CrunchGear

I must admit, these are really nice. When Microsoft really wants to do something they do it well.

cool!

Im afraid it’s just another ipod wannabe. Looks like one never going to be one. The boat has already departed Microsoft.

I really like the look of these. The bigger screen is great. It sort of splits the difference between the current gen video iPod and the rumored fullscreen/touchscreen/sasquatch model.

This will replace my ipod video. MS is the King of integration and I see no reason why this will be different.

If the North American market–or just yuppies–have decided to set the style of mp3 players in stone by worshipping iPod’s, which I find to be obnoxiously non-functional in their design, it doesn’t mean that the products that follow in the footsteps of the most popular player (by far in NA) are naturally inferior because they’re no the Real Thing. The fact that the iPod is only so dominant in North America is, to me, an example of how object lust still rules the most functional devices here, while things like our appliances and AC’s are ancient compared to Europe’s.

The damned thing that everyone worships is a shiny, fragile, easily-scratched and flawed device. It’s not bad, it’s not great–like about 75% of electronics. When it comes to design, the stubborn adherence to the wheel concept took about four generations to get decent.

The market’s stated preference for iPod look-alikes shouldn’t be mistaken for meaning that iPod’s will always be the pinnacle. Just in a comparison of features, anyone can prove that wrong. To a keen observer, iRiver and others have been there almost the entire way producing consistently better mp3 players for lower prices. Creative had quality and price on their side till some point–they gradually slipped into Apple’s ways of paying more money and attention to their ad compaigns than their product.

Asia and Europe don’t worship the iPod so much, so there’s a great relief there of not having everything called (rightly or wrongly) an iPod imitation. Also–and this pisses me off most–people less familiar with electronics don’t refer to any music player as an “iPod”…ugh, get over it. Even the federal government is now an Apple fanboy (”Think different”…but not really. Sounds American) defending them in their case against the EU’s bid to make mp3’s universally playable…ie. a not-so-subtle statement that DRM and its ilk have an underlying illegality. They mean that you’ve never really purchased something. You are almost leasing it by interference of DRM, since electronic protection can theoretically control all aspects of media usage. Anyway, I got off track.

This is just starting to get interesting though, with the big players ready to launch their respective bids to control the majority of what we listen to and watch. Yay, I can’t wait.

MS the king of integration? are you high or just being ironic?

zune won’t play music containing microsoft’s own “plays for sure” DRM!

how can you release a device that isn’t even compatible with yourself?

god knows the ipod isn’t perfect, but it’s bloody brilliant by comparison.

Why do you ipod lovers bother comming here, “Im afraid it’s just another ipod wannabe”. Yes it does want to be as popular as the ipod, who wouldnt? Is it trying to copy it? Not in any way because there is nothing good to copy from the ipod. Only good thing about the ipod is its thickness….but woops you just dropped your ipod because its too thin. Oh never mind i have a 50$ piece of silicon protecting it….but wait the ipod doesnt look nice anymore

There seems to be a few people saying that the Zune ain’t as good as the iPod etc, but have any of you used a Zune yet? It might be better than you think (and even better than an iPod) or of course it might be worse.

I’ll reserve judgement on how it ‘performs’ until i have one to play with, but as for the looks I kinda like it (even the brown!)

I do think MS do a good job of integration, for example my xbox360 plays music from my old iPod :) so it’s not all bad. Maybe they will do a good job with the Zune and integration for make always helps to make life easier :)

I think one of the main advantages iPod has over anyone else is the accessories. The iPod has so many accessories for every situation with so many companies rolling out new products for it every day.

MS has a chance to gain a good portion of the market with the Zune but they have to do one thing. ADVERTISE IT. I see iPod commercials every day but nothing from any other manufactuer. If MS really wants this to sell they have to reach the people that dont check gadget sites like us.

I’m glad to see some competition from Apple’s main competitor. Microsoft is doing exactly what they did with the video game market. They see a huge market that makes money, they want some of that money, they create a device that will will get them that money in the long run. Right now they’re laying foundations, and this first Zune player looks great. Sure it has some faults like the DRM issue and the 3 play/day for any track sent wirelessly. But, like the Ipod, it will be hacked and hacked. We, the tech savvy, will be able to do with it what we want in the end. If you don’t want one, don’t buy one. Don’t know why people argue for the ipod though, it’s like sticking up for the popular kids. They’re already popular, they don’t need your help.

