Microsoft Zune

[S2k Dude]

I think the current iPOD still rules and when Apple comes out with the 5th Gen iPOD people will forget Microsoft even sold a portable media player. The Zune has a bigger screen but that's about all it has going for it, IMO.

Microsoft should have at least undercut Apple's price, both the 30GB iPOD and the 30GB Zune sell for $249. Microsoft should have priced the Zune at $199. IMO, there's little incentive to buy the Microsoft player.

The Zune cannot play songs downloaded from iTunes but niether can the iPOD play songs downloaded from the Microsoft Music Store. Doesn't matter to me, I don't download songs from either service anyway.

Here is some of the criticisms already posted on Wikapedia:

Though the Zune is a Microsoft product, it is not capable of playing music encrypted in Microsoft's own PlaysForSure Format.

While the Zune has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, it can connect only to another Zune. It can't sync to a personal computer, and it can't wirelessly download new music from a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Songs wirelessly transferred from one Zune to another can only be played three times. After three days, the song expires regardless of whether or not it has been played. Just playing half the song (or one minute, whichever comes first) counts as one “play.” You can never resend a song to the same friend, nor can a song received from someone else be passed on to a third person. [2] (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/09/technology/09pogue.html?pagewanted=2)

The software that supports the Zune seems to be very unstable on some Microsoft Windows configurations [3] (http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/installing-the-zune-sucked/)[4] (http://www.flx-tech.net/2006/11/zune_on_early_sale_at_bestbuy_1.html)
Unlike many similar players, the Zune cannot be used as an external hard drive.

The name Zune has been criticized by some because they believe it is similar to the pronounciation of the Hebrew (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_language) word Zi-yun, a term for fornication (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fornication). [5] (http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/18/HNzunehebrew_1.html)

The criticism that the name means "penis" or "vagina" in French is unfounded, but "zoune" does appear to be an old colloquial French-Canadian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French-Canadian) term for "penis". [6] (http://www.namedevelopment.com/blog/archives/2006/07/brand_naming_fortunately_for_microsoft_a_zune_is_n .html)

[WebGod]

:rolf: :rolf: :rolf:

iPod Ownz :D

[Dewain27]

blah...

[Dewain27]

I will have one shortly for you guys to gawk over :D

[iS2000]

I wonder if it comes with a CTRL, ALT & DEL key:D

[S2k Dude]

I wonder if it comes with a CTRL, ALT & DEL key:D

I had a 3G iPOD and it did have some problems with locking up but my 4G iPOD and my Nano have never locked up.

[WebGod]

I wonder if it comes with a CTRL, ALT & DEL key:D
:rolf: :rolf: :rolf:
:owned:

[Johnyboy]

I have to admit to being a converted iPod lover. I didn't think much of them until I got one (thanks Jesse for the sweet deal :) ). Now that I have used it...and found some software that allows me to use it without iTunes...I find that it really is a slick little box.

Microsoft has a tough battle ahead if they want to take any more than a sliver of the MP3 player pie.

[silverfoxs2k]

Has anyone tried the Nike Shoe interface for the IPOD? It looks pretty cool but my running days are over.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/

[1QUICK1]

Has anyone tried the Nike Shoe interface for the IPOD? It looks pretty cool but my running days are over.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
I know someone that has it and it sounds pretty cool.
I doubt they get the full use out of it but for a serious runner it
could provide great information while running.

[Dewain27]

I just bought a new Zune...

I got the brown one.. I know that sounds like a little blah, but I think it really looks cool.

First impressions are that it is really easy to use and the packaging is awesome. It is very much a nifty little box and I really like the interface. The headphones were good enough that I gave my recently upgraded headphones to Tamara. Everything seems to work fine and I plan to do the Zune Passport that will get me any music that I want for no additional money. I will report back as I work with the device. The Vista drivers and software will be out by the end of the week and I will give you guys a review of those too.

It appears to be getting alot of attention... there was a guy that was at the store when I bought mine that said he was going to buy the Zune over the iPod because he like the way the brown one looked and the big screen.

[S2k Dude]

I"m not crazy about the brown one, makes it look old:
http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/techchron/2006/09/14/zune300x193.jpg

[Dewain27]

it is funny... it is frosted glass/plastic that is painted brown on the inside. It makes it look much different in person than in the picture. It appears that Microsoft did take the fact that iPod owners complained about the easily scratched back of the iPod by the more durrable and scratch resistent materials they chose..

