To those out there that are looking for an alternative to Apple's iPod, this is a more than worthy player for you. Lets face it, when it comes to media players, Apple is king. I'm not going to bash the iPod, because frankly, if it wasn't for Apple the MP3 market might be lagging behind or maybe even overlooked. Apple made the MP3 format feasible and relevant, and single-handedly created a new sector to the electronics market.
To that, I say bravo.
But that aside, I think Microsoft makes a better MP3 player today.
And this is why you should consider the Zune as your next MP3 player. The software is a breeze to use and not only looks great, but it functions with a sweet flow that smoothes out the experience of managing your collection of videos, music, and podcasts. Compared to iTunes, Zune marketplace is a joint effort in artistry and functionality. To believe that Microsoft created a clean, unobtrusive application is an incredible accomplishment.
That is saying a lot.
Within the marketplace itself you can find multiple sources of entertainment for purchase like TV shows and music. The one downside (for now at least, but not for long) is the lack of movie support for the player. As of this writing, Zune Marketplace does NOT have movies, but that will change in the near future. At E3 this year, they have announced a merger of both the Xbox Live marketplace and Zune and you will be able to upload and take movies on the go and other content onto your Zune device. This is an excellent upgrade that will happen early September. If you can wait for this, then I believe this will be a valuable feature for your player.
Also, if you like audio books the Zune supports formats from Audible.com and Overdrive.com.
Aside from the purchasable content, Zune really takes a focus on the podcast content they have available. Not only can you stream podcasts from Zune.net, but you can literally fill your entire player with countless podcasts from different sources like Bill Maher's Real Time, NPR's Radio Lab, and Discovery Channels mini podcasts of Mythbusters, and countless others. This is a key and great asset that really expands your entertainment options.
You want to learn French, Japanese, or German? There's a podcast for that. You want to talk about games, anime, movies or TV shows? Yup, there's a podcast for that, too. There are thousands of topics for you to choose from and if you want to get in the game, Zune has a program to include your podcast into the mix of things.
But what's the point of all this content if you can't take it with you? The Zune device is the perfect companion for you. The device has a squircle touch-sensitive pad that allows easy navigation between your menus. Each menu is arranged vertically and the submenus of each menu are arranged horizontally. This is a very simple and direct method of searching for content and each option is displayed in big letters for easy reading. The one downside is that it might take a few button presses to get where you want, but it isn't a cumbersome method as the menus are quick and responsive to your presses and gestures onto the squircle button. On a slower player this could kill the enjoyment of navigating the slick menu, but the Zune really handles navigation well.
The screen is a big factor, too. Compared to the iPod classic, Zune's screen is much bigger and thus you won't strain your eyes to watch videos. The sound on the player is top notch and all the nuances of any kind of music come through well on the included headphones, but if you want the best quality, I'd recommend an upgrade on those phones. The included ones aren't bad and they sure beat the iPod's headphones, but overall there is always something better to hear your music through.
I could go on and on about other features of this player, but the real sell for this (and I REALLY recommend you purchase this) is a Zune Pass. Yes, the Zune Pass is by far the BEST feature for this player. By purchasing a Zune Pass you can download and play almost any song you want from the entire library carried by the Marketplace. On top of that you get to keep 10 songs for free. In essence you are given 10 credits for songs at the beginning of your one month Zune Pass subscription. If you want a song, you "buy" it with your free credit and you get to keep it. This is a great way to experience new music and expand your collection and your tastes. Anything you don't like you just delete it without any buyer's remorse.
Truly, this combination of services, software and device greatly warrant the purchase of the Zune. I've had nothing but great things to say about the Zune and even though this isn't the market leader in the industry, it makes the market leader seem clueless as to how to properly create a great service for customers.
Is it a buy? Heck yea it's a buy. You will not be disappointed.
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Zune 120 GB Video MP3 Player (Black).
