A comment from earlier in the day sparked a bit of a conversation in the official CrunchGear chat room: what’s to stop someone from ditching the iTunes-iPod “universe” and switching to the Zune HD? (We’re all pretty keen on the Zune HD for whatever reason.) Those of you with iPhones are pretty much stuck using iTunes, but what’s to stop someone from saying, “You know, I’ve used an iPod in one form or another for the past five years, so I think I’m gonna try something new for a change.”? Let’s see what’s up.
I don’t think the excuse that you have a Mac is valid anymore. Any Mac bought within the past three years can run Windows, so whether you poney up the money for the operating system or acquire some other way (I don’t care what you do, and that’s not relevant right now anyway), you can run whatever software the Zune HD comes with. And what does your iTunes library consist of: a couple (thousand) MP3s? Those will play just fine on the Zune HD, and you can easily set it up so that all your music syncing is done within Windows. How often do you really need to sync your music library with your portable player?
I know in my case, what I’d do is continue to use Mac as my everyday operating system—I’m not switching to Windows full time just to use a portable device—then boot into Windows like once a week just to sync the library, download updates, etc. Thanks to things like Spotify, I don’t really need to have a huge library of songs constantly on my computer. So, host my library on the Windows partition, then keep a smaller one/use spotify for when I’m in Mac OS X. I get to use the Zune HD and my preferred OS.
Again, iPhone users are pretty much stuck with iTunes, but if you have an iPhone then you probably have little need for a Zune.
All I’m saying is, it’s probably not as hard to switch from an iPod-iTunes combo as you might think. This only refers to music, of course, because if you’re buying movies and TV shows from iTunes you’ve pretty much committed yourself to iTunes.
i have an iphone and a zune. i hate itunes, and my iphone doesn’t sound half as good as my zune does.
How stupid,,,tou dont deseve nice tech….
looking at your comment, can you imagine why i’m unconcerned with your opinion of what is or isn’t stupid?
Exactly what I was thinking. lol
Jim, thanks for saying it so I didn’t have to.
That’s me! My zune HD is syncing as I type. I have an iPhone and had iPods for years now but I love the look and features of the Zune. In fact I sold my Apple TV to help me fund the purchase. Also cancelled my Sirius and got Zune Pass.
A few more minutes of syncing and I’ll be jamming on my new Zune HD!
I switch back-and-forth between the ecosystems fairly frequently. It’s really not a big deal.
Of course, I don’t have a library of iTunes purchased music, either. I suppose there are a lot of folks out there who are still tied down to a pile of Fairplay tracks.
Even though I’m a fan of both Apple and the Zune, I don’t think I could handle using them together. But I totally admire the people who can.
i almost never use the ipod functionality on my iphone. i didn’t even put music on it the first couple of months. it might be different if i could stand itunes, but managing music in it, the few times i’ve tried, has ended with me on the verge of throwing my laptop at the wall.
iTunes is pretty easy to use, so what’s your issue other than being a confirmed Apple-hater? :)
Trying to get cover art synced up with my non-itunes music is a full time job, a few albums ITunes doesn’t even have (never had that problem with my winmo/mediaplayer phone) the first week I had my IPhone I wanted to throw my laptop against the wall several times. Of course that’s probably evil Steve Jobs plan, now after wasting all that time I’ve got at least a year of life to get back before I can switch. If this is what it’s like to use a MAC I will never switch to their computers.
My wife and I both have Zunes but she recently asked me for an iPod (because there is a greater variety of accessories – docking stations, sports straps, vehicle connectivity).
I’m thinking of just keeping her on the Zune because it is so simple (the original reason I bought it). She plugs it into the wall and it syncs with whatever music selections she has made on the computer.
One *super* downfall is the Zune requiring the ability to “phone-home” every 3 months or so. Last time I was in Iraq the connection was so slow the Zune software timed out and I was left with nothing (legally) for 9 months. My wife goes to Alaska every summer and, same scenario, connection times out – no music for half her trip.
