Popularity: 31% [?]

While rumours of a Zune Phone have long been circulating on the internet (and its seems inevitable that it will happen), Microsoft have denied that a Zune phone is imminent, despite the fact that a consortium led by Microsoft, Google, HP and Dell have filed submissions with the US authorities. The filing relates to a wireless handled internet access phone (VOIP) and is sure to prompt a war of words with the likes of Apple, and their high profile iPhone.

While Apple have stolen an early march on their competitors, many suspect that they do not have the fire power to make a real impression in the market, with much of their power being taken by the telecom companies with who they must tie up with. When you compare this to the proposed Microsoft consortium VOIP phone, which does not require telecom assistance, then we seem set for a battle.

Even though Microsoft have denied that a Zune phone is imminent, they have done too much ground work for this not to happen in the future. It is more likely that Microsoft will use the proposed consortium device to perfect the technology, as the Zune brand is too valuable to be associated with sub-standard technology.

This powerful consortium has the potential to snatch a large portion of Apple’s market share, and the recent court ruling in the MP3 market, whereby Microsoft were order to pay damages with regards to MP3 technology does not bode well for Apple. While it seems a little unfair that Apple have opened new markets with their iPhone and iPod, they are really under pressure from the likes of Zune, which has a growing client base and the Microsoft marketing machine behind it. There is real concern about the long term future of Apple as their main markets become ever more crowded.

There is also strong speculation that the telecom companies are running scared, as the rumoured Zune VOIP phone is sure to take away a large portion of their market. While they are unlikely to sit back and take this lying down, they may look to tie up with the likes of Microsoft, leaving Apple further and further in the cold. The Zune looks set to cause major waves in the telecom industry, and we are likely to see a major change on the corporate landscape over the coming years.

Microsoft seems to have it all at the minute, internet access, content, software and a growing client base in the shape of Zune users. While the product may initially have received luke warm reviews there is no doubt that momentum is starting to grow, and the constant drip feed of rumour and counter rumour from the Microsoft marketing machine is having an effect. Consumers are now starting to see the purchase of a Zune as an investment in the future, and a doorway into the inner workings of Microsoft.

Zune is set to be the base for the future of Microsoft’s portable services, and this does not bode well for competitors such as Apple who are struggling to keep pace.

Popularity: 18% [?]

It’s been just about 3 weeks since I got my first Zune case. I’m kinda slow to things. The BoxWave Flexiskin is a very nice and well designed silicone skin for a rough Zune users like myself. I’ve put the case through some serious real world testing and I’m pretty happy with it over. I’m not very interested in the belt loop attachment which then gets in the way if you’re not using it but it’s a livable trade off for the convenience of having it should the need arise. The basic FlexiSkin runs $19.99 and is a solid deal at the price. You can get the belt clip for an extra buck and a kickstand for standing your Zune player up for an extra $3. My favorite part of the FlexiSkin is the screen protector mine that it came with. It actually works and protects my Zune screen. My greatest fear is scratching that luscious screen MAX has and I’m probably overly cautious of damaging it. Having the silicone case and screen protector on my Zune made me loosen up with it a bit and do things like just jam it in my pockets or backpack with little regard for what it banged or bumped against. The screen protector is raised just above the screen so as to allow dust to settle between without scratching up the screen like many other protectors do and the case design keeps the screen covered at all times.

MAX is a black Zune and my case is white which gives it a dull gray look that’s really not so bad. The Boxwave Flexiskins for Zune are an excellent deal at the price and if you can win one for free in our Boxwave Zune case giveaway you’ll love it that much more. In order to enter to win a free Zune case from Boxwave just drop by the Zune forums and leave a short blurb on you and your Zune and bingo you’re entered.

From the BoxWave site:
FlexiSkin Case - PDA, BlackBerry, PSP, Treo and iPod skin cases | Accessories by BoxWave

BoxWave’s FlexiSkinâ„¢ is an ultra low profile skin case designed for complete usability. Precision constructed with anti-static material, the FlexiSkin skin case provides reliable protection from unwanted dust and accidental bumps. The FlexiSkin soft case now features SmoothTextureâ„¢, which guarantees both low profile anti-dust protection and a pleasant tactile experience (selected models).

Protect your device with the anti-dust skin case from the award winning leader in handheld accessories. Experience the FlexiSkin skin case by BoxWave today!

BoxWave Flexiskin Silicone Zune Case Features:

• Enhanced with new SmoothTexture™! SmoothTexture™ makes the Microsoft Zune FlexiSkin feel softer to the touch and reduces surface dust
• Soft, low-profile case
• Form-fitting case designed to perfectly fit your Microsoft Zune
• Anti-slip properties gives your handheld more grip on surfaces
• Durable and protects your Microsoft Zune from scratches and bumps
• Washable and tear-resistant
• Conveniently designed to provide quick access to all of Microsoft Zune’s control buttons
• FlexiSkins without a kickstand come in aluminum grey, coral pink, frosted clear, future blue, jet black, and smoke grey color
• FlexiSkins with a kickstand come in cosmo pink, frosted clear, jet black, and super blue color
• FlexiSkins without a kickstand include a removable clear LCD screen shield
• FlexiSkins with a kickstand do not include a removable clear LCD screen shield
• Includes a high quality, simple-to-use, and detachable belt clip (optional)

Popularity: 21% [?]

Vaja Cases has release yet another awesome Zune case and this one looks so sweet it’s on my list of must have. the green and brown color scheme is very cool and I have to get one ASAP. Not much for details on the case yet except these specifications and the pictures below.

