Coming Zune to a backpack near you!

Okay, Okay. I've been paying attention to all the buzz the Zune has been getting lately and I thought it was time I tossed my hat in the ring.

First off, I dig the Zune. Especially the brown one (don't ask me why, I just like brown). It's got a nice screen, support a decent amount of formats (WMA, MP3, AAC (formats); photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264). And it encompasses Wi-Fi, a brave new world for mainstream players.


But the main thing I'm a bit disappointed with is what I like to call the "BEAM!" feature. With this feature you can send a song (or a collection of them) to a similar unit. That's awesome, but when you do send a song it get wrapped up in a new kind of DRM, "Zune DRM", now I do understand why they want to do this, but at the very same time it violates other license agreements, namely Creative Commons licenses.

And by the very same token I assume that this feature will be proprietary, what I mean by that, is when other device makers say "Hey! That beaming thing is neat, we need that!" It will be incompatible, or be available for a nominal fee.... That's just dumb. That like making a Sony cell phone, that can only call other Sonys!

I like almost every other aspect of it though. I like the potential of Wi-Fi integrated. I like the design, which seems fairly intuitive. I really like the interface, that looks amazing. I really love how it's compatible fully with WMP11, the XBOX360, and presumably the Windows Live Service.

Now, all that said, can it compete with the iPOD?

Well, compete and better are two completely different terms. Is it a better player? Yes! More formats, bigger screen, better interface, wi-fi, an insane number of online storefronts. That makes it a better player.

Is it cooler? Well I think so. But to me, better does mean cooler. But to the hip emo cats that might not be the case. Same for the uptown yuppies. And I seriously doubt the tech deficient soccer mom is going to give up the player/music system she's just become comfortable with. But for the ultra hep cats, the iPOD has become passe because it's just everywhere, they're not elitist anymore, not by a long shot.

And you also have to look at the accessories market. That's something apple has cornered. And might for a while longer. Some people have hundreds invested in their accessories and I can't see them giving those up without a fight. Microsoft (Toshiba) will really need to up the ante on that aspect of it if they even hope to compete.

I think it will all boil down to ease of use. If the Zune is easier to use, and it gets enough buzz, it will become everyone's next player. But when will that be.....

All of that said, I want the Zune to rock the bells. I think apple need a good kick in the ass, they've become complacent in the MP3 player market (rumors aside). I mean, they haven't even added any new formats since the video ipod, and no new music formats since it's inception. And with owning 90% if the market share in the PMP field, there need to be more competition if there's ever going to be innovation.

Now Playing : The Black Eyed Peas - Mas Que Nada

If you still want to get hyped about the Zune, make sure you check out Zune Scene