Here are two recent reviews of the new Zune media players which I feel should be highlighted here at ZuneSphere.com. First up, David Pogue posted his look at the new Zune player over at the New York Times and guess what folks? He actually found it a "pleasure to use." Yes, while Mr. Pogue is sometimes criticized as being biased towards Apple products, he actually does compose a well-balanced review of the new Zune players. Here’s a blurb from the review:

The bottom line: the iPod is still a more versatile, compact and beautiful machine. But the Zune has come a long way in very little time. Already, its potential audience is no longer limited to a sect of irrational Apple haters. It’s now a candidate for anyone who values its unique powers — excellent built-in FM radio, scratchproof case and wireless auto-synching — more than they value the richness and choice of the iPod universe.

Not bad..

Meanwhile the folks at CNET have published their "CNET prizefight" between the Apple iPod Classic and the Microsoft Zune 80". Three different reviewers assigned numbers between 1-5 for five different categories: Navigation, Sexiness, Compatibility, Sound and Science, and Wallet Factor. The final verdict? A TIE!! Not bad! Actually, the Zune came out ahead in 4 of the 5 categories except in the "Compatibility" category where it got trounced by Apple. Here’s a blurb from the article:

The fact that the Zune even tied the mighty iPod Classic should be enough to send Apple’s most devout fans into a reactionary hissy-fit.

Technorati Tags: Zune, Microsoft, Zune 80, Reviews, David Pogue, CNET

David Becker of Wired.com has a hilarious posting up from a few days ago entitled "Hands On: Original Zune Not Deadly After All". Yes.. Mr. Becker decided to get an original first generation Zune 30GB player for a mere $70 bucks including a free upgrade to overnight shipping and guess what? His "initial experience has been fine" thus far. Of course a fair amount of this is probably due to the following scenarios:

• He’s been using an Archos Gmini 400 media player for quite some time (and yes.. their GUI is indeed horrific)
• He’s experiencing the latest Zune Software package as opposed to the first version that came out last year
• He got the unit at $70 bucks

But hey - at least he’s having a good experience with the player now right? Compare this to some of the brief postings he’s written in the past about the Zune.. say this one or this one.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Microsoft Zune, David Becker, Wired.com

Ahh.. I’ve been waiting for the folks at ArsTechnica to release their review of the new Zune media players and .. they finally have. You can find their review of the Zune 8 flash player here on their website. It’s a well written review that’s balanced and clearly not pro-Apple or con-Microsoft whatsoever (or pro-Microsoft). The review makes several valid points about the player, the Zune Marketplace, and of course the software. A couple of major griping points are important - especially supporting recorded television content from Windows Media Center systems. Here’s a blurb from the review:

Still, they are a huge step forward and a solid choice for anyone who likes the look and interface. We expect that the new lineup will help Microsoft become an established player in the PMP space over the next year. The updated devices should also put an end to the almost-endless set of Zune-related jokes, and they are an obvious choice for anyone who loves subscription music services.

Congratulations, Microsoft. Now keep working. 

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Zune 8GB, Review, Ars Technica

Remember Walt Mossberg’s article on the Zune yesterday? Well Jon Healey from the Los Angeles Times has posted a short blog article in response to that article.. and I absolutely love his comments to Mossie. “Well duh”…

Healey’s points are - we all know the Zune is no iPod - no duh! We all know iTunes has no subscription service yet every other vendor seems to offer subscription services. Why? Because people actually do want them. Guess what? If you subscribe to a subscription service and then discontinue the subscription, your music disappears. Well NO DUH!!! That’s no fault of the Zune. It’s a fact of subscription services.

You’ll just have to read the article here to get the full effect.

[Check it out]

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Here’s the latest review roundup for the new Microsoft Zune players (yes - it’s easier than creating individual postings for each posting isn’t it?) So here goes nothing..

We’ll start with Digital Trends which reviewed the Microsoft Zune 8GB edition here. Here’s what they had to say about the flash player:

Overall, the new 8GB Zune Red is a really good media player. It’ll especially appeal to those who don’t want to line the Apple coffers with their hard earned money but still want a solid music experience. For $199 USD, the 8GB Zune is a decent iPod contender.

