iPod vs Zune I'm not sure that this is going to be able to compete with the market share that iPod already enjoys...
1089683
I just wanted to make a quick correction. iPods can certainly play 192kbs files (and higher) as well as Apple Losseless, unprotected mp4s and a few other things I've probably forgotten. The iTunes store, at this moment, only sells 128 kbps protected AAC files (though that should be changing soon) which may be the source of the confusion.
1089684
I totally agree with you on this, and if Microsoft ever wants to compete with the iPod they are going to have to do better than this. Don't get me wrong because I hate Apple, but this thing isn't gonna come close to an iPod. The least they could've done was match the storage capacity (60 GB, although now it's 80 GB). I don't expect this thing to do nearly as well as what Microsoft expects.
1089685
The problem that microsoft is running through the mp3 business, is not for the fact that they cant create good mp3 players, but ipod has already got a monopoly in this industry since they got a head start. Microsoft is going through the problem, that macs are going through against the pc, the consumers are used to the user interface and very few people switch over. I really dont think people who have used ipods and itunes, will switch over to the zune, just like not very many pc users are switching over to the mac.
1089686
It's funny that we're not getting the same arguement over all the other media players out there. There's players from Sandisk, Toshiba and Creative that are getting less attention. Could it just be a little of the PC vs Mac war spilling over? Hell, most posters have only 'heard' from someone else that the Zune sucks without seeing it firsthand. I love the iPod but I'm gonna check out the Zune for myself before I comment. I recommend all other intelligent posters do the same and there's not need to remind them.
1089687
As to Microsoft entering a market dominated by another company:I guess you weren't around in the mid 90s when MS released a cruddy little web browser called Internet Explorer, even though Netscape "cleary" had the market sown up already. IE version 1 was horrible. But MS plugged away, kept improving IE and eventually put all other browsers pretty much out of business. Once they had the market under their control, they stopped improving IE. How many years were we stuck on version 6 of IE? There were no real improvements until Firefox started to gain some traction. That got them moving and IE 7 is here. Ipod beware. MS is relentless. As to Microsoft entering a market dominated by another company:I guess you weren't around in the mid 90s when MS released a cruddy little web browser called Internet Explorer, even though Netscape "cleary" had the market sown up already. IE version 1 was horrible. But MS plugged away, kept improving IE and eventually put all other browsers pretty much out of business. Once they had the market under their control, they stopped improving IE. How many years were we stuck on version 6 of IE? There were no real improvements until Firefox started to gain some... » Read More As to Microsoft entering a market dominated by another company:I guess you weren't around in the mid 90s when MS released a cruddy little web browser called Internet Explorer, even though Netscape "cleary" had the market sown up already. IE version 1 was horrible. But MS plugged away, kept improving IE and eventually put all other browsers pretty much out of business. Once they had the market under their control, they stopped improving IE. How many years were we stuck on version 6 of IE? There were no real improvements until Firefox started to gain some traction. That got them moving and IE 7 is here. Ipod beware. MS is relentless. « Show Less
1089688
I disagree about Creative Labs being "excellent player". I have had a CL Zen for a year now and I'm ready to replace it. The Zen locks up once a week. The controls seem to respond randomly when you press the main function key. I had a great offer for a Zune, but after reading all this crap (pro and con) I have decided to live with the Zen for another 6 months ...
1089689
I agree with what you say. The zune does seem to have been hurried to the market. It's difficult to take the zune as a competitor at the moment, but microsoft has already announced its plans for a "family of devices". So i'd wager that the scene will be very different once the newer zunes start arriving. Hopefully they'll release a larger capacity version as well; that's the only thing holding me from buying the device.
603725
I run it on my PC running Windows 7. quick install... & runs fine. I use to store music (over 117, 000 songs & plenty of room for maybe another 100-thou more) that I play thru Zune software. no problems, quiet, fast. wish I could be more helpful...try LaCle directly. good luck
277610
I'm waiting for a 128gb flash player that SOUNDS good, and can be loaded with a standard usb cable, and not requiring some proprietary software (read itunes). I test drove a 64gb ipod touch when it first came out, because my 16gb cowon iaudio7 is too small, but it sounded terrible, admittedly it was a stock set of tunes ripped at a low bit rate, but when I wanted to load up my own max bit rate tunes to it, the geniuses at the apple store couldn't fathom why someone would want to listen to tunes they'd ripped themselves, or how to make it happen. Hopefully someone raises the bar on storage space and sound quality, neither of which should be hard at this point. I wish someone would swing for the fences and do a flash 256gb player. I have to admit, I'm anachronistic, in that I don't want internet access, apps, videos, etc. just a gigantic music player that's not disk based (use it on a motorcycle, drop it constantly on the commute), that sounds fantastic and has great battery life. The more things a device does, the performance of each of those things suffers.
75756
amazon mp3 dowload center works, just make sure you have the zune software looking for music in the folder amazon downloads to. The napster homepage lists zune as a compatable device, so it should also work, though iI have not tried it. I strongly suggest trying out the zune pass from zune marketplace. 15 bucks a month gets you 99% of the music in the entire marketplace. Truly remarkable if you are buying 2 albums per month anywhere else (including amazon). I only use amazon if zune marketplace doesn't offer the album. Hope this helps, happy holidays!
