Comments on: The new Zunes in action

CNET News' Ina Fried goes hands-on with the new players, and interviews top Zune executive Joe Belfiore about what's different this time around.

[eltoro2827]

cant wait!!!

[btipling]

sorry this video is no longer available

[Leslie Katz]

Working now. Took longer than we expected to upload to YouTube!

[KRz9292]

What's a hard-core music enthusiast? And why would they (if there is such a person) buy a Zune?

[toosday]

Agreed. No hardcore music enthusiast would buy a Zune or an iPod. Neither of them are that great when it comes to high-end audio codec support.

[Dalkorian]

I would guess a "hard-core music enthusiast" is someone who is enthusiastic about hard-core music, like you find in porno movies. I have no idea why they would buy a Zune though ... I didn't think anyone bought Zunes.
:-D

[joetesta70]

The Zune features and service are light years ahead of iTunes.

The only thing that's lacking is the coolness of the device itself. Why anyone would buy music over a subscription service is beyond me, unless you rip everything illegally, which iTunes users apparently do since the average iTunes user only buys 20 songs.

[rcrusoe]

I have several thousand tracks in my totally legal music collection, and only a few hundred of them were purchased from iTunes. The others were ripped from my CD collection or digitized from my vinyl LPs. Not everyone steals.

IMO, the only thing lacking in the Zune is a reason to buy it.

[padreray74]

"The Zune features and service are light years ahead of iTunes. "

Maybe, but ease of use is what makes the iPod such a good seller.

"The only thing that's lacking is the coolness of the device itself. Why anyone would buy music over a subscription service is beyond me, unless you rip everything illegally, which iTunes users apparently do since the average iTunes user only buys 20 songs."

50 millions users and 4 billion songs downloaded averages 80 in my count. Maybe there isn't more because people already had their own cd's to rip, or the fact that albums don't really exist anymore. But you're right the Zune isn't cool.

[eltoro2827]

because ipods are inferior my village idiot friend.

[anilsudh]

But still people prefer it to the "city stupid" zune

[kelmon]

It's a bit hard to call people an idiot if you can't work out how the comments system works.

[toosday]

Ina, I don't think I fully understand the Channels feature. Do you need to be a Zune Pass subscriber in order to listen to the songs? Or do you only need to be a Zune Pass subscriber to KEEP the songs? And, if it's the latter, then if you are not a subscriber, would you only be able to listen to 30 second samples of the songs?

Thanks!

[ryanmthistle]

The new features on the zune are definetly exciting, but the Ibiza Rhapsody (which I am a longtime user of ) matches every zune feature short of the critizized zune sharing. The zune even features channels, which is a DIRECT copy of rhapsody channels. Meanwhile the Ibiza supports A2DP bluetooth, flickr photo integration, autoplaylists like top played and recently added (which i have found is a must for a device where getting music is so easy) and a web browser so you CAN access wifi connections that need a web page to access. One thing Im curious about though is how the users library is managed. In the rhapsody service, the actual (what should be in your) Library file is saved at the rhapsody servers so you can download a song to the device, check your rhapsody library through their web service on firefox, and the song is there.

[t8]

The biggest problem with the Zune is that it has the unfortunate association with Microsoft and Microsoft isn't cool like Apple. Microsoft are good at forcing people to use their stuff and for many this creates resentment toward them. Where there is choice, Microsoft is not usually the first port of call, hence why Zunes are not no1 and never will be. Same when it comes to search. People use Google not MSN.

[CrashPad63]

@t8 I think you mean forced use of Apple. Forced use of their hardware, forced use of Itunes, forced use of Safari, forced use of MobilMe, need I go on. People chose their platforms, you choose to accept their eulas, so what is so different from Apple, too MS too Goolgle etc

[kelmon]

@CrashPad63

Will all due respect, sir, that's a load of bunk. The point by t8 was well made - people only tend to use Microsoft if they have to. When there is a choice of service provider, Microsoft is not often the choice made by people, which rather explains their position outside of the desktop PC market (with the exception of the Xbox). In what way is anyone forced to use Apple? I will admit that if you use an iPod then you are "forced" to use iTunes but this really is no different to any other device. As for the other examples that you cited, you are free to not use them and use alternatives.

