Zune stacks up in size: iPods, Zen, Sansa
By Ryan Block 
posted Nov 5th 2006 10:41PM
posted Nov 5th 2006 10:41PM
P.S. -In case you're wondering, the screens only "lit" on the Zune because it's a non-functional retail display unit.
[Thanks, Steven]
Damn the nano is thin.
the ipod is still the best. Ipod for life woot woot. Steve Jobs can blow me netime
Given the nature of your Ipod post, I suspect you'd be the one with the mouthwash after that experience.
So it's thicker and taller than the iPod 5G, but it's not quite as wide. Eh, that's still too big, although I was surprised to see that it was thinner than the Zen Vision: M (is that a 30GB V:M?).
By the way, have you guys seen the various Zune commercials? Now they're horrible...worse advertisements I've ever seen--the average person won't even know what the Zune is. Do they ever show the actual player? That's one part of the Apple formula they shoulda copied--product-centric commercials.
Yeah, and in the commercial it looks like an iPod. They never even say what the Zune is.
To get the zune or not to?
yeah because the zune looks so much like an ipod...
/sarcasm
and it doesn't say zune in big letters at the end.
/sarcasm
plus, iPod commercials are normally cool, hip-hop singing/dancing commercials, while the zune commercial is laid-back chilling commercial. ( the picnic one )
how about weight?
how else could they explain the "awesome" battery life...
PS. you're not supposed to know how thick it is... look at the packaging vs. ipod packaging..
tee hee
Looks good, but I'm still holding out for a cell phone with a hard drive, media player, word document reader and USB slot. ;)
Sansa is looking really good it looks smaller then the nano although not as thin. But does so much more like video and had fm radio and record function
Where's the Gigabeat S? Why has everyone forgotten it so fast? And most important, why are we getting the shaft with a crippled player with no accessories and no hope for a firmware upgrade? I hate you Toshiba, and maybe also Microsoft.
That zune looks as thick and boxy as the 5 year old 1st gen ipod. What's sad is that the 80GB ipod is still thinner than the 30GB zune. Talk about bulky.
Zune is a completely new monster, only first generation. I give it until the 3rd generation before it becomes a cheaper and better alternative to the iPod. The iPod might be on generation 8 by then, but I bet it will be glistening and still too expensive.
I love my Sansa, but I'm keeping my eyes on the Zune. Like was said above, by Gen 2 or 3 it's going to be a mature device and worth looking at seriously.
Yes, the Sansa is smaller than the iPod nano, has an FM tuner, and plays video too. However, the Sansa e200 only plays MJPEG video which takes up a lot of space and normal MPEG4/MPEG2 video must be converted first.
...Just thought you should know since I own the Sansa e260.
Now, compare the Sansa e200 to the Zune and Wow, I might as well just get a Pocket PC!
The sansa is one of the best competitors to the Sansa, its no nano but look at the size of that thing! And all the defects of the shiny sansa can be easily fixed with firmware updates.
funny how many of them have wheels, eh?
I like how the Creative is the only one that looks distinguishable from the rest of the mp3players on there :D (eg.. not having the wheel)
Still lovin that screen size on the Zune though. Worth the extra bulk in my opinion. Anyways, still debating whether to go with Zune or iPod 5.5. I guess I will just go to BestBuy on the 14th and give em both a look. The shiny scratch attracting material of the iPod is kinda steering me toward Zune.
Bigger, maybe. But i bet it is still small, and i bet i wont feel like im going to shatter it like the ipod video. Not to mention large screen, battery, fm tuner, AND wireless. Ipod would have to be larger to accomodate those add ons too.
Larger screen- Same resolution but still better.
Bigger battery- Because it will eat it faster.
Fm tuner- I bought a large mp3 player so I'd never have to listen to the radio again. I freakin hate the radio.
Wireless- If I want to trade songs with my friends(which ALL have iPods), I'll go to their house and trade unrestricted.
Steven
It might be thicker but it's better. Gives a better firm grip in your hand. Why do apple fanboys always complain about it being thicker? It's not even half an inch thick, it's just a tens of an inch difference. How small are your hands? Are you a baby? Do u always prefer something fragile? Something inspired by Nicole Ritchie?
