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Microsoft’s Zune Looks to Take Out the iPod

Microsoft Zune

The iPod has been at the top of the digital audio player mountain for to long, as far as Microsoft is concerned, and they’re about ready to take a serious run at the ubiquitous little player. The Zune is Microsoft’s first foray into the portable audio world, one the big boys from Redmond put quite a bit of time and money into to make it more than just another iPod ripoff.

So how does the Zune differentiate itself? Well, firstly, it comes with a built-in WiFi connection, meaning you can share songs with friends who also have a Zune nearby. There’s a catch, of course: your friends have 3 listens to the shared songs before they’ve gotta pony up some dough and buy their own copy… from the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft’s answer to the iTunes Music Store. While the current WiFi implementation is a touch underwhelming, Microsoft promises that there is a ton more potential that hasn’t been put in yet. They’re waiting to get the player out to the people before they unload updates that will unlock all sorts of fun stuff you can do with WiFi, like downloading songs from anywhere and updating your Zune without connecting it to your computer.

Aesthetically speaking, the Zune is a touch taller than the iPod and comes in 3 colors: white, black, and brown. You can turn it on its side to watch widescreen videos and photos, and it has a little cross navigator where you’d expect a clickwheel. Are these changes enough to get diehard iPod fans to switch over? Time will tell, but Microsoft looks to have done everything right up to this point, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

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Published by Adam on November 12th, 2006 and listed in Mobile Media.

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miwi98 11/14/2006 02:56 PM 1 point
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Another advantage is the iTunes player, it allows its users to put music on the iPod in the order of the user. Can the Zune desktop player, Windos Media, say the same thing?

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Desmond 11/14/2006 11:38 AM 1 point
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The Zune hardware isn't bad. But it's going to take far more than that to take out the iPod. Despite the fairly cool player (though still bigger and bulkier than the iPod), users will still be tied to the Microsoft way of life - case in point, WMAs already purchased via MSN music store or any of the other affiliates will not work with the Zune. Users will have to either (illegally?) re-rip their already-purchased music or buy it again.

You have to spend AT LEAST $5.00 at a time at the Zune marketplace - i.e. you can't just buy a song - you have to buy a block of points - a la xBox live. This scenario may work for gamers, but I don't see it toppling the mighty iTunes delivery - $0.99 per song.

These are just a few of the things that will hold back the Zune. It's a decent player - but there are hundreds of decent players out there and, still, only one iPod. Some would say that Microsoft currently has the upper hand in the hardware. But marketing, ease of use, storefront, and appeal are still well in Apple's corner.

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George 11/13/2006 02:26 PM 1 point
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The Zune does not have a widescreen. It has a standard 4:3 ratio.

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