Personally, I think Microsoft's problem with the Zune is that it is associated with Windows. Very few people, in my experience, actually like Windows and general swearing at the computer is not exactly uncommon (note: this may not actually be Windows's fault but the perception is key). If you don't like Windows then the chances that you are going to be excited by another Microsoft product, particularly when there are alternatives that are well advertised, is going to be low. Rebranding the Zune under a different company name might actually help in this situation.

[Qwerty Cake]

Noooo! The video is down!

[MaLvaDo39]

The Zune is dead.
It will only last as Microsoft pours money in from other lines of businesses.

A "me too" product that is continually behind Apple's iPod/Touch will not never work.

[MaLvaDo39]

Not never as in never ever lol ;)

[Vegaman_Dan]

The problem with the Touch and iPhone is that they do well as a PDA or internet device, but are absolutely horrible to use as a music player as they lack the physical buttons needed to perform basic functions without having to stop what you are doing, unlock the unit, enter a passcode (if you have Exchange email), choose the application, then make your changes. A simpler iPod or even these Zune players are simple hardware that you can control without all that extra stuff.

I have a Touch. I still use my 4gb iPod for music / audio use instead.

[geotopia]

What MSFT understands is that it HAS to succeed with the Zune. It's not just a land grab proposition for enticing new markets, but as the PC converges with the phone and the livingroom, MSFT is either there, or square. Windows, while 90% today, will dwindle in relevance almost overnight when the tipping point arrives that pushes PHone and TV based browsing and viewing into the mainstream. They just can't seem to get traction though. Not with Zunes or XBox (though XBox is the more successful of the two). iPod shows no signs of giving way to Zune and the Wii was the game box no one expected. I'm not a gamer and defer those discussions to another forum, but the XBox as a Windows Media Extender is moving extremely slowly and stand alone boxes like the AppleTV are sure to win over the masses (yes, the AppleTV is capable of being a stand alone box, even if Apple doesn't sell it as one).

[eltoro2827]

MaLvaDo39

Not believing in the zune will be your undoing.
The ipod is so lame, people only buy cause they try to fit in and be cool...have you seen the type of cool people that have ipods?

[jk3yboi]

These updates are awesome :D I'm way excited for the radio update, and the fact it can be used on all Zunes. Personally, I see the Zune as a very viable alternative to the iPod. I'm sick and tired of the hate, I owned an iPod for four years and a Zune for two and I can tell you that both are very good players, it just boils down to personal preference. To each his own, I say.

Can't we all be friends? :)

[Rod Roddy]

Zune is the once scrauny kid, that has grown up to kick iPods' ass! HA-HA-HA-HA!

[Penguinisto]

Interesting, but damn... the Touch blows it away.

OTOH, it's good to see that they're finally starting to do something about it (the only other alternative is to let it die, which IMHO would be a lot more merciful on MSFT's bottom line, but hey - it's their budget).

[Vegaman_Dan]

The Touch blows something, but it's not away. Owning the 32gb Touch myself (can you say that?), I can honestly say it his a horrible experience as an audible device. In order to change the volume, mute it, or make any changes at all requires unlocking the unit (swipe your finger correctly at the right speed and location), then enter your four digit passcode if you have Exchange email on the unit, navigate by sight to the music application as needed, look for the control needed or bring it up, then make your change.

On a Zune, iPod, or other music player you simply press the hardware button to pause.

The Touch does a great job as an internet device and PDA, but the music player functions are more of an after thought and definitely not even comparable to any other Apple product.

And device that requires six separate key presses on a virtual keyboard (sometimes more depending on what app was last used) all while taking your eyes off the road compared to any device that allows you to do that with one hardware button unseen is *not* an audible friendly one.

It's a great device, but any iPod or Zune beats it for basic functionality as a music player.

[kelmon]

@Vegaman_Dan

I can appreciate what you are saying but we have to face the fact that the iPod Touch is not an MP3 player in the same mould as a traditional iPod or Zune. As you note, it is much more like a PDA and for that reason it is perhaps best to compare it to other such devices. If you only need music playback then clearly the iPod Touch is overkill because you are paying for a lot of functions that you won't use and there are, for example, iPods that will do what you need for a much lower price.

