http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft made the Zune because partner hardware "sucks" http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
"ZOMG these new players are teh suck"

You spelled "teh" wrong by spelling it correctly!

Good day, Engadget :D]]>Jan 20th 2007 5:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 5:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/"yes we must build our own, it has to be a real sucky player."]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
- No DRM bullshit like Zune
- Handles DivX and Xvid formats, yay for geeks
- FM radio
- Records FM radio
- Voice recorder
- Great screen
- No proprietary software needed (like iTunes), just drag and drop

What's wrong:
- Not strong enough ad campaign
- Not enough accessories

And you can't replace the battery yourself when it dies. I understand this is to conserve on space inside the chassis, but it's still an annoyance.]]>Jan 20th 2007 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/- It sucks ass


After 5 minutes of frustrating attempts to use it while I was in a store, I gave up.
By comparison, anyone knows how to use an iPod after one minute.]]>Jan 20th 2007 6:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 9:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 11:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
i rather prefer it to the crappy ipods, as ipods are far more expensive for less storage space, and seem to break far easier than the nomads.]]>Jan 27th 2007 7:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Poor build quality/cheap materials
Lackluster design
Very 'clunky' to hold, the thing just feels cheap

These are big turn-offs, not that the Zune is any better at all.]]>Jan 20th 2007 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
...WTF?]]>Jan 20th 2007 10:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 9:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
This is the kind of thing that gets my goat, you get someone who presumably has a problem with a couple pieces of hardware, and the next thing, IT SUCKS!!11!

"Trust me, I know from experience" That's really funny....coming from a dude who calls himself Master Jedi Dan.

Anti-Toshiba fanboys, Anti-apple fanboys, Anti-Microsoft fanboys....you're all a bunch of little whinging bitches. How about assessing individual products on their MERITS (or lack thereof) as opposed to some reactionary pseudo anti-consumerist rhetoric, or better still, an immature brand attachment that marketing firms would murder children for, in order to be able to bottle it and sell it.

The manufacturing companies just laugh and count their Yen/Yuan/Dollars. And so they should.

Man, I need a coffee or something.]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 21st 2007 9:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 21st 2007 4:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
THAT"S it no. 1 selling point.]]>Jan 22nd 2007 7:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Now at least I know they're not blind: they do see the flaws in the products that consumers see. This is quite reassuring. It's such a shame Allchin has retired now. Let's hope the realism in the company doesn't stray: that way, we'll all be in for better products across the consumer electronics industry.]]>Jan 20th 2007 6:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 6:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/If you believe this site is so biased, why are you reading it? No one if forcing you to, and trust me, engadget won't shed a tear once your gone.

So do us all a favor, quit bitchin and just don't read it anymore if you hate it so much.]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Also, the iPhone is so much better than any MS mobile 5 device.

I have owned the Treo 700 and now the Q, but after watching the Apple Keynote - the iPhone is so much better - no comparison.

]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
I seriously doubt you ever used Windows Mobile, and I don't see how it is even comparable, like you could do what you can with Windows Mobile on iPhone a closed system.

Now, shoo shoo, go to your Apple Zealot forums and let the unbiased people discuss.
]]>Jan 21st 2007 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 22nd 2007 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/I love my Zune, its a good player, iPods are good, and so are many of the Creative players. My choice doesn't make your choice wrong and visa versa. Buy the one you want and find something important to be concerned about.]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Who cares if it hasn't been updated recently? It works better than any player I've used. It could be a thousand years old for all I care.

"iTUNES wants to take over your music folders by reorganizing everything and putting your "singles" in a folder higherarchy that makes it extremely difficult to manage"

It shows how much you know about iTunes. It only changes your hierarchy if you want it to. It's as simple as checking a box. Sure, iPods aren't as good as say some of the Archos players in the way you can organize your music, but I'm satisfied.

"Closed battery access. Who the heck wants to ship their player to get a new battery?"

A low of people complain about this. First of all you don't have to ship the player to get a new battery. It's a hassle, but you can buy 3rd party batteries and install them at home. If you're talking about the 'iPod batteries die after a couple years' controversy, that was resolved years ago. I doubt more than a couple percent of the market even cares about using a different battery.

"Everybody has one - so much for individuality"

Oh no! The big bad anti-conformist god will kill me for getting it! Think for yourself. Why are you getting it? Is it because it's popular or more respectably because you value the features more than those of other players?

"Overpriced players"
They're somewhat more expensive than some players, but you by just holding it you can tell it's made of high quality materials. It doesn't just feel like plastic like a Zen Vision:M does.

"Can't install iTunes without quicktime (another Nazi like application)"

I have never liked the inclusion of Quicktime, but I use it on a regular basis anyways, so I don't care. Are you saying that you never have to use QT? For example I prefer HD movie trailers on Apple.com/trailers rather than low quality ones on Youtube or elsewhere.