Maybe its just because I have been using iTunes since Version 2 or 3 on Mac OS 9, but I find it to be pretty simple and easy to use. I liked browsing much better in iTunes 8 and prior, maybe I just have to find the option… I also HATE that I cannot hit the green button for the miniPlayer… So I guess iTunes 9 is the first version to irritate me… Still not enough for me to ditch my iPod Touch for a Zune…
But iTunes is a bunk reason for ditching the iPod anyway, there are alternatives that will sync with an iPod anyway.
Jim
I hadn’t heard that about the Zune having to “phone home” – what’s up with that? Seems a tad…unnecessary.
Thanks for your service.
Only with the Zune Pass subscription service, but not with the DRM free mp3s you buy.
yeah… i heard about how it needs to do that for all the ones u haven’t “marked” yet. the “marked” ones being the 10 u get to keep every month for ur permanent ur collection.
If you set up windows using VMware Fusion you can run it at the same time. As well as in a unity form(only running the zune software visibly). To add you can set up the sharing folder between to two Operating systems to be the itunes music folder. and make the zune search that for new media. all done.
I dropped iPods for the first generation Zune and have not looked back. Sure I long for the huge number of accesories but my iPods failed after 15 months and crashed all the time. No issues with the Zune except that I can’t get out of work soon enough to get the Zune HD.
I have bunch of docks for my iPods/iPhones. I hate iTunes. It is so pitfully slow with large music collections, but I have only macs and Linux pcs and have no interest in windows virtual or real on them. I had a zen years ago and it was a pain to boot to windows to sync it. The zen didn’t work with macs. I keep my collection in flac and mp3 so I can easily more to different player, but even as nice as the zen looks, I will have to keep using iPods for the time being.
1. It’s not a phone
2. It doesn’t have Mac support
3. It doesn’t sync w/ iTunes (which I have a ton of organizational time invested into)
4. No apps (yet)
5. No games (yet)
6. No accessories (yet)
I’m glad it exists for competitions sake, but I’m not moving to it when my iPhone does 110% of what this does.
Does it even have copy and paste?
4. There are 2 apps available now.
5. Games also available now
6. I have 2 accessories for my HD, a wall charger, and a slip case.
That’s wonderful that 2 apps is enough to satisfy your needs. Really.
Actually, the games are technically apps too, so 9 apps…
also, Microsoft is one of the top software developers, so give them like a year on the market and the Zune will have just as many popular apps as the iPod (and by popular, i mean useful).
Pretty cheeky for an iPhone user to start asking whether other devices have copy and paste isn’t it! But you do have legitimate criticisms – the lack of mac support is a serious problem.
Yeah, I was being cheeky on purpose… everyone slammed the iPhone for not shipping with it.
Now, MSFT is shipping their iPod touch killer w/ no app store and no copy and paste and nobody cares.
@Jarret Stewart– what games are available?
The copy paste thing was a joke, right? You’re spot on about the organizational thing – my iTunes is like ten years (if I got back to Napster when all this started) in the making, and I really don’t want to start over.
organization? My zune software does a good job of doing that for me. I swear, If i get new cd’s, its automatically organized, new tracks same deal. I will say the problem arises that it uses the music industry’s sense of genre, in which they ad a new genre every ten minutes lol.
Other than that, I am perfectly happy with it. Never liked Itunes though.
Oh, and my original zunes came with games,but i never use them. Because it is just an MP3 and video player to me. I dont think games on the scale of phones and mp3 players are worth my time. especially seeing that 95 % Of the games and aps for the iphone are useless after the first five minutes anyways.
But, I am not trying to slam Mac or the Iphone or the users, cause in the end. Its all about personal taste.
Yeah… the iPod’s apps are like Facebook apps… mostly crap u use once and then leave to rot
The Zune, while nice technically/feature-wise, offers few compelling reason to switch, unless you are a gadget head (or reviewer). For ordinary users the hassle of switching is enough of an impediment. There are people who can barely use iTunes as it is(I know, I’ve taught them). What are you going to tell them when they ask “so, what does switching over get me?”
