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Stacks of potential, but current hardware is underwhelming and the client software a mess. While Microsofts recent forays into digital music havent met with the greatest success, its certainly got determination. With its hardware partners failing t...
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T3.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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Out now in the states, Microsofts Zune is muscling in on iPods turf with a player that looks broadly similar but is actually pretty different, not least because it can communicate with other Zunes. The Zune is a stylish little number with a round c...
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Zune is only available in the US at the moment - and Microsoft is keeping tight-lipped about when the player will actually be launched in Europe. The current rumour mill suggests anytime in the next few months all the way up to Christmas. Although the...
The Zune is a very good debut with great features, such as the large screen for video and the wireless music-sharing capability. Its also reasonably priced compared to its fruit-branded rival. It still has some way to go, though, if it wants to take...
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Microsofts potential iPod assassin has already hit the shops in the US, but the timing of the Zunes appearance in the UK remains shrouded in mystery. So are European consumers missing out on a gadget thats, well, unmissable? Not exactly. For a f...
When it comes out in the UK, the Zune may well make a solid addition to the MP3 player market. Its a nice-looking (if slightly bulky) player offering decent audio quality. However, its features (particularly the Wi-Fi) dont go as deep as they might...
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Stacks of potential, but current hardware is underwhelming and the client software a mess.
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This product is no longer available directly from the manufacturer. It may be available in retail and distribution channels, or second hand. The price displayed is the price at review time and the last available recommended retail price.
Good audio quality - on a par with the most recent iPods and Creative players, Excellent interface and display, Crisp video...
Limited Wi-Fi, Early synchronisation glitches, Volume could be louder The Final Word The Zune may well make a solid addition to the MP3 player market. Its a nice-looking player offering good audio quality. However, its features (particularly the Wi-Fi...
The Zune may well make a solid addition to the MP3 player market. Its a nice-looking player offering good audio quality. However, its features (particularly the Wi-Fi) dont go as deep as they should. Theres currently nothing to suggest that the birt...
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Microsoft prepares to take on the portable music player industrys heavyweight: Apple. Would you believe it?...
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IntroductionIt’s no secret: to wrangle the ‘most popular MP3 player’ crown away from the iPod, the Zune has an uphill battle on its hands. Apple has a five year lead on Microsoft, is the king of legal online media distribution and has a...
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theglobeandmail.com Updated:
2014-03-20 01:56:40
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Posted AT 3:29 PM EST ON 14/09/06 Print E-mail Comments (15) Share this article Microsofts Zune ALLISON LINN Associated Press SEATTLE ? Microsoft Corp.s effort to compete against Apples iPod juggernaut will focus on the idea that people want to be a...
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The Zune is Microsoft’s attempt to compete with Apple’s iPod, and it’s now closer than it has ever been to its competitor. The second generation is sleeker and comes in a variety of different colors: pink, red, black, and Green. The leader of the pack...
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Digitaltrends.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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Video Review: Microsoft enters the portable media player market with their Zune Player. The Zune Player is a portable video and MP3 player that also lets you share your media with other people with Zune players, adding a social twist.The Zune player c...
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In 2006, Microsoft introduced its latest attempt to take over the field from the iPod, with the Zune 30 GB. On the surface, this MP3 player looks good, and the specifications look good also. Does it have what it takes to push the iPod off the mountain?...
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geardiary.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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Ed note: This review is a collaborative effort between Jenneth, Judie and Mitchell. Jenneth’s remarks will be in black, Judie’s will be in italicized blue, and Mitchell’s in italicized green.] Designing a music player to topple the almighty iPod isn...
Scratch-resistant case, unique glowing edges for the different colours, excellent sound quality, nice display, FM Radio, video playback, slick modern interface, good battery life, Zune Unlimited Subscription service.
Quite large and bulky for a 30GB player, navigation pad may scratch easily, rather awkward Zune desktop software, WiFi isn’t used to its full potential and imposes annoying restrictions. Reviews on different topics prove quite useful for the re...