Features for the New i-Volution Case from Vaja Cases for Microsoft Zune

• Full access to main functions
• Removable front protector
• Access to hold button and headphone plug
• Cutout for charge & sync
• Several colors available
• Optional clip system
• Optional personalization

Popularity: 15% [?]

Advance Titan Online

On a daily walk to class, plenty of students can be spotted with an iPod. The hip, ubiquitous gadget is a staple of the music scene, but despite its record sales, it does have competition.

Microsoft recently released the Zune MP3 player to compete with Apple’s iPod. The Zune, much like the iPod, is an MP3 player capable of playing music, viewing photos and watching videos. They are comparable units, boasting 30GB hard drives for $249.99.

Physically, Zune is very classy. It comes in black, brown and white, and feels sturdy like a real electronic, not a mere toy. Under the 3-inch LCD screen are all the buttons for the player. A back, play/pause, select and wheel button are all laid smoothly into the design. The earphones fit perfectly into your ear, causing no discomfort, and they’re even magnetic so they won’t get lost and are easier to store.

The Zune has all the features and accessories an iPod does, including speaker docks, car chargers, a remote and a home A/V pack that allows you to hook up your Zune to your television.

Being able to customize the Zune is a big selling point. There are multiple colors of leather cases for people to customize the look of the player, ranging from a stylish black to bright pink. The cases also come in different styles. Some just add visual appeal, while others have a flap that folds over the screen to protect it.

There are other cool features built into the player that the iPod doesn’t have, says Appleton Best Buy employee Zach Michael.

“It has a larger viewing screen that tilts sideways, and it has WiFi connection from Zune to Zune,” he said. “It also has a built-in radio like most do now, but iPod owners have to purchase a $50 accessory.”

Even with all the cool features the Zune possesses, it still hasn’t reached iPod sales yet, according to Michael.

“The iPod is still selling better, but the Zune is catching on,” he said. But it’s so new to the market it’s taking some time to reach the public. Everyone is still on the iPod fad.”

While the Zune is catching up in popularity, some early adoptors of the player have already been enjoying the product.

Junior Amber Heinz likes having the Zune for her everyday workouts. “I also like to listen to it after my workouts when in the shower,” she said. “I plug in some computer speakers and listen to my favorite play list.”

Other students like the Zune for its hardware capabilities and Windows operating base.

Junior Zack Michek has enjoyed his Zune for its ease of use.

“I really like how you can make the playlists in Windows Media Player and then put them right on the Zune,” he said. “(The Zune marketplace) is easy to navigate and putting songs on the Zune are a cinch.”

Michek also based his purchase on the fact that he doesn’t like Apple products. “I wouldn’t buy an iPod if it was the best product in the world,” he said.

The Zune and iPod offer about the same things for the same price. The Zune has a couple more features that may convince the customer to buy it. When asked about what he recommends consumers buy, Michael says he doesn’t recommend either product.

“I try to determine which unit is better based on individuals needs, which player suits them,” he said.

He also mentioned that company preference comes into the equation of what player should be purchased.

“Some people don’t like Apple, and some don’t like Microsoft,” he said.

I point to the Zune as being the better MP3 player. It’s just small enough, has a sleek look and not everyone has one.

Reviewed by Louis Garcia, of the Advance Titan

Popularity: 9% [?]

Digital World Zune Not Quite So Social

I’ve already expressed my ire at Microsoft’s “Welcome to the social” schtick — not so much because of the concept of wirelessly sharing files, but because the whole thing sort of falls apart when you can’t find people to share files with.

It turns out that there’s another reason Zunes are antisocial. Even if you do manage to find another Zune owner, you might not be able to share your music anyway. The music labels determine which files can be shared and which can’t, and it appears that they’re generally not too keen on even the limited sharing the Zune allows. That’s not Microsoft’s fault, but this is: when you actually buy a track from the store, you have no idea if the track is shareable or not. So the only feature that really differentiates the Zune from its nemesis is now annoying to use. Way to go, Microsoft.

It also occurs to me that this whole issue of labels restricting the sharing feature is something Microsoft should have hammered out beforehand, in much the same way that Apple got all the labels to agree to a $0.99/track price. Part of the attraction to iTunes is that simple processes pull more people; it’s actually easier to buy music via iTunes than going to a store, because everything is subject to the same price and conditions. Oh, well. Another hard lesson learned.

Popularity: 12% [?]

GottaBeMobile.com - I’ve been Zuned - Your Tablet PC and Ultra-Mobile PC news source

My wonderful family blessed me with a black Zune for my birthday last night, and what a great gift it is.

Having been an iPod user for the past three or four years, I was excited, yet nervous about trying out this new device. Much to my surprise, the install process went as smooth as silk with absolutely zero issues. I signed up for the free 14 day Zune Pass last night and have been downloading music and syncing to my Tablet PC throughout the day. One of the things I like most about the Zune is the user interface. It feels more intuitive and easier to operate than the iPod. The bigger screen helps a great deal. Getting to my music and navigating is quicker as well. I’ve got several of our InkShows on the Zune and they play wonderfully without any extra work or configuration on my part.

My only disappointment is in the audio book area. Much to my dismay, I learned that Audible.com does not support the Zune, yet. So, to listen to audio books, I’m going to have to buy them on cd and import them from the cd into the Zune. Microsoft and Audible.com needs to get this fixed. When visiting the Zune Marketplace, I should be able to buy books there just like I can on iTunes.

Much has been said about the handicapped wireless and it is true. Not being able to surf the Zune Marketplace and buy stuff using the Zune itself is a definite handicap. However, I would expect Microsoft to address this with a firmware update in future releases.