Based on your comments, you are the one who looks like a fanboy.
The battery might be big; however, the life is short.
Why are people trying to justify that the size of the first generation Zune is perfect. The only reason why the first generation iPod was large is due to time, technology, and cost. At our current time, we can create smaller electronics by cutting down a lot cost, so Microsoft had a choice to create a smaller player, but they did not want to increase the price due to its competitors price.
It might be thicker but its better? How would you know its better? Have you seen one, have you had it in your hands? Also, this comment about giving them to gen 2 or 3 zune to get it right, that is rubbish. When the original 5GB iPod came out it was the most amazing, cool and inovative product of its time... Why can't MS with all their resources not develop a truely super machine.... instead of just updating and giveing a toshiba gigabeat a makeover??
"funny how many of them have wheels, eh?"
Actually, the Zune wheel is not a wheel. It's just a set of buttons disguised as a wheel.
smaller electronics means less features which would explain ipods slim look , mediocre video quality and short battery life. Apple always puts style first and functionality second, which is really retarded because this is an electronic gadget, not some leather purse bag you show off to your gay friends. And just so you know, I do not own any those players displayed, although I'm planning on getting myself the creative zvm which beats ipod features by a mile. Sorry fanboy.
I know I'm probably being biased here, but i think m*cro$oft is filled with a bunch of greedy people who care nothing about their consumers, and this is why i have been glad to see the iPod do so well the past few years and see apple finally take hold of a market. Sure apple charges a premium - but they charge a premium because the iPod really is the best. Like all of the other reviewers have stated - they all clearly have wheels, wonder where that started?
Thin to win - the bulkier something is the less I am willing to shove it in my pocket for a day and carry it around - i already have to carry a wallet and an oversized brick of a cellphone last thing i want is a huge Zune taking up even more space in my pocket.
I like the idea of having wifi, if someone finds a way to throw a linux distro on a Zune and allow me to download music while walking around then i might consider the extra bulk useful, but until then, its extra bulk.
Does anyone know how durable the zune is? i have heard all of these crazy stories from my friends about washing nanos and swimming with them - i myself have dropped an iPod 3g off the top of my car going 50 and had nothing happen except a few minor scratches on the front ( people always complain about scratching but anything that gets launched off a car into asphalt without taking more than 3 scratches has my vote ).
Point is, most people are happy with their iPods and since everyone knows how to use one now its even better and more user friendly, as even my young sister knows how to use one.
The Zen is most "high tech" with the purty videos and stuff that the ipod doesnt have.
You are absolutely correct qbix. The Toshiba S60 should be in this group. I guess since Toshiba built the Zune it's sort of represented. Nevertheless, for the price (currently $250 for 60 GB in some stores) it's value is VERY competitive. It also doesn't have the silly inefficient wheel and has FM(an extra $30 accesory for Ipod).
FM is UNDERRATED. Sometimes I don't want to spend my time looking for a new playlist or new song or spend money on new tracks when I can hear them for free, completely free-FM also allows me to hear some news programs without having to download xxxxcasts. It sucks if you live in a place with 3 good radio stations.
Unfortunately for the S60 you really do need Windows MCE or 360 to get the most out it.
The Zune is going to suck. Microsoft is not doing anything special with this. They are trying to hard to acieve something they never will. Ipod is a far better then the Zune and will always be.
I mean the only 2 things the Zune has over the ipod is Wifi(which is really useless at this point, it really does nothing), and a bigger screen. Woopdy Doo, .5 inchs in a HUGE difference.
Wait til the touchscreen/wirless ipod comes out later this year/early next yet. That will blow the Zune way out of the water.
First off I read a article by a financial anaysyst, and he said the Zune was this years BIGGEST flop, and Steve Jobs said he wasnt at ALL threatened by the Zune.
I dont know why there is so much hype/publicity surrounding the Zune, this is just another "I want to be an ipod" Mp3 players, and I dont see that happenening ANYTIME soon.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare Zune, a harddrive player with Sansa and Nano, which are flashdrive players.
I actually prefer bigger players. I have a 20G 2nd gen iPod and a new Sansa, and the Sansa is tiny compared to the iPod, but I like the feel of the iPod more. It seems more solid.
