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Is Zune still the iPod killer
Launched in November 2006 by Microsoft the Zune was hailed as the killer of iPod. The Zune is a digital media player made for Microsoft by Toshiba. Video and podcast stores as well as online music will be provided by the new software which includes the Zune Marketplace.
Microsoft thought they could grab a large slice of the market from iPod with its new innovations for MP3 players but did not count on the iPod faithful followers. Able to share dongs wirelessly with Windows PCs computers and other Zune’s, it also has a built in FM radio. Using the Zune’s software on Windows XP and Vista enables users to, rip audio CDs, manage files, and buy songs, TV shows and video music.
Zune Advantages
The first Zune was released with a 30GB memory. The Ipod is smaller and lighter but the new Zune 38GB music player has screen half an inch lager with brighter colours.
Zune supports unprotected AAC files which is better than using the default settings for ripping CD’s with the iPod and the FM tuner should give it a big advantage over the apple iPod.
Portable medial players forged new frontiers when Zune came out with connectivity to Wi-Fi. Using the Wi-Fi feature will open up a new music socialising universe. If you want to exchange songs with your friends then this portability is an attractive prospect.
The integrated Zune Marketplace is subscription based and enables users to access an online database of new music without having to download it first to your computer. The ability to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee is another important aspect.
The interface combines horizontal and vertical scrolling, with many top-level menus displaying horizontally across the top of the screen, while lists of tracks or track information run vertically which is another great advantage. The Zune interface runs almost instantaneously through playlist tracks and during shuffle play and are generally much faster than the iPod. Zunes touch sensitive circular main control has four-position directional control with a central select button.
Sharp and clear video with a larger display screen makes extended viewing much better and the sound quality is great. Synchronizing nicely with windows media centre it has tons of cool features. One cool feature is Zune's ability to work with Xbox 360 which is fun to use.
iPod's advantages over Zune.
As we have already spoken about it the Zune is heavier and larger than the iPod.
Zune had a lot of early problems and needed firmware updates from the start. And quite a few people had reservations about Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management policy.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, in opposition to the Zune’s DRM, wrote:
“ Microsoft’s Zune will not play protected Windows Media Audio and Video purchased or ‘rented’ from Napster 2.0, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Unlimited, Movielink, Cinemanow, iTunes, or any other online media service. The Zune will not even play content previously purchased from Microsoft’s own MSN Music service. ...The media that Microsoft promised would Play For Sure doesn't even play on Microsoft’s own device.”
Microsoft become less strict in there use of DRM and allowed 1/3 more tracks without it when upgrading the following year.
Zune like rival iPod will only be compatible with its own software provided by Microsoft's from September 2008.
Another problem is when you receive a song from a friend as you are only allowed to listen to it three times before it will expire. You cannot resend it to a third party.
Zune Marketplace is not easy to use and iTunes is a much simpler option. iTunes is simple and very elegant to use and is very intuitive. iTunes easy payment system lets you pay you 99 cents with your credit card with just a click. To buy from Zune Marketplace you have to purchase blocks of points so that you have to buy at the very least $5 of points. So if you only need one 99cent song Microsoft are holding onto your other $4.1 until you want to purchase another song. The system is based on points and is not easy. One song will cost you 79 points which you may think is cents while the actual 79 points costs 99cents. The process of buying Microsoft's music has bee complicated and is not an easy option to use?
Can Zune every out manoeuvre iPod in the MP3 player market?
This brings us to the question can Zune overtake iPod. Apple's share of the portable media player market among high school students increased to 84 percent, it was 80 percent a year ago according to Piper Jaffray's bi-annual teen survey. 78% said that if they where going to buy a MP3 player then it would be an iPod. Zune have moved up and now command a 3% share of the market as opposed to the 2% of last year. The survey said that this year 15% of teens will purchase the Zune. last year the figure was 13%.
So it looks like the Zune is progressing in the MP3 player market but not at a rate that will cause the Apple iPod and problems in the near future. One other problem is that a lot of younger folk are using Macs as there main computer and Zune does not have any solution for Mac users.
September Song – Sarah Vaughan