The Zune Microsofts iPod Killer

Today Microsoft has officially launched their answer to iPod, Zune. Looking at it, it looks suspiciously like its counterpart, iPod; almost exactly the same design. The Zune is a 30GB music player with a few different that Microsoft considers their competitive advantages.

 

Support more format - one of the advantage Zune have over iPod is the ability to support multiple popular music file formats than iPod.

 

Wireless sharing – you can wirelessly share Zune to Zune. Zune lets you spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recording, play lists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. Zune let’s you listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times over three days. If you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device and purchase it form Zune marketplace.

 

Built in Wi-Fi – I don’t know how well this feature will affect the battery life, since Wi-Fi power requirements are still quite steep.

 

So how much with Zune costs? Rumor has it that it will cost between $299 to $399. But nothing official on the price yet. I am expecting Microsoft will want to take advantage of the holiday market and launch Zune before Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I still say, I would rather get an Apple iPod than to get a M$ Zune.xboxrulz

I feel that Microsoft definitely is not known for their originality. They’ve ripped off a lot more than iPod from Apple. But they do provide a more versatile and cheaper alternative. Edited September 16, 2006 by doudou (see edit history)

but then again Apple ripped of Creative mostly for the way the Ipod works...there will be an interesting court case about this soon I am sure..

 

 

i really thing they shouldn`t realease it , anyway ppl will buy it but i prefer ipod .

Well, hopefully, they will provide enough competition for iPod that iPod will also improve and maybe even bring the price down a little.

Well, hopefully, they will provide enough competition for iPod that iPod will also improve and maybe even bring the price down a little.

It is interesting to read that the circular dial interface that iPod popularized is patented in the name of MS!

So I dont think that Apple will risk lodging a case. In anycase, the one who provides better product is better. In this case it is Zune without doubt.

So I dont think that Apple will risk lodging a case. In anycase, the one who provides better product is better. In this case it is Zune without doubt.

I can't say that I agree with that statement. Generally Apple provides the better product and Microsoft provides a cheaper alternative. I know that if Mac and their softwares cost the same as PCs and its softwares, I would definitely buy a Mac. Since we can't really say which is better until the Zune has been tested by consumers. I think that if the Zune cost the same as iPod, it won't sell as well. The only way Microsoft hope to carve up a portion of the market is by pricing the Zune lower than iPod. Edited September 18, 2006 by doudou (see edit history)

I'm not sure to keep my iPod or go with Zune. Personally, I'm more thinking about getting a PSP since it has some really cool functions![N]F

I wouldn't go for either, i just don't like ipods and i think they are pretty crappy in the design, also i don't want to get something from microsoft. I would rather a creative branded player which have good designs and features and they don't break down every year.-HellFire

Today Microsoft has officially launched their answer to iPod, Zune. Looking at it, it looks suspiciously like its counterpart, iPod; almost exactly the same design. The Zune is a 30GB music player with a few different that Microsoft considers their competitive advantages.

 

Support more format - one of the advantage Zune have over iPod is the ability to support multiple popular music file formats than iPod.

 

<snip>

 

The weirdest thing about the formats is that they do not support their own DRMed Windows Media (WMV) files, including all of the media sold with the "Plays For Sure" logo. The Zune also doesn't support iTunes AAC files nor Audible format audio books. Basically, anybody who has already bought music has to start over.

 

There is an article about this and it also appeared on Slashdot.

 

This is one of the reasons I am very hesitant to buy DRM'ed music. Several of my audiobooks won't play on anything but a few select devices. I won't get burned again.

Well, I agree that iPod will have to improve to stay better on the market, but for some time now I am looking forward to buy gp2x, it is quite cheap and you can do a lot with it, here it is on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GP2X

 

The GP2X is an open-source, Linux-based handheld video game console and media player created and sold by GamePark Holdings of South Korea.

It is quite small, you can play music and watch videos, boot Linux and it has all the retro games, I mean it can emulate all the consoles, except the new ones like Sony Playstation 1, if we can call it new I am interested in it because it can emulate Amiga, I can play Amiga games or even boot Amiga OS, anyway you can find more on the Internet. It costs more or less than 179.90$ US dollars + you can get different accessories for it.

I say go for the cheapest Chinese mp3 player and get a good high performance ear piece. You will enjoy the value for money far more than either Zune or iPod. Well yes, then you will have to rely mostly on your p2p for music.

I wouldn't go for either, i just don't like ipods and i think they are pretty crappy in the design, also i don't want to get something from microsoft. I would rather a creative branded player which have good designs and features and they don't break down every year.
-HellFire

I strongly disagree! In my opinion, the Ipod is one of a kind. Its sleak design, and easy to use controls make it a must buy. Again, Microsoft is trying to out do its opponents. When the PS2 came out by Sony, Microsoft tryed to make something better by releasing the Xbox. *Until Microsoft is able to come out with their own, state of the art product, and not some lame copy-cat, I believe they are never going to come out with the better product. By saying that, the Ipod is much better then Microsofts mark off!

I agree, however, I do own a XBOX 360, that Microsoft is a large copy-cat. Heck, the Windows operating system has historically be a copy of MacOS. It works like it, it almost feels like it, but the difference is that it is still based on DOS ideology.xboxrulz