Those bashing FM are just like the fox that bashed the grapes as "sour" just because he couldn't get them. If iPod had FM you guys would be praising it. Same thing with bigger screen and WiFi, and you *know* it deep down.
iPod users could get their FM radio for 5 bucks http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Portable-Radio-Neck-Strap/dp/B0001NEBWO/
Or even less if you search for a better deal.
But they don't. Guess why ;-)
Not really. Why would I want to pay for an fm tuner when I would never use it? That's the whole point of owning an ipod, you listen to the music you want, when you want. I got my first ipod over 3 years ago and honest to god haven't listened to the radio for more than 5 mins since then. My 60GB ipod is chocked full of music and podcasts, and I can go ages without ever hearing the same some again. I actually enjoy being able to buy an ipod with no fm tuner in it, why pay for crap I won't use? If you just must have one, apple offers an add-on you can buy, so stop complaining.
Apple never really had a good excuse for no FM. That said, they need to work out a deal with Sirius or XM. I'd tolerate a couple extra tenths of an inch for sat-rad in an Ipod.
If Apple doesn't, don't be surprised if MS does.
Trevor @ Nov 6th 2006 12:41AM
said " First off I read a article by a financial anaysyst, and he said the Zune was this years BIGGEST flop, and Steve Jobs said he wasnt at ALL threatened by the Zune."
Zune already a flop? It has not been sold yet now its already a flop? Wow! And you got that from an article by a financial analyst? ( its analyst btw, not anaysyst). Steve Jobs said he was not threatened. Of course he wasn't threatened. As CEO of a company like Apple, it is his obligation to do all means necessary to make Apple fanboys like you feel better , and that includes being in denial about the whole thing.
trevor said "I dont know why there is so much hype/publicity surrounding the Zune, this is just another "I want to be an ipod" Mp3 players, and I dont see that happenening ANYTIME soon."
Boy, you sound so threatened there. Smart consumers want choices, it is competition, its just the way it is.
" I mean the only 2 things the Zune has over the ipod is Wifi(which is really useless at this point, it really does nothing)and a bigger screen."
BTW, wifi is not limited only for music transfer but pictures as well. For billions of hardcore digital photographers out there, it is very useful. Try reading the features and specs before you say something dumb.
"The Zune is going to suck. Microsoft is not doing anything special with this. They are trying to hard to acieve something they never will. Ipod is a far better then the Zune and will always be."
LoL. Typical words of a fanboy.
Just so you know, I'm no zune fan.
"Just so you know, I'm no zune fan."
Oh yes, clearly not at all a Zune fan.
I'll chime in.
So it's thick? I'm not quite sure why every likes the whole thin, spread out thing. When I put something in my pocket, I want it to have minimal flat surface area touching me. True, thinkness will make it worse, but it's a balancing act. Of course, the best solution would be curves. (Curves are quite underrated, but look at the MyFi, it works so well in the hand, yet its massive.) And, if the weight is spread out more, it feels more comfortable. iPods aren't comfortable in my hands.
I agree that the FM-bashers are jealous. Even if they truly don't like it, they'd be okay with it in the iPod. And the wi-fi, you know that's cool. Most people would use it if they had it.
I like the Zune, and I really hope it succeeds. It's an honest attempto break AWAY from the monotony of the iPod. Tink of that, Microsoft the dark horse and Apple the dominant one. What a scary world.
This all comes from a Linux user. I'm not for Microsoft, but I see no reason to hate them.
After holding even that display, I believe the Zune has a real chance. Having an iPod, i might even look twice at the Zune, but I haven't had my iPod long enough for an upgrade, and by the time I am ready, I'm sure Apple will have fired back. I say the Zune is a formidable opponent.
Steven
because it adds size to ur ipod, something u fanboys dont want.
and whoever says microsoft owners r greedy bastards is retarded. bill gates kept his money because he knew wat an unstable field he was working in. he knew that software business is a harsh business and any day his business can flop (this was back when he first started btw). so he saved up his money to make sure that even if his company flops, his employees will still get paid for work they have done that year. and if u call that greedy than u simply havent read wat i said.
