Zune Vs iPod

Zune

Zune is the name of a brand of digital music products and services sold by Microsoft. It includes digital audio players, client software, and the Zune Marketplace online music store.
The devices come in three styles, all of which play music, pictures, and videos; display images; and receive FM radio. They can share files wirelessly with other Zunes and via USB with Xbox 360s, and can sync wirelessly with Windows PCs.
The Zune Software, which runs on Windows XP, Vista, and the Xbox 360, allows users to manage files on the player, rip audio CDs, and buy songs at the online store.

iPod

iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple and launched on October 23, 2001. Those now sold are the hard drive-based iPod classic (from which Apple makes the most money), the more expensive touchscreen iPod touch (which is internet capable), the less expensive iPod nano (which plays videos), and the least expensive screenless iPod shuffle.
Former products include the compact iPod mini (replaced by the iPod nano) and the high-end spin-off iPod photo (re-integrated into the main iPod classic line). iPod classic models store media on an internal hard drive, while all other models use flash memory to enable their smaller size (the discontinued mini used a Microdrive miniature hard drive). As with many other digital music players, iPods, excluding the iPod Touch, can also serve as external data storage devices.
Apple's iTunes software is used to transfer music to the devices. As a jukebox application, iTunes stores a music library on the user's computer and can play, burn, and rip music from a CD. It also transfers photos, videos, games, and calendars to those iPod models that support them. Apple focused its development on the iPod's unique user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability. As of October 2007, the iPod had sold over 119 million units worldwide (stated in "The Beat Goes On" conference) making it the best-selling digital audio player series in history.

Zune vs iPod - Which Media Player Will You Buy?

by: Shirley Schweizer

Apple's iPod has been long dominating the digital media player market. And why not; iPod has been far superior in performance and features when compared to its rivals. But Microsoft is set to change this by coming out with their own media player named Zune, which will debut to the world on November 14, 2006. The product will be available for exactly the same price $249 as the 30GB iPod.
Here I'll list a few key differences between Zune and iPod. Below are the list of features supported by Zune and not iPod.

Preloaded Audio and video
Built in FM tuner
Zune to Zune sharing by Wi-Fi wireless (social networking)
Custom background
Landscape video

With all the exciting and promising features, Microsoft will definitely take a big chunk of media player market from apple, but how much only time will tell.
But the real question is which device is right for YOU? Let's look at the specs of the system, the features and services we know about. We?re going to be comparing the 30GB iPod to the 30GB Zune, since they are closest in price, storage, and battery life.

OS Support

Winner: iPod. Zune only supports Windows. iPod, on the other hand, supports both Windows and Mac.

WiFi Connectivity

Winner: Zune. The current iPod features no Wi-fi connectivity whatsoever, Zune, however, is 802.11g Wifi enabled, and features a slew of sharing and broadcasting features.

Content

Winner: N/A. Right now the iPod, through iTunes, has thousands of songs, hundreds of TV shows, dozens of movies, and a handful of games to download for the device. As of this writing we still don't know what all the Zune Marketplace will hold for Zune owners. But as we know, iPod has some preloaded music and videos.

Proporta - Aluminium Metal Case (Microsoft Zune (30GB))

Storage

Winner: iPod. iPod has 30GB, 60GB, 80GB, while at present Zune has only 30GB product.

Screen

Winner: Zune. iPod features a 2.5 inch diagonal screen, while the Zune has a slightly larger 3.0 inch diagonal screen.

TeckNet T-042 Microsoft Zune Silicone Protective Skin (White)

FM Radio Capability

Winner: Zune. Zune comes with a built-in FM tuner. If you want to listen to radio on your iPod, you have to buy an accessory.

Music purchasing

Winner: Zune. With iTunes, if you want to buy music, it will cost you .99 cents per song, or you can purchase by the album. But with Zune Marketplace, You could subscribe to the marketplace for $14.99 a month with unlimited downloads for that month. You can also go for individual downloads. Purchase up to 50 songs (4000 Microsoft Points) with $50. Once you purchase Points, you can browse and purchase songs or albums through the Zune Marketplace for 79 Microsoft Points per track (roughly 99 cents). Microsoft Points, the coin for the Zune Marketplace realm, is a universal system that works across borders, including Xbox Live Marketplace and other Microsoft properties.

Logic3 MIP107 i-Station 7 Docking/Speaker Station for iPod - White

Does that mean the Zune is your best buy this holiday season? That depends. If the Zune wireless music sharing is appealing to you, and you're a Windows user, then Zune is probably your best choice. If you're not interested in the Wifi and FM tuner, you will definitely want to look at the iPod.

Article Source: www.content.onlypunjab.com
More iPod and Zune comparison information: www.dvdtozune.com
This article may be reproduced in a website, e-zine, CD-ROM, book, magazine, etc. so long as the bio information is included in full, including the link back to this website.

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Zune Vs iPod

Zune Vs iPod

Zune

iPod

Zune vs iPod - Which Media Player Will You Buy?

OS Support

WiFi Connectivity

Content

Storage

Screen

FM Radio Capability

Music purchasing

More Music Stuff

Zune

iPod