The battle for holiday sales of mp3 players should be very interesting this year. Whatever your opinions of it the battle between Apple and Microsoft certainly qualifies as epic. Since the beginning of the digital age both have done their best to assert control of a global industry. One was able to best the other for a very long time until Apple took the mp3 player and changed the music business. Microsoft has entered the ring yet one more time in a fight for much more than mp3 players now. Today’s handheld devices are phones, play music and videos and next generation devices are expected to do far more.

The portable media market is so full of choices including services, formats and licensing standards that the industry is in disarray. Who needs a mobile phone, a PDA, an MP3 player and a laptop? The first company to hit the market with the right music/phone/pda should take the prize. Apple has a huge lead in handheld sales with absolute dominance in the music business. The iPhone has been rumored for years now but still does not exist. Microsoft brings with it an established and flourishing Xbox Live business model and the technology to tie them all together in the PC which resides in so many homes and businesses. Microsoft has already said a Zune Phone is in the works.

We’re not gadget heads or expert of any kind but we did our best to break things down for the Zune Forum fans.

Zune MarketPlace vs iTunes.

Microsoft offers the following information on Zune MarketPlace for us so far.

You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft® Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card.

Zune Pass. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace. If subscription services are not right for you the chose to purchase individual songs or albums as well.

What Apple says about iTunes

iPod and iTunes give you a seamless experience, from download to sync. Shop for music, movies, games, TV shows, and audiobooks on the built-in iTunes Store, download free podcasts, or import songs from your CDs. Then connect iPod to your Mac or PC, and iTunes gets to work. You guys now the rest about iTunes and iPod.

The results of our comparison.

Online Music Services

As far as the online music service goes Zune MarketPlace has a long way to go before they can say they have topped iTunes. The Apple music service is in it’s seventh generation software version and although there have been a few problems it’s a definite improvement over previous versions. iTunes offers an extensive collection of media and has set the bar, much to the chagrain of the recording studios, for low prices in the digital music industry.

With the limited information available it will be hard to tell if Zune MarketPlace offers a better deal or not. Watching Microsoft and their actions so far we expect to see a huge storefront with just about everything we could ever need or want in music and movies. We doubt Microsoft will allow the Zune Live service to suffer when it appears the service is what is most important to them.

New music fans that invest in more than 15 cd’s per year will find the Zune Pass a wonderful way to really sample new music. The ability to download and play new music risk free is certain to expand your musical tastes and will open Zune owners up to a whole new world of music. If a subscription based service is not your cup of tea you can still buy songs or movies.

We do not consider a portable media player to be a viable solution for long term storage of your collection. For your favorite albums or movies we suggest your purchase hard copy CD or DVD compilations. The purchase of digital music should be considered limited by the inevitable device failure or loss of data as well as DRM restrictions enforced by content providers.

An added benefit to being a Zune owner will come when the Zune MarketPlace is opened up to new artists wishing to sell their music without a label through the Zune player and music services. You’ll hear more about that later.

iPod vs Zune Hardware and Features specifications

As for hardware and features, now that Microsoft has matched prices, the Zune is a much better value for the average or new user. The Windows software and integration with our existing "digital lifestyle" will make the Zune a great choice for PC owners and Xbox fans. The Zune is not the best MP3 player on the market but when coupled with the available features and services it offers the best bang for the buck. If you are a high end audio fan you may appreciate a different player but for the rest of the world the Zune rocks.

The hardware specs are awesome. The 400 MHZ processor is capable of much more than audio video playback. This processor will support gaming features with ease. The 30GB hard drive is standard. Some may wish for more but with the integration with Windows XP and Vista we’re hoping moving data back and forth wont be so difficult. Why people need to carry their entire collection around is beyond us but the Zune offers plenty of storage for the money. With an FM tuner built in and an FM Transmitter available in the car pack you can pick up radio stations on the go and play back your Zune music through your car stereo system. The wireless lan module offers broadcast capabilities far beyond any comparable player.

The social networking capabilities of the wireless sharing seem destined to be extremely popular amongst the younger crowd. We can see Zune wifi parties popping up where kids drop in to swap songs and videos on their new Zune players. Seems far fetched but don’t expect Microsoft not to put a heavy push on this type of use. Building a generation of fans is a sure part of their goals for Zune.