[S2k Dude]

The easy-to-scratch finish on the iPOD is my least favorite characteristic.

[Dewain27]

Seems like the covering is like a polymer.... I will have it at the Movie night on 11/25. You guys can play with it if you want. I would love to get feedback on it that is constructive. I showed it to a few people at work today and they think that it is really cool. We all agree that it needs to have the accessories to make it a real competitor to the iPod. It does appear to have a much better start on that though than any of the other non-iPod competitors.

[HartS2K]

Seems like the covering is like a polymer.... I will have it at the Movie night on 11/25. You guys can play with it if you want. I would love to get feedback on it that is constructive. I showed it to a few people at work today and they think that it is really cool. We all agree that it needs to have the accessories to make it a real competitor to the iPod. It does appear to have a much better start on that though than any of the other non-iPod competitors.I have an Ipod Nano and love having a digital music player. That said, the only reason I bought the Ipod over anything else was because of the accessories and the compatibility with more things - ie, car stereos - over other choices.

[WebGod]

That said, the only reason I bought the Ipod over anything else was because of the accessories and the compatibility with more things - ie, car stereos - over other choices.
I bought mine cause Apple/Macs/iPods rule!!!! :D :D :D

[modifry]

I just bought a new Zune...Does it have a "next folder" (or next album/artist) button? Does it have a data (remote control) input like the iPod? (i.e. can I hack it and remotely control it via a souped-up DCI?)

I've just about quit using my iPod because of:
1. not having the next folder feature
2. absurd and near-useless Alpine interface (1st Gen)

I just bought a new Kenwood HU to figure out the Kenwood Wired interface (for the DCI). But I got the higher-priced X890 because it has a USB input and I'm going to try it in my car with a laptop HD full of MP3's plugged into it. I'm assumming it will operate like any other MP3 player and allow me to do "next folder" functions.

[dvergar]

I bought mine cause Apple/Macs/iPods rule!!!! :D :D :D

Way to stoke the fire, dude! HAHAHAHA!

[dvergar]

The easy-to-scratch finish on the iPOD is my least favorite characteristic.

That's easily overcome by a soft case that also protects it if dropped (usually). However, I would have much preferred that the case the fargin' thing came in was resistant to scratches and shock - duh!

[S2KOOL]

I'll stick with my Archos portable DVR.

The Mobile Digital Video Recorders from the ARCHOS AV range are the only DVR that offer easy TV recording and the best Home Cinema on the go.


Record directly from your TV, VCR, DVD player2, cable box or satellite receiver.
Store up to 400 hours of video1, 250 movies1 or one million photos1.
Play Windows Media® Video5 and MPEG-43 files.
One time TV pod connection for easy device audio and video connectivity.
Make scheduled recordings.
Play recorded TV programs, movies and home videos, in DVD-quality on your TV.
Transfer photos directly from your digital camera4.
Make slide shows on screen or on your TV.
Record and play music, store up to 55 000 songs1.
Transfer your data files from your PC or Mac.

[WebGod]

That's easily overcome by a soft case that also protects it if dropped (usually). However, I would have much preferred that the case the fargin' thing came in was resistant to scratches and shock - duh!
I have a super hard thin clear case that most people don't even notice it's so small. I love it.

[dvergar]

I have a super hard thin clear case that most people don't even notice it's so small. I love it.

HAHAHA - a clear bra for your iPod!

[modifry]

I'll stick with my Archos portable DVR.

The Mobile Digital Video Recorders from the ARCHOS AV range are the only DVR that offer easy TV recording and the best Home Cinema on the go.
I've been looking at buying one of these for the car but could also use it as a general DVR/playback machine. Have you had any problems with yours? Anything in particular you like/dislike? I assume they won't record copy-protected video? I have a "video clarifier" but it's been acting up lately.

[S2KOOL]

I've been looking at buying one of these for the car but could also use it as a general DVR/playback machine. Have you had any problems with yours? Anything in particular you like/dislike? I assume they won't record copy-protected video? I have a "video clarifier" but it's been acting up lately.

No problems as yet. I have had it for almost a year now. It is great for pictures, audio files, and video. I transfered several Tivo'd shows to it, then put them on the computer so i could transfer them to CD. When hooked to my D100, it shows the folders of the Archos in one pane, then the pictures in the camera in another pane. I can select any picture, or all of them, to transfer to the DVR. Picture quality is excellent. The only thing I don't like is the built in speaker. It is very weak. Put on a set of headphones, or hook it to the stereo, and the sound is great.