Of course, the Zune can only have so much bath water right? How about a little slap in the face from Walt Mossberg. Yes.. you can always count on Mossberg to provide a bit of .. “yes it’s better but it’s not quite that good”. The review is here and the verdict is as follows:

Microsoft has greatly improved the Zune hardware and software this time. But it seems to be competing with Apple’s last efforts, not its newest ones.

Sure.. if you compare the Zune against the iPod touch then yes - it’s no real comparison. But come on Mossie… compare the Zune 80 against the real rival here - the iPod classic 80.. and you’ll quickly see things stack up fairly closely (though my Apple friends often remind me of the little things that are still better on the iPod. To that.. I answer.. it’s not about the little things when it comes to MP3 players.. it’s about whether it works or not folks).

We talked about PC Magazine’s review a few days ago but they also reviewed the new Zune Marketplace here. Here’s their verdict on the marketplace.

Zune Marketplace is definitely showing signs of progress, but we’ll have to wait and see if it can really stand up to iTunes.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer has posted their look at the new Zunes here on their website. Here’s a blurb from the article:

Despite my gripes, its form and function should make the second-generation Zune a strong contender in the portable media player market. And while I’m not throwing out my iPod just yet, I will be keeping an eye on what the Zune does next.

Finally, Wired.com has an interesting article entitled “Microsoft Retools Zune to Target Apple’s Flaws”. Here’s a blurb from that article:

With an upgraded Zune player and a new strategy for tapping the strength of social networking sites, Microsoft is making serious moves to challenge the iPod.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Reviews, Zune 8, Zune 80, Zune 4,

ExtremeTech has published their first look at the new Zune 8 flash media player here on their website. This is not an extensive review - just an early look at the new player as well as the new Zune software so stay tuned for the full review. Here’s a blurb from the first look:

If I had to make a recommendation based on my initial impressions, though, I’d give it a big thumbs up. Microsoft has definitely created something compelling here and given Zune its own identity. Now they just have to keep the momentum going, adding features and content at a rapid pace.

Yes folks - thumbs up to the Microsoft Zune team. Keep the momentum going!!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune 8, Zune, First Look, ExtremeTech,

Let the good times roll for the Microsoft Zune.. Here’s another set of reviews - this time from the folks at PC World. The general tone of the reviews thus far have been relatively similar. Both players are pretty darn good with the 80GB Zune being the one that will probably be most competitive against the iPod classic. The flash based Zunes are best compared against the iPod nanos since the iPod touch is clearly in a league of its own in the portable media player market. Clearly the new additions and changes to the Zune have made the player far more competitive but it appears the most dramatic upgrade and improvement is in the area of the Zune software and Zune Marketplace. PC World posted a snapshot of the new Zune software interface and we’ve copied it here.

According to PC World, the new Zune software takes a page out of the Xbox Live service - allowing users to see what others are interested in via their new Zune Tags. The Zune software and marketplace collects information about your favorite music and lets your other friends see what you’re interested in.

Here’s what PC World had to say about the 80GB Zune:

All in all, the 80GB Zune is a decent choice as an 80GB MP3 player. It sounds great, its interface isn’t a hindrance, and its pricing is right in line with the competition. Accessories and features such as premium headphones and an FM tuner give it at least one area where it’s a step up from an iPod Classic, and if you’re interested in wireless syncing, this could be the player for you.

Here’s what PC World had to say about the new flash based Zune:

With wireless syncing, FM radio, and full video support, the 8GB Zune has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, unless you really want wireless syncing, it’s not the best choice. If you’re looking for lots of storage, the Sansa View has the Zune beat. If you’d prefer a compact player, the new iPod Nanos are much smaller. If you’re seeking lots of features, the Creative Zen V is still one of my favorites. All are available for similar prices, and might fit your needs better than the flash-based Zune.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Zune, Flash based Zune, 2nd gen Zune, Reviews, PC World

The reviews keep on coming in and folks - it sure looks like Microsoft has a winner in the new 80GB Zune. The latest review is from LaptopMag who reviewed the 80GB model here on their website and had this to say:

After two days of use, the Zune made us forget about our iPod. The audio quality was on a par with our usual iPod experience (though the Zune’s headphones are much more comfortable), but the FM radio, easy wireless sync, and the larger stunning display had us hooked. Windows users looking for an easy melding of their computer’s music and their mobile player will find their answer in this second-generation Microsoft device. Though we still prefer the Apple Store’s selection of premium video and movie content, over-the-air downloads, complete touch interface, and skinnier design, the Zune has made a strong transition to the cool kids club.