Some have decried the limitations in the Zune in regards to the wifi features as well as the DRM scheme. The Zune seems to be designed for a wider audience and kids are a big part of the plan. We expect many of the wireless sharing limitations are a result of security concerns with sharing files in pubic. The Zune DRM is more restrictive in some ways but does allow for portable user to user sharing capabilities which requires heavier licensing fees from recording studios. The DRM restrictions will effect a small percentage of the market and not the average Zune user.

The new Microsoft DRM will some day allow an army of Zune musicians and artists of all kinds the opportunity to promote their music on the Zune MarketPlace. The DRM will facilitate user generated content sales and establish a robust market place similar to what is being done with the Xbox Live and XNA Framework.

The inevitable merging of the Zune and Xbox Live systems will create a powerful network of devices and services that will go beyond what any of us ever expected from our "digital lifestyle". With the help of Windows Vista and the Office Suite you may soon have the tools to manage your entire lifestyle.

We’re very excited to see what Zune becomes. If we’re lucky enough tehy will have a huge success and teh Zune will change they way people share music. Visit the Zune Boards and check out the discussion on Zune MP3 players.

Technical Specifications and Hardware Features	Microsoft Zune 30GB	Apple iPod Video 30GB
Here is a side by side comparison of the Zune MP3 Player and it’s top competitor the Apple iPod video player. These Zune specifications were compiled with the help of many Zune websites and fans including Zunerama.com
Capacity Claims by Manufacturer	30 GB HDD Holds up to 7,500 songs Holds up to 25,000 photos Holds up to 100 hour video	30 GB HDD Holds up to 7,500 songs Holds up to 25,000 photos Holds up to 40 hours video
Display	3″ LCD @ 320×240 resolution operates in landscape or portrait mode	2.5″ LCD @ 320×240 resolution
Audio / Video Play	Yes plus AV output enabled	Yes
Audio formats	WMA, MP3, AAC	AAC, MP3, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video formats	H.264, MPEG-4, WMV	H.264, m4v, mp4, mov, MPEG-4
FM receiver	Yes, plus add on FM Transmitter accessory available	Accessory only
Height/Width	4.4 x 2.4 inches	4.1 x 2.4 inches
Depth	.58 inches	.43 inch
Weight	5.6 ounces	4.8 ounces
Wireless Networking	802.11b/g (”Wi-Fi”)	No
Wireless community features	Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. Zune lets you share selected full-length sample tracks of your recorded media You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.	No wireless features currently available
Connectivity	USB 2.0 Wireless	USB 2.0
Battery Type	Li-Ion rechargeable, built-in	Li-Ion rechargeable, built-in
Battery life	12 hour Music play 3 hour Video	14 hours Music Play 3-1/2 for Video
Available Colors	White, black, brown	White, black
PC / Mac Compatibility	PC only	Mac and PC
Price	$249.99	$249.00

Popularity: 19% [?]

Zune is about community and sharing for us. Zune fans exist and the device has not been released. We’re glad to be a part of the Zune community.

Vote for your favorite Zune Fan site at the Zune MAX fan site review and link exchange. Visit Zune Fan Sites and pick from the best Zune sites out there. We list Zune blogs, forums and news sites for you to rate and review. Check out all the Zune websites and support your favorite Zune communities. Let’s all share in the Joy of Zune.

Webmasters list your Zune related websites and MySpace pages by joining the Zune MAX Top Fan Site link exchange and our Zune community to promote your site.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Zune pre order being taken by Walmart.com

Zune Preorders are being taken through our Zune Shop and our partnership with Walmart.com. Today Microsoft issued a press release announcing an official release date for Zune of November 14th and a MSRP of $249.99 The Zune preorder comes with word of good inventory and a commitment to ship as early as possible. Click on your favorite color Zune below and pre order today.

Don’t forget before you buy a Zune player from anyone please check the details on the Zune giveaway. Please visit this post in the Zune forums.

If you plan to buy a Zune player then please read the details on our Zune rebate contest. Buy a Zune from Zune MAX and enter a chance to get a $100 rebate on your new Zune player.

Buy Zune at Walmart
Buy Black Zune	Buy Brown Zune	Buy White Zune
	Buy Zune at Walmart

Here is what they have to say about Zune at Walmart.

Item Description

It’s brand new. It’s really cool. And it’s called Zune. When you want more than just another MP3 and video player, get one of these. Giant 30GB storage for music, photos and video ensures you’ll never be bored. Ever. Best of all, the large, bright LCD display can go from portrait to landscape mode as you turn the player. Really. So whatever you’re looking at always looks good. In Brown.