Until then, I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this new Zune. Thank you Kathi, Dax, Maggie, Anna Kathryn, and Zoe.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Here is a great review of the Zune player by a Zune owner at SynergyMAX.com. He recognizes the Zune for what it really is. I also fully agree with the selection of must have firmware updates. I’m hoping the Zune guys are paying attention.

SynergyMX.com - Review - Review Microsoft Zune

A little history, if you please. Apple did not invent the digital media player. I have had a MP3 player for over 10 years, long before the infamous iPod. Before my Zune I had a couple of SanDisk players (my newest a Sansa), plus a couple of off brand ones. I have been ripping my CDs since probably 1997. All in all I really feel that you can’t go wrong with MP3s as they sound great, are easy to port, and above all don’t skip when I go running! (Not that I run, but just to illustrate the point)

So let’s talk about the Zune. As I am not an iPod owner (I’ve resisted) this is my first time to get something packaged this way. The guys who put it all together did a really great job. The kit came with the Zune, ear phones, CDs, instructions, a 15 day pass to the Zune Marketplace and of course the sync cable. I quickly ripped into it and plugged it all in. As I am more tech-savvy than most, I when to the Zune web site (http://www.zune.net) and downloaded the latest software instead of using the CD, and immediately installed the latest firmware (1.2) onto my Zune before even getting started. The Zune restarted and the fun began.

Popularity: 11% [?]

BoxWave releases ClearTouch screen protector for the Microsoft Zune!

Meet the most durable screen protection available. BoxWave ClearTouch
Screen Protector for Microsoft Zune provides you with more than protection from
scratches!

BoxWave ClearTouch screen protectors comes in two options: Crystal or
Anti-Glare

ClearTouch Crystal screen protector benefits:

• True Color Display
• Eliminates 99% of UV
• Easily Cleaned

ClearTouch Anti-Glare screen protector benefits:

• Textured finish
• Enhanced contrast
• Masks blemishes

Crystal ClearTouch

Anti-Glare ClearTouch

Popularity: 9% [?]

Welcome to the first ZuneMAX.com Zunecast Episode #1. It’s not a podcast but you iPod fans can still watch it. You may call it a Videocast although it’s not an Audiocast and Netcast sounds so 90’s I won’t bother so I produced my first Zunecast instead. It’s more a tutorial that I’m not totally happy with it but it’s done and I’m looking forward to trying it again.

My first try at Zunecasting is a continuation of my Meet MAX article and I spend a few minutes running through the Zune firmware for you. You can tell I had some notes to keep me on track because the first two times I tried to do it on the fly and I kept messing it up. I realized if I was going to properly cover all of it I would have to have notes to keep me focused and still I messed it up. I barely go over the FM tuner and there is one mistake in the video. We’ll see if anyone catches it.

Since it’s my first Zunecast I am trying a few new tools with our blog software. You have the choice of watching the Google Video you see here now or you can use the player located at the top of this blog post to watch the movie now or you can download the entire file for playback later.

Popularity: 31% [?]

I finally got the Zune software to work properly. I was forced to remove my original installation and reinstall the software on my PC. I have been careful to only run the Zune software and no other programs or downloads and it seems to be running fine now. I’m syncing now with multiple programs and have been running for about 2 hours with no troubles. The problem with that is that when I reinstalled the software it did not recognize MAX and I was forced to replace the content on my Zune. I lost all the preloaded video clips and I think some of the songs are different as well but they are still cool. I’m bummed I lost the Kranked Video and I hope I can find it again. Anyone?

I dug up a rack of CD’s that has been in my closet for a long time. I found 5 or 6 with music files on them from back in the day when music and warez were available spam free courtesy of alt2600 and college ftp servers and P2P sounded more like an illegal drug. I think a couple of them date back to 98 when I got my first DSL account but the files were fine and I loaded about 50 full albums of some classic rock, reggae and more.

I spent most of my time with my new Zune listening to some of my old favorites. It’s been some time since I listened to so much music and it’s been very nice to hear some full albums I have not played through in years. I have now gone through almost everything from alternative and metal like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Guns and Roses, Pantera and Metallica to classic rock like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Janis Joplin and the Who to other stuff like Violent Femmes, Green Day, the Beatles and more Reggae then I realized I had.

I have killed and charged my Zune at least once each day since I got it and it’s been on around the clock. I forgot how much I loved certain music like Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley. The original rasta man has been very soothing to me these late evenings working on our Zune site and when I need a pickup there is no one like Jimi Page to crank things up a bit. I’m amazed to this day by the work Led Zeppelin produced. They really were more than a rock band with loud guitars and pretty hair. They put down some great music with so much variety and so many instruments. I forgot how fast a tune like “Whole Lotta Love” or “The Song Remains the Same” can get and still sound like good music. I’m afraid most groups or bands these days don’t deseve to call themselves musicians. They are more like noise makers to be honest and I’ve met pets with more talent.

They can be celebrities and performers but most are not as musically talented as those before them. I think a lot of todays music is about one beat and a hook to play with, slap a trick line or two of lyrics on it and repeat the whole thing over and over again for 3 minutes. I can barely handle the radio any longer and use it to amuse myself with the idiots on morning radio or when I’m driving. I can’t belive those people get paid to be so dumb.

I’ve had MAX for just over a week now and I’ve been using him non stop. I’m not always thumbing through the GUI or testing some feature out but I play lots of music with it and I love the picture shows and videos also. The screen is perfect for photo slideshows and I’ve got lots more pics to add to my Zune but the most fun has been going back through time with music. Listening to so much of my old favorites has brought up lots of memories from lazy days gone by jamming to the latest and greatest tunes.

