I actually bought the first Zune and then like five days later, Apple came out with the iPhone and I was completely floored and a little upset that Microsoft didn't get there first. I played around with it for a couple more weeks, but ended up selling it to my brother, who got mad at me when he didn't like it. I tried to return to Best Buy, but it was too late. I finally sold it on Ebay for one-third what I paid.
I want an iPod Touch now, but I blasted my friend's iPhone so bad that I would just look like a big hypocrite.
Yeah, the Zodiac series screams TOTAL EMO. For someone who claims Microsoft is out of touch, you sure as hell don't know what typifies emo culture (and therefore what an emo kid would have affinity for.)
You may think that. But between the constant lockups and device crashes, the fact that every day the UI seems to get slower and slower, and the fact that I have to let iTunes anywhere near my computer make it a pretty lousy device. I hate mine.
@MioTheGreat, who said: "But between the constant lockups and device crashes, the fact that every day the UI seems to get slower and slower..."
Sounds to me like every small device which tries to be a personal computer. That's no doubt why Apple was so resistant against allowing third party apps in the first place, but I really don't need a bazillion apps. I just want music good music playback and maybe watch a couple of movies from time to time.
To tell you the truth, the thing that really attracted me to the iPhone and now the iPod Touch, are those headphones with the buttons that let you to skip back and forth through songs and adjust the volume. I hate the click wheel or whatever you call it on the iPod Classic and the imitation one on the Zune. I just want to start a playlist and put the player in my pocket and not have to look at it again. Because of those headphones, I can do that.
Basically, if you don't like reaching in your pocket to hit the click wheel or the click thing on the Zune (what's it called again?) or if you even don't like a Touch Screen for whatever reason, Apple provides these headphones with the iPhone and the new iPod Touch.
My best friend let me play around with his iPhone and being the PC lover I am, of course I lied and said that it sucked, but I really wanted it after playing around with those headphones. They solved my biggest gripe about MP3 players. And don't let the fanboys ruin making an informed decision. They're stuck on the PC versus Mac drama. I'm not. I buy what works better and at the present time, Apple makes better MP3 players.
I thought headphones with buttons on the were really common. Almost every cellphone my brother has came with a pair of headphones with some sort of button on the cord, as did my psp (albeit in a separate piece of hardware, but only minimally). The iPhone was the last adopter or the tech in his cell phone family tree. At least that's what I thought, it could be that these new buttons that apple released are revolutionary buttons, on course to change the world of pushing buttons forever?
I've been talking about the iPod Touch, which is not a phone, but an MP3 player. I don't know of any MP3 players with this technology, but if there are, then my mistake. And while I understand that most phones have headphones with mics on them, I haven't personally seen any that will work with your music. But I'm not an expert on cell phones by any means.
I'm starting to get the feeling that if you say anything on Engadget even slightly positive about Apple, even if you're a PC user, then there will be a line of people to either Low Rank you or say, hey, so and so company has had this feature first or something to that effect. People are really paranoid about praise for Apple.
I just like some of their stuff, folks. I'm not trying to imply anything about your manhood or anything. Relax.
I never said that Apple's headphones were revolutionary. I said that I preferred the iPod Touch over the Zune because the iPod had headphones with buttons (and a microphone) and the Zune didn't. But now that you bring it up, if this feature isn't revolutionary, why doesn't all MP3 players have it?
@paul chapel: because most companies don't necessarily intend their earbuds to be an overly remarkable feature. I think they halfway expect people (at least those wanting reasonable sound quality) to upgrade to a third-party earbud, and most third party earbuds have clickers on them.
v-moda vibe duo, Skullcandy INK'D Earbuds, Griffin Tunebuds, Shure I2c-m Stereo Mobile Headset, Ultimate Ears super.fi 4vi, all off a google search for "earbuds clicker"
The V-moda Vibe duo are just heaphones, no button functionality. The Skullcandy INK'D Earbuds are in-ear headphones, but no button functionality. The Griffin Tunebuds are just in-ear headphones, no button functionality. Shure I2c-m Stereo Mobile Headset are for PHONES, but is compatible with the iPhone, but I see nothing for the Zune. I also don't see any button functionality again.
Dude, you DO understand that Apple's headphones allow you to click through your music without touching the player, right? They're not just headphones.
From Apple's web site: "The control capsule located on the cable of the right earpiece includes a microphone and three buttons. With this convenient remote, you can adjust the volume, control music or video playback — including play/pause and next/previous — and record voice memos."
I think you've been arguing about cake, when you should have been talking about pie.
-From the v-moda website: Microphone’s call control button quickly answers phone calls and operates music playback/fast forward features -I suppose I should have specified when I said Griffin Tunebuds, I mean Griffin Tunebuds Mobile. -I was wrong about the skullcandy ink'd, although they offer different models with the same functionality. -You sort of proved my point about the shures.