Key Features & Benefits:

• 30GB capacity
  Keep 7,500 songs (MP3 format) or 25,000 photos at your fingertips, or even 100 hours of video
• Photo and video compatible
  Sometimes you want more than music to entertain you; the Zune delivers both photo and video options
• Hard drive storage format
  Integrated hard drive provides massive amounts of memory for the least amount of money
• 3" portrait or landscape video screen
  Unusual 3" video screen goes from portrait to landscape mode as you turn your Zune; you always see the best picture possible
• Extensive file format compatibility
  Advanced software lets you import most music, photos and videos with ease
• FM tuner
  Catch the Top 40, stay up to date with your favorite sports teams, and make sure the weather doesn’t take you by surprise
• Online music store
  Browse the huge selection of music in the Zune Marketplace designed to work flawlessly with your Zune.
  Note: Zune is not compatible with Wal-Mart Music Downloads.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Along with the official release date and price information released today Microsoft also announced details on the accessories available for zune. Details include full retail pricing and some new hardware descriptions. The FM Tuner with AutoSeek or the Wireless Remote for Zune Dock are noth interesting but what is missing is a backup or replacement battery for Zune. This is dissappointing to say the least as we had high hopes for a replaceable power source. You can of course find all of these accessories for sale on  November 14th at the Zune Shop

Zune AV Output Cable

The A/V Output Cable lets you connect your Zune device to a TV and home stereo. Ideal for listening to music and showing pictures and video, the A/V Output Cable is simple to set up and use, and will retail for $19.99.

Zune AC Adapter

The AC Adapter lets you charge your Zune device without a PC. For convenience, the AC Adapter will charge your Zune device in about three hours and will retail for $29.99.

Zune Sync Cable

The Sync Cable lets you connect your Zune device to your PC or the Zune AC Adapter (sold separately). It works as a replacement for your original sync cable or as a spare for travel and charging, and will retail for $19.99.

Zune Car Charger

The Car Charger lets you charge your device in the car while listening to your favorite music and even while using the FM tuner with AutoSeek (sold separately). The Car Charger will retail for $24.99.

Zune Dock

The Dock elegantly displays your Zune device anywhere in your home or office. Featuring a connector port and an audio/video output, the Dock is ideal for syncing, charging and connecting with home A/V equipment. (A/V connectivity requires the Zune A/V Output Cable, sold separately.) The Dock will retail for $39.99.

Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock

Designed for use with Zune Dock (sold separately), the Wireless Remote lets you control your device from across the room. The Wireless Remote gives you quick access to your current playlist as well as full control over menu navigation and volume. The Wireless Remote will retail for $29.99.

Zune Dual Connect Remote

The Dual Connect Remote offers convenient playlist control and two headphone jacks with independent amplifiers and volume controls so you can listen with a friend or family member. The Dual Connect Remote will retail for $29.99.

Zune FM tuner With AutoSeek

The FM tuner with AutoSeek lets you wirelessly listen to music through your car’s stereo through the FM radio. AutoSeek automatically finds the optimal station so it’s easy to set up, and will retail for $69.99.

Zune Gear Bag

The Gear Bag lets you bring Zune and related accessories with you wherever you go. The Gear Bag comes with a rugged exterior and fitted compartments to protect your device while you travel. The Gear Bag will retail for $29.99.

Zune Premium Earphones

Designed exclusively for use with Zune, the Premium Earphones produce superior sound and feature a noise-isolating, in-ear design. With a convenient storage case and three earpiece sizes to choose from, you can listen to your music with added comfort and quality. The Premium earphones will retail for $39.99.

Popularity: 4% [?]

We posted yesterday on the revelation by one our our many Zune fans that Bitter:Sweet music would be included on the Zune and today our boy Cesar the ZuneInsider releases information on all the content to be included on the mobile music video player.

