Zune In Review
About two weeks have passed since Zune's American release and reports are popping up all over the place. Microsoft's entry into the Portable Music Player market isn't going over too well with most tech scribes, but the Chicago Sun-Times went straight for the jugular:
Yes, Microsoft's new Zune digital music player is just plain dreadful. I've spent a week setting this thing up and using it, and the overall experience is about as pleasant as having an airbag deploy in your face."Avoid," is my general message. The Zune is a square wheel, a product that's so absurd and so obviously immune to success that it evokes something akin to a sense of pity.
The setup process stands among the very worst experiences I've ever had with digital music players. The installer app failed, and an hour into the ordeal, I found myself asking my office goldfish, "Has it really come to this? Am I really about to manually create and install a .dll file?"
But there it was, right on the Zune's tech support page. Is this really what parents want to be doing at 4 a.m. on Christmas morning?Ouchie! So we're guessing somebody out there got one, and we wanna know about how it's working out for ya. You "squirting" with ease? If you're frustrated with Zune's inability to function as an external harddrive, might wanna check here....
[Microsoft] has already given the music industry the other thing the industry has been demanding from Apple: a kickback on every player sold.
"These devices are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it," said Doug Morris, CEO of Universal Music Group. "So it's time to get paid for it."
Well, Morris is just a big, clueless idiot, of course. Do you honestly want morons like him to have power over your music player?Then go ahead and buy a Zune. You'll find that the Zune Planet orbits the music industry's Bizarro World, where users aren't allowed to do anything that isn't in the industry's direct interests.
Take the Zune's one unique and potentially ginchy feature: Wi-Fi. You see this printed on the box and you immediately think "Cool. So I can sync files from my desktop library without having to plug in a USB cable, right? Maybe even download new content directly to the device from the Internet?"
Typical, selfish user: How does your convenience help make money for Universal? No wonder Doug despises you.
No, the Zune's sole wireless feature is "squirting" -- I know, I know, it's Microsoft's term, not mine -- music and pictures to any other Zune device within direct Wi-Fi range. Even if the track is inherently free (like a podcast) the Zune wraps it in a DRM scheme that causes the track to self-destruct after three days or three plays, whichever comes first.
...
The Zune is a complete, humiliating failure. Toshiba's Gigabeat player, for example, is far more versatile, it has none of the Zune's limitations, and Amazon sells the 30-gig model for 40 bucks less.
Throw in the Zune's tail-wagging relationship with music publishers, and it almost becomes important that you encourage people not to buy one.
...
Microsoft's colossal blunder was to knock the user out of that question and put the music industry in its place.
Result: The Zune will be dead and gone within six months. Good riddance.
After a few weeks of play time and review reading, whaddaya think about the project's prospects for success? As if the cards weren't stacked against MSFT's anti-iPod already.
Wait, for reals? Not an anomaly?!
Posted at 1:28 PM
36 Comments
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Death to Zune. Honestly, they're so clueless as to how to approach potential buyers. Have you seen those ads of "cool kids" at shows? They just seem like sad, self-defeated attempts to court hipsters. It's just painful. I like that Zune is around because it will make Apple try harder, but I want microsoft to stop because I feel embarrassed on their behalf.
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we got some at my office to test out in prep for new digital marketing opportunities, yadda yadda yadda.... we hate them.
first, the design and case feel like a toy. if you shake it, you hear parts clunking around inside. it's plastic and cheap feeling (where as iPods feel substantial and weighty - in the sense that, "ah, yes, this is a device worth $300.").
next, the article is spot on - plugging it in and setting up the Zune player/store (which is remarkably similar to the crippled WMA player/URGE store, go figure) took hours to complete and was painfully frustrating.
Once it had dumped in the computer's hard drive contents of audio, video and graphics, we ejected the player and found a lump "Video" vault, containing several hundred video clips in no form of organization or order. The same was true with audio and graphics - no breakout of video podcasts, etc, make it incredibly difficult to find what you're looking for.
On user interaction, the video screen is large and nice, but that's about it's only plus factor. The buttons on the casing confused me the first time around and the faux-scroll wheel got me frustrated quickly. It's actually a four-button click wheel, forcing you to hold it down to scroll through your gigantic, unorganized music library.
Finally, the Wi-Fi transmission business has worked once in view of our office. It's quite a pain and really not what we were expecting. Future upgrades would do well to include even a rudimentary communication system with other Zune "Socialites", as the wi-fi transfer must be started by the person WITH the file. Again, this forces a Zune user to seek out the other Zune user and request that they send the file across... not exactly the easiest way to share.
