned posts with no hint of fanboyism.

I think it won't usurp the iPod's position simply because people are used to iPods and aren't willing to stick their necks out for a new product.

Its not exactly ground breaking, and the whole wireless thing has so many limitations on its use its practically useless. Will it take a chunk out of the iPod? No. Will it take a chunk out of iTunes competitors? Likely, thats that only p off Microsofts "allies" in the music industry.

Its not exactly ground breaking, and the whole wireless thing has so many limitations on its use its practically useless.

Besides, it only comes in the 30 gigs model, and it's screen has the same resolution as the iPod screen even though it's bigger.

I'd still stick with an iPod or a Creative. I love the brown one though.

I love the brown one though.

Brown Zune looks like it's made of swamp-water gello.

Like everyone else, I'm wondering "Why the heck did they choose brown as the third color?"

I think the wireless transfer is really cool, don't know how well it will work in RL though.

The zune marketplace seems kind of weird, they make you buy "zune points" before you can buy songs. Most songs are 79 zp, so they're cheaper than the iTunes music store, right? Wrong! 79 zp = ~98 cents :twisted: . And you can't buy just one song, you have to plop down at least $5 to get started.

 

I love the brown one though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Zune looks like it's made of swamp-water gello.

What if I like swamp-water gello? :P

OT: Some nice iPod fanboyism

Like everyone else, I'm wondering "Why the heck did they choose brown as the third color?"

Because it is trendy to have chocolate coloured things. The problem is the Zune isn't chocolate coloured - it is swamp water coloured.

 

 

I love the brown one though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown Zune looks like it's made of swamp-water gello.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if I like swamp-water gello? :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OT: Some nice iPod fanboyism

Despite the obvious fanboyism, some of the points that are made are true.

The only thing that really stands out to me is the ability to pick up radio on the Zune.

Like other people have said, the limited wifi/sharing capabilities and the resolution of the screen make this another average portable media player at best.

I dunno' why Microsoft bothers, honestly.

Everyone who wants an MP3 player owns an Ipod...Microsoft has admitted that they won't make profit off of these for a good long time....And Apple has been making bank on them for a couple years now...

Yep, sounds like a good business decision. :P It's not like Microsoft should care, I guess. Their stock still goes up 10%+ every year (except last year it went up 9% I think...Whatever) because they sell so much software. It's the same thing with the Xbox - they make no money on any of them they sell, but it doesn't matter because it's just numbers and pocket change to them, lol.

I like some of the ideas, but I think I prefer the iPod interface and size and useage. Plus 30gb isn't enough for me. I've filled my 20gb iPod but i think i'll wait until/if the new iPods are released. Yeah, I suppose i'm an iPod fanboy.