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September 16, 2006
Zune Zune Zune
There's PLENTY of news out about Microsoft's Zune player, Zune store, Zune platform. People who know me know I'm an admitted iPod fan. The iPod's design is beautiful and functional and Apple's created a great platform for the iPod to exist on; the iTunes store.
So now Microsoft has its own platform and the Zune seems to be addressing all the problems other MP3 players have, while one-upping the iPod. But I already have some issues with the player.
The design is hideous. I don't know if Microsoft or the Zune's manufacturer Toshiba designed it, but it's a horribly dated design. Toshiba's Gigabeat is heads and shoulder a better design study both aesthetically and functionally. I don't understand the desire to frame the screen in another color. Don't they understand when you have a screen bleeding flush into the edge, it actually looks bigger? The scroll wheel isn't even a scroll wheel. It's a directional pad like those you might find on a game controller. A HUGE design no-no is to imitate design but not functionality. If I see a wheel, I instinctually want to be able to scroll. Perhaps they should have used a 4-way directional pad like the Gigabeat, since that's what it really is. Now I want to go back to the screen. Some would have you believe that Zune's screen is widescreen, but it's not. It's the same 4:3 aspect ratio found on the iPod and the same exact resolution, just turned sideways.
Microsoft's decision to use Wifi instead of Bluetooth is also another boo-boo. There's no way the battery life on that thing can sustain music, movies, and wireless transfers for more than 3.5 hours, unless Microsoft has some magic battery and since they refuse to release official battery life numbers, it leaves me wondering. The official battery life estimates are 12 hours for music playback and 3.5 hours for video. Just as a note, the 30 gig iPod does 15/6 and the 80 gig iPod does 20/4.
But I will say their packaging is nice. Apparently the days of a gazillion screencaps, stickers, text blurbs and logos on Microsoft products have missed the Zune factory because the box is clean and def. stands out. I for one am Happy Microsoft has finally entered for foray. If anything it pushes Apple to better their design and services. The future of MP3 players looks good.
Posted by tranism at 8:20 PM | Permalink
Comments
Ahaha. That looks like a toy I get out of my box of fruit loops.
Posted by: Peter V. at September 17, 2006 5:53 PM
Well I'm pleasantly surprised by this. It looks considerably better than I ever expected.
As for battery life, I think the iPod is lacking as well. I want at least 20 hours of battery in my portable music machine (as my Sony HD5 gives me). But then I'm not their target audience. I don't care about colour screens or wifi, video, or photos I just want to listen to music.
I do agree about the screen though. There appears to be a small lip around the frame, and removing the frame would make it all look cleaner.
Posted by: Ben at September 18, 2006 9:42 AM
okay. u said,(The design is hideous.).. AA!! hello!! it doesnt look much diff. than the ipod.. and then u said (Some would have you believe that Zune's screen is widescreen, but it's not.)AA!! hello!! i take it u went to school, hm,hm,. and i think u know what a ruler is, soo!! YES! they have the same resolution, BUTT!! and this is a big BUTT!!... if turned side ways its longer and bigger and thus better...HELLO!! and whats wrong with wifi.. not that i hate on bluetooth.. but if u notice wifi seems to be in every damn place u go...if it was bluetooth u wouldnt be able to link upto the net...HOLA!!...and one more thing, u seem to be to infatuated, (which is "unreasoning fondness") with ipod. u cant be unreasoning my friend. LOOK!! im not saying one is better than the other, im not to crazy bout MS, execpt for the xbox.. but im also not infatuated with apple.. when ur too in love with something, u leave no room for anything else when it just might be better....
Posted by: energ at November 1, 2006 11:24 AM
^^^
Actually, I've had an opportunity to play with the Zune since this post and I will revise a one thing I've said.
It has longer battery life than I original expected.
That's about it. Everything else about it pretty much leaves you wondering, "why"?
For one, the screen is bigger yes, but it's the same resolution. That means pixels are clearly visible, especially when watching video. To date, I think the best screen on any hard drive based player still belongs to Creative.
The wifi is crippled. You can not use it to sync your music from desktop to player. It is only for sharing purposes and sharing of the temporary kind, meaning if I sent you a song, it will expire after "x" amount of days. For such a small feature, they could have easily done the same using bluetooth which uses about 70% less power. Contrary to belief, the wifi on the Zune will not let you surf the net.
The build quality of the Zune is lackluster. I will say that photos don't do it justice, it looks better in person but again, players from Apple, Toshiba (who makes the Zune), and Creative look and feel much better.
Navigation is simple but having a wheel that doesn't spin is pointless. You have to click and hold the button in the direction you wanna go in. As I've said before, if you're going to have a wheel as an interface, you better include the ability to spin it - even if it's just to adjust the volume. There's such a thing as navigational synergy.
My last gripe with the Zune is software and this is its biggest downfall. They are looking to create an all-in-one package/music store just like iPod and iTunes. Unfortunately, the Zune fails to deliver content in an easy way simply because Microsoft has way too many fractured sources of content division. They've already got URGE with MTV and they have Play-4-Sure for other players. Guess what? The Zune has it's own version so people who invested in players and content from Play-4-Sure will have to start all over again if they want to jump on the Zune bandwagon.
I am not so biased to believe that just because Apple makes something, I love it. The Zune's main competitor is the iPod and iTunes which is why I compare the two.
Posted by: electro^plankton at November 1, 2006 11:49 AM
okay. u said,(The design is hideous.).. AA!! hello!! it doesnt look much diff. than the ipod.. and then u said (Some would have you believe that Zune's screen is widescreen, but it's not.)AA!! hello!! i take it u went to school, hm,hm,. and i think u know what a ruler is, soo!! YES! they have the same resolution, BUTT!! and this is a big BUTT!!... if turned side ways its longer and bigger and thus better...HELLO!! and whats wrong with wifi.. not that i hate on bluetooth.. but if u notice wifi seems to be in every damn place u go...if it was bluetooth u wouldnt be able to link upto the net...HOLA!!...and one more thing, u seem to be to infatuated, (which is "unreasoning fondness") with ipod. u cant be unreasoning my friend. LOOK!! im not saying one is better than the other, im not to crazy bout MS, execpt for the xbox.. but im also not infatuated with apple.. when ur too in love with something, u leave no room for anything else when it just might be better....
Posted by: RENE at November 1, 2006 2:13 PM
don't ever buy this thing cause i have it and trust me u don't wanna buy it
Posted by: ali at October 31, 2007 5:59 PM