Microsoft Zune (third generation, 8GB, black)
Editors' rating: 3.5
The good: The Microsoft Zune MP3 player has expanded the usefulness of its Wi-Fi and social music-discovery features, added support for games and audiobooks, and maintained enviable features, such as a glass-covered LCD, friendly interface, exceptional navigation control, audio- and video-podcast support, superlative FM radio, wireless syncing, and good audio quality.
The bad: Battery life isn't great; the glossy plastic front is more prone to scratches and smudges; and using many of the new features without a Zune Pass music subscription can be disappointing.
The bottom line: The smaller, flash-based Zune, with a unique focus on music discovery, is a fierce competitor to the iPod Nano.
Read CNET's full review
Price: $149.99; 4GB and 16GB models cost $129.99 and $199.99 respectively
Photo by CNET Networks