All I am trying to say is that it is not new technology, or a new idea.
Well, I still don't see how these cell phone headphones make the Zune in the same league as the iPod Touch. The iPod Touch is not a phone. None of the headphones you mention work with the Zune (that I can see) and I've already conceded that cell phones have had similar features, that is, built in microphones as the headphones for the Touch. However, the functionality that I like the most on the iPod Touch, cycles your music. Until the Zune gets that functionality on their headphones, it won't be attractive to ME.
Got that? There are plenty other things I don't like about the Zune, no movies being one, but the headphone thing is the one that matters the most to me.
But this is Microsoft's pattern. They keep copying other people, thinking they can do the "good enough" scenario that they used when they designed Windows from the Mac GUI. But Apple is too smart for that now. They keep moving the target. Every once and while, Microsoft will throw on a feature like Wi-Fi, but their implementation sucks.
I would for once like to see them just knock something out the park, but the Zune is not it.
"There are plenty other things I don't like about the Zune, no movies being one." WTF are you talking about all the zunes support video !!!
Every once and while, Microsoft will throw on a feature like Wi-Fi, but their implementation sucks. and explain to me how the implementation sucks ?? it does what they intended to do with it and there you go
"I would for once like to see them just knock something out the park, but the Zune is not it" and thats why it was the second best selling mp3 a week after it came out ???
Dude, if I was talking about video, I would have used the word "video." M-O-V-I-E-S. Like the kind you can buy in the Zune marketplace. Like you get on iTunes.
And the reason for Wi-Fi is to get ON THE INTERNET. If Microsoft wants me to care about Wi-Fi, they better put on an Internet browser.
And I thought the Zune was in fourth place, behind Apple, SanDisk and Creative?
Never once did I mention the zune. Not even close to once. I was arguing that the iPod headphones were a shallow reason to buy an iPod touch. I am an iPod guy, I have 6, I'm just saying there are better reasons. That's all.
So wait a second. You don't have a problem with the people who want Zunes because it has some ENGRAVINGS that only the back of your hand can see. You have a problem with the one guy who wants more functionality for his headphones?
Hey Paul, you know what's really cool? My headphones let me skip back and forward through songs, pause them, control the volume, and the best part? There's no wires to worry about!
They only cost $50! And to these ears which get pampered by an EMU 1616M and MOTU 2408 every day, they sound great for daily portable music use! You should check them ou...Oh wait, there's still no A2DP on the iPhone, right?
Wow, I thought every phone in 2008 would have such a basic feature.
Uh, thanks for joining the discussion but we've been comparing the Zune and the iPod Touch, not the iPhone. But now that you bring it up, does the Zune have A2DP? Because that would be really something. And for those just tuning in, this is what makes the iPod Touch better in my opinion. Check it out.
"M-O-V-I-E-S. Like the kind you can buy in the Zune marketplace. Like you get on iTunes."
Wait...so you can buy M-O-V-I-E-S in the Zune marketplace, but you can't put them on the Zune? I'm confused.
Also, I really like how you base your opinion on the Zune after owning an original for a few days. If only you had kept that original Zune. You could've put the new firmware on it, for FREE!
Honestly what has kept the Zune down are the original EXTREMELY INFLATED expectations of the device. Its first iteration didn't live up to what everyone wanted to see, and so of course it sucks. Except it doesn't suck anymore. The PC software is elegant and simple, and most importantly it's not iTunes. The device functions beautifully and the sound is great. The screen is gorgeous. I guess if the ONE feature you MUST have with a media player is the ability to skip tracks with an attachment on your headphones, then the Zune isn't for you. But I sense more to your shoveled shit than that, fanboi.
The new FiOS HD DVR, arguably the biggest update since Verizon released a DVR, thanks to its external storage support, enhanced multi-room functionality and slick new 16x9 HD user interface.
The most commented posts on Engadget over the past 24 hours.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Who needs a vacation day when you can just peruse through them at work?
Not I, said the walrus. That aside, it won't be long before we can submit our own design for these things.
I actually bought the first Zune and then like five days later, Apple came out with the iPhone and I was completely floored and a little upset that Microsoft didn't get there first. I played around with it for a couple more weeks, but ended up selling it to my brother, who got mad at me when he didn't like it. I tried to return to Best Buy, but it was too late. I finally sold it on Ebay for one-third what I paid.
I want an iPod Touch now, but I blasted my friend's iPhone so bad that I would just look like a big hypocrite.
Does anyone actually think these designs are cool? It looks like something an emo kid would buy. Just saying.
Sometimes Microsoft reminds me of a seventy year old guy who tries to be cool by dressing up like Emineim. It just doesn't work.