I was thumbing through the Zune MarketPlace recently and came across a Playlist labeled “What’s Zune MarketPlace” and I downloaded it without even checking it out first. I was surprised to find a cool collection of songs beginning with the phrase “Welcome to the” including hits from GNR, Pink Floyd, Public Enemy and Tanya Stephens. I have not heard of Ms Stephens and was most impressed with her song “Welcome to the Rebelution”. Its a good tune and I suggest you check out the Playlist if you get the chance.

My musical taste is wide and varied. I like almost every kind of music and at some point in my life have considered myself a fan of almost everything. Growing up I listened to lots of R&B type music and I have vivid memories of the beginning of rap and the hip hop movement. I was hunting for something different from what I have here on CD and decided to check out some more Zune Playlists. I found two that I’m really having fun with. The first is labeled “Old School Rap” and it has quite a few decent old school tracks on it from Run DMC and UTFO but the bomb playlist has to be the #1 Playlist on the Zune MarketPlace labeled “B-BOYS AND B-GIRLS”.

This collection of Old School jams took me back to the early 80’s when I listened to classic rap on 12″ vinyl in my bedroom with the boys in my hood. I listened to each of these playlists once and was out hunting for more to add to my collection right away. I grabbed some LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and everything Run DMC I could find on the Zune MaketPlace but came up empty when I looked for stuff like Space Cowboy and Pac Jam from Jonzun Crew. Not many of you may know or remember Jonzun Crew but they were pretty big for a short time in some small places down south I found a YouTube video of their song “We are the Jonzun Crew” that I can’t remember ever seeing. It was funny to see the video as it makes the song sound even sillier than I remember it but it was the funk of its time.

It’s amazing to me how my mind associates so much with music. I can hear a song and tell you so much more about the time and place I was in my life when I was into the music then I can about the song lyrics or the band. I seem to be one of those people that remembers people and places by music and MAX has been taking me down memory lane. It’s been a total blast but I think I’m ready for some new stuff with an old skool twist possibly. So tell me some of your favorite memories with music and suggest some songs or albums I should pick up in the Zune MarketPlace. I have no idea where to look and I’m not interested in just downloading random playlists cause they sound cool. What are you listening to on your Zune?

Popularity: 14% [?]

It’s good to know I’m not the only one who sees what’s happening with Zune in the reviews being dumped on us these days. Someone fears Zune enough to be working hard at slamming the Zune before it ever gets going. The attack reviews all have a common theme and Christopher Heiser of Ten23 Software sees them. He paints it clear, they are transparent in their hate of the EVIL Microsoft and its ugly new “shitbrick” and many will never give the Zune a chance.
I don’t think it matters much because as Chris points out it’s about the device and mine works just fine for me much as his does for him. It’s not perfect and I would never expect a first attempt at a new market would be but its a better music player then the comparably priced market leader and this player is guaranteed to get better with age unlike most other digital audio players or electronic devices for that matter.

Ten23 - Development of Connection: 10 Signs the Zune Review Was Written By An iPod User

It’s always fun to watch when a controversial product is released. If you look on Amazon under some polemical books, you’ll notice many of the reviews are from people who have never read it but hate it nonetheless. Enter the Zune – what could be more controversial than a product from [the hated] Microsoft aimed at competing with [the beloved] Apple? Read some of those reviews, they couldn’t be any more transparent! Here are some of the things they have in common:

1. Screen Size
If the reviewer says the bigger screen size is no big deal, chances are he is an Apple Addict. Keep in mind he was probably staring into a 23” monitor when he wrote the review, with a 54” television in the background providing the ambient noise. We deal with small mobile phone screen sizes and trust me, to the average consumer, size does matter.

2. Size and Weight
If the reviewer describes the size of the Zune as HUGE or GIGANTIC or ENORMOUS, it’s a good chance they are an iPod fan. While the bigger screen was “no big deal”, the extra few ounces are a back-breaker.

3. Review Length
The review is completely negative and about 4 pages long…yet the reviewer never mentioned once actually seeing the unit. “My friend’s sister’s best friend got one, and I’m pretty sure she hates it.” In fact, it’s probably dated November 14 at 8:00am.

4. Brown Zune Referred To As A Turd
Hey, I don’t get this color either. But to make it a focal point in a review when there are two other colors available makes the author look like he is reaching for negative things to say.

Read more by Chris from Ten23 Software on the Zune reviews

Popularity: 7% [?]

I’ll preface this by saying that I have never owned a portable mp3 player of any kind and I do not consider myself any kind of expert on these things but I do own a Zune so I’ll tell you what I think about it. I think all mechanical devices have a life/mind of their own and my Zune will not act like your Zune or her Zune or even his. My Zune is mine and unlike any other, his name is MAX but you can find him on the Zune network as zunemax-com.

MAX is a sexy man with an executive look and sensible styling. He’s a tough guy that can handle a fall from 3 feet high to the floor below without skipping a beat and has been 35MPH on my 4 wheeler up and down some pretty rough trails and never cried once. MAX fell off my desk to the carpeted floor twice and rolled from my lap onto the parking lot when I parked the car the other day. I thought all of that was tough until MAX took a swim in the glass of water next to my desk last night and came out with little more than wet skin. That’s right, my Zune took a dip in my drink and came out perfectly fine. Yes, it was playing when I snatched him back from death by his earbud cords. It was literally nothing more than a dunk but he came out fine and still rocks on. No troubles yet. I think I jerked him out so fast he never really got wet but he did go underwater. I told you guys I was tough on my equipment and MAX has handled the worst of it thus far with no trouble.