Becks, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

Far from being “obnoxiously non-functional”, i’d like to remind you that apple was the first to pack 5 gigs of music into an intelligently organized, portable device. The scroll-wheel was brilliant (and most tech reviewers agree with me here), the longevity of the device was excellent (save for an early battery problem) and the functionality was incredible for a music player. They shortly thereafter introduced AAC’s, which are half the size of mp3 files and closer to cd quality. In short, the ipod is a clever, functional, and beautiful gadget, and that’s why it continues to be the market leader.

You remind me of most ridiculously insecure pc users who shit on apple for having a 5% marketshare, declaring apple’s imminent death, using that figure as proof positive that xp is a better product, then turn around and say apple’s domination of the portable audio market is a fluke, “object lust”, and hope for a microsoft ipod killer that, in the end, looks a lot like a shitty ipod ripoff… perhaps microsoft has “object lust”….

Apple has been absoluting killing the competition since 2001 with every music product it releases, and yet you have the arrogance to reduce the succes to the supposed stupidity of north american users who obviously can’t see that other products are better. Open your eyes, jackass…. Every ipod product they’ve introduced for the past 6-odd years has been immensely popular. And for the record, only ONE model of ipod has been accused of easily scratching, and that’s the nano, which, has been completely redesigned and replaced as of last week.

Since you’re so enlightened, why don’t you give us a point-by-point critique of the ipod’s weaknesses, as you see them, rather than spewing generic, misinformed vitriol about a product you obviously know nothing about…. why does the scrollwheel suck? why is the ipod non-functional? why exactly is the iriver “better”? Come on big boy.

The slot is probably for the announced car charger and RF emitter

Sorry sucralose, but my Ipod Video looks like crap from scratches. So that’s at least two products that suffer from this.

The entire generation suffered from this; however, I do agree that it looks like it’ll be fixed with the next generation.

As for the Zune, once someone finds a way to check email on it, it’ll replace my Ipod. The number one reason I’m changing is because I am forced to use Itunes to put songs on it; the number two is because it scratches too easily. From what I can tell, the Zune will have a much simpler way to add songs to it (I’m thinking removable disk in your “My Computer”).

re: the scratches, i don’t know man, my video is not scratching, but i respect your opinion and your own experience. On the other hand, what makes anyone think the zune will be any more scratch resistant?

re: using itunes, there are many other shareware/freeware programs you can use with your ipod other than itunes. I’ve personally used ipodrip and podworks, and they worked as expected, however I don’t need them most of the time, as itunes does the job, but that’s a personal preference.

I don’t understand how a removable disk in “my computer” offers any advantage. Your songs still need to be organized in some way, and you will still have to make playlists.

@sucralose
You are incorrect in regards to Apple being the first to offer a 5Gb hard-drive in a portable and intelligent organized device. Archos beat them there long before.

Let’s tone down the hostility. We are all passionate for the devices and vendors that we have had good experiences. And inversely, dislike those that we have either burned us or not appealed to our tastes. This is not a fanboy site (for either side). I use/own both Macs and PCs. Both have their advantages and both have their flaws.

I believe the Zune will be a great product from the information that has been available so far. But as IRB states, the device is not out on the open market and its still too early to make a clear judgement. As to the iPod, I have several friends that have had bad experiences with their iPod (particularly dying after 18 months), but others very much love the little guy (especially my Apple fanboy friends..hehe). As a tech/gadget enthusiast, I think the iPod is sufficient for most people but it doesn’t mean there’s not room for another competitive player offering in the market or that another offering may not best it at some point. I reference AOL in an earlier post…AOL was once the king of the internet and Wall Street’s darling, but in a few short years, AOL finds itself struggling to survive. You can find many other similar examples in the histories of companies like Atari, Sega, Sony Walkman, Sears-Roebuck, Napster, etc. A Fall from Grace is only a few decisions (or lack of decisions) away at anytime in a competitive marketplace.

IMHO, the one momentous driver for the iPod was the marketing push. Unlike other manufacturers, Apple commited its resources to growing the brand and connecting people to their product through exciting, vibrant, entertaining, and viral advertising. Microsoft seems to be taking a similar approach and certainly have the financial resources to compete in this regard. I think Microsoft is also being savvy by working with the top music bloggers, providing pre-installed indie artists’ tracks, offering features unavailable in iPods, generating hype through top-rated programs like the Ellen Degeneres Show and partnering up with the gadget blogs. I also was very much impressed with the user interface which is surprisingly more aesthetic and interactive than Apple’s UI..er, um, I mean, Creative’s.

