Just been reading two reviews of Microsoft’s Zune player and while it isn’t terrible it isn’t going to convert any iPod users or be an iPod killer in the stores.
The NYT review[^] is a bit biased IMO (I own an iPod too but jeez author, get a life) but it brings up some frankly weird points about the Zune:
- The Zune has WiFi, fantastic. Except you can only use it to send songs to other Zunes. You can’t connect to a PC, network or any other WiFi device. WTF?
- You can’t use it as an external HD. Sorry folks, no USB drive in Explorer for the Zune. WTF?
- The screen is bigger. Except it has the same resolution as an iPod.
- Real world testing shows poorer battery life than an equivalent iPod (two hours less.) And yet the Zune is bigger and heavier.
- No podcast support from what I can tell. Crikey.
- Songs are $0.99 but you have to buy credit bundles of $5 or more.
- Songs are listed as costing 79 “points” which sounds cool except 79 points will cost you $0.99. Now that is marketing.
- The software media player is seemingly a stripped down Windows Media Player. You can’t use WMP with your Zune.
- Getting all your existing music onto a Zune is a long conversion process if it works at all.
It seems OK but nothing to rush out for.