Not bad!! Overall, LaptopMag gave the new 80GB Zune 4 out of 5 stars.

Now interestingly enough, the publication had a more positive reaction with the new flash based Zune than PC Magazine. Their review of the new flash based unit is here and this is what they had to say:

If you’re a Windows user, this player is every bit as cool as an iPod nano and has way more features. Mac users are left out of the Social aspect, however.

They gave the flash Zune 4.5 stars out of 5 and an Editor’s Choice award. NICE

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Zune 2nd generation, 80GB Zune, Flash Zune, Review, LaptopMag

Listen up Zune fans - PC Magazine has published their look at the second generation Zunes and guess what? They gave the 80GB Zune an Editor’s Choice award and had this to say:

While the iPod touch easily prevails as our favorite flash-based player (and the best player overall), there were no obvious champs in the hard disk–based portable media player space—until now. The iPod classic is a fine device, but its updates from the previous-generation iPod are mainly cosmetic. Of course, if you want double the capacity, it’s the player to get. But if 80GB is enough space, the Zune is simply more fun to use than the iPod, with more engaging software, better graphics, a larger screen, and wireless capabilities. Both devices—as well as their associated software—have some pesky shortcomings, but in a shrinking field of contenders, the Zune has finally realized its potential. The player’s extra features and overall fun-factor make it a better value than the iPod classic—and worthy of our Editors’ Choice award, provided Microsoft delivers on its firmware upgrade promise to facilitate fully wireless syncing.

Congrats to Microsoft for winning PC Magazine’s editor’s choice award for the 80GB Zune. Head to head, according to PC Magazine, the 80GB Zune is actually better than the 80GB iPod classic. NICE! Here’s the actual “Bottom Line” from PC Magazine:

The new Zune is trimmer, has a larger screen and increased capacity. Add its wireless abilities to the equation and you’ve got a player that (gasp!) trumps Apple’s iPod classic.

News isn’t as positive on the flash player front. You can read PC Magazine’s review of the Zune flash player here. This is what they had to say for the player:

The first flash-based Zune is a good-looking, easy-to-navigate device that can be synced with your PC wirelessly, but its small screen and jumpy interface are no match for Apple’s superior iPod nano.

Now what’s particularly interesting about all of this is not so much what PC Magazine had to say about the players themselves - it’s what the publication had to say about the newly redesigned Zune Marketplace. According to PC Magazine, the new Zune Marketplace is “a fun experience that makes iTunes feel a bit pedestrian.”  Wow..

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Zune 2nd gen, Reviews, PC Magazine, Zune 80GB, Zune Flash,

You know that unannounced next generation Zune player (which has been dubbed by some as Zune 2.0) that everyone seems to know about yet Microsoft keeps denying? Well, it appears the player has hit a small design snag causing delays in production. The folks at Zune Scene are the ones responsible for this report and have this to say (thanks to one of their Microsoft insiders of course!)

According to our source (from inside Microsoft) Draco production began July 23 as scheduled. Scorpio ran into trouble and production was delayed. A significant percentage of the hard drive based Scorpio units were experiencing continuity problems between the flex cable and pcb. In other words, a wire was coming loose. Our source went on to explain how there were emergency meetings and a new flex cable design will be implemented. The new cable will have a “S” shape (not a folded accordion shape). It should prevent tension build up during assembly and solve the problem.

Zune Scene also continues on to say that the original production run for the new Zune was going to be August 31st. This has since been pushed back to September which means the Scorpio device is probably slated for at best the end of October but probably November.

[Check out the Zune Scene article]

[Check out the Wired.com article]

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