Ed note: This review is a collaborative effort between Jenneth, Judie and Mitchell. Jenneth’s remarks will be in black, Judie’s will be in italicized blue, and Mitchell’s in italicized green.] Designing a music player to topple th...
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Thetechlounge.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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Update: Check out Brads podcast review of the Microsoft Zune at WhiteRoofRadio.com.Its time to settle the debate. iPod or Zune? Did Microsoft kick the pod where it counts or is the mighty whitey still the king of the ring? Each player is loaded with...
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LAUNCHED BACK IN 2001, Apples iPod has arguably become the most iconic electronic device of the 21st century. With sales of over 100 million units, the iPod has dominated the market for portable audio—and now video—players. Whats more, its bec...
After spending several months with an iPod and a Zune, one thing has become clear: the Zune is not an iPod killer. Sure, its a decent personal media player, but its not going to convert the masses away from the iPod. At least not yet. That doesnt ne...
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Microsoft Zune This portable music and video player boasts a sharp-looking screen and a beautiful interface, but its extras wont sway iPod owners. What will it take to beat Apples iPod at its own game? Microsoft is betting that its $250 Zune--a 30GB...
Large, bright screen, Attractive and responsive interface...
WiFi connectivity is extremely limited, Lacks Plays For Sure compatibility...
This portable music and video player boasts a sharp-looking screen and a beautiful interface, but its extras wont sway iPod owners.
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Introduction Microsoft advertises the Zune with the catchphrase "Welcome to the Social." So what is "The Social?" Judging by televised Zune commercials, it appears to be quite the party. Commercials often depict snowboarders riding on chairlifts or kid...
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maximumpc.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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If you still want to buy a Zune after reading our review, you’d better not count on filling it with music from Microsoft’s Zune Marketplace. While our view of the 30GB player is a matter of opinion, the tiny inventory of music that Microsoft has on tap...
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The Microsoft Zune is an excellent piece of playback hardware and appears to be physically well built. If youre just getting into online, portable media stuff now, you can purchase a ZunePass for fifteen bucks a month and play to your hearts content...
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bonafidereviews.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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Microsofts Zune has been the talk of the town since its release during last years holiday season yet the context of the "talking" has been both good and bad. Weve read mixed reviews with some loving the Zune and some hating it. Understandably this...
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The Microsoft Zune is one of those products that you will want to avoid at all costs; at least this first generation.
Attractive packaging Competitive price Large display...
Boring aesthetics Poor quality ear buds Closed system Not compatible with PlaysForSure songs Credit purchasing system is a joke...
The Microsoft Zune is one of those products that you will want to avoid at all costs; at least this first generation. In comparison to other media players on the market, the Zune offers no clear advantage. It has an audio and video library with less de...
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Businessweek.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:22
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It lives in a smaller universe with fewer songs and videos, but Microsofts digital music player has a few tricks up its sleeve...
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The early reviews of the 30GB Zune ($250 list) are mixed. Some people are happy with the device; others can only find every way in which it does not measure up to that ubiquitous media player that has taken the place of personal computers as Apples fl...
Great industrial design; large bright screen; built-in Wi-Fi;, excellent navigation and UI;, nice FM radio.
Limited codec support on device and player software; no podcast support; no TV or movie service; no Vista support.
An almost-great product that seems rushed to market before it could add some crucial software features. Not the portable to own right now, but keep your eye on the software updates...
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Laptopmag.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:23
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Ambitious but half-baked, elegantly designed but bulky, the Zune is the most promising iPod challenger yet. It boasts a bigger screen, wireless music sharing capability, an FM radio, and even a decent amount of accessories. Most important, the Zune is...
Easy-to-use player and software, Durable, scratch-resistant design, Large display, Simple to share music via Wi-Fi, Lots of available accessories...