MAX carries my Zunetag which is affordableweb, I could not get my old Gamertag from Microsoft on this Zune because it’s been reserved. Of course it was reserved for me but they can’t seem to find that information yet. This may have something to do with the fact I don’t have an Xbox 360 yet and my original Gamertag has been retired or something. I don’t really know, I’m hoping for an Xbox 360 from Santa Cuz this year so we’ll see how that goes. Maybe I’ll set my old Gamertag up on it and use it for my next Zune player I guess. I understand I’m not the only person that had trouble securing an old Gamertag for use as the Zunetag so at least I’m not alone at the social.

Setting up MAX and the Zune software on my PC for the first use was pretty painless. The Zune software CD installed fast and easy. I never received any errors or had any issue besides my Zunetag registration. It appears some have had worse luck than I and even got some Sexy Zune Errors that I was not privy to. That’s a shame as I would have loved to have seen that womans face on my monitor. Whatever she’s going through it looks like fun. I would have enjoyed writing about that one but its done now. It’s just my opinion but I think someone staged that photo. I just fail to believe it passed through unnoticed from artwork through development, testing and then into production without anyone seeing it. I think it was inserted somewhere in the process by someone for nothing more than bad PR. I mean did no one ever actually look at that photo? How was it selected for inclusion in the Zune software and how did that end up on the installation error page of all places? That’s simply to convenient for me to believe as random and not setup.

I have a very limited music collection and have decided to give the Zune pass a shot. I realize I don’t own the music but do we ever really own it? I mean even a CD has restrictions and limitations. I figure for the money I can experience quite a bit of new music and if I really like something I am still free to purchase the CD. I do not think purchasing digital music is the way to go for long term storage of your collection and keeping it on something as delicate as a harddrive is risky to say the least. The convenience of the Zune MarketPlace and Zune Pass will hopefully offset my monthly cost. I plan on having two players and we already have two computers. If I get the Xbox 360 and can actually sync music on all the devices then its well worth the money. Everyone in my family will have a different use for the Zune MarketPlace and I’m sure we’ll enjoy it. I’ll let you know how that goes in further reviews.

Signing in with the Zune Pass free trial was pretty fast and easy as well and I experienced no troubles at all with this process. No one has asked about a credit card yet so we’ll see how that process goes next week sometime I would guess. The pricing plans are limited and you get no breaks for paying for 3 months. I would think they want to sink some long term buyers and would offer a discounted annual package but no go. Sad as I would have laid down $100 for a full year, I assume they would rather milk me for $14.99 in monthly installments. The $44.97 for 3 months is silly as it offers no benefit to me for the additional investment. Of course a certain percentage of us will not even bother to do the math and realize there is no price break and we’ll pay it anyway. Those are most likely the same people that won’t really use it either but I’m looking forward to a world of new music risk free from my Zune pass.

Some folks in the Zune forums stated it would have been better for Microsoft to offer Points cards with each player to get people into their Microsoft Points system and I would have to agree. I think they should have offered either a choice or even both. Offering even $5 worth of free music in the Zune MarketPlace with a free Points card would have kick started the Zune MarketPlace. The subscription service will probably find limited acceptance in the beginning and an incentive like some free music to keep might help draw attention to the store. I have not gotten into the Microsoft Points program yet so I’ll wait to review that later also.

For being a wireless device Max sure is attached to my PC an awful lot. I have to use the PC installed Zune software for such mundane things as creating a new playlist and deleting files from the player. Each of these is a rather simple task I would think the player should do on its own. I’m not real sure why it doesn’t but it may be related to the sync process. Either way it would be nice to delete items from the device and have the software ask me if I want to delete from just the device or the library as well on my next sync. Zune software lets you add songs to your Quick Playlist but you cannot create a Playlist without using the PC software. I don’t really understand why you can’t create a list using music already on the device but you can’t.

I was also bummed that MAX can’t play music on the player and sync at the same time. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to ask that when I have my Zune attached to my PC and it is syncing that I be able to listen to the player with my earbuds but I can’t. I have to listen through the Zune software and my PC speakers, time for new speakers obviously as MAX cannot play while in a sync.

Of all the things I love about my new Zune the PC software is the one I don’t care for as much. The Zune MarketPlace is nice and the user interface is clean and easy to navigate but the software is buggy. I have had some real issues in updating MAX and it seems I can’t keep the software up and running for more than 2 hours without it crashing. At first I assumed this was due to PC memory as I run lots of programs so I restarted and ran just the Zune sync but that really offered little help. When I first entered the store I added quite a few full albums of music that I expected I could download in one evening. Man was I wrong. It has taken me 5 days to download just over 1GB of content from the Zune pass and storefront. I have yet to even complete my first sync and this creates even bigger problems.

I cannot delete a song from my sync list until after the song has been downloaded to the device. I can’t seem to delete the entire list either so for now I’m stuck downloading all the albums I wanted on that first evening last Friday. I selected over 2GB worth of music and in 5 days I have managed to sync less than half of it. I have not experienced much in the way of new music on my Zune yet because it can’t sync the old stuff I tried loading the first time as of yet and I can’t delete the sync list.

I tried to sync MAX by installing the software on a second PC but you can only login as a guest or if you chose to move the installation you must replace all your Zune content with that on the new PC which then becomes the home base for your Zune. It says its a full replacement of all content and I am assuming I will lose all the preloads etc. I really wanted to review some of the preloads and so i don’t want to chance losing them yet and have decided to tough it out for now on this PC.

The Zune MarketPlace has loads more music then i’ll probably ever need. It may lack in some areas but i personally think it will make up for this in may others. I’m open to suggestions on new music from the Zune MarketPlace. Tell me what I should be listening to and I’ll definitely check it out as soon as I can get my Zune to sync.

