Summary Being leagues behind program interactivity and popularity, how does Microsoft's Zune hold up to Apple's mega successful MP3/Video player, the iPod?

Description Microsoft's Zune is a high-tech MP3/Video player that was released for sale back in 2006. Zune is currently in it's Second Generation, as Wikipedia has us believe (consisting if the 4, 8, and 80 GB models), but I will be reviewing the original 30 GB model that has been discontinued, and it's contrast to Apple's iPod. While Zune does fall short of some of the same features that make iPod great, it also excels in other fields. Like iPods, Zune is packaged with the device, earbuds, and sync cable, but unlike iPods, Zune also comes with the program disc for your computer. If you, like me, don't have a high-speed internet connection, it would be megaly inconvenient to have to wait hours on end for the iTunes program to install on your computer, but with the convenient startup disc, you don't even have to be connected to the internet to get your Zune up and running. Now that I'm talking about it, I'd like to point out some of the differences between iTunes and Zune (program). I'm sure everyone who has a PC (screw MAC) is familiar with Windows Media Player, so I really don't have to go too in-depth describing the Zune's program. You basically get the same thing as WMP, but with access to a music marketplace, cover art, and a gay pink background. The iTunes program alphabetizes all your artists, songs, videos, etc in a convenient manner. Sure, the Zune does the same, but navigating it is more of a chore. I don't listen to music on my computer, but that might have changed had the ZP (Zune program) not sucked the way it does. Some extra features that the Zune has that iPods lack, are the wireless communication with other Zunes. I'm one of those guys who are too cool to read instruction manuals for anything other than troubleshooting, but I have on good authority that songs and videos can be wirelessly shared with other Zune owners in the vicinity. I've never actually met someone else who has a Zune, so I can't say for sure, but I think that if Apple incorporated that little feature into their iPods, the world would probably explode due to a shift in time-space... Or something like that. Also, the Zune is able to connect with Xbox 360s right out of the box. Granted, iPods have the same ability, you'd have to download a patch or something before your 360 could recognize it. I personally love my Zune, but sometimes it's hard to tell if it loves me back. It's battery constantly needs to be charged (by the way, Zunes have crapty battery life compared to iPods) and it keeps freezing. That might be because I got it used from a complete stranger. Mainly because there is no way in hell I'm paying $199.99 for this thing new. Overall, I like it. It gives you most of the same features Apple offers, plus, the 30 GB is heavy enough to beat criminals into a coma with, so you don't have to worry about someone stealing it from you. Details Size - 2.4 × 4.4 × 0.58 inches Weight - 5.6 ounces Screen - 3 inches Storage - 30 GB HDD Review Page Hits: 2 today (30 in the last 30 days) Create Your Own Review or