Microsoft's Zune 2 launched in the USA yesterday in three new flavours; two sleeker 4GB and 8GB models priced at $149.99 and $199,99 respectively, now direct competitors to Apple's iPod Nano, and one hard disk based 80GB model priced at $249.99.
In a market dominated by Apple's iPod, Microsoft's Zune portable media player has so far struggled to make a real impact. Although established as the second most popular portable media player in the world, the Zune hasn't been able to cut into Apple's huge presence in the market.
Despite the slow start, Microsoft has gone to some lengths to revamp the Zune 2 and offers a set of features that do make the Zune stand out. Zune devices are able to sync wirelessly to a user's computer and automatically update their music, photos and videos. Furthermore, with a built in FM radio, 320x240 pixel screen and video output (80GB model only), the new Zune offers features which many iPods do not. Not wanting to alienate any of the original Zune owners, a firmware update has also been issued to bring all the Zune 2 features to the now older 30GB Zune.
In addition to the hardware upgrades, the Zune software has been given a new lease of life too. Upon the launch of the original Zune last year, one of the biggest complaints was in regards to the software suite. Being a mix between Windows Media Player and iTunes, it struggled to have the required impact and left a lot to be desired. This time around, the Zune team has started from scratch and created a Zune software package to be proud of. Featuring a silky smooth interface that iPod users come to expect, the Zune software is now easier to use and did we mention silky smooth looking?
The software upgrades however aren't without compromise. In an effort to make the Zune interface simplistic and easy on the eye, it has sacrificed some of the more advanced features. Users of Windows Media Player 11 are accustomed to rating songs in a 5 star rating method and most make use of the incredibly useful auto playlist feature. The new Zune regrettably has lost these abilities, a media item can now only be rated as liked or disliked and auto playlists are missing completely. A common case of 5 steps forward, 2 steps backward.
Yet, despite the loss of a few new features, the Zune does have a social aspect worth boasting about. Following the huge online success of its Xbox Gamercard system, Microsoft has implemented a similar scheme with the new Zune. The cleverly titled 'Zune Card' will be available to all Zune users and show their musical preferences to the world. With the Zune Card offering the ability to be displayed on social networking sites such as Facebook (in which Microsoft invested heavily), Microsoft will be hoping that this social aspect is what brings Zune a bigger share of the market.
Unfortunately, the Zune remains a US only product and as of yet there are no confirmed plans to bring the player to other markets.
Official website: Zune.net
