Zune Y2K9

**TrakMastaTom** · 12-31-2008, 04:14 PM

Today I picked up my recently fully charged Zune. I was going to make a playlist for my off the hook New Years party. How can a party be off the hook without tunes?! Well I looked at my 3 year old 30GB Zune to see nothing but a loading screen. I stared for a good while before consulting google. What I found was this article:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/tech...0-shutdow.html

Apparently all Zunes that are the same gen and model as mine are freezing. Microsoft claims they are working on a fix.

Looks like my party won't be nearly as off the hook.

I think this whole thing is extremely bizarre, though. Anyone else got an old Zune that is frozen?

**Dudebro** · 12-31-2008, 10:08 PM

I don't have one but I only hear bad things about them. The stores I used to see them in put them on clearance and don't carry them anymore. That's usually a bad sign.

**Kugyince** · 01-01-2009, 11:17 AM

Time to stop being a tightwad and shell out for an iPod TMT.

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-01-2009, 01:55 PM

I love my Zune. I have never had any problems with it whatsoever. The reason I didn't buy an Ipod to begin with is because I know a lot of people with broken ones, and thought I would try something new. This is the first time I have ever had a problem with my Zune. That's not really the issue.

Besides, Microsoft posted on their Zune site that everything should be in order now. However they do not explain WHY the Zune Apocalypse occured.

**Kugyince** · 01-01-2009, 10:08 PM

Really? I don't know anyone who had their iPod malfunction except for two people. One dropped their's in a lake and the other dropped their's in a shredder which resulted in about 100 pieces.

**Dudebro** · 01-01-2009, 10:38 PM

Yeah I used to hear bad things about the Ipod too but nothing recently. Pretty sure they got most of the kinks out.

**jeckel22** · 01-01-2009, 11:01 PM

I just bought a 16 GB Ipod touch from a buddy for $80. Works great.

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-01-2009, 11:35 PM

I have no doubt that there are plenty of people out there with working Ipods. But there are also plenty of broken ones out there too. Keep in mind that I bought my Zune 2 years ago. Also keep in mind that my Zune is awesome, and works now. I was only without it for one day.

**CatalystiCam** · 01-01-2009, 11:38 PM

I don't even know what ZUNE is?

**jeckel22** · 01-01-2009, 11:39 PM

Wow. You gotta get outta the house more. No doubt the Zune is good, but I like the Ipod better. I would never turn down a Zune if it was given to me as a gift (or if the opportunity came up to buy one for cheap).

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-01-2009, 11:41 PM

Considering this thread has turned into a Zune Vs. Ipod thread, it would be safe for you to assume that a Zune is a competitor of the Ipod, therefore an alternative brand of MP3 player.

And that is what it is. Good assumption. ;D

**CatalystiCam** · 01-01-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeckel22

Wow. You gotta get outta the house more. No doubt the Zune is good, but I like the Ipod better. I would never turn down a Zune if it was given to me as a gift (or if the opportunity came up to buy one for cheap).

I take offence to that first comment I'm stuck in the house this year because I"m forced to do homeschool corespondence until we move this year in august, for reasons I don't want to get into right now and most of the rest of my time this year is spent in hockey, karate, bowling and working on my book, although I have nothing today so I'm bored.

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-02-2009, 12:01 AM

**jeckel22** · 01-02-2009, 12:09 AM

Well if it is turning into a competition thread, I guess I will post this:

A 120GB Ipod and a 120 GB Zune retail for about the same price. $250

The zune has the following where the Ipod does not:
Wi-Fi
Wireless File Sharing
Wireless MP3 Shop
Wireless Sync
Landscape Mode
Portrait Mode (Ipod has this)
FM Tuner
Buy Song from FM
Preloaded Games
Custom Background

Battery life for both is about 36 hours.
Screen size for Zune is 3.2 inches whereas Ipod is 2.5
Resolution is 320x240 for both.
Ipod comes in silver or black. Zune is only black.
Zune offers unlimited downloads for $15 a month.
Size is slightly different, but not enough to make a big difference.
Ipod is compatible with a Mac and PC, where the Zune is only compatible with PC.

