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Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

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  • thejake
    MVP
    • Jul 2002
    • 2433

    #1

    Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

    As expected, Microsoft is busting out the Zune today, and we've got the rundown. Not a lot of surprises in the specs department, but they've confirmed the basics we've known for a while, like WiFi, 30GB of HDD, built-in FM, a 3-inch screen and the basic music, pictures and video playback. They also finally let slip the screen res -- an unsurprising QVGA -- and some better news on the codec front: the Zune supports h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA. As for ballyhoo, wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing is where the real action is at, and it works pretty much like we've been hearing: you can share a full-length track with a friend, and they've got three times to listen to it over a three day period, after which they can flag the song for purchase on the Zune Marketplace -- unless they're an unlimited "Zune Pass" subscriber, of course. You can also share playlists and pictures with your buddies, along with what we suppose are "unprotected" homemade recordings. So far Microsoft isn't mentioning Live Anywhere functionality, but they do hint heavily at future software updates to take even better advantage of the wireless capabilities. Of course, it all really comes down to matching your Zune with that snazzy new fall wardrobe of yours, and to that end the Zune comes in black, brown and white. Sadly, Microsoft still won't spill the beans on pricing and availability (other than a vague "this holiday season"), so we'll keep an eye out for that just like always. Keep reading for all relevant pr0n.
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  • skitch
    Fear Ameer
    • Oct 2002
    • 12349

    #2
    Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

    Hmm, it actually looks kinda cool.

    Comment

    • aukevin
      War Eagle, Go Braves!
      • Dec 2002
      • 14700

      #3
      Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

      That does look nice but how come mp3 players can't get a AM radio in it as well?

      Atlanta Braves
      - Auburn Tigers - Nashville Predators

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      • ExtremeGamer
        Extra Life 11/3/18
        • Jul 2002
        • 35299

        #4
        Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

        Wow, I like the look and the features sound cool. I like the WiFi possibilities.

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        • RockinDaMike
          All Star
          • Feb 2003
          • 9092

          #5
          Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

          Yeah, i'm buying that.
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          • ExtremeGamer
            Extra Life 11/3/18
            • Jul 2002
            • 35299

            #6
            Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

            Originally posted by aukevin
            That does look nice but how come mp3 players can't get a AM radio in it as well?
            I've been wondering that forever!!

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            • The GIGGAS
              Timbers - Jags - Hokies
              • Mar 2003
              • 28474

              #7
              Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

              I'll just keep my iPod.

              :thumbs up:
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              • Skerik
                Living in this tube
                • Mar 2004
                • 5215

                #8
                Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                Built-in FM and WiFi, yay.

                Only 30GB, boooooo.

                I also wish it supported FLAC files. But I suppose you can't have everything.

                Edit: Also, if this costs $299 as rumored, it's way overpriced. My main consideration is storage space and if I can get an additional 50GB of storage space on an iPod for only $50 more, that's a no brainer.
                Last edited by Skerik; 09-14-2006, 12:16 PM.
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                • ndeezlo
                  Fum police
                  • Jul 2002
                  • 3272

                  #9
                  Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                  Originally posted by ExtremeGamer
                  I've been wondering that forever!!
                  AM signals and FM signals are picked up by different antennas and AM signals are harder to receive (or something like that) with an internal antenna. I think that's what it is anyway.
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                  • ExtremeGamer
                    Extra Life 11/3/18
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 35299

                    #10
                    Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                    Originally posted by Skerik
                    Built-in FM and WiFi, yay.

                    Only 30GB, boooooo.

                    I also wish it supported FLAC files. But I suppose you can't have everything.

                    Edit: Also, if this costs $299 as rumored, it's way overpriced. My main consideration is storage space and if I can get an additional 50GB of storage space on an iPod for only $50 more, that's a no brainer.
                    If it's $300, forget it. I'd buy the 80 gig iPod without question.

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                    • aukevin
                      War Eagle, Go Braves!
                      • Dec 2002
                      • 14700

                      #11
                      Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                      Originally posted by ndeezlo
                      AM signals and FM signals are picked up by different antennas and AM signals are harder to receive (or something like that) with an internal antenna. I think that's what it is anyway.
                      I guess that makes sense. I wish they would sell an AM antenna adapter or something though.

                      Atlanta Braves
                      - Auburn Tigers - Nashville Predators

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                      • rudyjuly2
                        Cade Cunningham
                        • Aug 2002
                        • 14816

                        #12
                        Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                        AM = amplitude modulation. This can be affected by bad weather because that affects the height of the wavelength (amplitude). The height/amplitude is what's used to determine the sound.

                        FM = frequency modulation. This doesn't normally get affected by bad weather since the amplitude doesn't affect the sound. The width of each wavelength is what's used to interpret the sound and bad weather doesn't normally affect that.

                        Two different systems which is probably why they only went with the more reliable one.

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                        • fishepa
                          I'm Ron F'n Swanson!
                          • Feb 2003
                          • 18989

                          #13
                          Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                          That thing is sexy.

                          Comment

                          • pk500
                            All Star
                            • Jul 2002
                            • 8062

                            #14
                            Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                            Originally posted by ExtremeGamer
                            If it's $300, forget it. I'd buy the 80 gig iPod without question.
                            I'll third that.

                            Take care,
                            PK
                            Xbox Live: pk4425

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                            • ex carrabba fan
                              I'll thank him for you
                              • Oct 2004
                              • 32744

                              #15
                              Re: Microsoft announces Zune (ipod Competitor)

                              I want a brown one! The widescreen is pretty hot.

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