As for Mac users, you have the ordinary users who would never go through the hassle of running VMware, etc, just to use a Zune, and then you have people who would choose one app over another because it is a Cocoa app versus a Carbon app. Good luck trying to get them to run a Windows program, especially for something as central to their computing/media consumption lives. “Mac users” who would go through that trouble would probably be using PCs anyways.
As for me, I have had an iPod since the original 5gb one, and it they have evolved to the point where they “just work” and I don’t think much of them other than as vessels to hold my music wherever I go. I also have an iPhone and the overall package is compelling enough that a high bar is set for replacement by something else.
You hit the nail on the head. Ninety-nine percent of average users are going to give two hoots for the Zune when compared to any of the Apple offerings. iPods are the “de facto” cool music player. Kinda like the reverse of what happened with Windows vs. Mac operating system ‘wars’, huh? Ah, sweet revenge.
Well… i would say that switching is no hassle, as the Zune software 4.0 is automatic (not so much 3.0).
As for the apps, its an mp3 player man… who cares if it can tell u the weather in Japan.
@Tab Cocovillea… the “wars” is not over, as ppl are right here still fighting them (both the OS war and the MP3 Player war). as for a victor, no one will win… both companies will consider victory as having a market monopoly, which is unconstitutional. so, as for most popular, its all about the latest thing… i bet the Zune grabs even more iPod junkies and converts them. (as well as the other way around when one technologically illiterate person claims his Zune doesn’t work right… after he has beaten the thing against the wall a few times. trust me i know someone like this).
I actually love iTunes. I have a fairly large library and I don’t understand what is so “bad” about it. I’m on a Mac, so it may just be that iTunes id aweful on a Windows machine. With that said, I like the simplicity and the focus that Apple puts into their iPods. I have music, movies, tv shows, podcasts, iTunes U, Audiobooks, etc.
Apple really loves music and sells a very good device. This is not to say that the Zune is not “focused” on music. But I get the feeling that Zune is just MS’s way of “reaching” out to another business, but totally not focused on it. This may change later and all, but for now, I like the iTunes and iPod way.
Also, keep in mind that most of us posting on these forums are fairly knowledgeable of the competition and it’s pluses and minuses. But the average folk, believes iPod = best music/media device in existence. The iPod has never been the “best” player ever, but it is the easiest more efficient one to date. I’m not loyal to the company and I may change later, but for now, I’m comfortable with the iPod+ iTunes system.
Already have an ipod touch loaded with apps I use daily, and I won’t give those up just for something shiny and new. Plus I’m not an audiophile, so the ipod with a $15 pair of headphones is just fine as far as sound quality is concerned.
Because there is no Zune connectivity kit (from the manufacturer – BMW) to my car. I would switch to Zune in a heartbeat if there was one available.
there is… Zune Car Kit V2 on their website.
I did switch from iPod and found that the Zune has a better focus on music exploration and utilizing my own vast library of songs. With a good set of headphones the Zune also sounds quite a bit better than the iPod.
I grew to prefer the device interface and it took only a few seconds to vastly prefer that Zune software. Zune HD (and Zune 4.0 software) seems to have improved on those things I already liked and the Zune Pass continues to be a great feature, especially for discovering more music.
The ecosystem is frustratingly small though, and while I don’t have a huge need for apps on my media player, i suspect once I get used to the possibility, I will want more and there won’t be more.
I can see those last two things keeping people away; but the rest- especially laser like focus on a great music listening and exploration experience, trumps everything else the iPod offers.
The only thing holding me back is the app store that Apple has. Right now.. it’s the best. But I really would rather have a Zune!
If I were u… i would not spend another dime on the apps. U r already thinking of switching, and when the app store at MS explodes with new content, u will no longer have this as a reason to not switch. Also, u can’t take the apps with u, so more money on something u may leave behind is not a good idea.
Bought a 120GB Zune last December and haven’t looked back. love everything about the Zune hardware and software. Way better than the iPod and iTunes.
Just. No.
I’ll never buy Zune,,I havean iPhone.I’m very much happy with the phone.No other phone is closer to iPhone.It is damm good.Zune I dont like.I’ll prefer iPod touch with more than 75000 Application support,itunes library.If iTunes go with subscription like netflix other player will die.