The Zune Operating system or firmware is really rather simple and does not offer much at all in the way of extra features or anything. I was totally shocked not to even find a clock in my Zune player. I realize that the iPod is known for it’s simplicity but the Zune seems lacking in this area. I suppose I expected it would do lots more as most Microsoft software often does. The graphical user interface (GUI) is very clean and easy to navigate but its a straight forward media player, no extra bells and whistles yet. The 400 MHZ Freescale processor clicks through the menus so fast it’s a breeze to move across a large number of files easily.

The control pad is also easy to use and the entire device and navigation controls fit my hand well. The Zune is a man sized player and not made to hang on your lapel like the Apple Shuffle did for Soledad in the CNN Zune review. This bad boy has a 3 inch screen plus an FM Tuner and WiFi antennae to pack in under the durable rubberized finish when compared to the 5G Video iPod . It ends up less than half an inch in width and one ounce in weight more than the iPod in order to carry these features and the buzzword for slamming it is “clunky”. I think it’s just because they can find little else wrong with the device itself and had to go with its slight difference in size as an issue. I’m an average sized guy and the Zune fits me fine, it carries easy enough in my jeans and even a T-shirt pocket with no problem. It’s not heavy but it feels well built and sturdy.

MAX does not have a cheap or plastic feeling like so many consumer electronics devices these days and I’m not scared to scratch it up although I am very careful with that gorgeous screen. It’s a thing of beauty. They say size does not matter but when you’re watching portable movies it surely does. The Zune screen is sweet. It’s super bright and very colorful. I realize the processor and TV chip can handle higher resolutions and would probably be nicer but with a sacrifice in battery consumption and that’s where we can’t afford it. The battery life is not up to the 12 hours advertised. MAX seems to get between 10 and 11 hours of actual play time on audio only using the random song feature on a loaded player and making volume adjustments. Regular usage, which includes viewing all the preloaded video clips and pictures at least once and listening to music ends up at 9 to 10 hours.

I can’t tell you what the battery life is after a feature length movie because I’m having some issues ripping DVD’s to my Zune. I’m fairly proficient in the use of software but I have never really messed with DVD recording for more than data storage. I decided to rip the longest movie I had recently seen and pulled out the widescreen version of King Kong. I wanted to see how MAX handled a full length movie and what it was like to sit through 3 hours of Zune video but my rip failed using a popular open source method and I’m trying it again. I need to find a decent DVD to WMV software application but I have not had the time to find one. I’m open to suggestions on that one and I’ll get back to you on a Zune software review soon.

The one thing MAX has done for me is open me up to hearing music I would normally tune out. I listened to everything on the Zune and although I’m not buying anything on it I liked it enough to listen to it more than 3 times. Would I buy it? Who knows, maybe I would but with the Zune pass I won’t have to. I am looking forward to more from BitterSweet (what a sexy voice) and CSS. I’ve been a fan of Kranked videos since the first one and have had up to the first 4. Those guys are absolutely nuts but inspiring to watch. Every time I ride my bike I think of some sick things I would never dare on the trails around here and the ease with which some of these people do it. It’s blows my mind to watch a man jump a bicycle off a mountain like that with what seems like no fear at all. I haven’t taken MAX for a ride on the bike but I will soon. I’m thinking about one of the sports arm bands for the bike thing but the earbuds have to go first.

MAX has a lock button on the top that disables any changes to the player. If you don’t read the Product Guide, which is little more than a liability disclaimer as it offers nothing about how to operate your Zune in real world because its too busy telling me not to walk in traffic during a lightning storm with my Zune on, you may not notice it. This can lead to a mini fit when you don’t understand why your Zune is locked up. Don’t worry these are easy enough to get over but they can aggravate your day.

The USB port on the other end stays open if you have no case and that seems bad to me. Leaving this port open for dust, dirt and grime is not the best design and should have been covered with something similar to the lock on the top. A small sliding hatch would keep MAX clean on the inside. The Zune USB plug has small tabs that lock the cable into place on the player when inserted. It’s a nice tight fight and probably helps save the port but these clips can get stick if you don’t remove the plug properly and are a hassle if they stick. Don’t yank it out, just firmly depress the tabs on the plug and it should slip free.

MAX is a music player and he does this well but they stuck him with this set of cheap earbuds which can numb the ear canal after a few hours of listening to them. The Zune earbuds seem pretty large also as they do not fit in my wifes ears at all. We’ll have to find her a more suitable set for extended play. Any suggestions from our lady Zune fans would be appreciated. I think I’ll go for a pair of nice headsets myself. I can’t handle the earbuds much longer. The cord has to go also, it just gets in the way. The first company with a decent set of wireless headsets on these has a hit for sure. The Zune rocks and it rocks loud. I’m not an audiophile but I like loud music and with 20 settings you can get some volume on these things. I ran my ATV off road with the level at 20 and could hear it over the motorbike. I was pretty impressed with that and the Zune makes a trip through the trails just a bit more fun.

Beyond that I’ve become familiar with what is known as gapless playback and I wish my Zune supported it. It really makes a difference on Live Shows and when listening to a full CD. The gap sucks! Some complain about a lack of support by Microsoft of different formats or codecs as well as the Mac OS. I don’t quite understand the logic in it but they must have one. Even with only 6% of the OS market they should still be recognized as valuable consumers and Zune should work on the Mac. I don’t have many music files so I’m ok with wmv and wma files primarily because I don’t know any better as I imagine most of us don’t.

Microsoft has promised more to come in the way of firmware updates and their seems an ever increasing number of accessories for the Zune. I’m ho ping to see some great things from the updates and expect we can get max up and above a 9.5 some day soon.

I have not gone searching for a Zune to share with yet. I will soon enough so the wireless is off for now. I’m working on a second player for myself and I’m going setup a local Zune users group with the help of the kids at Walmart.

