Microsoft Hums A Hopeful Tune

CBS' Larry Magid Puts The New Line Of Zune Media Players To The Test

(CBS)  Longtime Microsoft watchers agree that the company rarely gets it right the first time and sometimes takes as many as three tries before it ships a product that is truly ready for prime time.

With Zune, Microsoft's digital media player, the software giant might actually be ahead of schedule.

The first version of Zune, which came out last fall, was met with tepid reviews and mediocre sales - it was far from the "iPod killer" that some had expected. The second version, making its debut Tuesday, is a big improvement, although still no iPod killer.

Microsoft actually has three new Zunes. There's a $250 black model with an 80 gigabyte hard disk, plus a four ($149.99) and eight-gigabyte ($200) flash memory versions that come in pink, green, black and red. Microsoft sent me the 80 gigabyte and a pink 8 gigabyte model for testing purposes.

One thing I noticed about the new Zunes is better controls. They're not as fancy as Apple's iPod Touch (which is basically an iPhone without a phone) but they do have a nearly round touch-sensitive pad that is both a touch sensitive and controller and mechanical switch which gives you the best of both worlds.

The touch control on Apple iPods can sometimes be a little too sensitive, causing false clicks and mistakes. The controller on the Zune is just great because if you don't like just sliding your finger or thumb up and down the controller, you can still get tactile feedback by pushing on its mechanical switches.

Another nice touch: the 80 gigabyte model comes with what Microsoft calls "premium in-ear noise-isolating headphones." They're ear buds, but they're definitely a step above the ones that come with the Apple iPod, both in terms of comfort and in eliminating background noise.

And, in a nod to what Microsoft hopes will be former iPod users, the software that comes with the new Zune is capable of importing unprotected files from Apple iTunes. You can't play music you bought on the iTunes music store but you can use the files from CDs that you ripped in iTunes.

The Zune also plays Microsoft's WMA files and standard MP3 files as well as music compatible with Microsoft's "PlaysForSure" platform. That third option, supported by most independent digital music stores, seems like a no brainer to include but it was missing from the first version of Zune.

Of course Microsoft wants you to use its Zune software and Zune marketplace which, according to the company, has about three million songs available for purchase including some unprotected MP3 files. The new software supports podcasts and unlike the iTunes music store, Zune has an "all you can eat" option that allows you to subscribe to the music, so you can listen to any of it so long as you keep paying the $14.95 a month subscription fee.

Like its predecessor, the new Zune is equipped with WiFi wireless networking and you can still use it to try to connect to other Zune users to share music between devices. Of course that's only useful if you find other Zune users, which will be very difficult to do unless this version of Zune is a lot more popular than the last version.

To give you an idea how unpopular the first version was, my colleague Dwight Silverman, a tech columnist for the Houston Chronicle, brought his Zune to the Bill Gates keynote speech at last year's Consumer Electronics Show. Despite being in an auditorium with hundreds of Microsoft employees, Dwight's Zune found only one other Zune user to connect with.

This "social" aspect of Zune is a great idea but useless until there is a critical mass of Zune users as is now the case with iPod users.

But the WiFi on the new version of the Zune actually does something useful. You can use it to sync music wirelessly with your PC so long as you're connected to a WiFi network. Unlike the new WiFi equipped iPod Touch and iPhone you can't use it to purchase music over a wireless network.

In addition to music, you can also use a Zune to view photos and videos. Videos can be viewed in landscape mode. The 80 gigabyte device has a 3.2 inch screen while the smaller flash-based devices have a 1.8 inch screen. By contrast, the hard drive equipped iPod classic has a 2.5 inch screen and the iPod nano a 2 inch screen.

Like an iPod, you can order your Zune custom engraved, but Microsoft is doing more than letting you put your name on your Zune. The company has commissioned 18 artists to create 27 different designs that can be etched onto your Zune or you can add your own text and select among 20 smaller designs inspired by tattoo art.

I found the Zune and its software to be a little easier to use than the iPod and iTunes software which is saying a lot.