Zune is not better than iPod Touch,,,and will never.Apple will upgrade it next year and will kill Zune existance.As always…
^above^ robot or foreigner??? taking bets!!!!
I’ve got $20 on “Insano-Mechanism of Doomed Doom”!
I’ll put $20 on mindless foreign iZombie
iPod Touch is the Best.Zune is waste.
I think one thing that has stopped me from switching to non-Apple devices in the past is the lack of desktop software that makes it easy to subscribe to and automatically download podcasts. I’m a huge podcast junkie, and no other device to date has handled podcasts as well as the iPod. I’m not saying this because I don’t want to switch to the Zune, but I would like to know (perhaps in the full review) if the desktop client handles podcasts.
yes, it handles podcasts, and very well. cnet said it was the best mp3 player for podcasts, even beating out the ipod and itunes: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-6490_7-10001258-1.html?s=0&o=10001258&tag=mncol;thum
I actually had a Zune, switched to an iPod, and now switched back to a Zune. I’m not fond of iTunes, but I hate the click wheel on iPods way more! I thought I could adapt but I found it almost unbearable. I also think Zune 4.0 software is superior to iTunes.
Just my 2 Cents
Seconded. I was a latecomer to iPod and was staggered when I used the clickwheel for the first time that that is what people crow about. It is just awful!
and don’t forget, wireless sync!!! i had a zune 8gb for a while and sold it. have an iphone now, and really miss wireless sync.
the zune software is actually pretty good, i prefer it over itunes as a media player and for syncing. itunes is starting to feel like myspace; too much everything.
I have an iPod. It works great, no problems, easy to manage, excellent sound.
Why on earth would I replace it? ESPECIALLY w/ something made by Microsoft?
Even exempting the fact that I have an iPhone, I wouldn’t ever buy a Zune mainly because of iTunes. I bloody love iTunes and everything about it. I also hate Microsoft. Everything that ought to be simple on a computer seems difficult on a Windows comp.. For example, the other say I was trying to print out a pic to a specific size, and I eventually gave up on doing it through a windows comp. because I couldn’t find any facking way to do it.
And some.
Installing Windows on my Mac is absolutely NOT my idea of a fun weekend. Especially just to sync my music device. I open my laptop, plug in my iPhone, shabaam. Everything is taken care of for me. Within a minute at most I have a fresh backup of my entire phone, fresh everything synced to it, and its just easy as pie. I then leave it to charge. I can’t imagine jumping through hoops to start up windows, just to sync my Zune. Its ridiculous.
It should be mentioned that having troubles printing things to a specific size is probably more of a fault of the printer drivers you are using (or possibly the program) than the OS.
I agree… Vista’s explorer has a built in set of print sizes for pictures and documents. So if u can’t click the right button, I would check the mouse.
i have an ipod touch.No problems.I’ll upgrade my ipod touch next year with cam.
Surprisingly I like iTunes, it hasn’t caused too many problems for me. I have it hooked it up to my speakers wirelessly. I would definitely give Zune HF a chance just because of the positive reviews it’s been getting. I haven’t an owned iPod in about 3 years and have been using an iPhone for everything.
I don’t know how you wouldn’t actually have a problem with installing Windows and then syncing when you get the chance or once a week. I think that would be pretty annoying. I Couldn’t do it. http://ZiggyTek.com/
I love my ipod touch.No chace of switching to zune.Because ipod touch is better choice.
Such a pain in the ass to install VMWare or Parallels. I used to have it but I did a fresh install of Leopard a few months ago and never put it back on. I never use Windows anymore and it takes up like 10GB of space. I like the Zune HD but it would be nice if there were a more elegant solution for Mac users.
You know I am a fan of the iPod I have been using it for years. Still I might give the new Zune HD a try my 60 GB iPod is out of room and the battery holds a charge for about an hour so its time to upgrade. The iPhone is not an option I absolutely hate AT&T and they are never going to switch carriers so I think I see a Zune in my future.