Audio Tracks

· Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil” (Sub Pop Records)

· Bitter:Sweet, “The Mating Game” (Quango Music Group)

· CSS, “Alala (Microsoft edit)” (Sub Pop Records)

· Darkel, “At The End of The Sky (edit)” (Astralwerks)

· Every Move a Picture, “Signs of Life” (V2)

· Small Sins, “Stay” (Astralwerks)

· The Adored, “Tell Me Tell Me” (V2)

· The Rakes, “Open Book” (V2)

· The Thermals, “A Pillar of Salt” (Sub Pop Records)

Music Video

· 30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill” (Virgin Records)

· BT, “1.618” (DTS Entertainment)

· Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops” (Sub Pop Records)

· Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool” (Ninja Tune)

· CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above” (Sub Pop Records)

· Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away” (Sub Pop Records)

· Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself” (V2)

· Hot Chip, “Over and Over” (Astralwerks Records)

· Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home” (Quango Music Group)

· Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia” (Sub Pop Records)

· Paul Oakenfold, “Faster Kill Pussycat (Featuring Brittany Murphy)” (Maverick Records)

· Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics” (Playlouderecordings)

Film Shorts

· 5 Boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)

· Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)

· TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)

Images

· A variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from “Art of Modern Rock”

Popularity: 6% [?]

Microsoft Corp. said Thursday its new Zune music player will be sold at a price matching Apple Computer Inc.’s market-leading iPod and, as a result, lose money this holiday season.

Microsoft’s 30-gigabyte Zune will retail for $249.99 — 99 cents higher than the iPod with the same amount of storage — when it goes on sale November 14.

Songs available for download at the Zune Marketplace service will cost about 99 cents a song, on par with prices at Apple’s iTunes, Microsoft said.

The world’s largest software maker faces an uphill climb in trying to topple the market-dominating iPod after conceding a five-year head start to Apple’s media player.

Microsoft said it needed to put a comparable price on Zune, even if it meant that the company will suffer a loss from the device’s sales this holiday season.

"We had to look at what was in the market and offer a competitive price," said Scott Erickson, Microsoft’s senior director of product marketing for Zune. "We’re not going to be profitable this holiday but the Zune project is a multiyear strategy."

Microsoft also announced it will sell a music subscription pass for $14.99 a month, allowing users to listen to any of the songs on Zune Marketplace. It pledges to offer 2 million-plus songs at launch. After the pass expires, users will not be able to access those songs.

For consumers looking to own a song, the Zune Marketplace will sell tracks for 79 Microsoft points. A user can buy 80 Microsoft points for $1 and points will also be redeemable at its online video game store, Xbox Live Marketplace.

Microsoft said it will initially sell only music — and no video — at the Zune Marketplace. The company said it was negotiating with major record companies and labels.

Each Zune device will come preloaded with an array of songs, music video, images and short films, Microsoft said.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Popularity: 3% [?]

So Bill Wittress is the Zune Guy working for Microsoft in developing accessories for the Zune player. If you visit his site you can give them some input on what you would like to see for accessories for your Zune. Bill has extensive experience working in development of MP3 players for the past 8 years so we’re exited to see someone with his skills focused on accessories. We’re hoping to see some great stuff from Bill and the Zune team. We’re pushing for wireless headsets of course in matching colors. Bill has already received a slew of requests so be sure to read over what he already has listed on his blog before you go asking for it again. Here are some favorite suggestions he has already received.

• Colored Headphones
• Dual headphone jacks
• LCD remote
• Wi-Fi detector
• Boombox
• Wireless headphones
• In-car dock
• Ipod connector adapter
• Alarm clock
• Mini speakers
• Cup holder

They should consider the cup holder only after they waterproof the unit.

Bill, Cesar and the rest of the Microsoft bloggers are also joined by David Caulton as the Zunester. One thing we have noticed is none of the Zune bloggers use MS blogging services. David has loads of information on the technical side of things. He has an extensive explanation of music tags and the problems they have encountered in dealing with so many various file formats in the market. David knows his stuff about these things. If you need a history on tagging music files or have any questions about file formats he seems the man to speak with. He confirms they will will not be offering a Zune SDK any time soon. His belief is they should focus on the device launch for now. We agree that there will be plenty of time for hacking the Zune later. We’re glad to see a focus on hardware accessories now also David.

We also wonder if Microsoft wasn’t rushed to market with the Zune and forced to partner with Toshiba while they develop the second generation devices with all these features people are hoping for from the first generation  devices. It seems they have a lot in store for future Zune models and we won’t be getting everything they had hoped for in this one.

Popularity: 3% [?]

A few weeks back iLounge predicted the development of the "Made for Zune" program. Seems they were correct as we’re now beginning to see confirmation of what is actually beinbg called the "Designed for Zune" program.

