iPod -> Zune

So, Cody, highly out of his nature, suprised me by texting me a picture of a Zune that he bought for me.  He purchased in a store rather than online, which is even more unnatural for him.  I was so excited to get home and set it up and finally have music for my bus rides again.  The set-up is a little weirder than that of an iPod with iTunes, but I think the results are much better.  The Zune's software has a really nice interface, and the device itself has features an iPod just does not have.  I can wirelessly sync with my music through our wireless network at home, browse other peoples' Zunes if they are in range, and listen to the radio.  For people who already have a Zune this isn't a big deal, but from a previous iPod owner it makes me really sad that I've owned two, a first gen Nano and third gen Nano. 

From first to third the only update was the interface, color screen that plays videos, exteriors looks, and larger capacity.  No real new features were added that the Zune didn't already do.  My other issue with my iPod is that they have always been made of materials that are very finger printy, and prone to scratching.  The Zune, at least the second generation ones, are made of a matte finished plastic and a textured metal, so finger prints aren't an issue and if it does scratch it won't be so apparent.

The other odd thing is that like the iPod, the Zune came with a few songs on it, but some of them I actually liked.  I do like some of the music in the iPod commercials, but the things they put on the actual device is usually pretty...not good.  The Zune however included Datarock, Pacha Massive, Pop Levi and Mexican Institute of Sound.  All kind of a little out there, but thats kind of my musical style anyway. 

 

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jaklumen
Congrats on the [technology is good] spot.

Interesting. From what I'd heard from various contacts, people were crowing about Creative Lab's Zen, not Microsoft's Zune. So... I'm actually glad to read a review on the Zune.

Myself-- well, I'm running Linux right now. I have not checked to see how it handles the iPod *or* the Zune. Can't afford either.
jayd
[this is good]

Zune is the way to go if you love music. The subscription service just has no parallel. (that is legal).

Bouche
[this is good]
I have a Sansa 8gb player. It's not quite a Zune, not as small as the new ipod minis, but the funny things is how a friend of mine "pities" it, which makes me think -- what's to pity? My player records voice(maybe radio), it has a radio, it plays video, shows pictures, ect.... more features than I use but still aside from a fluke with the first player I had (which was covered and replaced without to much fuss at Best Buy).

I did recently buy some music through Zune's software (a difficult to find cd) and it had DRM on it... Is that the case with all of Zune's purchasable music?
jayd

I believe that there are MP3s available through the Zune Marketplace which have no DRM. But it is not the general case.

But I never purchase digital music. I just pay my $15 bucks a month, and download til my hearts content. At the rate I buy and go through music, its actually cheaper, and I get a bigger library.

Soup
Linux handles iPods fine (at least, Ubuntu does; I'd assume most other active distributions will, as well). I got a secondhand iPod from my sister a while ago, and I had less trouble setting it up on Ubuntu than I did setting my old one up back when I had Windows. It's pretty much just plug it in and you're good to go (you can also grab stuff off your friends' iPods really easily from Linux; Rhythmbox will even set up all the file names for you).

I can't speak for the Zune, but I'm sure there's a forum post somewhere out there that'll be more helpful than I could. I've actually been curious to try one out. Thanks to OP for the review (and congrats on being featured on the tech page)!
jaklumen
I am running Ubuntu, actually.

The problem still is price-- what I can afford is the cheapest of cheap. But on the plus side, most music distribution is limited as far as my selections. Probably that means Amazon for me.

Oh, and I'm not big on DRM, either.
maura_ea
I got a first gen Zune and loved it instantly - but I've never had an iPod either. What do you think about the difference between touch-wheel verses no touch-wheel? I personally don't like the touch-wheel, but I'd like to know the opinion of someone who has had an iPod and a Zune and can appreciate both.
disneyninja
The touch wheel and the click(and touch) squircle are both okay, but just as everything else I'm finding I like the Zune's touch squircle. I was more prone to accidentally turning the volume up or down accidentally with the iPod's touch wheel. Actually having to press some to adjust the volume and having a volume gage is much nicer. And still having touch control over some features like the menu is nice. I don't know if the first gen's actually have a squircle but that is what it is on the second gen models.

As for DRM free music you can use amazon.com's music download, the music is of good quality and DRM free.
Socceraholic..
im comparing between some mp3 players.. and i dont know which to buy...

so should i go for Zune blindly? or should i try Creative's Zen?

maura_ea
We had a center and a ring click area - I'm not really sure how the new one works. Is it a center and four sides - or only four sides?
disneyninja
Its one large button that has touch and can be pressed.
Paulypies
[this is good]
Glad you like your new zune. I swapped to a zune too a bit ago (tho from a sony, not an ipod) and i really like it. the software is awesome too. the few people that are questioning whether they should get one should download the zune software and have a play.

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