By being smaller does not mean it would have less features, compare the current iPod with the first generation iPod, the current iPod is smaller and it has more features. Now why did you not mention Zune in your latest post, what Microsoft fanboy? You also mentioned the iPods battery life is short, well so is Zunes. Did you also notice the new Zen Vision M looks somewhat like the iPods, maybe you do want to show it off to your gay friends, hey look at me I have a generic iPod look-alike. Nevertheless, try not to change the subject fanboy; first you were defending the Zune, from there you went to talk trash about the iPods, and now you want a Zen Vision M.
smaller electronics means less features which would explain ipods slim look , mediocre video quality and short battery life. Apple always puts style first and functionality second
First of all, if Apple could fit an fm receiver inside a small remote control, there is no technical reason why they could not integrate it to the iPod.
Second, You make it sound like it's a bad thing to have a slim look. until now, people have always wanted smaller and smaller devices, why would it change with the Zune?
"mediocre video quality": sure, compared to my 80 inches plasma TV, the iPod screen looks mediocre. What do you expect from a 2,5" screen? There is a reason why Apple keep calling it the "iPod with video" and not the "iPod video".
"short battery life"; let's compare by size then, because apparently, that's what's important:
Zune: music 12h, video 3.5h
Zen 60GB: music 14h, video 5h
iPod 80GB: music 20h, video 6,5h
This sure is a short battery life!
(Yes, the iPod 30GB has less autonomy, but we are comparing players that have the closest size)
Finally, "Apple always puts style first and functionality second", right, and Ferrari puts style first and performance second. They're both important, and they're the reason for the iPod's success. A cool looking gadget will just be a 2-weeks fashion trend that if functionality is not developed.
Sorry fanboy
hahaha are you serious?
"BTW, wifi is not limited only for music transfer but pictures as well. For billions of hardcore digital photographers out there, it is very useful. Try reading the features and specs before you say something dumb."
Why don't you look look at the specs before saying something dumb for a change. No "hardcore" photographer as you would say would ever use the zune for pictures. First off it uses jpeg, which greatly degrades the picture quality. Secondly it automaticly converts all picture to 640 by 480 which is the quality of a webcam. If you don't believe me here are the specs pulled right off zune.net
Pictures
JPEG (.jpg): All resolutions (desktop software will automatically convert to 640x480 at sync time)
"It might be thicker but its better? How would you know its better? Have you seen one, have you had it in your hands? "
Of course.
"When the original 5GB iPod came out it was the most amazing, cool and inovative product of its time..."
Yeah, you can thank creative for that one.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/05/creative-officially-sues-apple.php
"Why can't MS with all their resources not develop a truely super machine.... instead of just updating and giveing a toshiba gigabeat a makeover??"
Unlike apple w/c is a sw/hw company, ms is primarily a software company.(Windows/office etc..)They are pretty much the new kid on the block with hardwares, xbox for instance which has been succesful recently. Besides, collaborating with another company is never a bad idea, and if you do your research, i'm sure you'll find out that apple had done the same long ago.For starters, you might wanna ask Steve Jobs why they put Intel chips on macs these days.
I'm getting pretty outright sick and tired of all these "omg it bgi!1" comments, you go to Best Buy and you look at a Zen, you could lose that thing through a crack in the floor, None of them are too big, if anything most are far too damned Small to be MEDIA players as they claim to be. Lose this "it's huge" crap, it's old, it's wrong, and everyone is sick of it.
so its taller and fatter but "not larger."
Usually I dismiss conspiracy theories, but even I am starting to think that MS is paying engadgets for this kind of constant promotion.
I mean, is the iPod really shorter and thinner but not smaller?
I think many people are delusional when it comes to this thing.
It's made by MS but doesn't say so anywhere.
It has a wheel like an iPod but it's fake.
It has a lower quality screen.
It has shorter battery life.
It's bulkier.
It's uglier.
It's untested and unseen by consumers.
It's made by a company famous for mediocrity and monopolistic practices.
Now tell me in what way this is different from all the other mp3 players that no one cares about?
waddo
It's STILL somehow better than an iPod? =)
1. the zune isn't as wide as an ipod. ( look at the picture ) I think that is what the Engadget guy was trying to say. (stop with your outrageous conspiracy theories.
2.I like the look of the "wheel" on the zune. it makes it look like a stand-up speaker.
