Zune, Zune
Finally, years late to the party, Microsoft is finally offering up a competitor to Apple's iPod.
I'm excited to see the Zune, actually, because I've always been slightly disappointed in the iPod. Microsoft's first model sports a much larger, color screen, with smaller controls. It also features an FM tuner, which the iPod lacks. But the feature that Microsoft is banking on is the wireless capability of the Zune, enabling users to share music with one another on the fly. These developers are no dummies, though. They've built in security controls to prevent piracy. Shared files will be limited in their number an frequency of plays. Recording artists will also be able to opt out of file sharing options all together. 30GB (7500 songs) for $299 - competitive.
Still, this doesn't wow me. The Zune doesn't do movies. I've not seen anything about whether or not it can act as a portable drive, if it takes additional software to run, if it's going to be a proprietary technology like iPod, where I'm stuck using their awkward, hard to manage software replete with restrictions. And why, oh, why, are these guys not including an AM band on these? Am I seriously the only one who listens to AM radio from time to time? The wireless feature is an interesting option, but for file sharing with other users, I have zero need. We'll see what they do with this one in the next generation or two.
iPod's still on its A-game. The latest models include expanded storage (80GB), a model with 24 hour battery life, and games like Pac-Man and Tetris. As a bonafide Tetris whore, this alone makes it pretty tempting for me. But they just don't get how important the screen is to a user like me. I want big color and a big screen for my money.
As long as I'm settling, I'll get the biggest bang for my buck. Why they haven't better marketed this little gem, I will never know, but the MobiBLU cube beats the iPod shuffle, hands down!
I want less gadgets, not more. I want the swiss-army knife of technology in one handy gadget. And don't make it look like "The Homer" vehicular monstrosity. It's still gotta be sleek.
Build it and I promise, I will come, dollars in hand.
I'm excited to see the Zune, actually, because I've always been slightly disappointed in the iPod. Microsoft's first model sports a much larger, color screen, with smaller controls. It also features an FM tuner, which the iPod lacks. But the feature that Microsoft is banking on is the wireless capability of the Zune, enabling users to share music with one another on the fly. These developers are no dummies, though. They've built in security controls to prevent piracy. Shared files will be limited in their number an frequency of plays. Recording artists will also be able to opt out of file sharing options all together. 30GB (7500 songs) for $299 - competitive.
Still, this doesn't wow me. The Zune doesn't do movies. I've not seen anything about whether or not it can act as a portable drive, if it takes additional software to run, if it's going to be a proprietary technology like iPod, where I'm stuck using their awkward, hard to manage software replete with restrictions. And why, oh, why, are these guys not including an AM band on these? Am I seriously the only one who listens to AM radio from time to time? The wireless feature is an interesting option, but for file sharing with other users, I have zero need. We'll see what they do with this one in the next generation or two.
iPod's still on its A-game. The latest models include expanded storage (80GB), a model with 24 hour battery life, and games like Pac-Man and Tetris. As a bonafide Tetris whore, this alone makes it pretty tempting for me. But they just don't get how important the screen is to a user like me. I want big color and a big screen for my money.
As long as I'm settling, I'll get the biggest bang for my buck. Why they haven't better marketed this little gem, I will never know, but the MobiBLU cube beats the iPod shuffle, hands down!
I want less gadgets, not more. I want the swiss-army knife of technology in one handy gadget. And don't make it look like "The Homer" vehicular monstrosity. It's still gotta be sleek.
Build it and I promise, I will come, dollars in hand.