If people buy based on merit, Microsoft the new Zune should be a modest success but it does lack a couple of magical features that you can only find on an iPod: the Apple logo and the marketing genius of Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

---

A syndicated technology columnist for over two decades, Larry Magid serves as on air Technology Analyst for CBS Radio News. His technology reports can be heard several times a week on the CBS Radio Network. Magid is the author of several books including "The Little PC Book."

[glossypan]

I am an relatively happy iPod owner. I was disappointed that this article did not address whether Microsoft has bettered Apple on the three bugaboos that bother me on my Classic.
1) Radio tuner? Apple''s is an expensive FM only add-on. I have not purchased it but it looks as if it would be inconvenient to use with some accessories.
2) Finish. My iPod stainless is tres beautiful. It is also easy to scratch and slipperier than an eel. I keep it in a silicone glove (2 pack $20 Circuit City) which solves those problems but detracts a lot from the beauty and a little from the functionality.
3) Songs purchased from iTunes are AAC 128 kbps. They are not portable and the low bitrate is not acceptable. I have no problems playing my higher quality rips, but playback of non-Apple content has bothered some iPod users, as evidenced by the questions in tech forums.
-- Comments from Zune owners on these issues? --

[jerr11]

My problem with ipods is the false advertising.

They advertised it as lasting more than 8 hours but I never got more than 2 hrs.

False advertising and hype.

That''s what apple represents to me and for a former mac fanatic that''s a pretty harsh assessment!

I can''t wait to check out the new zunes.

[howcould]

The thing I don''t like about this stuff is the lack of compatibility.. the lack of universality. I get a CD and I put the song in, and then I get a mp3 player to hear it in my car and its not "compatible". .mp3, .mp4, .bullshyyyt .. what the ***** yaz got that stuff for? Just use one, and all the players play them.

Stupid ***** geeks.

[giord1la]

I received a Zune for christmas last year. My husband has an Ipod, I like the controls on the Zune better. All around I like the Zune. The software leaves alot to be desired, unlike itune''s you cannot put things in a shopping cart for purchase later. You have to hunt the music all over again. There is also no way to show duplicate songs.

[almostime21]

I got the first Zune last year for Christmas and can be happier. I have never had a problem with it at all. I work construction and have drooped it a lot and it has a few scratches but it still works amazingly. I also have an iPod and well I have not been that happy with it. My iPod has not served me nearly as well as the Zune has. In my opinion iPods have a lot of made up hype that they dont deserve and Zunes don''t get the hype that they do deserve. If more people would get Zunes I am sure they would like them like I do.

[almostime21]

I got the first Zune last year for Christmas and can be happier. I have never had a problem with it at all. I work construction and have drooped it a lot and it has a few scratches but it still works amazingly. I also have an iPod and well I have not been that happy with it. My iPod has not served me nearly as well as the Zune has. In my opinion iPods have a lot of made up hype that they dont deserve and Zunes don''t get the hype that they do deserve. If more people would get Zunes I am sure they would like them like I do.

[shoujoboy-2009]

I bought a Zune about a year ago and have liked it overall. I ultimately wanted to stick with MS products and I''m used to their overall interface and I never liked iTunes all that much from my interaction with it. The Zune hardware has been pretty reliable and I''ve liked it, but the software does leave a lot to be desired as a previous commenter said. It''s been painful for me because I listen to a lot of foreign music and the Zune software instictively looks for album information online even against my settings. So I end up with a lot of wrong album art and album titles that is just plain frustrating to overwrite.

I''ll stick with my current Zune and may upgrade later, but probably not for a long while.

[nathan8804-2009]

Sounds like Microsoft is a day late and dollar short. When will they learn their forte is software. Maybe once they get a decent operating system they can call their own then and only then should they explore other areas.

[almostime21]

I got the first Zune last year for Christmas and can be happier. I have never had a problem with it at all. I work construction and have drooped it a lot and it has a few scratches but it still works amazingly. I also have an iPod and well I have not been that happy with it. My iPod has not served me nearly as well as the Zune has. In my opinion iPods have a lot of made up hype that they dont deserve and Zunes don''t get the hype that they do deserve. If more people would get Zunes I am sure they would like them like I do.

[hissteps4u]

Jerr11
You must be down right ignorant if you cant get the number of hours. i have a 4 Gig Nano and have well past 48 hours worth of music stored and it goes and goes in between charges, While the touch interface is a bit touchy it is reliable and easy to use. You perhaps need to read the Manuel instead of just thinking you understand how to operate it without doing so. Ignorance is bliss......

