Zune Review

We finally post our Zune Review here at Zune.com. How will our Zune review be different than the others? It's a just the facts kinda approach you'd expect to find here. Of course, unlike others, we'll end with the good - not the bad. And remember, this is a Zune review, not something that compares Zune to a Video iPod, Apple TV, or anything else.

Zune Review: The Bad

• No Podcast support. This is why we started this very Web site. Sure, it will play Podcast files but getting Podcast files requires a third party program to manage and, well, we just think Microsoft should be including it.
• Most expensive music subscription program on the planet. Everybody else is cheaper - heck some are half the price.
• No portable hard drive feature. I'm pretty sure the Zune is the only portable media player on the planet that doesn't have one.

Zune Review: The Good

• Great screen. Video content on the Zune is better than any portable media player I've ever used. I haven't used the iPhone yet so I can't compare there.
• Great user interface. And, as a bonus, the integration of your own pictures as backgrounds, etc., can truly let you brand your Zune as your own.
• Transcoding is cool. The Zune desktop software automatically converts your video files to a smaller .WMV format that not only lets your store a LOT MORE VIDEO on the player but also produces content that you can view on your Xbox 360 if so desired. Caviat - it doesn't produce video that looks gorgeous on a television screen and if that is your end goal, I wouldn't recommend it.
• Subscription music is cool. No I know I said Zune was the most expensive - and they are - but it is still only $15 bucks a month and changes your entire music experience. Forget what CD your gonna get on any given day/week/month. You can have 'em all.
• Xbox 360 integration is cool. Just plug that bad boy into your Xbox and it charges and acts as a media hub. Play the music you want, view the pictures you want, watch the videos you want.

At this point in the Zune Review, I'm going to leave out wireless. It is very cool, but very crippled. We'll see what happens at our next major upgrade.

So, what do you think?

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