What is the Microsoft Zune and is It Better Than the Ipod?

So what is the Microsoft Zune? Is it going to be the so-called iPod killer?

Zune is more than a brand from Microsoft that incorporates a line of portable media players. It is also software that will drive the devices, and an online service for acquiring and sharing media. The flagship Zune product is the portable media player, that will compete directly with Apple's Ipod. The Zune was released on the US market on November 14, 2006 with a price tag of $249.99, and you can order it today here at OneStopZuneShop – as well as all of the Zune Accessories.

The Zune has a 30 GB hard drive which stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. It has built-in FM tuner with Radio Data System, 3.0-inch screen, and 802.11 wireless networking. The player comes in three colors—black, brown and white. Supported codecs include H.264, MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, JPG and AAC6 [7].

The wireless networking connects two Zunes together, enabling the sharing of "full-length sample tracks of select songs", recordings, playlists and pictures with others. Tracks received from another person can be played for up to three days or three plays, whichever comes first, after which it will need to be purchased via the Zune Marketplace store—their official name for the store.

The Zune is able to connect to the Xbox 360, which allows the user to stream music, videos, and pictures via USB. Microsoft Points is used to buy music via the Zune Marketplace. The Zune Marketplace can be used as a per-song purchase plan or as a subscription-based flat-fee service, known as a "Zune Pass".

What does the future hold for the Microsoft Zune?

Rumours suggest the Zune will, in the near future, also act as a mobile phone. But in the interim, we'll have access to a broad range of Zune accessories, such as:

  • Zune Car Pack and Auto Installation Kits
  • Zune Cases
  • Zune Speakers
  • Zune Docks
  • Zune Movies
  • Zune TV Shows
  • Zune Music
  • Zune Videos
  • Zune Software, and
  • Zune Downloads
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