Streamline your digital entertainment with efficient management of music, videos, and photos, and sync capabilities with Xbox 360
Streamline your digital entertainment with efficient management of music, videos, and photos, and sync capabilities with Xbox 360
Vote (1,980 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Zune
Version 4.8.2345.0
Works under Windows
Vote
(1,980 votes)
Developer
Zune
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
4.8.2345.0
Pros
- Great for loyal followers of the Microsoft brand.
- The power of this software does the job.
- You have a clean and simple looking interface.
Cons
- The quality in music and videos remains somewhat inconsistent.
Microsoft, a company that arguably created one of the heftiest number of devices, has a high likelihood that it has never created anything quite as controversial as the Zune software. The company wanted this software to rival that of Apple and its iPod. Microsoft's Zune attempts to throw the king off his thrown and wear the crown of popularity. Unfortunately, it tends to fail in some big ways, which is probably why it never managed to pick up as much steam as the Apple iPod.
Powerful Software Gets the Job Done
This software does exactly what it sets out to do like play music or videos, but you'll likely spot how the quality isn't always the best. In fact, we have a rather inconsistent quality compared to what you might get with the iPod. You shouldn't, however, take that to mean that the Zune won't do a phenomenal job, but it doesn't quite stack up to the iPod like the developers at Microsoft had hoped.
Simplified User Interface
Microsoft has taken a few cues from Apple in learning how to keep things simple with their programs. For example, when you look at the interface of Microsoft, you have a simple and easy-to-use interface that goes a long way to win the hearts of its users. The icons look big with responsive buttons, and you also have a clear menu that you can use for browsing on Zune. It's quite effortless and enjoyable. Microsoft has had some strong and snarling competition against it, and in fact, the market is already inundated with some of these products, which is one of the reasons that Microsoft fails to make a big imprint in a meaningful way. Their only real advantage comes from their platform. They have the backing of a powerful search engine, and they also have hired some of the top developers for the Zune software, which you can't find on many of the other programs.
Love the Microsoft Brand?
Anyone who loves the Microsoft brand may want to check out the Zune. This app works well, and you can't find it on some of the other platforms, which makes it more exclusive. The company has even updated the Video and Music store to make it look more fashionable and hip.
Who is the Zune for? Anyone who hates Apple should go out and support the Zune instead. While some people might not have much better opinion of Microsoft, it is an option over Apple. The Zune did kind of flop, but in some of the other ways, it helped to revive this great American tech company. Some of the future technology that Microsoft has released has even added a part of Zune into it.
Pros
- Great for loyal followers of the Microsoft brand.
- The power of this software does the job.
- You have a clean and simple looking interface.
Cons
- The quality in music and videos remains somewhat inconsistent.
Pros
- Does everything that you might expect of an MP3 player
- Can sync with the Xbox 360
- Intuitive interface
- Can share photos and songs with other Zune-sters
Cons
- No backwards compatibility
- 30 GB of memory is small compared to the iPad's 80 GB
Known as the "one-stop-shop" for music and entertainment, Zune lets you manage videos, songs, and pictures. You can rip and burn CDs and then relax later with your favorite songs. Along with that, Zune lets you build playlists, edit tracks, and edit album information. Zune will automatically import the existing files into your iTunes and Windows Media Players. Zune has become the go-to marketplace for new music, and it works with the Xbox 360 so that you can listen to your favorite hits while playing games. Zune can be found in the Xbox dashboard, and you can listen to this music as you play games. Developed by Microsoft, this is one of the reasons that you can play Zune on Xbox.
Even if you do not want to do those things, Zune also works as a stand-alone software, and you can simply use Zune to play. One of the biggest complaints that people have over Zune is how intrusive it can be. For example, when you go to open it, it closes every other program that you had opened. Microsoft made Zune so that it did not work backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9, and you have weak native video support. That means that Urge and Napster will not work, and if you have subscription tracks from those companies, it won't work.
For most people, Zune will please them with its intuitive interface and solid playback performance. Another problem is that Microsoft struggles to do anything new in this market with solid competing companies like iRiver, Creative, and Samsung already pushing out excellent performing systems. It does not leave a lot of room for Microsoft to do anything new. One of the revolutionary features, however, is the Zune-to-Zune effortless file sharing. It works a lot like iTunes that way.
Zune makes a fantastic option for beginners because of the convenient integration and less confusing UI. The future of Zune looks bright, and hopefully we will see some wireless features added one day. For right now, Zune has a 30 GB MP3, and you have video and photo-friendly performance. You do not even need WMP to sync files or manage Zune.
The MP3 player does have many similarities to the others that do photo and video playback, but what separates Zune from the rest is the WiFi chip. It lets Zune seek out other people using Zune, and it gives the option to share photos and music with them. However, this does not work with video. For someone who wants functionality, Zune will definitely be good enough to view photos and watch videos. You have three different brightness settings with vibrant colors. The Zune experience is one that is worth checking out to decide for yourself.
Pros
- Does everything that you might expect of an MP3 player
- Can sync with the Xbox 360
- Intuitive interface
- Can share photos and songs with other Zune-sters
Cons
- No backwards compatibility
- 30 GB of memory is small compared to the iPad's 80 GB