1161403
Can we try not to have an iPod VS. Zune discussion until the Zune is, at least, Released? The iPod has been around for FIVE years and is in it's 5th generation. There are almost 70 million people who joined the iPod culture. I don't think this is a fair fight. Plus, we can't be walking around with iPods forever. Trends can end as soon as they start. I personally applaud Microsoft for giving it a shot and delivering a product that's exciting enough to compete with the iPod.
198251
Hey - I too am in Birgitta's position, trying to decide whether I should stick with iPods or go over to Zune. I currently own a iPod Mini and did not like how the battery went bad and now can only be played once before the iPod says that the battery is low and goes out. I am trying to decide whether to get a 80G Zune or an 80G iPod classic. My main question is - being an iPod owner, I have put so much time into my iTunes organizing it, putting in cover art, etc.If I was to buy a Zune, can I get everything out of the iTunes, including cover art?thanks
1287576
That is not true. There are pleanty of conversion programs that will take iTunes M4V's and convert them to WMV to play on the Zune, and legally too. I have done it. Tuenbite platinum is an EXCELLENT program to convert iTune and all other DRM media to play on pretty much anything...including the ZUNE! Enjoy.
2180394
Hey if you guys just wait until December. Microsoft is having a special deal where all 80GB Zunes can have their back customized for free up to 25 preset artist designs and up to 5 lines of text (no catch!). They are already doing it for their 4GB and 8GB models just wait and get it customized but only if you order from zune.net well the real site is zuneoriginals.net
485389
I have a lesser version of this player - the one Amazon sells for about $80 here - and I use it with my Zune player. It has to be connected as an Aux device using an cable, but it sounds good for that purpose. I was going to purchase another one for another room in my home. I don't know if it works with droid phones, but I would guess not since it's a different OS than the iPhone....it would be nice to see a manufacturer make some of these type products where they didn't lock themselves into Apple products - and actually support the HUGE droid marker out there.....if Apple will let them
187978
There are unlimited possibilities that an Ipod can do besides music. The real question shoukd be what cant it do. In my experiences its a baby monitor, tv, computer, ebook reader and Banker.
910327
Hey Pat, as a nano + zune user, I guess I can definitely answer to your question here..I have used both players so far and both of them have averagely similar battery life..I feel like my Zune uses a little more battery though but that must be due to wireless syncing..Thing about Zune, I charged it one day, and then left it on my desk for a week with the hold button locked, and after a week, the battery didnt get used up even a little..If you will have access to your laptop/PC in the next 24 hours, then you can be assured your player will run fine with you :)
1066283
good for you - I was using shorthand, though, of course, to indicate that I feel too much like an old fogey to jump on the iPod bandwagon - and I'm still interested in some sort of portable Sirius or a competitor if anyone has any ideas.... Unless of course someone wants to hold my hand thru every step of the way of buying, loading, and using and iPod and its accessories... :)
642620
Heads up for you Faerie :)Zune's software runs better than the iTunes inmho..and its easy to use..Just once click, and you can sync it..be it on USB or wireless..I was using nano before and it took me long time to get used to the iTunes software..Get the Zune and love your player! :)
14754
500 CD's averaging 15 tracks per CD is a total of 7500 tracks. The iPod Touch 32 gig holds approximately 7,000 songs. A 40GB MP3 player will hold approximately 10,000 songs, but they are hard drive based and aren't designed for rough usage. 40 GB hard drive players are pretty hard to find these days so she might have to sacrifice some songs. She most likely doesn't actually listen to 500 CD's on a regular basis and you can always set iTunes to auto-rotate the songs for for fresh content. An alternative to the iPod Touch is the iPod Classic which packs 160 GB (around 40.000 songs) of storage. They are but around $250. The iPod Touch is also available in 64GB for a higher cost (around $300). An alternative to those two iPods is the Zune HD which packs 16, 32, or 64 gigabytes as well. These are considerably cheaper than the iPod equivilent. They also offered a 120 GB Zune (non-HD) but the price will vary as they are no longer manufactured. Sony also makes highly-regarded MP3 players that are comparable to MS and Apple. Besides These three companies, I can't really recommend buying anything else. I've owned all different types of MP3 players from Creative, Toshiba, Samsung, Sandisk, and the MS Zune but none of them come close to the tight integration that iTunes and iPod have. Every time I hit the sync button I'm confident the iPod will have exactly the songs I want on it. With Windows Media Player or the Zune software, a lot of the time it will end up partially syncing and some songs will duplicate. Album art is also a nightmare on these. As much as I don't like Apple's business model, their software and hardware are pretty hard to beat.
1022312
I have never used an ipod. But, as far as I understand, its looks resemble an ipod. But, it is surely not as sophisticated. More or less agree with all the other answers.
1394641
NO, this was designed specifically for Zune. It works great, but the cords/slots are not compatible with iPod.
767717
As long as the files are in a format that the Zune can play, all you have to do is point to the file location as your media folders. The only issue I see if it not picking up the metadata so you might want to look out for that as it builds your library.