Big James
1. Stupid like/dislike ratings are utterly inadequate.
2. Prefer iTunes straightforward navigation : I don’t want to look at pictures of musicians and album covers, I want to listen to music, which means finding my music. (Funny how Apple-haters like to whup out how Apple is all flash and little sizzle).
3. No Mac support. (It is a real issue. I have Bootcamp and Fusion installed, but I’m not going to go into Windows for “just” music, and stay there all day. Also, I’m not going to boot into another OS, sync, go back to another OS, use a different app, etc… I want integration; I don’t want to jump through hoops just to cheerlead for Microsoft.
4. I have no trust in a company that has changed its media strategy 5 times in 8 years, that barely has a strategy beyond copying the competition, and which seems to basically be retreating away from the market now anyway.
5. I don’t find HD radio or an OLED screen of any interest to me whatsoever, and they are the only clear, differentiating features (in a good way) to be discerned at all.
6. Absolutely no interest in subscription music; why would I choose the option with the much smaller media library?
7. No one has one. With iPods/iPhones, I know every single one of my friends probably has a compatible system in some way at their home. Being able to guest-DJ, more closely share (in the true, temporary sense — not swapping mp3s) is a major benefit. Secondhanding devices and accessories happens every few months to someone I know.
8. Seriously, why the hell would I?
Oh, I forgot: the few ways in which I am disappointed in what Apple offers me, Microsoft has the exact same limitations, problems, costs, etc… if not worse.
I applaud u sir… i think u are the only one to not argue about it. sure u do bash MS a little, but u seem to have a legitimate reason for everything u said. I was going to point out a few flaws in the facts u presented, but they really don’t apply to u in ur situation. I hope u enjoy ur educated choice.
Why on earth would anyone want to switch to inferior hardware with an inferior OS, both of which are made by an inferior company.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/14/from_oled_to_tegra_five_myths_of_the_zune_hd.html
Drink the kool-aid windows fans. It’s amazing how terrible Microsoft has become. One can only hope this Zune H(orse)D(ump) doesn’t have a 50% failure rate like another infamous piece of MS hardware.
I’m not entirely sure I’d trust a review of the Zune from a website called “Apple Insider”
It’s an Apple site… too much bias and BS to be credible. The above review of the product (u know, the one hosted by this sit… the one we are commenting on) would be a more credible reference. They appear to enjoy the Zune HD despite the fact that they have admitted to being Apple users in the past. They have a great review of the product, and this site is what convinced me to go ahead and get one.
About the 50% failure rate, it was more like 35% (STILL NOT GOOD). that %50 fact also came from Apple. This leads to the question, “Does Apple have a secret team of iNinjas that sneak around MS HQ gathering info for use against them?”
zune hd reviewed by pro audio sites say sound far inferior to ipod / iphone. sorry zunies.
Its funny how you guys take the time to look up MS slam articles on your Apple sites before you respond.
Its all about personal taste for one,
For two, I dont need 100000000 aps to do something the thing should have been doing in the first place, playing music and entertaining me.
For three,
I use Microsoft because I like it, I have always liked it, owned a macbook for a while as a test to see if i could get into it, but the lack of upgrade options for the thing without shipping it out was a big turnoff. As well, I am a PC gamer. And there is no Mac out there that can run half the games i play online daily. And with the reselution, and FPS i get out of it.
And lastly,
I wasnt slamming Mac or Ipod/Iphone users in my previous posts and im not into that, cause its all about personal taste.
But man are you guys some of the biggest whiners on the internet. Zune fans are happy we got an upgrade, We like the zune. Its in no way a stab at mac. Its business. Microsoft has been doing this for years. Its the way things work. Get over it.
And captain, You dont have a clue. Read other than Appleblogs.net lol.
I love how 1 out of the 500 reviews say iPod sounds better, when even the site we are on now says Zune has superior sound quality. How much digging do u have to do to find the 1 site that will actually say something no one else does.