All in all, we hate it. zero out of ten.
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hahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaha.
my second generation ipod laughs in the face of this pathetic device.
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I really don't think that having the Beatles catalog would do much for Zune anyway. Color me stupid, but is downloading the Beatles that big of a deal? Just steal the cds from someone you know and upload them on your computer. I really don't think it's going to live up to all the hoopla.
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stereogum, how much money did ipod give you to post that review! this blog is sold out like idolator says.
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Laura, the rumor now is that the Beatles are on the verge of an exclusive deal with Apple anyway, so Zune doesn't even have that going for it.
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I don't understand why the music industry battles Apple on the way it sells the music. Clearly, Apple knows what it is doing and I don't have the stats of how many songs are sold each day but it is significant enough. So now there is a company that listens to the recording industry and see where it got them!
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After debating between the iPod and Zune, I bought a Zune last Wed. I'm suprised at the harsh review. I did have trouble installing the software on one of two PCs, but the tech line helped me immediately (NO waiting!!). The software works nicely and is pretty (looks a lot like WMP 11). The Zune itself functions great.
It's very easy to navigate. Perhaps the harsh reviews result from people used to the click-wheel and iTunes. I never got used to either, so I didn't have that handicap. I found the software and player both very intuitive to control. Within a couple of minutes I could change and rate songs without looking. I haven't loaded my own videos, but the preloaded content looks very clear. I didn't really think I'd use it to watch videos, but I think I've changed my mind. I haven't been anywhere that would have other Zune users (or iPods) since I bought it, so I've yet to try the wireless.
In all, I'd say it's a good choice. If you're looking for a music player, don't just follow the crowd and blindly buy an iPod. Try the Zune or Creative's player and make your own decision.
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Wow, Krull, what a fair, even-keeled review of the Zune (seriously). I'm not used to that type of thing in blog comments. A well written post like that deserves an over-the-top, horribly biased response-
MICROSOFT BLOWS! ZUNE SUCKS! F*** BILL GATES!
Ah, much better.
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Does anyone know what kind of headphones come w/ the Zune? No one ever mentions that. ?
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The headphones are standard bud stle phones. They do have magnets so they can stick together to prevent tangling when you take them off. I don't know any specs, but they sound decent.
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I'm glad someone else mentioned microsoft's thinly veiled attempt at courting early adopters/independent nichers that popularize products. It's one thing to release a well designed product that isn't well known/popular and have it picked up by pre-trend makers to make it appealing to others. It's another to actively pursue those same customers, fine tuning your marketing for them, and desperately hoping that with their acceptance will come wider acceptance at large from those wanting to be hip. If you look at microsofts marketing thus far it's quite clear they went for the latter. All of the pictures from coachella, the ads at shows, the blanket blog viral marketing that FLEW BLOGGERS TO THEIR PRODUCT. Because they're the pre-trend makers. It was all there but it boils down to what the chicago reviewer said, it's about the CONSUMER. You can play into the cripple friendly industry all you want, but in the end it's the consumer who decides if they want to deal with it. Would microsoft have been sued if they opened up their wifi (their only real competitive feature), with the ability to swap albums freely, even if it upset the music industry would have shook up sales and headlines. The only reason I hope this marginally makes it is so there's competition to the ipod.. we need more innovation.
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Steve- Yes I read that too, but I'm just wondering why anyone is freaking out over it. I don't think people are desperately awaiting the moment when you can download the Beatles.
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You know the thing that really pisses me off about Microsuck is that they are "NOT" trendsetters at all. There model is to wait until someone has developed a market for something, Apple in this case with the iPOD, and then design a knock off, throw abunch of money and advertising at the product and expect people to marvel at their brillance?? WTF I challange anyone to tell me one original idea or concept Microsuck has developed on it own.
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You know the thing that really pisses me off about Microsuck is that they are "NOT" trendsetters at all. There model is to wait until someone has developed a market for something, Apple in this case with the iPOD, and then design a knock off, throw abunch of money and advertising at the product and expect people to marvel at their brillance?? WTF I challange anyone to tell me one original idea or concept Microsuck has developed on it own.
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these reviews are just from haters who can't accept change and try to learn something new! Why would anyone expect Zune's controls to be like the click wheel?
Those reviewers remind me of my grandparents who can't function replacement remote controls ...
I'm just waiting for the Zune to fix its bugs and it will be fine ...
