Today Microsoft has officially launched their answer to iPod, Zune. Looking at it, it looks suspiciously like its counterpart, iPod; almost exactly the same design. The Zune is a 30GB music player with a few different that Microsoft considers their competitive advantages.

Support more format - one of the advantage Zune have over iPod is the ability to support multiple popular music file formats than iPod.

Wireless sharing – you can wirelessly share Zune to Zune. Zune lets you spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recording, play lists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device. Zune let’s you listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times over three days. If you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device and purchase it form Zune marketplace.

Built in Wi-Fi – I don’t know how well this feature will affect the battery life, since Wi-Fi power requirements are still quite steep.

So how much with Zune costs? Rumor has it that it will cost between $299 to $399. But nothing official on the price yet. I am expecting Microsoft will want to take advantage of the holiday market and launch Zune before Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I still say, I would rather get an Apple iPod than to get a M$ Zune.

xboxrulz

I feel that Microsoft definitely is not known for their originality. They’ve ripped off a lot more than iPod from Apple. But they do provide a more versatile and cheaper alternative.

This post has been edited by doudou: Sep 16 2006, 03:44 AM

but then again Apple ripped of Creative mostly for the way the Ipod works...there will be an interesting court case about this soon I am sure..

i really thing they shouldn`t realease it , anyway ppl will buy it but i prefer ipod .

Well, hopefully, they will provide enough competition for iPod that iPod will also improve and maybe even bring the price down a little.

It is interesting to read that the circular dial interface that iPod popularized is patented in the name of MS!

So I dont think that Apple will risk lodging a case. In anycase, the one who provides better product is better. In this case it is Zune without doubt.

QUOTE

So I dont think that Apple will risk lodging a case. In anycase, the one who provides better product is better. In this case it is Zune without doubt.

I can't say that I agree with that statement. Generally Apple provides the better product and Microsoft provides a cheaper alternative. I know that if Mac and their softwares cost the same as PCs and its softwares, I would definitely buy a Mac. Since we can't really say which is better until the Zune has been tested by consumers. I think that if the Zune cost the same as iPod, it won't sell as well. The only way Microsoft hope to carve up a portion of the market is by pricing the Zune lower than iPod.

This post has been edited by doudou: Sep 18 2006, 01:17 PM

I'm not sure to keep my iPod or go with Zune. Personally, I'm more thinking about getting a PSP since it has some really cool functions!

[N]F

I wouldn't go for either, i just don't like ipods and i think they are pretty crappy in the design, also i don't want to get something from microsoft. I would rather a creative branded player which have good designs and features and they don't break down every year.

-HellFire