@Paul Chapel:
Yeah, the Zodiac series screams TOTAL EMO. For someone who claims Microsoft is out of touch, you sure as hell don't know what typifies emo culture (and therefore what an emo kid would have affinity for.)
"I want an iPod Touch now"
You may think that. But between the constant lockups and device crashes, the fact that every day the UI seems to get slower and slower, and the fact that I have to let iTunes anywhere near my computer make it a pretty lousy device. I hate mine.
Emo kid or not, its all dollars for Microsoft in the end. So your criticism of their artist choices probably won't phase them much.
@MioTheGreat, who said: "But between the constant lockups and device crashes, the fact that every day the UI seems to get slower and slower..."
Sounds to me like every small device which tries to be a personal computer. That's no doubt why Apple was so resistant against allowing third party apps in the first place, but I really don't need a bazillion apps. I just want music good music playback and maybe watch a couple of movies from time to time.
To tell you the truth, the thing that really attracted me to the iPhone and now the iPod Touch, are those headphones with the buttons that let you to skip back and forth through songs and adjust the volume. I hate the click wheel or whatever you call it on the iPod Classic and the imitation one on the Zune. I just want to start a playlist and put the player in my pocket and not have to look at it again. Because of those headphones, I can do that.
But to each his own.
@Samboini
THAT would be a great feature. I wonder how hard that would be to implement at the current cost....
Wow, I guess when I said that I liked Apple's new headphones I crossed some imaginary fanboy line. Shame on me!
For anyone interested in what I was talking about.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/inearheadphones/
Basically, if you don't like reaching in your pocket to hit the click wheel or the click thing on the Zune (what's it called again?) or if you even don't like a Touch Screen for whatever reason, Apple provides these headphones with the iPhone and the new iPod Touch.
My best friend let me play around with his iPhone and being the PC lover I am, of course I lied and said that it sucked, but I really wanted it after playing around with those headphones. They solved my biggest gripe about MP3 players. And don't let the fanboys ruin making an informed decision. They're stuck on the PC versus Mac drama. I'm not. I buy what works better and at the present time, Apple makes better MP3 players.
I thought headphones with buttons on the were really common. Almost every cellphone my brother has came with a pair of headphones with some sort of button on the cord, as did my psp (albeit in a separate piece of hardware, but only minimally). The iPhone was the last adopter or the tech in his cell phone family tree. At least that's what I thought, it could be that these new buttons that apple released are revolutionary buttons, on course to change the world of pushing buttons forever?
@kidcanuck
I've been talking about the iPod Touch, which is not a phone, but an MP3 player. I don't know of any MP3 players with this technology, but if there are, then my mistake. And while I understand that most phones have headphones with mics on them, I haven't personally seen any that will work with your music. But I'm not an expert on cell phones by any means.
I'm starting to get the feeling that if you say anything on Engadget even slightly positive about Apple, even if you're a PC user, then there will be a line of people to either Low Rank you or say, hey, so and so company has had this feature first or something to that effect. People are really paranoid about praise for Apple.
I just like some of their stuff, folks. I'm not trying to imply anything about your manhood or anything. Relax.
I'm a Mac user as well, but you just sound like a pathetic fanboy.
Liking a company's headphones makes me a fanboy? Huh?
@paul chapel: I am an apple user, I am just raising a point by saying that headphones with controls on them aren't exactly revolutionary.
@kidcanuck
I never said that Apple's headphones were revolutionary. I said that I preferred the iPod Touch over the Zune because the iPod had headphones with buttons (and a microphone) and the Zune didn't. But now that you bring it up, if this feature isn't revolutionary, why doesn't all MP3 players have it?
@paul chapel: because most companies don't necessarily intend their earbuds to be an overly remarkable feature. I think they halfway expect people (at least those wanting reasonable sound quality) to upgrade to a third-party earbud, and most third party earbuds have clickers on them.
@kidcanuck, who said: "most third party earbuds have clickers on them."
Well, that's great. Link me to some of those and maybe I'll buy one.
@paul chapel:
v-moda vibe duo, Skullcandy INK'D Earbuds, Griffin Tunebuds, Shure I2c-m Stereo Mobile Headset, Ultimate Ears super.fi 4vi, all off a google search for "earbuds clicker"
I couldn't post links for them, engadget wouldn't let me or something, sorry.
@kidcanuck
Let's see.
The V-moda Vibe duo are just heaphones, no button functionality. The Skullcandy INK'D Earbuds are in-ear headphones, but no button functionality. The Griffin Tunebuds are just in-ear headphones, no button functionality. Shure I2c-m Stereo Mobile Headset are for PHONES, but is compatible with the iPhone, but I see nothing for the Zune. I also don't see any button functionality again.