3. I has the same quality screen as an ipod.
4. its battery life is the same as the 30gb ipod.
5. ofcourse it is untested and unseen by consumers. It hasn't come out yet! that hasn't stop iPodphiles from praising the 6g iPod. ( and it hasn't even been announced yet )
6. Xbox anyone? the original xbox rocked, and the 360 is poised to "win" the console war. ( a stupid term, as is this whole Zune vs iPod war )
why can't we all just get along and have both the Zune and the iPod together, just like we have macs and pcs.
You guys been watching the news? Apple has got a big change coming.
http://news.google.com/news?client=safari&rls=en&q=ipod%20leak&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
and
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&resnum=0&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=apple+patent&scoring=d
Its going to be huge and going to blow every one else out of the market.
Urgh !
Zune - is so old skool, it might even become successful for its retro looks...
ha hah ha...
oh dear of dear M$ -- (please give up - its painful to see you make such a mess of things...
It's good to see quite a few of you Apples are in denial on the zune capabilities and sexy looks. Where is the best mini media player out now? The iRiver Clix!?
"It's good to see quite a few of you Apples are in denial on the zune (...) sexy looks."
This time, Apple fanboys aren't the only ones. Half of the planet is laughing at the look of the zune, and the other half doesn't know about it!
ROFL
Hopefully by the time this time arrives in europe/uk, at the moment rumoured to be in 2008, it will be thinner! But another 12-18mths of ipod development between now and then! Competition is good for the consumer...but then creative etc have good devices on paper but its the whole package with the ipod that wins (itunes store/itunes app/ipod plus huge array of third party stuff)
OK folks, here's the bottom line. Zune weighs less than an ounce more than the Ipod and is .1" thicker than the Ipod. All other specs are ident. Stop calling it hulk. Words hurt.
And Ipodders, really, y'all shouldn't be battery bashing. I seem to remember the ole "Ipod batteries die after 18 mos" brewha here in NYC. Creative pwned pod batteries for years. That's right. Years.
For my money, I like the old school brown Zune. Has a geek-cool look to it. I'm not buying one though, cause I'm still happy (not about the scratching) with my 5G Ipod.
One last thing: So it only has 30GB. Big freakin' deal. I bought a 30 GB white and gray DMP because I didn't want to carry 15,000 songs with me all the time. Takes up less space on the 'puter as well.
How much has MS paid for the wall to wall positive coverage of the Zune on Engadget..? Are we going to see official Zune sponsorship when it actually ships? "Just beacuse it's taller, doesn't mean it's larger" No? So what does it take to be counted as larger..? Why not try to justify it being taller because it has the 'big' screen..?
IPOD fanboys, cut Engadget some slack. Engadget needs to give the zune a good review, or MS won't give them any more hardware to review ;)
I love to here those defending the bulk of a device by claiming it feels good in their hands and pockets. With having to carry so much essential stuff already, why oh why would you want more bulk to carry?
And I have an iPod and I do not listen to FM radio in my car. Does that still mean I am jealous because my iPod don't have FM radio? Get real, if I wanted FM with the constant annoying commercials and the repeated playlist all day long, I would not buy the iPod.
WHAT MORE BULK? Jesus christ its like 2mm thicker....
and im so sick of people saying "the ipod is better"
Really why? tell me 1 feature the ipod has that the zune doesnt? Because im sure people that arent apple fanboys could list quite a few features and advantages that the zune has that the ipod doesnt...
When 2 devices are priced the same it should come down to a feature by feature comparison anything else and your just a FANBOY
"tell me 1 feature the ipod has that the zune doesnt?"
A real scroll wheel?
Whats even more funny is the device is thinner (albeit by a tehnth of an inch probably) than the creative, yet fanboys keep calling the zune fat and not the creative... isnt that funny.
So people ask why the Zune doesn't look as sexy and slim as the iPod? WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WANT IT TO LOOK THE SAME!? It's DIFFERENT! Macs are the most ironic pieces of hardware on the market: be different, but all of our products look the same.
