Microsoft Zune: Can It Beat The iPod?

The Zune was designed by the software giant, Microsoft. This is one portable music and video player that is working to compete in the arena that Apple has created, and where the iPod is definitely the defending champ. While it does boast a larger screen and a beautiful interface, Zune’s extra features might not sway iPod owners… yet.

Microsoft is confident that Zune will be a viable contender, potentially winning at the game that the Apple iPod initiated. The Zune certainly is a competitive bet in the digital music industry, featuring Microsoft’s innovative Wi-Fi implementation and the 30 GB hard drive.

The Zune’s first effort is impressively polished, and it has an enormous potential in giving the reigning iPod champ a run for its money. However, in its current state, the Microsoft Zune is not necessarily compelling enough to be a serious threat to iPod’s market dominance.

Zune Facts and Figures

At $250 dollars, the Zune is priced identically to the 30 GB version of the video-capable iPod. The Zune supports WMA and MP3 file, as well as MPEG-4, H.264, WMV video files and a FM tuner. Packaged nicely with a brown bow, the Zune includes a carrying case, headphones, and USB cable. It also comes with a trial membership for 15 days to Microsoft’s Zune Pass, which would normally cost $15 per month.

Microsoft Gives Birth to Baby Zune

On September 14th, 2007 the announcement of a Microsoft branded portable media player caused consumers and the industry to take notice. Although Microsoft is the leading software company in America, many were speculative as to whether the Zune could possibly compete against the iPod dynasty. Attempting to provide more features than the iPod, the Zune has integrated wireless technology for sharing of files. In addition, it also uses Zune Marketplace to locate Zune users, although this is similar to what the iTunes has with the iPod.

The new Zune MP3 player comes in brown, which makes a different statement, but it is also available in black or white. Even though the Zune is incompatible with formats like protected WMA-DRM9 files, it is user friendly for the beginner. Seasoned users might want to stay with their proven systems until some of the fundamental issues and weaknesses are corrected.

One advantage of the 30GB hard drive Zune device is a 3 inch screen, which is bigger than the iPod’s 2.5 inch. When viewing movies and videos on a small screen, every extra half inch counts. As you may imagine, with the increase in size, the Zune is slightly heavier and larger than the most recent iPod release.

Zune Appeal

The biggest appeal to the Zune is the Wi-Fi access, which allows you to beam playlists, tracks, and photos to and from friends who also possess a Zune. The downfall of this type of sharing is that you only have a maximum time of three days, or three plays, to listen and enjoy the files before you will be prompted to purchase the track in the Zune Marketplace.

The wireless sharing of music and photos works flawlessly when two Zune players send music to one another. However, sharing is limited to users within a certain range, and there is no video sharing as of yet. Microsoft says that the range is approximately 40 feet when in an open space, and connecting with other Zune users is very easy and convenient. You simply initiate and turn on the Wi-Fi, choose “Community,” select “Nearby,” and then locate another Zune user to share with and start beaming. Another nice bonus for users that are currently ripping CDs with the default setting of iTunes, the Zune supports and works with unprotected AAC files.

While the audio sound of the Zune is excellent and quite comparable to the iPod’s quality, the video support is weak. At launch, there is no video content even available to be purchased through the Zune Marketplace. That is a shame for the Zune’s competitiveness because with the bigger screen and the preciseness of the player controls, the Zune actually beats iPod visually.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Zune will be an innovative contender in MP3 players, especially with its integration of a Wi-Fi chip for wireless access. Even with the few disappointments, Microsoft’s first shot at implementing a wireless MP3 player is primarily successful.

Nonetheless, the iPod will remain the champion of the digital music arena for now. However, with some wireless improvements and follow up by Microsoft, the Zune could possibly cause Apple to shake in their boots in anticipation of their next battle.

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