"This is almost as nice, if not nicer than an iPod." It's definitely gonna be the latter. At around $250, the 80GB Zune model competes with the iPod on every level, and then pimp slaps it across tables. The new Zunes are much more sleek than their 30GB predecessors and have a new navigation system that can actually compete with all this touch madness. The new squircle Zune Pad combines scroll wheel-like functionality with the easily recognizable directional pad. It fully functions as both at the same time, though the touch controls can be turned off to turn it into a simple D-Pad. Flicking up and down slides you across lists and lets you coast on through your playlist while flicking side to side changes categories and clicking down selects. Given that the new functionality is hardwired into the hardly complicated D-Pad, it makes it easy for anyone to pick up. There are also previous screen and a play/pause button.
The real beauty of the thing, though, is it's features. For the same price as an iPod Classic, it packs more of a punch. Every Zune has wireless antenna built in that allows you to sync wirelessly to your computer and stream to your Xbox 360, in addition to sending items to other Zunes. There's a fully-functioning FM Radio that picks up song and station names, given that the station actually broadcasts them and you're able to set presets to your favorite ones. There's a positively enormous 3.2-inch screen with landscape support for videos. The background can be customized with any picture stored on the Zune. So yes, you can definitely slap Emma Watson behind your menus, if you please. Besides the Zune having beautiful packing, it comes with a pair of rather nice pair of earbuds. The cable is braided like rope, which not only looks good, but seems lot more durable. The buds themselves come with a set of about four sleeves of different sizes to allow you to get a better fit, and the backs are magnetized to keep the cord from tangling.
The final bit, and most surprising is the expansion of The Social. While the only thing I know about the social before was Zune-to-Zune sharing, the new version of the software integrates an online community similar to iLike or Last.fm. When you create an account, you get a profile where you can add people you know with Zunes, add songs to your favorites, and leave comments. It displays your last few plays, the total amount of plays in your entire library, your most played songs and artists. You can browse through this online component just like the Marketplace, reading artist bios and reviews, buying, faving, and sending songs to friends. I can't help but recommend a Zune to anyone in want of a portable media player. It's the only solid iPod competition out there that offers the same for equal price and actually ups the ante for that price.
Aug 4, 2008
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