If it was the same dimensions as the iPod, everyone would say "It's just copying the iPod, those M$ greedy bastards." So it's a "little" thicker. Where does everyone's iPod go? in a baggy place or in a pouch on your waist, so this tenths of an inch don't make a diddly of a difference. The Zune's a little bigger, plays more file types, and attempts to bring users together. An A for effort for a company known for screwing the user.
I'm opting for a Zen Vision, only because it does what I want it to do: plays different file types, has a longer battery life, and looks different. Every iPod owner is scared that if the Zune because the new culture icon every accessory manufacturer will flock to it and the iPod will become what the Mac is: a shiny trinket with potential that is hindered by the company that wants to keep it's tech prorietory.
@ Cris
When 2 cars are priced the same, do you based your buying decision on feature for feature comparison, or does other factors come into play. Like say looks, feel, comfort etc. This may be subjective but when I am buying a DAP, besides the feature comparison, I am comparing looks, the feel, the size, the ease of use etc. And now that MS has joined the 'Closed' club, which DAP is the least restrictive.
Is anyone else noticing engadget's curious uber-coverage (and uber-positive coverage) of the Zune? In a very, very, large universe of upcoming and existing Mp3 players, I'm surprised that one player would get the kind of coverage that engadget is giving this.
I wonder what financial relationship exists between Engadget (one of the world's leading technology websites) and Microsoft (one of the world's leading computer companies, desperately wanting to break into this lucrative market).
I took the liberty of e-mailing this very question to Engadget. Unfortunately, I didn't make a copy of the message, so I can't show everyone, but I hope to see it in the response (if they send one).
I'll keep everyone posted,
-Simon
yeah because the iPods didn't get dozens of posts whenever they came out.(the iPod video, nano, shuffle)
Oh wait! I got it! Apple must be paying Engadget to write positive articles about the iPod! couldn't possibly be that it was a good product!
Have you ever considered the fact that maybe the Zune is a good player? stop being a fanboy. If you don't like the Zune, so what stick with the iPod, or zen, or sansa, etc.
Same goes for any other fanboys who like bashing the iPod. they are both great products.
Got a blazing fast, and unequivocal response from Peter Rojas, an Editor at Engadget. He stated the following:
"We do NOT sell our editorial. Period. We are, however, a blog, and as such we do freely offer our opinions, both good and bad, about the products
we're writing about."
Re: How products come to be featured in the Engadget blog:
"Only on the basis of whether we think it's interesting or not. Companies have ZERO influence over ANY editorial decision."
---------
So there you have it. Though I still can't see why the Zune is getting as much attention as it is, it's good to know that Engadget's motives aren't coming from the cash register.
Thanks Peter!
-Simon
Woody56292,
While I'm quite certain that your own words will say all they need to about your intellectual pedigree, I will add a few salient points to make this completely clear.
Lets start with your words:
yeah because the iPods didn't get dozens of posts whenever they came out.(the iPod video, nano, shuffle)
Oh wait! I got it! Apple must be paying Engadget to write positive articles about the iPod! couldn't possibly be that it was a good product!
Have you ever considered the fact that maybe the Zune is a good player? stop being a fanboy. If you don't like the Zune, so what stick with the iPod, or zen, or sansa, etc.
Same goes for any other fanboys who like bashing the iPod. they are both great products.
My issue was not with iPod's, Zune's, or any other particular brand of player, however much you might wish to reduce this to another mindless discussion about brand loyalties and which product is the best.
Instead, it is an effort to become aware of the way in which products come to be featured on influential blogs such as these, and to discover what relationships exist, if any, between companies that manufacture products, and sites that review and/or discuss them.
I could just as easily have asked the same about the iPod, but did not. The Zune struck me as particularly undeserving of the kind of attention it was getting, though by no means is Apple exempt from the same phenomenon. Steve Jobs' almost magical ability to reduce what is supposed to be a critical press to a group of cheerleaders is certainly deserving of some criticism. But that story has been told and is well known by now. I have resigned myself to the fact that I won't be seeing much critical coverage of Apple's products, nor of the endless stream of techno-gadgetry discussion that revolves around questions only in terms of to buy or not to buy.
In the case of the Zune, it's an interesting example of a very powerful company that wants desperately to crack into a very lucrative market, and has all kinds of resources to help it do so. I wondered what Engadget's part might have been in this. I was encouraged to hear - and I dutifully noted - that money had no direct part to play in the amount of coverage nor the favourable/unfavourable views of editors.
