ZUNE

Not what you think.

But actually easier to use than the iPod in some ways.

Certainly not true

So, Microsoft's new music player has just been released to the masses (actually it was made available at Best Buy a few days ago, so a few people probably already have one). Now, I do love my mac, but I am not an Apple fanboy in any way. But, even looking at this device with a non-biased point of view a could not make this turd (pun intended) shine. The following is a review of the Zune:

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Comments

ben- says:

I am going to start off saying that I do not hate the Zune. It has a lot of Pros. The Zune has a larger screen than Apple's iPod. It looks... um nice. I like that it has a customizable UI. It shows your album art very big. It plays video. It has wifi. Brown is unique. There are a lot of this this player does that I liked and at first glance you would probably think that this is the greatest player available now and you should buy it right this moment, right? Well, no. Unfortunately the cons outweigh the pros. First, that wifi I mentioned, yeah, all you can do is send files, sounds nice right? Wrong, you can sen or "squirt" songs to people but they can only keep them for 3 plays or 3 days, which ever comes first. So really you can only send pictures. (I do not know about none Zune marketplace content at the moment). Another thing that I don't like about the Zune is that it's got this identity problem. It doesn't know if it wants to be an vertical player like the iPod or a Horizontal player like an Archos, Cowon, or similar. This feature maybe nice for certain files, but I think that it will become annoying over time. Back to the wifi for a moment, I think Microsoft would have been better off trying to implement a wireless store for the zune rather than create one for the computer that will not allow the zune to play most of your previously owned music, not even songs purchased from Microsoft stores. That's right, the Zune is not playsforsure. Now for some minor details, I think the brown Zune looks like shit, literally. The black is no better it looks more blue than anything else. And the white looks as white as the walls of a smokers home. I think it's a bad sign when you make a product and the most popular color is the same as crap. You see that wheel like bit? That is just a directional keypad, little bit deceiving. The zune is also a bit bulkier than the iPod. So I think if you were planning on buying a zune or you are in the market for a new media player, do not bother with a Zune. The Zune will get better over time but Microsoft needs to address these issues, if they think that anyone would consider buying one.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Harry Lachenmayer says:

...in brown.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

GrantMeStrength says:

But have you actually used one?

I think the brown is killer.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

plaetzchen says:

The Zune is the badest player ever saw. Ugly, much to thick and a big DRM machine... Go to hell!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

parkinsonliam says:

well im usual against microsoft but i actually like the zune and if it worked on a mac i would happily get one, microsoft seem to be hitting the nail on the head, a good console (360) and a damn good effort at a first mp3 player, cant knock them for it. As for the song sharing its understandable, no music company in the world would allow unlimited use of other peoples songs or they would go out of buisness, so its good, coz i can listen to a song, and if i like it go home and buy it. Also i love the brown and the custom UI, i think in the future this could challenge iPod, and you know what? who cares, apple will still release ipods ad people can still buy zunes and apples so everyones happy, who cares who is in the lead except apple and ms? (obviously share holders)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

MysteriousPhantom says:

It reminds me of the time when Homer Simpson had an Internet startup ("Oh, the Internet is on computers now?") and Bill Gates and a couple of thugs showed up at the Simpsons' house and, even though Homer's business did nothing and affected Microsoft in no way, Gates still offered to buy Homer out. "Buy 'em out, boys!" he said, and the goons trashed the Simpsons' house.

Synopsis here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Bus
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

GrantMeStrength says:

A big DRM machine? What, unlike my iPod? You are joking right? :-)

There is so much hate for a new, cool gadget. What a waste of everyone's energy.

I like ALL gadgets, and this one is pretty good - the screen is much better for watching videos for starters, and whilst currently limited, I am sure the WiFi features will be enhanced with some firmware updates.

Also, the UI actually kicks the iPod's bottom. Try it: it's very cool.

As for the DRM comment - if only Apple hadn't imposed DRM, we could be watching all the iTunes videos on a much larger screen than the iPod :-D

And you don't like brown? Well it does also come in white and black you know ;-)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

ben- says:

ok, I have used the Zune (why would I do a review then? :)

And yes Apple is just as bad as Microsoft when it comes to DRM, but I do not see that changing anytime soon

I forgot to add that I rather like the zune's UI, but the iPod is just too user friendly to beat

I do think they will fix the short comings soon

oh and wait for ipod ;)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

GrantMeStrength says:

I'm very impatienty waiting for a video iPod, don't worry ;-)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

sandwarrior says:

the screen seems good.
i like brown color - stylish. Apple will never allow itself to bet on this color :)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Harry Lachenmayer says:

"I'm very impatienty waiting for a video iPod, don't worry ;-)"
There already is a video iPod ;)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

GrantMeStrength says:

There's an iPod with video, there's no video ipod :-p
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Alexandre Setter says:

whatta ugly piece of shit !!!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

GrantMeStrength says:

I've seen it in person, and it's nice. Blocky, but nice.

Once I got over the fact the "wheel" was actually four buttons, the UI is nice and pretty good at navigation. Certainly a LOT more attractive than the iPod, with all the album art displayed.

I'm bored with people who haven't even using it complaining about it, so I'll make this my last comment. Cheerio!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

.smaran [deleted] says:

The Zune is a brown piece of shit. I've won two arguments with two of my friends who've bought Zunes.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

wcm777 says:

Zune rocks!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

corytfive says:

I love the look and feel of the zune. I do own both Ipod and Zune and I love them equally. Tbh its the only Microsoft product that i enjoy besides the 360 of course.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

petrus01 says:

What a pathetic piece of crap!. The only good news about the new Microsoft shit is that it will push Apple to develop better iPods instead of falling behind.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

rdas7 says:

I hope that Microsoft continues to make brown products.

They have co-opted the color, just as Coca Cola did with red, just as Apple did with white. Whenever I see something brown, I always think of Microsoft. I know I'm not alone.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

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ZUNE

Comments

ben- says:

Harry Lachenmayer says:

GrantMeStrength says:

plaetzchen says:

parkinsonliam says:

MysteriousPhantom says:

GrantMeStrength says:

ben- says:

GrantMeStrength says:

sandwarrior says:

Harry Lachenmayer says:

GrantMeStrength says:

Alexandre Setter says:

GrantMeStrength says:

.smaran [deleted] says:

wcm777 says:

corytfive says:

petrus01 says:

rdas7 says:

Would you like to comment?

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