Is the Zune an “iPod-Killer”, no one can tell at this point and just maybe there is room for both players to be largely successful, profitable and live in peace and harmony (yeah, i doubt that last part).

Be kind and respectful to each other if for no other reason than as a courtesy to the other readers of your comments. Cheers! :-)

pffft, im no fanboy… but those arn’t nearly as nice as Apple’s little runaway hit.
not to mention the wi-fi comes at a horribly infected DRM price. :P

As I feel I must point out; I am a PC person to the core. With that disclaimer out of the way, I grow tired of the constant bashing of the iPod and a random message board expert opinion on how horribly wrong Apple is on producing them from day to day.

You opnion will not make the market share for portable music devices disappear and your opinion will not change the facts as to what makes it the best selling music player.

Let’s take a look at what Apple did right in this case and then what other companies did wrong. We will leave marketing out of the discussion.

Right:
iTunes integration: Before purchasing music online became as popular as it is today, the reason iPods continue to thrive is iTunes. Say what you want about it or point out your player of choice, but the simple fact is that iTunes is a *great* piece of software for the everyday user. The menu structure, sorting, ease of syncing, and the general plug-n-play nature of things.

Wrong:
Other companies seem to try and make the worst software and menu structure for their devices. With exception to the later models, it took a lot of time for them to develop something with any sofistication…which is still far behind.

Lame arguments will include that you can get 3rd party software to do the same thing on your player of choice. Your typical joe schmoe will not know what to do and will get frustrated with the horrible packaged software and take the player back.

Right:
Click wheel: Simple, effective, and fast way to scroll through your music. Whether it is 300 songs or 3,000 songs, it is easy.

Wrong:
Buttons, switches, and thumb wheels. It’s like Atari all over again. Slow and cumbersome way to scroll through 3,000 songs.

There’s a lot more to write, but to tell you the truth, I’m a bit bore writing this so I’m going back to digg to find some more articles…

Man, iPods are soooo last Tuesday. Every schmuck has one nowadays, gone is the novelty and exclusiveness. Time for something new and although I’m not particularly a Microsoft fan (or an Apple of Linux fan for that matter), the Zune looks pretty cool to me. I’ll definitely buy one !

oh no, not everyone has an ipod, there you go–speaking like the world is only america. the ipod still is a novelty/ luxury items in many many places like india and the philippines, for instance. heard of that country?

oh microsoft, i can smell your marketing tactic — strategically leaking these zunes. nice going. im sure its workin in your favor. :)

I just want the most easily functioning product at the lowest price that will last the longest (hardware wise). If it takes microsoft to compete with apple for one of the two of them to release the aforementioned product then so be it. If BMW and Lexus didn’t exist would Mercedes be what it is (substitute your favorite car maker as necessary)?

Oh yes, I love my IPod but hate iTunes because it eats up too much of my PC’s resources even when it is just sitting there. It would be so nice if Apple were to free up the IPod and make it more convenient for the owner to do with it what they like.

As long as I can get one, hack it and then put Portable VLC on it - I’ll buy one. :)

read my blog entry regarding Zune at http://developershelf.blogspot.com/2006/10/is-zune-from-ms-latest-buzz-or-just.html

I loved the ipod and feel it set a standard for other mp3 devices. However, the recent comment regarding ipod’s failing after 18 months caught my attention as everyone in our house has one (5 total) and two of them have failed. The first one(20 gig) failed at 18 months and Apple offered to repair it for $239 plus shipping. The second one (U2 model) just started to give me that cute “call ipod support” screen and then shuts off. It had a 21 month life so I guess I was listening past life expectancy! I thought it was just me and some back luck with ipod’s but it is evident others have also experienced similar life spans of the ipod.
The fact that Apple offered nothing to help get the first one fixed (40-$75 fix would have made me happy) and instead operated with arrogance and disregard to maintaining brand loyalty.
They must feel there are no other options for consumers and I am excited to hear about the Zune. I am going without for a few weeks and will buy the Zune in hopes I have better experience with longevity there.

Microsoft’s zune was released, following zune converter software in http://www.dvdtozuneconverter.com had issued, had a look,

i think it is GAY AS HELL

Zune had released ,but do you have software about zuen converter and How to rip DVD and put DVD on Zune ?
I found a good website there have some software about zune converter and also have guide of How to rip DVD and
put DVD on Zune ? Have a good look !

http://www.bestshareware.net/howto/rip-dvd-and-put-dvd-on-zune.htm