Long setup process, Bulky design, Nonsensical points purchasing system, Three-day song sharing limit applies to Zune Pass subscribers, No video store...
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The Microsoft Zune ($249.99 list) is a shot across iPods bow. By tightly integrating the Zune device with the Zune online store, Microsoft has made a digital audio player that is nearly as easy to use as the iPod. It has even added some innovative f...
Nice design. Easy-to use. Three-inch screen. Wireless music & photo sharing with other Zunes. Good integration with software.
Small hard drive. Non-replaceable battery. Weak Battery Life. No PlaysForSure support. No Podcasts or Video offering in Zune marketplace.
Tight software integration, a subscription plan, and slick design make the Zune an interesting, if not compelling, iPod alternative...
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ign.com
Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:23
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November 16, 2006 - The summer of 2006 was witness to two major Microsoft viral campaigns for mysterious new hardware. The first took place to promote "Project Origami," which was originally rumored to be an Xbox-Pocket or similar handheld gaming devi...
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Compete with the iPod? Youve got to be crazy. That is unless youre Microsoft, with huge OS marketplace dominance, brand awareness, development resources and money to jump into that game. Lets face it, iPod rules (in a rare turn of the tables where...
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mobilitytoday.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:23
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A few months ago Microsoft made a commitment in providing a competitor to the Apple iPOD. Mobility Today has had the wonderful opportunity to receive a Zune for review in which we will go over all the aspects of the Zune. Please note this review will g...
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Lets get one thing clear at the start: the Zune is a beautiful music player and the entire ecosystem trumps anything devised by a PlaysforSure licensee. But Microsoft isnt satisfied with showing up its own partners; it wants a piece of Apple pie.
Great interface Elegant design FM radio support Well-implemented ecosystem Gorgeous display Zune Marketplace Xbox 360 support...
No variable bit rate encoding support in the Zune software The social isnt quite here yet—WiFi functionality is lacking Software bugs and sync problems Cant import music from other music services Cant use the Zune as a portable hard drive Compressio...
The Zune is quite a compelling product, but it shows a strange schizophrenia of spirit. The detail work on the device is elegant and illustrates the thoughtful care lavished on the product, but basic functionality is crippled or poorly implemented. Whe...
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Microsoft thinks it may finally have an iPod killer in its Zune MP3 players. But there are certain uncanny resemblances between the Zune and the iPod. Should the software giant have given a little more thought to its plan of attack?Microsoft Zune In t...
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mp3.com Updated:
2011-08-02 00:08:23
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The Microsoft Zune has very good playback performance of audio, video, and photos; intuitive and colorful interface; good FM radio with RDS; works well with Zune Marketplace software; integrated wireless allows sharing of songs (limited) and photos; ma...
The Microsoft Zune has very good playback performance of audio, video, and photos; intuitive and colorful interface; good FM radio with RDS; works well with Zune Marketplace software; integrated wireless allows sharing of songs (limited) and photos; ma...
The Microsoft Zune is not backward compatible with WMA-DRM9; weak native video support (cannot play protected content) and no video offerings from Zune Marketplace; cannot be used as a hard drive (and no UMS support); proprietary USB; cannot use Wi-Fi...
The Microsoft Zune with its intuitive interface and solid playback performance will please most users. But lukewarm format support and the cool but limited Wi-Fi capability will have advanced users seeking more. The Zune is a very good start, though.
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Next week, Microsoft Corp. will launch the most serious challenge ever mounted to Apple Computers iPod and iTunes juggernaut in digital music. The software giant is introducing a portable player called the Zune, an online music store called Zune Mark...
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Posted AT 3:29 PM EST ON 14/09/06 Print E-mail Comments (15) Share this article Microsofts Zune ALLISON LINN Associated Press SEATTLE ? Microsoft Corp.s effort to compete against Apples iPod juggernaut will focus on the idea that people want to be a...
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