Dude, you DO understand that Apple's headphones allow you to click through your music without touching the player, right? They're not just headphones.
From Apple's web site: "The control capsule located on the cable of the right earpiece includes a microphone and three buttons. With this convenient remote, you can adjust the volume, control music or video playback — including play/pause and next/previous — and record voice memos."
I think you've been arguing about cake, when you should have been talking about pie.
@paul chapel:
-From the v-moda website: Microphone’s call control button quickly answers phone calls and operates music playback/fast forward features
-I suppose I should have specified when I said Griffin Tunebuds, I mean Griffin Tunebuds Mobile.
-I was wrong about the skullcandy ink'd, although they offer different models with the same functionality.
-You sort of proved my point about the shures.
All I am trying to say is that it is not new technology, or a new idea.
You're talking about an inline remote?
You mean like the ones they had on minidisc players, way back when?
@Reece- Yeah, exactly! I couldn't think of the word, but that's what I've been trying to say this whole time. Thank you.
@kidcanuck
Well, I still don't see how these cell phone headphones make the Zune in the same league as the iPod Touch. The iPod Touch is not a phone. None of the headphones you mention work with the Zune (that I can see) and I've already conceded that cell phones have had similar features, that is, built in microphones as the headphones for the Touch. However, the functionality that I like the most on the iPod Touch, cycles your music. Until the Zune gets that functionality on their headphones, it won't be attractive to ME.
Got that? There are plenty other things I don't like about the Zune, no movies being one, but the headphone thing is the one that matters the most to me.
But this is Microsoft's pattern. They keep copying other people, thinking they can do the "good enough" scenario that they used when they designed Windows from the Mac GUI. But Apple is too smart for that now. They keep moving the target. Every once and while, Microsoft will throw on a feature like Wi-Fi, but their implementation sucks.
I would for once like to see them just knock something out the park, but the Zune is not it.
@paul
"There are plenty other things I don't like about the Zune, no movies being one."
WTF are you talking about all the zunes support video !!!
Every once and while, Microsoft will throw on a feature like Wi-Fi, but their implementation sucks.
and explain to me how the implementation sucks ??
it does what they intended to do with it and there you go
"I would for once like to see them just knock something out the park, but the Zune is not it"
and thats why it was the second best selling mp3 a week after it came out ???
@KaiKai
Dude, if I was talking about video, I would have used the word "video." M-O-V-I-E-S. Like the kind you can buy in the Zune marketplace. Like you get on iTunes.
And the reason for Wi-Fi is to get ON THE INTERNET. If Microsoft wants me to care about Wi-Fi, they better put on an Internet browser.
And I thought the Zune was in fourth place, behind Apple, SanDisk and Creative?
@paul chapel:
Never once did I mention the zune. Not even close to once. I was arguing that the iPod headphones were a shallow reason to buy an iPod touch. I am an iPod guy, I have 6, I'm just saying there are better reasons. That's all.
@kidcanuck
So wait a second. You don't have a problem with the people who want Zunes because it has some ENGRAVINGS that only the back of your hand can see. You have a problem with the one guy who wants more functionality for his headphones?
Hey Paul, you know what's really cool? My headphones let me skip back and forward through songs, pause them, control the volume, and the best part? There's no wires to worry about!
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tips/Samsung-SBH500.htm
They only cost $50! And to these ears which get pampered by an EMU 1616M and MOTU 2408 every day, they sound great for daily portable music use! You should check them ou...Oh wait, there's still no A2DP on the iPhone, right?
Wow, I thought every phone in 2008 would have such a basic feature.
@eggothewaffle
Uh, thanks for joining the discussion but we've been comparing the Zune and the iPod Touch, not the iPhone. But now that you bring it up, does the Zune have A2DP? Because that would be really something. And for those just tuning in, this is what makes the iPod Touch better in my opinion. Check it out.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/inearheadphones/
I hope Microsoft gets something like this for the Zune in the future.
"M-O-V-I-E-S. Like the kind you can buy in the Zune marketplace. Like you get on iTunes."
Wait...so you can buy M-O-V-I-E-S in the Zune marketplace, but you can't put them on the Zune? I'm confused.
Also, I really like how you base your opinion on the Zune after owning an original for a few days. If only you had kept that original Zune. You could've put the new firmware on it, for FREE!
Honestly what has kept the Zune down are the original EXTREMELY INFLATED expectations of the device. Its first iteration didn't live up to what everyone wanted to see, and so of course it sucks. Except it doesn't suck anymore. The PC software is elegant and simple, and most importantly it's not iTunes. The device functions beautifully and the sound is great. The screen is gorgeous. I guess if the ONE feature you MUST have with a media player is the ability to skip tracks with an attachment on your headphones, then the Zune isn't for you. But I sense more to your shoveled shit than that, fanboi.