Zune compatibility files:
MP3, Zune Marketplace, AAC, WMA, .aa, JPEG, WMV, MPEG-4, H.264

Ipod compatability files:
MP3, iTunes, AAC, AIFF, WAV, .aa, JPEG, BMP, MPEG-4, H.264

All in all:
Zune has better navigation, physical appeal, sound and science(like subscriptions and bonus features), and cost.

Ipod has better compatability (File formats, music services, software).

Although it seems like the Zune blows the Ipod out of the water, it is actually a draw.

In a test, here were the score in all five areas.

Navigation: Zune=13 Ipod=12
Physical appeal: Zune=12 Ipod=11
Compatability: Zune=6 Ipod=10
Sound and Science: Zune=12 Ipod=11
Cost: Zune=14 Ipod=13

Agree? Disagree?

I think it is just personal preference.

**CatalystiCam** · 01-02-2009, 12:10 AM

yeah it is sad and boring, but at least it's only for this year, but it doesn't mean I'm leaving ru next year, but right now I've become a part-time nerd but i do get out just for activities, and I'm always riding on the bike in the house and walking... rather running with the dog, so I kepp in shape ;D

jeckels post popped up so I'll read it later

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-02-2009, 04:39 AM

When I got my Zune it was 50 dollars cheaper than the Ipod of the closest size. I think the more expensive Ipod was actually less space.

You can get more colors of Zune than black.

I have nothing wrong with Ipods.

I really want to know what caused the Zunes to stop working.

**Kugyince** · 01-02-2009, 05:39 AM

I never said people don't have broken iPods. I just said that I don't know anyone that has had problems with them.

Also Jeckel, you're forgetting something else in your comparison; accessory availability. With the iPod being the much more popular one, I think its safer to say there's a much wider variety of accessories available for it.

I'd also be curious of a warranty comparison.

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-02-2009, 06:25 PM

Both Ipod and Zune accessories are too expensive.

**CatalystiCam** · 01-02-2009, 07:07 PM

I've never bought and ipod or any sort of music device, I just waited until my family bought nanos and got given two of the old shuffles ;D

**jeckel22** · 01-05-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenser

Also Jeckel, you're forgetting something else in your comparison; accessory availability. With the iPod being the much more popular one, I think its safer to say there's a much wider variety of accessories available for it.

Good point. The comparison I gave was also to the two closest in price and size. There could have been completely different results if a different Ipod was used (like the Ipod touch). Either way, there are tons of accesories. I just recently bought a car charger and an action jacket for my Ipod touch so I can run with it. Only about $60 for both.

**Kugyince** · 01-05-2009, 11:43 PM

Yeah, the wife and I both have FM transmitters for our iPods. We also have a Bose docking bay and I have a hard shell case to keep the screen from getting scratched.

The case was $20 and the transmitters were $45 each. The docking bay was $300.

**Slime Slayer** · 01-06-2009, 12:07 AM

lol you actually bought one of those as seen on tv bose things, how do they work?

**Kugyince** · 01-06-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevencassidy13

lol you actually bought one of those as seen on tv bose things, how do they work?

You have no clue do you? Bose makes one of the best speakers out there. I have a $1,100 stack system sitting in my attic because the sound on my little Bose iPod docking bay is far better. They're also sold in some stores now like Target and Best Buy. Go find one that lets you test the sound out and see for yourself.

**TrakMastaTom** · 01-06-2009, 02:25 AM

I bought an FM transmitter that will work with an Ipod, Zune, tape player, anything you want it to for 10 bucks. It works as good as anything I have ever seen used (Itrip and the like).

**Kong** · 01-06-2009, 08:51 AM

I thought the Zune came with FM.