Microsoft marketing is just complete fail. In my opinion the Zune is one of, if not the best portable media device you can get but nobody knows it. I don't have a problem with the iPod itself, but iTunes store is THE most expensive place to buy media on the web, yet more people go there than anywhere else. It just boggles my mind. Then add in how Apple fails to support ANYTHING old, you buy an iPod today and it might not be supported/updated in a matter of months (exaggeration, sorta). Microsoft still makes updates and improvements for my original Zune. Also in my opinion the iTunes software is one of the worst things I've ever used, while I think the Zune desktop software is one of the slickest things I've ever seen. But I'm a GUI snob and admit it.

Just a random rant of the day

Total exaggeration. I still use a 5-7 year old iPod and it works just fine with iTunes.

You're a GUI snob and you use Windows?




Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

There are a lot of great portable media devices out there and the Zune is one of them. I like their high capacity player. I also think SanDisk makes some terrific players for the price. The Sansa Clip+ is hands down the best player for the least amount of money in the entire market.

This market gets overshadowed by Apple and its a shame because there are some wonderful products out there and priced just right if you remove the cloud of hype and marketing. Cowon is probably my favorite company for high quality DAPS/PMP devices. I am waiting in anticipation for the complete details on the Cowon J3. Hopefully they don't make the same mistake like they did with the S9 by not having expandable memory (microSDHC slot).

It looks like there has been recent news on the J3 front.

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/03/29/cowon-j3-metal-pmp-official-see-the-photos/

This is shaping up to be a very nice device.

That J3 device does look interesting; I wonder how its final specs (and price) will compare to ZuneHD and iPod Touch.

I do have a definite dislike of Apple. It's funny how so many people hate Microsoft for being big and "evil" yet it's Apple that is actually the evil company (when comparing the two). Their recent lawsuit against HTC for instance is complete and utter crap.

Apple is a great hardware company. They do make some good pieces but they (over)charge way too much for most of it from my perspective. I also don't get the whole OSX is better than Windows thing. I've worked on both systems and of course a lot of it has to do with what you are used to but I can't stand how OSX is setup. I definitely have never witnessed anything more special you can do on a Mac than a PC. Every company has zealots and it just appears to me that the Apple ones are some of the worse when it comes to drinking the cool aid, but props to Apple for knowing their market and how to make money from it.

Just a funny . I love my Zune.

That may be the first time someone has used my handle properly!



BTW, it's stuff like this that made me say that in the first place

Yes Apple likes to throw their weight around and act like bullies. I am not a fan of their practices as you might imagine. Don't get me started there . I agree that every company has its fanboys but the Kool-Aid with apple products is served up extra strong

Good catch Cam.

I loved my 80GB Zune but I bowed to pressure and got a Touch when I discovered how well it could act as a fully visual remote control for my squeezebox and that was something I had been craving for a long time. I also was annoyed at the time that MS had chosen not to release their VERY nice HD model in Canada and that it would be stuck at 32 MB for a long time (I hear rumors of a 64MB model now but how long will that take to get to Canada?)

I have come to really appreciate the diversity of the Touch but I keep an undying rage for iTunes. My wife now uses the Zune and it is the first player she ever owned that she hasn't repeatedly come back asking for help. The interface is easy and the software interface works the way I prefer it to.

Both are great products and although I won't give up the extra versatility of the Touch just yet, my very personal opinion is that the Zune is a better designed product.

Again, personal opinion only, expressed for anyone contemplating which to buy.