Question: What's a Zune?

Answer: My new favorite toy!

Microsoft released their own handheld media device this season called the Zune. I refer to it as a media device rather than an iPod because, despite the iPod's popularity, I do not think it has been around long enough to be the generic term unlike calling a facial tissue a Kleenex.

Anyway, I have been reading Zune reviews and articles for a few weeks now and most of them simply amuse me. It would appear by most of the articles out there that Bill Gates had a press conference where he touted that Zune was ushering in the end of the iPod and even Apple Computers. Not only have I yet to have seen such a claim, I also have not really seen any advertising at all. Oddly, the Zune hype is building more from those that hate it when compared to their recently purchased iPod. No one wants to be a sucker so everyone defends their personal purchases.

I have nothing personal against the iPod or Mac's. I think the iPod is very slick and sweet looking. I love using a G5 with Final Cut to make movies. But I have always enjoyed Microsoft technology because of integration. I love integration. Whilst Microsoft has its ups and downs with product quality, they are still always finding ways to integrate products seemlessly from Windows to Office to IM. I even own a Suunto MSN Direct Spot watch.

So now I come accross this little fun box called the Zune.
I have seen complaints about the software installation... no problems here.
I have seen complaints about the reformated images for album covers... yes, it does blur them a bit, but I am personally not interested in viewing album covers as much as listening to music.
I have seen complaints about turning the unit sideways to view pictures and videos... I don't even get that complaint...
I have seen complaints about it including wi-fi but not working with non-Zune devices... right now I do not know how two different DRM services would legally share copyprotected music anyway... and I am patient enough to find a small group of people that might want to share their files... and I didn't pay any extra for that feature compared to the iPod's cost.
I have seen complaints about the Zune not being compatable with Media Player... yet the Zune software simply brings over all your files into the Zune player so you can play them in either program. By the way, the transfer time was awesome for me.

Here is the primary point... I've never owned an iPod. I am not used to the interface so I am not trained in one "intuitive" fashion already. There for I am greatly enjoying my navigation experience. I love the four way control and how you can navigate horzontal and vertical menus on the same screen. I love having an FM radio on the device... again an extra feature for the same price.

MS didn't seem to build the Zune to target the iPod owners. It is more like they thought "hey some people are not crazy about Apple products so that is why they either don't own an iPod or buy other handheld media devices." And the Zune was born. Microsoft doesn't have to be popular at this point. Unlike Sony, Microsoft builds products that actually support productivity for other businesses and software developers. Microsoft can afford to just play around and have fun with with a product line every now and then. If it isn't popular, the worst thing that will happen is that the software support will fall by the wayside, but who cares, someone will hack the thing and we will have another kind of fun with it.

I guess in my mind, there is no bad device. If you can take it apart it has a lot of value to a geek like me.

I've caressed a Mac, I've warmed up to Penguins (CPU mag Rocks!!!), but at the end of the day I want to hobby with a Windows registry much like a machanic would rather have his hands on a Chevelle then a Jetta or a Hummer.

Zune ain't for everybody, but Zune is for me.