"Steve Jobs marketing lies. "The world's first pocketable device with a full web browser" when referring to the overhyped iphone. Hey Steve.......ever use a Windows Mobile Phone? Mine has a full featured browser and it fits in my pocket!"

Um, didn't you say these complaints were about the iPod?

"No FM"

That's the reason I have an iPod - so I don't have to listen to the radio.


If you're going to bash the iPod get some valid reasons.]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Antiquated Interface - Why fix something that isn't broken, and is still ahead of the competition? I actually like iTunes keeping my folders in order. I don't care if my iPod isn't individual enough. It's just my mp3 player, not my life. It works well, and i feel like i got what i paid for. Something thoughtfully designed and well built.

But that is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that every single one of those points is my personal opinion. I'm not tring to impose it on ou or anyone else. I respect your right to complain about the way in which their software works, and to say how you have a preference to Windows and the Zune, just like i can say i like my iPod. However to then go and criticise the writers, who aren't asking you to agree with them, and are providing a fantastic service which we all enjoy for free, is just immature.

I found engadget to be incredibly patient with the Zune. They gave it plenty of pre-launch coverage, and spent plenty of time touting it's features. It's had a fair chance to catch the public's eye, and it's by no means capitalising on that chance with the slew of let-downs that we keep hearing about.]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Really? And how about the constant iPhone bashing? What, that doesn't count?]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Yeah, but somehow MS gets credit for agility in putting the Zune together "from the scratch" in like 18 months.

Businessweek et al need to do a bit more research on that. This is MS we're talking about.]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 7:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Aside: If a keynote is all it takes for you to conclude that the iPhone is supreme, well, alright. Hooray for the marketing folk. And we should all probably just trust the Jedi; Toshiba hardware sucks. It is spoken.]]>Jan 20th 2007 7:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
That is the worst prediction I have ever heard.]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
Trying to define individuality through a product (this is for you aaa) - toes in line with the exact paramaters marketing wants you to profess in your personal and public life. Get pissed off about a product someone owns because it "represents" all these cultural and personal connotations about someone. Example: what comes to mind when someone has an iPod, wears Diesel shoes, and has big ass sunglasses and is completely bald.

A hip graphic designer with no street smarts? Guess again, it's one of my friends who works in a homeless shelter.

Okay, examples aside about how marketing warps perception of our common brother to provide brand loyalty and drive profits through inflated pricing (hence the word: tools):

This article contains no editorial comment about Apple at all. The only comment about Apple is a quote folks. Careful reading would save you the embarrassment of showing your prolapsed rectum to the general public.

]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/
I have a Sansa and I love it. The menu is nice, it has nice features, it's extremely easy to add stuff to, or take off, and best of all, when you hold it, it actually feels like something durable and worth the money. I am far from an iPod hater, and I in fact like the iPod, but the Sansa is just as good in my opinion. I recommend to anyone just to try it in the store. :)

Eric.]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 8:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/



I waited for a long time before buying an iPod. I used a Lifedrive for the longest, but it was time to change to a dedicated player. I looked at the Gigabeat, Sandisk and a few others, including the Archos.

But when I touched an iPod, it was unbelievable how easy it was to use. How intuitive. The click scroll wheel was incredible. Despite hating software aggregators such as MusicMatch, I had no such qualms about using iTunes. Again, it was intuitive and above that is home to some incredible content. But still I waited. I waited for the Zune, because it was supposed to be the iPod killer.

I used it in a store and found it to be cumbersome. It had a scroll wheel that didn't scroll. The concept of the wifi transfer was just short of ridiculous. I play music and sometimes transfer my tunes to my family. Microsoft successfuly achieved something that no one in the history of music or hardware has ever done -- They placed DRM on my own files! A 3 day limit on my own songs transferred to another Zune. I won't go into the counterintuitive setup process, which a fellow at a store took 20 minutes to go over.

In the end, I received an iPod as a gift. Yes, I am drinking the Kool-Aide and feeding into the Stevie J. Distortion Machine, but I can watch movies and listen to my entire 5,000 song record collection in peace, without worries. I can sync my podcasts in peace, without worries. The wife can listen to her soap operas daily on the way to work, on HER iPod.

And yes, we will be purchasing the AppleTV next month. Again, because of the built-in hard drive and the ability to transfer the iTunes library to a dedicated hard drive; the ability to stream any movie off of a central computer non-Apple and download movies if I want to on-demand; the ability to hook it up to the stereo system, without reaching for any more CD's.

It's been said several times before, but I chose to go the Apple route late last year, BECAUSE IT JUST WORKS!

LDD.






]]>Jan 20th 2007 8:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 8:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 20th 2007 8:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/20/microsoft-made-the-zune-because-partner-hardware-sucks/Jan 21st 2007 11:23PM