And i checked out that linked article. Total crap. from what i gathered on that they are knocking on Microsoft for only selling a few million zunes in the fast couple years( compared to Ipods 100’s of millions). Well by that principle. Apple is a failed company because they only have a 10th or less of the Personal Computer market. Funny how i turned that around on ya? eh? eh? See anyone can do it.
Enjoy your ipods, ill enjoy my zune. k?
With that, i would like to point out that most iPod users are PC users. They all love Microsoft, just not the Zune.
this post asks a dumb question. the right question is: what is important to you for your portable life?
- if it is just music, there are lots of good players and music services of all kinds. iPod, Zune, whatever, doesn’t really matter. just spend extra on good earbuds. if you don’t want to fiddle with files and stuff (and most people don’t), stick with what you already have and are happy with, just get a new model. so advantage to iPod/iTunes there due to inertia. but Windows Media users should go with Zune. disadvantage to Sony et al.
- if it is connectivity with the web, email, text, etc., the Zune is not even in the running. its IE is still lame, and it doesn’t even offer the others.
- if it is games and apps, the Zune is not seriously in the running either.
- if it is a special feature you must have – FM radio, still/video camera, or something else – name the feature for you and then find the best PMP with that feature.
it is clear from the above the Zune does not really compete with the Touch at all, despite the hype, with its universe of email and apps abilities that put the Touch in a different category of supersmart PMP’s. instead the Zune really competes with the Nano, which has pretty much the same abilities plus the new video camera, but a smaller screen and lower price.
which do you think an 11 year old would rather find under the tree this Xmas? would they get more excited about HD radio or taking video clips of everything and everybody? duh. let’s see if CrunchGear can figure that one out.
There is nothing innovative about the zune. It is another piece of shininess for the masses to behold. Same goes for the latest ipod touch. Apple isn’t exactly in touch with their consumers the way they used to be, but at least they are making something that can last, at least from a software standpoint.
Lack of Mac support is the biggie. And NO, switching to Windows (Parallels or Boot Camp) just to use my MP3 player is NOT an option.
> then boot into Windows like once a week just
> to sync the library, download updates, etc
Wouldn’t work for me. I sync daily to get news podcasts. Booting Parallels for that would be a pain.
Why the *bleep would I want to install Windows on my Mac just to sync a Zune??? That seems beyond any logic considering it not only makes things much more difficult for me, but I don’t have access to any of the iPod Touch/iPhone games or apps. I would also like to point out that I have about 25 TV episodes and a few movies that won’t play on the Zune because they were purchased in iTunes. I’m not even sure Zune offers the same amount of video content….. If they do, they should make it easier for me to find out where it is.
where the hell do you think you would find out? the freezer section of your local supermarket?
you download the software and navigate to the video section. OR! http://social.zune.net/videos. their whole collection is available to subscribe to there. does it get any easier than that??
Rather than claiming my self a “fan boy” to any brand I just buy products that are the best in that market.
Yes I do have an iPhone and Yes I do have a Zune.
I think the thing to remember is that the iPod touch and Zune HD are two products for different markets. The Zune HD is a music player- with an internet browser thrown in as a “Oh by the way.” Interestingly, it’s not all that different from the first generation iPod touch.
The iPod at its current OS is really designed as a gaming platform as well as a computer- and yes, I was using mine that way before Phil Schiller said it last week. Pardon the pun, but you have to compare apples to apples. I have used both a Zune and multiple iPods- I personally prefer the straightforward look of the iPod’s interface, but that’s just me. I do like the look of the Zune HD, but I probably won’t get one. I have too much time invested in iTunes, and I’m not about to switch all my stuff over. I realize that Zune may have some superior layouts- but I have learned on iTunes, so I am not used to new GUIs. Frankly, I’m not too interested in changing either.
I have 3 zunes in my house. An original 30(not used anymore) and two 8s. The only thing stopping me from getting the HD is I don’t need it.
What’s a Zune? I live in the UK I don’t know what one is lol.
I guess I’ll be sticking with my iphone and ipod classic then.