That said, I’m in love with my new Zune. His name is MAX. He’s not perfect but he’s good enough for me. On a scale of 1-10 I think MAX is an 8.5. You’ll be seeing more from him in the days and weeks to come. I think I’ll tackle the Zune PC software next and try a reinstall. Maybe I can get my Zune synced and loaded with some new music suggestions from you Zuners before the weekend.

Popularity: 16% [?]

As mentioned I have a Zune and I’m playing with it now. I just dropped from my desk onto the carpeted floor and it never skipped a beat. I’m taking my time to review my Zune because I have other things to do and I really want to get to know the device before I open my mouth. doing some research for what direction to take with my review I noticed there are lots of Zune reviews now and I thought I would recap a couple of the ones I like and the ones I dislike before I do mine. With the explosion in blogging and the need to keep up I have found a slew of people that should never be allowed to write professionally again. A review does not have to be positive but it should always be fair and unbiased. It’s hard to do but some of the articles I have read are just bad journalism.

This CNN review (video available here) is possibly the worst piece of work these people have ever produced. It appeared more a hit piece by some clueless amateurs and was plain nasty. I notice a theme in these bad reviews and its based on keywords like "clunky" and "ugly". Andrew Sorkin has some cred in the business but this was junk. He set this up as a Zune bashing and prepped these people with bad data so the whole thing went off as anti Zune. YOu can tell he compared the Zune to the Shuffle for CNN and the review is skewed because if it. He starts with comments like "wannabe iPod killer", which I never heard Microsoft claim, and moves to the cool features like "The cool thing is radio if that means anything to you" well since radio is a $50 upgrade on the iPod it is cool for lots of sports fans it does mean something. But it does not mean its the coolest feature.Its just the easiest one to bash on.

Next Soledad chimes in with a does it email. Hello? How many of your mp3 players do email? Does your iPod? No. Maybe your SmartPhone, Blackberry or Pocket PC does, your laptop does but not many music players do. Miles comes back with accessing files on a network server. Loaded question asked wrong. The Zune can access files on a server but not via wireless. Andrew set them up to knock the lack of wireless web sync but Miles messed up the question.

Then he admits it costs the same and has the same memory. Andrew that’s not memory my friend its capacity. The Apple Shuffle she whips out in a second has Flash Memory but not the Zune. The Zune has a 30GB harddrive which is rated in capacity. He mixed this up because he prepped them on the Shuffle which is a different device altogether. Hit piece and designed to stink.

He points out some uncool things like the lack of support for Apple formats. Bad move on Microsofts part in my opinion and they will have to change this soon. The fact wireless is Zune to Zune is limited is not a deal breaker when you consider you can’t share at all on most other players. He points out I have to speak to the person I want a song from but I think that’s a good thing and once again the same for every iPod ever made. Maybe people should speak more often in social settings and its not much more than a firmware update to add the feature. Have you heard about "iPod Sex"? Well it’s pretty big in places, and guess what? You have to speak to people. Its a social thing Andrew, for people with friends they actually see in person.

Then Miles drops a "Why don’t they get some decent design people?" Wow, that’s a tough one! How about because its a Toshiba design adapted for use by Microsoft on a first generation device? How about because you are comparing a Ford Explorer to the Ford Festiva? Why pay $250 for the Zune over the $70 Shuffle?  How about because Zune is an all purpose digital media player that can hold 30GB of music and movies, has wireless music sharing and a 3 inch screen? The Shuffle and the Zune are two completely different devices and Andrew set it up to make Zune look bad. Fanboy is a sickness Andrew.

Andrew should learn the difference between Apple and Oranges.

Next we get the Forbes blogger David M. Ewalt and his write up on Zune. This is is a beautiful piece of bad writing by an uninformed me too guy who had to write about the Zune or feel left out and he has no clue what they heck he is even talking about. He reviewed a Zune and never touched one. That’s bad journalism, shame of Forbes for even allowing it but shame on David for his follow up. He got slammed by over 400 comments on his unprofessional post and lack of real information. How did this guy respond to this? He called Zune fans children and says we can’t make $250 on our paper routes. This guy is on a fast track to jobless.

I think David exhibits the true childish behavior. He had an opportunity to prove his maturity when he replied to the criticism and instead he went lower and insults the insulters. This kid should have his blog taken from him and he should be sent to his room for being rude and immature. Insulting people that insult you is even more childish and by stepping down to the level of some commentors he beats them all.

He points out the wireless sharing is crippled and goes as far to say it’s useless. He may be right, he may not have any friends to share with him and it will in fact be useless to him. I myself am a social person with lots of friends and I bet some day soon more of my friends will have a Zune and we’ll share music and more with all the other children in the world. Us crazy kids will be sharing songs and possibly even buy the ones we like. Heaven forbid we exchange a commercial item like music and be expected to actually pay to keep it. If its a free works song being shared then you can find a way to get it on your device and Microsoft can avoid being sued by idiots and bad bloggers

Children should not be allowed to write for Forbes. They should be allowed to share music on Zune if they want and the Microsoft Points system helps mommy and daddy control it for kids all over the world. It’s not perfect but the kids understand it David and it’s been very successful in Xbox Live and should do well in Zune.

He mentions how smooth version 7 of iTunes is and states:

The only difference here is that iTunes is simple, elegant, and intuitive. The Zune Marketplace seems like the polar opposite. It has fewer songs. No audiobooks or podcasts. It doesn’t sell movies or TV shows. And if you actually want to buy a song, you’ve got to lay out big chunks of cash and jump through more hoops than a circus lion.

