Zune: No threat to iPod

The popularity of Apple’s iPod has been so huge that it has been promoted to the status of being a digital music platform from a simple MP3 player. Everything from jeans to cars now offer iPod attachments.

It was expected with more companies jumping into the MP3 player market, Apple would receive a tough competition but even as the market for MP3 players got bigger, iPod's popularity refused to fade and none of the competitors could actually deviate many users.

The much heralded Microsoft Zune was initially anticipated to be iPod’s toughest rival but the 30 GB player failed to impress music fans much. Slightly larger and bulkier than the equivalent Video iPod, Zune has a bigger screen and comes in a scratch resistant case. Some people say they even prefer the earthier color range of black, white and brown.

But the appealing aesthetics are just one feature of the loaded player. People want more of the MP3 player experience including the software, the music store, compatibility and usability. The Zune software has already frustrated many users as it not only requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 but also is a lot of trouble to open and surprisingly, it does not work with Microsoft's coming Vista operating system as yet.

The battery life of Zune is similar to the 30 GB iPod and costs almost as much but the sound from the included headphones is less rich than those that come with the iPod. Songs purchased from the Zune Marketplace online store get downloaded quickly and are transferred easily but downloading music includes a few quirks as well.

Instead of the iPod scroll wheel, the Zune has a four-way directional navigation pad with a centre button and Microsoft has included some features that set Zune apart from other players. As with the much valued ‘share’ function exchanging music and getting your favorite songs has become quite graceful but the songs received from other Zune devices or the ones burned in from CDs stay there for only three days or three plays and then automatically disappear. So eventually you have to buy music from the Zune Marketplace.

Despite of the entire extra endeavor by Microsoft, the Zune players are still resting on store shelves as customers find them only a poorer imitation of the iPod.