Zune 2

October 23, 2007 in Technology with 5 Comments

zunedudeEvery time I put up stuff about Zune I get blasted by the iPod koolaid drinkers.  So have at it, Apple fans.

Last night I went to a Zune 2 preview party in Hollywood.  The Zune 2 is slated for release in mid November, so Cesar Menendez from Microsoft if making stops around the country to show off the latest offering.

I have to tell you…I’m very excited for this to come out.  Aside from the 80GB “brick” they are offering little 8GB Zunes (I call them “Zunitos”).  They come in a variety of finishes and have a Zune pad that is controlled by swiping the finger and clicking.  It is very easy to navigate and is very fast.  It has a speed up feature that, as you scroll through your music, speeds up as you go down the list.  Very cool.

Some obvious changes from the first generation Zune are the addition of Podcasts as a top-level service and some neat additions to the “social” (or wi-fi) aspects of the Zune.  Wireless syncing with your computer?  It’s there.  I love that.  If you have other Microsoft Products (like an Xbox 360) it will sync content to that.  I also love that.

I’ve written about the Zune Marketplace before, and what a huge fan I am of this service.  The improvements to the Marketplace that coincide with the launch of the hardware are great.  Of course they are adding podcasts, but they are also adding a ton of video selections.  I’m pretty excited about this.

The picture on this post is Cesar Menendez holding one of the Zunitos.  It was very low light and they wouldn’t let me take hi-resolutions pics, but you get the idea.

The bottom line?  I believe this 2nd generation will eat up more market share.  It is clear that Microsoft is not leaving the personal media market anytime soon.  They are in it to win it, and I think the Zune 2 is a step toward that goal.  I will buy one the day it comes out. What about you…are you sticking with iPod or considering a move?

About Matt Singley: I run this joint. Always looking for feedback, and if there is something you want me to write about, just let me know! Thanks for stopping by.


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  • http://tybraun.blogspot.com Tyler Braun

    Ipod….iTunes is the main reason for that. It was once a pain to use, but now even artists push you there instead of to the store.

  • http://www.jenniclayville.com Jenni Clayville

    Heck no on Zunes… in fact… iPods just keep showing up in front of my face. I love my iPods. All of them.

  • http://www.erikbjorge.com Erik Bjorge

    ipod koolaid drinkers huh… it seems that someone has been drinking the Microsoft koolaid for too long. either that or they have you on their payroll.
    keep in mind that apple paved the way on this stuff and MS is playing catch-up.
    so much so that the new zune is basically a copy of an ipod but with some (I’ll admit it) cool features.
    note: I don’t even own an ipod :)

  • Kyle Welstad

    When Zunes can make phone calls I might look at one for the first time!! I heart apple!

  • http://www.mattsingley.com Matt Singley

    Well said, iPod-heads. I will let you all know how the new Zune is treating me when I get it. thanks for chiming in…especially those of you that don’t usually comment!