Zune goes on sale in US
After all the talk and build up, Microsoft finally launched the Zune on Tuesday as their challenge to the ubiquitous iPod.
The reviews and comments so far haven't been particularly favourable. It seems odd that Microsoft have released what seems to be such a half-baked product if they truly want to dethrone the iPod.
Most of the reviews so far have picked out the major short-comings of the device as being it's significantly larger size, worse battery life and less attractive design compared with the iPod; the lack of compatibility with the PlaysForSure standard Microsoft has been touting until now; it's lack of integration with the Xbox 360; the lack of video available in the Zune Marketplace; the mixed experiences with the Zune software and perhaps most surprising of all, the fact that the software appears to be incompatible with Windows Vista - Microsoft's own new operating system!
It does have some advantages over the iPod though, like it's built in FM radio, larger screen (although with the same resolution as the iPod) and the ability to share songs wirelessly, albeit with some significant restrictions.
But will it be enough? To truly compete with the iPod it needs to be pretty much perfect; Apple has spent the last 5 years perfecting the iPod and iTunes eco-system and has 3 models to choose from. Zune has just one 30 GB model. For now at least, there's no direct competitor to Apple's nano or shuffle.
If Microsoft can't even get the basics right - small size, excellent industrial design, great software integration and experience - what hope have they got?
The wireless capabilities are pretty much pointless unless there are a lot of other Zunes around and somehow, I think that is going to be highly unlikely - particularly as Microsoft have no current plans to release it outside of the US.
So if you see a Zune, take a picture, I think it's going to be a pretty rare sight.
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