Of course the advertising that supports sites like this leave aside larger and more important questions about the realm of possibility of what can be said about consumer products like this; its tough to attract advertisers that will support critical discussion of the very products they pay not to have shoppers engage in. As long as its framed in your familiar language of choosing between products rather than asking if we need them, what the consequences/interests are, etc., then the happy hum of advertisers and their ilk continue. Give yourself a pat on the back for that.
If you dare, try to consider these products outside of the consumerist rhetoric being spewed forth and think critically. Encourage sites like these to be a site of critical, enlightened discussion instead of a mouthpiece for industry via your comments. Theres a real idea.
-Simon
will the zune play .m4a files? thats a BIG decision mark in me deciding over zune or ipod.
This doesn't only apply to .mp3 players, but why do people think more features = better? A device that does a million things is useless if it does none of them well. When I buy an .mp3 player I want to buy the best .mp3 player available, screw all the other stuff. At the moment I am in the market for a .mp3 player and will be looking at the zune when it comes out. However, the ipod is a sleek, simple and intuitive device that does what it is made for almost flawlessly. The zune better be ready to impress if microsoft wants my money.
Ok, I just want to put some grounds under the discussion about dimensions.
I just taken the official measures of the two babies:
ZUNE: 4.4 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.6 in. (from Zune.net)
IPOD 30 GB (to not be confused with the 80GB one): # Height: 4.1 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.43 in. (from Apple.com)
Let's do some maths:
iPod volume: 4.2312
Zune volume: 6.33
% increase: +49.7 %
In other words: there is a whopping 50% more volume in a Zune. The space taken by 3 iPod is the same taken by 2 Zune.
To people that don't think this is an issue: think twice. Zune have some features, like the screen and the require-a-bigger-battery wifi, that can increase size and indeed those features increase the final size. It's a trade-off.
You can't argue the Zune has more feature, doesn't matter the size.
In this field, wearable consumer electronics, size matter. A lot.
Apple has an history in taking the size down.
A hint to this: the Zune is only marginally heavier than the iPod, meaning that the iPod is phisically more dense.
All this without taking into account the rounded shape of the iPod: that shape is aimed to reduce the clunkiness, to make the iPod look slimmer than another device with the same dimension, let alone one 50% bigger.
ha ha! you are comparing first generation ipods to the current ipods. Now compare the current ipod to zune, see which player has more features. Got it?? A microsoft fanboy? I mentioned how thickness is better, now I'm automatically a fanboy?? Perhaps, you should go back to the players displayed in the picture and see which one is the thickest. Creative ZVM or zune??
you said " Did you also notice the new Zen Vision M looks somewhat like the iPods, maybe you do want to show it off to your gay friends, hey look at me I have a generic iPod look-alike "
True, zvm from a distance may look like ipod, that's because they have the same dimensions( except for the thickness ) same screen size ,(2.5 inches) which is pretty much the standard lcd size for most gadgets right now ( digital cameras, digital camcorders ).Other than that, they are totally different. But you should know the history between creative and apple which you'll find interesting before you accuse creative of being a copycat.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/05/creative-officially-sues-apple.php
Truth hurts , doesn't it?
"First of all, if Apple could fit an fm receiver inside a small remote control, there is no technical reason why they could not integrate it to the iPod."
No technical reason huh?? Then explain it to me why apple had to have it sold separately.
"Second, You make it sound like it's a bad thing to have a slim look. until now, people have always wanted smaller and smaller devices, why would it change with the Zune?"
I'm not saying slim is a bad thing, I just prefer it a little bit thicker, but if you prefer it that way, then stick with it. You are saying people have always wanted smaller and smaller devices. Then prove to me by getting yourself the creative zen v plus and see if you enjoy its very tiny size. My guess is, you wont get it cos it doesnt have apple written over it. Also early on, a rumour spread out that about the ipod video http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/10/so-this-is-the-video-ipod-eh/ .
That thing is way huge doesn't it? But apple fanboys like you went crazy about it and all of the sudden, size was not an issue.
