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- - Microsoft challenges iPod with the 'Zune'
  - Original contribution by: betty
  - 10/18/2006 11:52:23 PM
  - Apple's iPod will soon be facing some new competition. On Nov. 14, the electronics giant, Microsoft is set to launch its own digital media player called the Zune. The iPod has been hugely successful since its launch almost five years ago. Apple has reported sales of over 60 million units and over 1.5 billion songs from its iTunes music store. Despite Apple's success, the company recently revamped its line of digital media players and introduced its new Nano line, which includes much smaller versions of iPod that hold an impressive four gigabytes of music. Apple has also released the video iPod in both 30 and 80 gb models. The Zune will be released with a 30 gigabyte capacity; the same as the iPod's base model. It will retail for $249.99, only $0.99 more than the comparable iPod. So what does the consumer get with the Zune for the extra buck that they don't with an iPod? First, the Zune allows the user to wirelessly share full length sample tracks, playlists or pictures with any other Zune user. If users decide they like the songs friends send, they can then log into Microsoft's new online music store, the Zune Marketplace, and purchase it. Microsoft plans to offer both individual downloads and a monthly subscription to the Zune Marketplace. The $15 monthly subscription will allow users to play any song in the Zune Marketplace, but they will not be permitted to keep songs on their Zunes permanently. The Zune is designed to be fully customizable. The 3- inch LCD video screen can play movies or show pictures in either landscape or portrait mode, maximizing the video and picture display. It is also designed to let the user know when software updates are available so it will constantly be up-to-date. The Zune also comes complete with a built-in FM radio tuner, a distinct departure from the iPod. Even with all the additional features offered on the Zune, one would assume people would be at least a little reluctant to give up their iPod. So if Quinnipiac students had an extra $250 lying around, which media player would they choose?
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