Notice what Dave did not do? He never said the Zune Marketplace was not simple, elegant or intuitive. He strawmaned us. He claims the store is lame based on selection and not layout or features. I would admit the Zune MarketPlace is not as robust as iTunes and they have a way to go but you cannot knock the software layout and design. Its as easy to use and elegant as iTunes in version 1.1 and sure to improve with some constructive criticism from the kids out there. The MarketPlace will grow and movies and tv are sure to follow, iTunes has more now but it’s won’t for long. At some point they will all offer the same stuff as no media company wants to lock out either player. The points system is not as complex as Dave would have you believe and after your initial setup you can add credits and buy songs just as easily.

So swat does a good review look like. We’ll so far my top runner is the Zune review by IGN. These guys go deep into the Zune and offer a very professional look at the Zune. Probably much better than the review I’ll pull off and a mark to hit in fairness and honesty. The seem to cover everything clearly and in detail. The point out the good, the bad and the ugly about Zune and compare it to the more relevant device in the 5G iPod. They have a relationship with Microsoft based on the Xbox but they tell it like it is on the Zune.

The Zune is not a perfect device and it lacks in lots when compared to other devices and to what it could or even should be. For the money so far I’m happy with my purchase and I expect it will get better in the future. That’s not vaporware, that’s value. There are more good Zune reviews and I’ll recap a few more later today. For now I’m taking Zune for a spin around the shopping mall. Let’s see what people think of my new player

Popularity: 6% [?]

Gizmodo scored a hands on full review with the Zune player.

Zune: First Full Review - Gizmodo
Microsoft was kind enough to get us some hands-on time with the Zune, not batting an eye as we eagerly slided the player down our pants, enjoying the material it was made out of. Our thoughts first, then a gallery later.

The outside is made out of a rubberized plastic, which goes through an interesting process where they paint the inside a different color than the case—this gives the Zune a two-toned look which both looks and feels great. The corners (meticulously selected down from hundreds of minutely different corners) look like they glow, which is called the “doubleshot effect”. This comes from the inside radius being different from the outside radius.

So the big news: The Zune will be upgradeable. How? Let us explain…

Microsoft’s put in WiFi on the Zune, which even though it doesn’t seem to be a big draw to consumers now. The hardware paves the road for them to do various other “scenarios” with the Zune. In the future, via software update, the Zune should be able to possibly do stuff like share songs over the internet, wirelessly sync with the computer, stream music/video to other devices, and much more. The hardware is there, but it just needs to be activated by software. Microsoft’s decided to focus (wisely) on making the Zune simple to use and intuitive for people to pick up. Something that we think they’ve achieved.

Read the full article at Gizmodo

Popularity: 4% [?]

Word! ZuneMAX.com got a mention in the latest Zune article to hit the NY Times today. We decided to copy it here for you to read while we go over the article for review later today.

IMAN HAYWARD is an 18-year-old college student and self-confessed contrarian. She likes to mix Cyberdog T-shirts with platform boots. She prefers vintage horror movies to modern remakes. And she does not like the Apple iPod.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Posted by Robert Scoble at PodTech.net on October 24th
Click Here to Watch Zune in Detail [40:27 Quicktime MOV]
Right Click Here to Download The Scoble Interview of Matt Jubelirer [124MB MOV file]

Microsoft Zune in depth

Microsoft’s iPod competitor, Zune, will be released on November 14. Matt Jubelirer is product manager for the Zune project. We spoke with him to get an in-depth look at Zune.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Our new forum moderator Spell 125 has graciously donated his time and effort to assisting me, the graphically challenged, by designing a new header for the front page of the Zune MAX blog. The goal was to flow better with the design and style of the forums and to show our relationship to the Zune device.
I think it looks awesome and I’m most appreciative of his work for our community. Spell 125 is on a roll considering he was also the lucky winner of a Zune poster when selected as designer of the Zuneguy logo.

Spell 125 is better known as James Hostetler and for his blog DAPularity which offers the low down on the latest digital audio players (DAP) in the market. He’s come up with a cool iPod vs Zune size comparison image that shows the difference between a Zune, an iPod and a deck of cards. It really helps put things in perspective as to the actual size of Zune for those of us unfortunate enough not to have held one yet.

James also has a nice write up on Rock Box on Zune. which is a very designable custom firmware used to extend the software capabilities of digital audio players. He feels Microsoft has no reason not to open up the Zune for customization or "modding". He writes in his DAP blog: "By basing the coding off a commonly used language and OS, Windows made their PDAs easily accessible to windows-based applications and allowed them to run a multi-tude of interesting multimedia programs. I would have to say I expect the same efforts for the Zune. By placing no barriers between the Zune and its customers, I believe Microsoft will open it up to those respectable modders that make our life so much more personalized."

I have to agree with James in that the best move Microsoft can make is to open up the Zune platform to the army of existing Windows developers for an almost endless array of extensions and applications for Zune. The power of the Windows development world is a vital asset in the success and capabilities of Zune. I’m hopeful the announcement by David Cauldon at Zunester about there not being a Zune SDK relates to the fact they have something much larger prepared for Zune developers. I think it may be more like a Zune XNA Framework, or Zune ZNA maybe, that would be used for development on the Zune. David says Zune is not a platform but a  consumer device. I say the consumer will decide that the Zune is in fact a platform and should left for all of us to personalize with third party extensions for a truly "connected experience" in our "digital lifestyle". The market will force them to open the platform to developers if they want it to succeed and in the end there will be a Zune SDK of some form or other.

So, I would like to thank James for his work on cleaning up the look of things around here. I would also like to thank all the other dedicated members of the Zune community for their ambitious assistance in building a great forum. We’re having fun in our Zune boards and you should check it out if you haven’t yet.

Popularity: 43% [?]

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: 34% [?]

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