For what feels like centuries , the iPod was considered the must - have euphony equipment . An elegant design and simple interface made even the sluttiest of fratboys fall in sexual love .
But then came along Microsoft’sZune . or else of a dainty , abrasion - prone piece of MP3 china , the Zune is chunky and coat in spank - me - harder rubber . And the Zune was there for us with a articulatio humeri to scream on during those night we vented how the iPod lacked WiFi , FM , and a general sympathy of “ a cleaning lady ’s needs ” . Even if it only goes up to 30 GB .
https://gizmodo.com/zune-first-full-review-212255
We appreciate that the Zune rent ’s us hook up and portion out moments on geartrain or toilet stalls , but we still crave the monogamousness of iTunes DRM backup . Hit the jump for our Frankenreview : A review article cull from the bits and bit ofPogue ’s NYTimes article , Mossberg ’s work at the WSJ , and opinions from our Quaker at Business Week and CNet . There ’s a lot to say , so we ’ve sectioned off the writeup into categories on Design , Screen , UI , Software , and Sharing . And we ’ve get all of our beautiful heading shots after the jump . What are you waiting for ? Jump on through !
https://gizmodo.com/pogue-and-mossberg-give-zune-a-smackdown-213756
Frankenreviewer say :
figure
“ It ca n’t rival the iPod ’s looks or coolness , but it ’s certainly more practical … won’t get fingerprinty and scratched … ”
“ The hardware feels rushed and uncompleted . It is 60 % large and 17 % heavier than the comparable iPod . ”
“ … it ’s a nice size of it and weight unit … neither too flimsy to hold nor too boastful to sac … ”
“ … You ’ll need to scroll the round controller at first impulse … ”
“ … it miss the famed iPod ringlet wheel , instead using a common four - way piloting launchpad … ”
“ … while the controls lack the elegant minimalism of iPod ’s scroll wheel they are well contrive … ”
“ Scrolling accelerate as you press the top or bottom release , but the iPod ’s wheel is much more effective … ”
WINNER : iPod
screen door
“ The Zune ’s screen is taller than it is wide — unlike the iPod ’s — so you could see more of your lists without scroll . ”
“ It has three brightness configurations and though the display is somewhat washed out , it ’s colorful and bright enough for outdoor use … ”
“ … when videos or photos play , the screen image rotates , meaning you have to turn the player 90 degrees . And just as on the iPod , portrait - oriented photos are now shrunken … ”
“ … While it is three inches versus 2.5 inches for the iPod ’s screen , it uses the same resolution … ”
“ … many record album cover look worse than they do on the iPod . ”
WINNER : link
Interface
“ … the interface is dark , clean , and stable . It ’s esthetically pleasing and operative … ”
“ The software design is beautiful , round-eyed and graced by abbreviated , classy animations . ”
“ … the entire interface is more colored and visually satisfying than the iPod ’s . ”
“ you may also choose your own photo as the wallpaper or background for the twist . ”
WINNER : Zune
Software / Store
“ … the black , gray , and orangish hues of the Zune library package have a more modern smell than the rather plain - vanilla iTunes , even though the basic layout is similar … ”
“ Microsoft ’s store does n’t sell TV shows , movies or audio books … the Zune store does n’t let you take or download podcasts … ”
“ Even worse , to grease one’s palms even a exclusive 99 - penny song from the Zune store , you have to purchase blocks of ‘ points ’ from Microsoft , in increments of at least $ 5 … ”
WINNER : iPod ( err … iTunes )
apportion
“ The big , whomping Zune news , though , is wireless communion … ”
“ share substance by using advertizement hoc Wi - Fi is pretty cool , although it is limited to partake within a range of 30 feet , and you ca n’t partake in video … ”
“ Each song sent to your Zune from another Zune can be played only three times and is available for act for only three Clarence Day . ”
“ Who ’d build up a Wi - Fi gimmick that ca n’t link up to a wireless connection — to sync with your microcomputer , for example ? Nor to an Internet hot spot , to download euphony directly ? ”
“ Zune is peculiarly lacking a very pop iTunes feature — the power to consider and to listen to another user ’s music depository library over a local meshing … ”
WINNER : Zune ( by forfeit )
Overall success
iPod … by slight sharpness . Why ? Because at the end of the daylight , most reader preferred the iPod , even if break in down the features on composition make them look pretty even . But if Apple vs. Microsoft means excogitation above just shrinking the players down , we ’re all for it .
Size : 4.4 in . x 2.4 in . x 0.6 in . ( h x w x d )
Weight : 5.6 ounces
stamp battery : Music , up to 14 hours ( radiocommunication off ) , up to 13 time of day ( wireless on ) ; pictures , up to 4 time of day ; video , up to 4 hour
Charge Time : 3 hours ; 2 hours to 90 %
Display
size of it : 3.0 inches
Orientation : Vertical and Horizontal
Resolution : 320 x 240 pixel
Audio
Windows Media Audio Standard ( .wma ): Up to 320 Kbps , CBR and VBR , up to 48 - kilocycle per second sample rate
MP3 ( .mp3 ): Up to 320 Kbps , CBR and VBR , up to 48 - kHz sampling rate
AAC ( .mp4 , .m4a , .m4b , .mov ): Up to 320 Kbps , Low Complexity ( LC ) , up to 48 - kHz sample charge per unit
Pictures
JPEG ( .jpg ): All resolutions ( desktop software will automatically convert to 640×480 at sync time )
television
Windows Media Video ( .wmv ): Main Profile , CBR or VBR , up to 1.5 Mbps apex television bitrate , 320 x 240 pixels , 30 frames per sec . , with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps , 44.1 kHz , stereoscopic picture audio recording ; Simple Profile , CBR , up to 736 Kbps video bitrate , 320 x 240 pixels , 30 skeleton per sec . , with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps , 44.1 kilocycle , stereo audio frequency .
Wireless
Connectivity : 802.11 b / g
Range : Up to 30 feet
CNET Zune
CNET iPod
NYT Zune
NYT iPod
WSJ Zune
WSJ iPod
BW Zune
BW iPod
Thanks Zatz !
GadgetsiPodMicrosoftReviews
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