Conclusion

From what I can tell, Microsoft is moving in the right direction with their Zune product line, but they still seem to be one step behind their biggest competitor, Apple. This is most clearly demonstrated by looking at the form factor for the 4GB and 8GB models, because they mimic the look and feel of the old second-gen iPod nano. In regards to the Zune 80GB, it’s good that they’ve made the device smaller, but it’s still not compact enough for my tastes.

I appreciate the touch-sensitive Zune Pad as this is a quantum leap in the right direction compared to the controls found on the original Zune. Unlike other touch-sensitive controls, however, the Zune Pad actually offers true tactile feedback when you press it. Part of the reason why I typically don’t like touch controls is that it doesn’t feel like you are pressing anything at all. The Zune Pad, in this way, offers the best of both worlds. Furthermore, if you don’t like the touch controls, those can be turned off in the settings. Whether you prefer the linear touch of the Zune Pad or the circular touch of the iPod click wheel is simply a matter of personal preference.

Perhaps even more notable is the excellent podcast integration, making the Microsoft Zune the first real competitor to the Apple iPod in this regard. There are countless other MP3 players on the market, but very few have made the effort to integrate podcasts quite so well. Finding your favorite podcast in the Zune Marketplace is just as painless as doing the same in iTunes.

Microsoft still has some work to do, but they’ve made huge strides with the Zune 80GB, especially when compared to the brown brick known as the Zune 30GB. For starters, they might want to offer the Zune 80GB in colors other than black (the red was discontinued after Valentine’s Day 2008).

Pros

• Much improved menu interface
• Zune Pad is a huge leap in the right direction
• Streamlined audio and video podcast support
• Wireless synchronization capability
• Great set of premium earphones

Cons

• Still too large for my tastes, Zune 4/8GB might be better
• Muted colors while watching videos, only QVGA resolution
• Crippled Wi-Fi capabilities; where’s web surfing and Internet radio?
• Less than stellar battery life
• No AC/DC power adapter included

Overall Rating: 8.0/10.0

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