*Review No: 1*
Revision: 1.01 (As of July 02, 2007)
Product: Microsoft Zune
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Model: JS8-00001
Color: Black (Brown, White, and Pink available)
Tech Specs:
*3" bright color LCD display can be customized with your photos for a personalized appearance
*Built-in FM tuner with RBDS broadcast signal support to display artist and track title
*Equalizer for a customized listening experience
*USB 2.0 interface for fast transfer speeds
*Zune-to-Zune sharing allows you to use a built-in 802.11b/g wireless interface to share tracks, homemade recordings, playlists and pictures with other Zune users; received tracks expire after you have listened 3 times or 3 days
*Flag shared tracks you like for easy downloading later with your Zune Pass (subscription required) in the Zune Marketplace
*Up to 14 hours battery life with the built-in lithium-ion battery
*PC compatible
Product Details:
Product Height: 4.4"
Product Width : 2.4"
Product Weight: 5 oz.
Product Depth : 0.6"
Storage Type : Hard drive
Built-In Storage Capacity: 30GB (actual formatted capacity less)
Included Removable Memory: None
Removable Memory Type : None
Digital Audio Format : Upgradeable Yes
Computer Compatibility : PC
Music-Management Software: Zune Marketplace
Music Service Compatibility: Zune Marketplace
Digital Audio Formats : .wma, wmv, mp3, jpg, mp4, m4v, m4a, m4b, mov.
PlaysForSure Compatibility: No
Battery Life : Up to 14 hours (I got it up to roughly 15.5 hours on music)
Tuner Type Digital : FM
Random/Repeat : Yes
Headphone Type : Earphones
Included Accessories : Earphones, sync cable, manual and CD-ROM
System Requirements : Windows XP (SP2); Internet connectivity
Listed Price: 249.99 USD (I believe BestBuy was selling it for 237.49 when I checked on 7/01/07)
*** Special Halo Limited Edition Zune going for 249.99 at Gamestop's website. ***
Lets start off with the dimensions of the thing, listed, it is 4.4" high, 2.4" wide, and 0.6" deep. Not something you'd really want to lug around in your pant pocket. If you're a gal, maybe a purse, but for fellars out there, you might want to invest in some type of belt clip add on to it. Shirt pockets might work (though my things have a tendency of falling out every time I lean forward).
As for texture, the cover for the Zune is a matte finish, imagine really smooth rubber. This thing won't slip in your hands, though finger prints do get on them (though it's rather easy to remove!). As for scratching, the only real place you can scratch is on the plastic buttons, which are all polished and feel "study and firm" to the touch, as well as the 3" screen.
Functionality wise, the Zune is intuitive with the main screen showing options for Music, video, pictures, radio, community and settings. This isn't like the ipod where you can move your finger around the touch-sensitive disc. You have to click on the correct button, which isn't so hard in itself since they are a fairly good size to have. Yes, the thing is ambidexterous (as with most MP3s I believe.)
Moving onto the screen, the 3" provides ample room to watch videos on, though if you're not too keen on hunching over, I suggest you get the Zune A/V Output cable (4.9 feet) which retails for around 19.99 USD at CompUSa (and other places no doubt), but then again, what's the point of mobile movie watching then? (I've been able to fit a few full sized DVDs on the thing! )
Battery wise, the battery on this thing drains rather fast. For movies, I've only gotten roughly 8 hours. For music max was 15.5 for me, though average hovers around 9 hours. You can maximize the life by lowering the screen's brightness, setting when the screen turns off, and lowering music volume.. which leads me to the next thing.
Volume wise, the Zune has a setting from 1 to 20, which is ample enough for most speakers, headphones and earphones. The OEM earphones that come with it are decent, but I suggest you get something aftermarket since they hurt after a while (though I do note, that earphones hurt me after any amount of time.)
Customization. You can customize the cr*p out of your zune from radio presets, music playlists, video playlists, to your Zune's background. Heck, if you want, paint on it. (Though I don't suggest you do it to the screen or ports).
Add-Ons are in abundance. You can get travel packs to home stereo systems specifically designed to fit the zune. I believe I have roughly 400-500 dollars worth of Add-ons for my Zune.
I know a lot of people look at the packaging before they buy a product, the Zune is definitely a seller here. The package is a neat rectangular box. You remove the top and open a tab to to get your little Zune velvet "bag", CD, manual, Zune Sync cable and earphones. On the other side, is a little cover where you can lift up and get your zune, which is seated in a nice little corner, plastic protective screen and all.
As for software, the Zune requires a small program to allow your computer to sync your music library to your Zune. Simply install it an plug the zune it and off you go. However, it took me a bit to get the hang of this, and my Zune doesn't always get recognized. Also something to note is that the program synchronizes whatever is in your current music library to the Zune. Meaning if you have nothing in it, it'll sync nothing and you'll end up with a wiped Zune.
**New 7/2/2007** Capacity wise, the Zune only comes in one "size" so far with its first generation at 30 gigabytes (though you'll probably only get around 27 gigs). Respectable, but to those hard core music and video junkies out there, not nearly enough. Multimedia function is also adequate with music, photo, FM, and video. Only thing it might be missing would be games. The Zune is also capable of syncing with an Xbox 360 to swap music libraries.
Stars: ********* (9/10)
Thoughts: The Zune is a neat little media player, though its dimension and weight put it in the medium to heavy weight class for me, I still like mine. Maybe the second or third generation will show a smaller size. I do like the matte finish though, feels very smooth and to the hand, like its already got a protective cover to it. Screen size is nice, and storage capacity is decent, though I would like to see higher capacity drives in the future. I also like the different color options and special editions available for it. Add-ons are in abundance as well. What I would like to see though, is a longer battery life, and maybe AM on the radio. The Zune community is nice too, since I can share music wirelessly with others who have Zunes, though the songs only last for three days.
Pros:
* Nice finish
* Good selection of Add-Ons
* Variety in Color
* Nice screen size and brightness
* Good functionality
* FM radio
* Can act as an external hard drive with the correct software tweaks
Cons:
* Size makes it akward inside pockets.
* Battery life isn't too long.
* Program can have problems recognizing device.
* No A.M. for the radio (I'm being picky)
End thoughts: Would I buy this product again? I already have.. hello Halo edition.
Websites of interest:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928191 (Zune Supported media files)
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-...now-215057.php (Zune Q&A)
And now..the pictures.
Sync cable and earphones.
Video Mode (You flip it on its side, I also put a protective covering over mine so it looks scratched but really isn't.)
Main menu
Size comparison
Sync port
Top port with "lock" button.
Packaging
Box
Tech Review
) As for internet access that would be great, though I don't know how they would implement that. Maybe do a wifi qwerty keyboard add-on? 
Linear Mode