Yes, ipod video quality is mediocre compared to creatives zvm. We are not comparing plasma tv here, which you claim you own. zvm has 262,000 colors to the iPod's mediocre 65,000. I think it's quite clear now, that im more a zvm fan here than a zune fan, so don't get confused. I mentioned earlier that i was getting myself a zvm, take that as a hint.
Which one would u choose? A ferrari which looks great from the outside but an interior with no stereo, no leather seats, no airconditioning, no airbags. Or a Porsche 911 with stereo, leather seats, airconditioning, airbags. I would chose the porsche 911 with all the interior stuff in it, sure porsche 911 may not be as great looking compared to the ferrari, but its not an ugly looking car either, plus it has all the interior that is essential for every car owner. Still interested in the Great looking ferrari with no interior? Get the metaphor here?
It's all about the brand name , isn't it? It doesn't matter what's inside, as long as it has the apple logo. Look who's the fanboy now? ha ha.
podcast support, audio book support w/ chapters, calander/phonebook/notes
tones of support from 3rd party like NY subway maps, Wikipedia notes etc
I still want one. that hasn't changed. I want to be part of the social too!
Ok, however, an iPod does not look like NOMAD Jukebox, while the new Zen Vision M does somewhat look like an iPod.
Zune = nerd's iPod
wow fanboys vs fanboys dam yall annoying as hell cause when yall post something about microsoft the apple fanboys come talk shit and when yall post something about apple they microsoft fanboys come talk shit yall just annoying i go with what works for me! big grown ass people yall acting like they paying yall.ok now for the post i think its big but for what you getting the size is str8 but i complain how big my ipod video is already so i will stick wity my ipod video for now until the next generation of ipod and zune then i decide.
"Look who's the fanboy now? ha ha." Judging by your behavior, it's you, ha ha indeed.
You got you metaphor almost right, you just forgot to inform yourself. Both Ferraris and Porsches look good from the outside and are sold with airbags, airconditioning, stereo, etc... as both Zens and iPods play music and videos, can be used to watch slideshows on TV, etc... Then each one also has exclusive features, which make them different, therefore aimed at a different target markets.
However, as much as you seem to love the Zen, it doesn't make the iPod featureless, as you presented it.
And I'm sure some people buy the iPod just because its popular, but the majority buys it to listen to their music.
You want to buy a Porsche, go with it, it's a very good choice. But don't go telling everyone that Ferraris suck just to justify your choice.
"Really why? tell me 1 feature the ipod has that the zune doesnt? "
1. Contacts
2. Calendar
3. Notes
4. Games
5. On the Go Playlists
6. Gapless Playback
7. More Audio Formats (AAC, mp3, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV vs. .wma, .mp3, AAC)
8. More Video Formats (H.264, .mp4, m4v, .mov vs. .wmv only)
Oops, you only asked for ONE, didn't you?
At least we agreed on one thing,
"And I'm sure some people buy the iPod just because its popular",
regardless of the limited features.
OK, the zune looks like a pretty awesome device that is not big and will give apple a run for its money, and i cant think of anything wrong with it. and stop hating microsoft for being microsoft, jeesh
BTW, I am an apple supporter, have an Ipod 5G, and use an (un bootcamped) White MacBook, which i is awesome for what i need
Zune is definitely a challenge to Apple. Screen size and quality is very important.
no dip the zune is thicker - its got wireless capabilities, larger screen, 30 gigs of hard disk memory, fm tuner capabilities, a/v connection capabilities, a bigger better longer lasting battery, of course it is bigger, and all of that isnt included for the ipod in the player itself, you would have to buy accesories which make the ipod bigger in size too. i think the zune is going to be an ipod killer!! Go Zune
P.S. the commercials are cool especially the one with the two birds.
quit complaining about the size just because its better than the ipod and you know it!!!!!
So what if the zune is thicker!I hate the overall style of ipods,zen's and sansa's!!!The zune is unique and 1/2 an inch on a portable device is a huge difference!!!I used to own a ipod and everything about it sucked and now i have owned the zune for 6 months now and it has never ever frozed!!!Unlike ipods,zen's and sansa's so...i think it is quite obvious that zune is the best!!!Plus ipod has been throuugh many generations and it still has many flaws and the zune is only on there 1st generation and there are hardly any flaws!