1. I already have (and am happy with) an iPod Touch
2. I have a Mac, and using VMWare to run the software would impose an unwelcome layer of friction.
3. Zune can’t act as a remote for iTunes or Boxee (I use a headless Mac + projector as a media-center, so both are essential for me)
4. There are benefits to staying within the Apple ecosystem of apps – the iTunes library gets special treatment in file dialogs, it’s easily shared between machines, it gets indexed by Spotlight even if it’s not on an indexed drive, and so on.
5. I don’t want a music subscription
6. I don’t listen to local radio
7. Microsoft don’t sell it where I live
“I actually love iTunes. I have a fairly large library and I don’t understand what is so “bad” about it. I’m on a Mac, so it may just be that iTunes id aweful on a Windows machine.”
“Awful” doesn’t begin to describe that bloated beast known as iTunes for Windows. I’m convinced that Apple intentionally makes the Windows versions of it’s software complete sh*t as a ploy to get people to switch to OS X.
iTunes really does suck. If I wasn’t an iPhone user and was looking for an mp3 player the zine is an obvious choice. Especially with the ability to sync with my xbox. If only there was an app that could do this!
I am a music dork. I own simultaneously a Creative Zen, a Zune and an IPOD. This is a holdover from the days of DRM…Rhapsody, Zune and ITUNES each had certain exclusive deals with record companies. Now that almost everything is available in MP3, I am concentrating on the Zune. I find it has the least sync problems of all the devices. (And yeah, I know I could have acquired my library at little or no expense back in the day, but I really do love music and feel it is important to support the artists.)
>> so whether you poney up the money for the operating system
Great idea. Ditch what you have because you feel like tryin’ something new, spend a few hundred bucks on new OS and new player and you’d set to go.
Or you could just keep using what you use because it works and works well and spend that extra dosh on a vacation or something!
The Zune interface looks nice. From the video on the other post I see a few things that might bug me but can’t judge without a hands on.
I won’t switch because:
- I have over 20k items in my iTunes library.
- iTunes is great IMOpinion&Experience. It’s fast on my old Core Duo Mac Mini which serves as my media server while sorting, browsing, searching…
- I control my home tunes with the Remote app on my iPhones and iPods. Can’t do that with a Zune.
- Mobile Safari is best in classs
- Mail on the iPhone is great
- No Mac support. I wouldn’t reboot into my Windows partition just to sync podcasts every morning (I like to sync them rather than stream stuff, it helps battery life)
- I’m a lifer not a hater
- Steve Balmer grosses me out more than Steve Jobs
The “iTunes sucks”, “I hate iTunes” comments are amusing and I really don’t know where they come from. It’s a pretty nice piece of software considering where it’s been. Runs very well on my aged Core Duo Mac Mini with 1gb of ram. It’s fast and does what I need plus provides nice entry into a great ecosystem.
—
p.s. I hearby declare a ban on the use of these words: “fanboy” and “zealot”
p.p.s
@Jim Looking at your comment can you imagine why it seems to qualify anything other than an unqualified opinion? You “hate itunes” … Whatever that means. Why hate itunes? Seriously you have hate in your heart?
As for the sound quality … oh, OK that sells me. Whatever. I’ve never noticed a problem unless I’m playing low bit rate files and those sound crappy on anything.
I too am not much of an Apple lover, but if there’s one device they’ve made that I really like – its the iPod. The Zune HD looks pretty nice so its definitely worth checking out (especially the radio part).
As for no mac support? I doubt that would really matter. Either a 3rd party developer will figure some way around this OR an official update will come out to support Macs. Remember when the original iPod didn’t really have PC support? Then came support with musicmatch jukebox? I bet most don’t.
Yes, we do. We also remember when Microsoft made a good application for the Mac. It was Word 98.
Walmart Black Friday Philips MP3 player:$10
Money in pocket:$150 plus
Listening to all the music I need while
Watching true believers’ flame wars: Priceless
+1 haha nice post
Well apparently my excuse isn’t valid,
but yes my mac is holding me back.
Dishing out money for the window OS AND
the boot camp program just seems like too much
for me, though if i could freely download them
i definitely would
but oh well :/
i hope Microsoft changes that some time soon