While other iPods, the Zune, and other MP3 players no doubt beat the iPod Touch as a music player, it is also fair to say that the iPod Touch beats these devices in many other areas. Whether these areas are important to you will determine whether the iPod Touch is right for you.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Kelmon:

Penguinisto was trying to indicate that the Touch was superior to the Zune. That was like comparing a station wagon to a minivan. They both can carry people and go the legal speed limit, but beyond that, they are totally different vehicles and different purposes.

I have iPods, the Touch, Creative Labs Zen Xtra, and other assorted music players. I don't have a Zune, but Ididn't need one either.

I am still surprised that Apple's iPods and iPhone cannot buy music from the iTunes store directly, but I expect that to change Sept 9th. When I can buy TV shows from iTunes on my Touch directly, that's when it will really become a multimedia device to me.

[DrtyDogg]

Is MS losing money on the Zune?

[Penguinisto]

@Dan:

I've demoed enough of them to know how they work (missus' birthday is coming up). Also, learn to use yours... Hint: playlists are your friend. Also, if you're dumb enough to constantly lock the thing down, then grouse about having to constantly unlock it just to change volume or etc? That's your problem, eh? (I don't even lock my iPod FFS...)

(...and to lock it down while you're driving? What kind of moron does that!? )

[SidedPanic]

Why are people talking about the touch? - you do realize the huge difference in price, is no where near their profit maker and that it's aimed for a completely different demographic. Remember these features are for all zunes, so any clear thinking person buying, say a small flash player, would be just plain wrong to buy a nano (the best selling ipod btw) because the zune quite simply does all that and more.. wireles sync, wireless sharing, buying songs over wifi, custom backgrounds, radio (+ tagging), channels etc. etc. This is the same with a hard drive player even the good old zune 30.
The way I see it is, they've got roughly the same percentage of the mp3 player market share as macs do in computing, but came into the industry way way late unlike macs who were there a Before window's PCs. Next year they'll have a touch screen device and WinMo 7 integration - then we'll talk about Real competition.

[SidedPanic]

Oh, and hopefully a world wide launch - that is something that MS has done completely wrong.

[goodspeed8701]

well i will get a zune is the best player out today. and i cant wait to give my ipod to charity and get a zune.

[inachu]

The only reason I would buy a zune would be for the FM radio.

[MaLvaDo39]

Too bad it is built in with the antenna so your reception is mostly static.
Get an iPod with the FM antenna built into the head set. Much strong option.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Too bad Apple didn`t think of these features...this is great ! Ready to load it up with DRM-FREE Amazon mp3`s. People actually buy stuff off iTunes you already pay for on cable ??? Smart PC users record it , then transfer it...no iTunes needed. And this keeps more money out of Mr Whipple`s pockets.

[Universal_Indie_Records]

"Too bad Apple didn`t think of these features...this is great ! Ready to load it up with DRM-FREE Amazon mp3`s. People actually buy stuff off iTunes you already pay for on cable ??? Smart PC users record it , then transfer it...no iTunes needed. And this keeps more money out of Mr Whipple`s pockets."

What a dumb comment. You can use Amazon and DRM free files on the iPod as well. Apple is not the only store selling DRM music... Zune Marketplace is too.

People are such little ass kids. If you like Zune fine... if you like the iPod fine. Just because you prefer something doesn't mean the other sucks. Some people like Ford some like Chevy... so what?

[Universal_Indie_Records]

it never ceases to amaze me what tech savvy people tend to argue about Zune vs. iPod, Mac vs. PC, Os X vs. Windows, ASP vs. PHP, Linux vs. Everyone....

why do people insist on pushing what THEY PREFER down someone's throat while telling that person that their choices... suck? Grow the hell up!!!!

[cpopken]

Windows vs. PC, Xbox vs. PS3, iPod vs. Zune. Everyone likes to bash one or the other, when in fact they are just products. Why people get so worked up over one or the other I'll never know. I love my Zune, but it isn't better than an iPod, just different, and an iPod is not better than a Zune either. It is a personal preference.