[sevenveils]

I was really hoping to read about it in the article. One IMPORTANT feature missing that keeps me from buying any of these devices is players lack of ability store and play music in a high fidelity lossless format. To date, only a portable CD player can play audio in higher fidelity than any of its more expensive counterparts. SO WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR APPLE OR MS OR ANYONE ELSE to GIVE their players the ability to play the ubiquitous CDA format?

The FIRST manufacturer who does that and offers that quality of music for online sales will turn the market upside down. Did you hear that Sony? If so you owe me five bucks and a free song.

[zootallures2]

The humor factor... brown... ha ha ha

[glossypan]

Sevenveils wrote... "players lack of ability store and play music in a high fidelity lossless format."
I would think zune could interpret WMA Lossless.
All iPods except Shuffle can play .m4a , Apples (Quicktime)lossless encoder.
I rip my music to 256 or 320kbps .mp3 . I challenge my friends to hear the difference in a 256 rip and .cda . Even the musicians among them cannot.

[MacTrek777]

"I got the first Zune last year for Christmas and can be happier." Yes you can be happier if you''d try an iPod instead. ;-)

[MacTrek777]

"I got the first Zune last year for Christmas and can be happier."

Yes, you can be happier. Just get an iPod! ;-)

[cyberdjs4]

The competition makes superior players but Apple owns the monopoly.

Buy accordingly.

[sevenveils]

Glossypan wrote: I would think zune could interpret WMA Lossless.

I checked the specs and found the Zune and all iPods except the nano support a losses format after all. Thanks for the correction and info.

[sevenveils]

The Nano can play a lossless format. It is the iPod Shuffle that cannot. Sorry.

[jerr11]

Apple is a crock of hype.

I bought the third generation Ipod after it was advertised as having 8 hrs battery life of continuous play.

The thing played 2 hrs at best, no matter what I did!

Apple refused to replace the batteries until a lawsuit forced to do so.

Talk about standing behind their products!

Apple is a crock of sh*t and coming from a FORMER mac fanatic, that''s a pretty strong assessment!

[maneeshpan1]

This article shows just how badly we need media reform in the U.S. This country''s news media is being harmed by big conglomerates that keep consolidating the media. Without a free and vibrant press choices and the free flow of information is hindered. There would be fewer sources of quality journalism and these big media companies will be able to monopolize the markets they dominate and forbid new competition.

What about local news? Think of Big Media''s impact on it.

Now this article states Microsoft''s Zune works with Plays for sure DRMed audio in addition to non copy protected WMA, lossless WMA, as well as MP3 and Zune DRMed tracks but Zune is incompatible with Plays for sure.

This is a myth. A fabrication being published and re-published on a handful of news websites.

[zunipus]

To jerr11: Thanks for double posting and saying exactly the same thing. It''s called badgering. Boring.

To Sevenveils: Do you understand what ''lossless'' means? It refers specifically to a type of compression whereby none of the original fidelity is lost at all. The current best known formats are: (1) FLAC. But I am not aware of any player that is compatible. FLAC is cross platform, universal, Open Source, 100% free, excellent. (2) Apple Lossless, playable on ALL iPods except the Shuffle. Apple created it so they can dump in DRM (Digital Rights Manglement). iTunes can rip it for you from your CDs. It is cross platform. (3) Windows Media Audio Lossless, playable on all Zunes. MS created it so they can dump in DRM. AIt is cross platform. RESULT: Either iPod or Zune, you can play lossless, full original fidelity music.

To cyberDJs4: Microsoft is said to have the monopoly on operating systems at 93% of the market. So you are saying that Apple has the ''monopoly'' on the music player device market at 70%. Well, at least in this case the ''monopoly'' is due to quality. However, if they can catch up with Apple and bite them, that is GREAT with me. Competition is one of the best motivators in this game we call ''business.'' I call competition the father of innovation. Without competition you get *** like Vista. Meanwhile, Apple has a great sense of competition, therefore innovation. Ever wonder why every socialist state ever created has been a failure? No competition = no motivation.