Earlier this week we announced the release of select accessories for sale at Amazon.com. These are not labeled as "Designed for Zune" on their website but one would assume that at least some of them are. Listed on Amazon are accessories manufactured by Griffin Technology. They are producing Zune cases as well as a Tune Juice Zune Battery Backup. We’re hopeful the battery backup will extend the playtime of the Zune player beyond the 12 hours expected for music playback.

Today Australian IT reports on high end audio hardware manufacturer VAF Research and their partnership with Microsoft in the "Designed for Zune" accessories program

"ADELAIDE audio hardware maker VAF Research is gearing up for a global expansion, thanks to a deal with Microsoft that put it among a handful of authorised accessory suppliers for the software giant’s Zune music player.

The wireless-enabled Zune holds 30GB of music, and will be backed up by a paid download service. The device is aimed at snaring Microsoft a share of the audio market, dominated by Apple.

VAF has been picked by Microsoft to market its high-end Octavio Speaker Dock for the Zune, first in the US and then overseas. Only 14 suppliers worldwide, including big brands like Logitech, have received Microsoft’s okay.

VAF will use the "Designed for Zune" logo, and has access to Microsoft product design information.

"It is the most exciting international business opportunity since our company was formed in 1978," founder Philip Vafiadis said. "While it is difficult to put an exact dollar amount on what this agreement unlocks for us, it will no doubt give us access to a premium market with outstanding potential."

Official "Designed for Zune" Accessories for sale

Microsoft has of course confirmed their own line of accessories for the Zune including Zune Home AV Pack, Zune Travel Pack and Zune Car Packs for making your Zune follow you just about anywhere. Official Zune accessories are also listed on the Amazon site but with limited details. We found some interesting items including the Zune FM Transmitter, Zune Premium Earphones and the Zune Dock.

Unless someone at Amazon has mislabeled the item an FM transmitter is not the same as an FM tuner. This leads us to wonder about the broadcast capabilities of the Zune player. With the built in fm tuner we can listen to the radio on our Zune but with an FM transmitter we can listen to our Zune on any FM receiver including your car stereo. Being a wireless device with FM transmitter capabilities the Zune has potential to be a very cool broadcasting tool with many uses. Let’s hope the limited wireless capabilities of the Zune won’t interfere with some serious Zunecasting.

So were glad to see the price for Zune will most likely be $229 and there will be a wide variety of Zune accessories for personalizing your media player. Make sure you visit the Zune Shop for the best deals on Zune and earn a chance to get a $100 rebate on your Zune purchase from ZuneMAX.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Zune MP3 player is being advertised for sale when available at Amazon.com. Of course Zune MAX already has a Zune Store up in partnership with Amazon in preparations for the release of the portable media player from Microsoft. Amazon is the web leader in online shopping and what better company to partner with in selling Zune players and accessories then them.

What’s that? Walmart? You know that’s right. Walmart is advertising Zune players for sale as well. Walmart is Americas favorite Super Store with just about everything you can think of at the dirtiest cheap price ever. So what the heck if you want to buy your Zune through either Walmart or Amazon then just hurry over to the Zune Shop at ZuneMAX.com and buy a Zune from us.

Why would you get your Zune for sale from us? How about because we’re offering a $100 rebate on your Zune purchase through our site. Not good enough? Well then why not join the Zune Forums and register to Win a Free Zune in our Zune Giveaway when they become available. Not good enough yet? Well then. No Zune for you!!

Amazon advertises all three color players but with no availability or pricing just yet. You can however sign up for the Amazon alert and receive an email when the products become available. But don’t do that without purchasing from our store or you won’t qualify for the the Zune rebate. It looks like Griffin Technology will be producing accessories for the Zune. On the list for hot Zune accessories this holiday season amongst other things is the Tune Juice Zune-battery Backup which should clear up some concerns about battery life in Zune players. I don’t think the iPod offers a battery back up does it? Griffin also produces the Powerjolt Autocharger for Zune and the Centerstage ZUNE Poly case in Pink. Amazon also offers the The Zune Pocket Guide brought to us from Peachpit Press and published on December 1, 2006 (<<< is that the Zune release date for Amazon?). You can read more about the Zune for sale at Amazon.com but don’t forget to buy your Zune from us tp qualify for the Zune rebate.

Popularity: 8% [?]