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My local library has inked a deal with the Beatles where they let me check out any and all of there albums (all at once if I please) and copy any and all songs, completely guilt free! John Lennon would be proud.
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I wonder how happy the CEO of Universal Music will be when he finds out that the DRM that is applied to a Zune's "squirted" music files can now be easily overiden. As detailed on gizmodo:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/how-to-bypass-the-zunes-wifi-sharing-drm-217042.php
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my friends and i think the zune looks like a sqaure turd, so now we say "i'm gonna go take a zune"
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Hey Jim, given that Stereogum gave a fair amount of positive coverage on the Zune earlier this year, I think it's only fair they show the darker side as well. What is the deal with people throwing the word 'sellout' around so often? I placed a ban on 'jumped-the-shark' earlier, I'm now placing one on 'sellout'.
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Strangely, these anti-Zune comments and reviews make me happy. Very happy. I've never even seen the damn thing in person but I guess the iPod makes all of its users instantly against any competitors. Brainwashing perhaps?
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i=I played around with one in the store and it seemed pretty nice. Some of you need to take your head out of apples asshole... They're all corporations trying to make the most money, picking one and calling the other one evil is fucking stupid.
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>> I'm just waiting for the Zune to fix its bugs and it will be fine ...<<
Err, yeah, isn't that what people have been saying about Windows for the past 15 years? Just wait for the bugs to get fixed... and the security holes... oh, nevermind, just wait until 2004 for Longhorn... err, Vista... err, 2005... err, 2006... err, 2007.
Microsoft has suceeded through sheer size and unfair manipulation of the markets it has chosen to enter. Aside from Flight Simulator, I don't think I can name a single product from Microsoft that has set the bar higher than the products from its competitors.
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Apple Haters 0
Satan 1
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what's a zune?
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what's a zune?
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what's a zune?
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what's a zune?
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what's a zune?
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Those reviewers remind me of my grandparents who can't function replacement remote controls ...
Posted by: bizzle at November 27, 2006 6:00 PM
except this is comparing two fairly equivalent technologies. so it's actually more like VHS vs. Beta, XBoX vs Playstation, or Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD, and nothing like what you stated.
as for the file transfer "hack." it's so convoluted, you might as well give someone a headphone to preview a song and YSI them the album when you get home. In fact, that's probably easier.
regardless of one's control style preference, the wi-fi was the only thing that really set it apart, and i'd say its biggest drawback when compared to the iPod is that i can get an extra 50gbs for an extra $100 with the latter.
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Just remember, M$ is patient, and made of money. I hated the XBox and all it stood for, as did most people I knew, but I now own a 360 because one generation later they've really stuck it to Sony. The Zune may well suck, I haven't bothered to check it out; but they can weather a poor debut easily, and if their next effort has, say, FM radio, bigger capacity, real wi-fi functionality, or a built-in Penis Mightier, they might start to siphon the less-zealous 'pod users away.
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Yes I agree with you, it will be very hard for microsoft to sell this zune player, because they have to be at least as good a Apple is with the iPod. This is why I think microsoft is going to loose a lot of money for branding this Zune player.
Thank you for sharing this story with me !
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The Zune is a nice looking device and the hardware interface is really slick. It's the best interface out there right now, in fact. Anyone dissing the hardware interface is just in denial.
Of course, I'm certainly not suggesting it's an iPod killer, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
The marketing for the Zune is cheesy, and unfortunately MS is a slave to the record industry (this goes for other manufacturers too).
One thing I dislike about the Zune and the iPod both is the way they lock you into using there software to interface with the device.
I have an iRiver, which is superior in this regard. Of course, the iRiver's interface is clumsy and it is retarded in other ways.
The Zune is a welcome competitor, IMO. Apple will surely have some sort of answer to the Zune's superior hardware interface.
As for me, I've yet to see the ideal mp3 player.
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I dunno...
I like the black one. And the interface is pretty sweet. However, I have no loyalty to the iPod or despise for Microsoft, unlike most folks.
I found this to be funny:
http://ten23.typepad.com/ten23_software/2006/11/10_signs_the_zu.html
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Microsoft haters are so ridiculous! I have a Zune and love it. I also own and IPOD. The Zune by far surpasses the IPOD in my humble opinion. This review is just a joke.
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Microsoft haters are so ridiculous! I have a Zune and love it. I also own and IPOD. The Zune by far surpasses the IPOD in my humble opinion. This review is just a joke.
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