Why Zune is the future

Being an insane early adoper, and having kept up on the hype of a Microsoft 'iPod' killer, when it finally came out I asked for a Zune for Christmas from my wife.  A black one.  I got it, and I must say, I have been impressed, but also have been met with some disappointments.  So, why do I think Zune is the future?  Well, let's first go to my impressions of the iPod.

I've never had anything against the iPod hardware.  In fact, I've always found it to be very well designed.  Very sleek, very clean, very modern looking device.  The interface and control wheel were both functional, it a little lack luster.  (The interface I found to be a little bland, and was never a huge fan of the wheel, it can be a little hard to control at times.)  Now, this may be because I am a geek, and rightfully so I think Apple had simplicity in mind in their design so that your average person could use the device.  And, it has paid off.  Apple has a huge market share.  Here is why I never owned an iPod.  (Although I did buy a nano for my wife because of the Nike jogging part, which we haven't gotten working so far.)  It's a one word answer.  iTunes.  iTunes is so incredibly restrictive, plus it tries to take over my computer, automatically taking over all my file associations, etc.  Besides, I've never been a fan of the iTunes interface either.  iTunes was my biggest hold up on an iPod.  Which, leads us to the Zune.

First we'll start with the hardware.  The Zune hardware is fantastic.  I love the more 'techy' design of the Zune vs. the iPod, and the bigger screen is awesome.  I use my Zune far more for video I've found that I use it for music.  I watch movies, episodes of the Simpsons, House, etc on my way to work in the carpool in the mornings.  The screen clarity and resolution for such a small screen make it so there is no eye strain, and it looks beautiful.  The Zune interface I've found much prettier while still staying simplistic, and easier to navigate because of the Microsoft round button interface.  During a video I can simply press the center button and a translucent over-lay screen moves over my video to show me all the file's info.  Also, instead of spinning like a wheel, I can do simple directional presses.  The other advantage of this is I don't have to get out of my music or video screen to fast forrward or rewind, but I can still adjust the volume unlike an iPod.  The Zune lets me put on my own background in a 320x240 resolution, so I can actually add real normal pictures and they look great on it.  Battery life probably isn't as good as the iPod, but it seems to be good for me so far.  I charge it every night just as I do my cell phone, my blue tooth headset, etc.  If I can get a full day's use out of any device, I'm happy.  Also, the earbuds that come with it are amazing.  I have never had earbuds that actually stayed in my ear like these do.  I think it's the material they wrap the earbuds in seems to grip inside your ear and hold them in place.  In fact, the only real complaint I have about the hardware itself is the volume.  While in music, the Zune seems to have plenty of volume, but when in video's I have to get near to maxing out the volume in some situations to hear it clearly.  I worry that next time I am traveling on an airplane I won't be able to watch my video's and hear ok.  Especially considering I am using the earbuds that came with it, and worry that normal headphones won't have near the volume to make them useable.  This coule be, of course, due to the Media Center video files themselves, but I'll address that shortly.

So, what are my disappointments?  Well, you guessed it, the Zune software.  Again, like the weakness of the iPod, it seems Microsoft carried over the same weakness to their device.  There are some reasons, RIAA for example (same reason why the wireless music sharing got chopped off at the knees) but there are some things Microsoft can do to vastly improve their software.  Options that Apple doesn't have.  For example, one of the things that could really, really boost Zune popularity would be direct Media Center sync support, either through the MC interface itself, or simply through adding a library location in the Zune software.  Right now, I have to download software and codec's to re-encode my DVR-MS content to my Zune.  And, unfortunately the codec's available are leaving a green stripe down one side of my video content, which sucks.  I am sure that there is a work around for this issue, but I just haven't had the time.  Besides, your average user isn't going to have the patience or know how to do this either, which leads me to my next point.  Ripping DVD's to your Zune.  Again, I have some software that does this for me, and does a beautiful job, but the audio/video is out of sync due to the re-encode.  Again, I am sure I can fix this, but your average user won't know how, or have the patience to do so.

So, other than liking the hardware and interfaces better, why do I think Zune is the future?  Because Microsoft has some strategic advantages that Apple does not.  The first, and one of the biggest I feel is Media Center compatibility.  If Microsoft added direct support for DVR-MS files, you will start to see Zune's everywhere, not to mention boost your Media Center PC sales.  I use Windows Vista Ultimate as my Media Center PC, and the new interface is beautiful.  Zune team, you really should go talk to the Diamond team and get a great new interface for Media Center.  What I would like to see is be able to tell my Zune sync software "I want all Simpsons episodes that are less than a week old synced to my device."  In this way, old episodes I have watched drop off my Zune, while the new episodes get automatically added.  Direct sync into media center for music would be fantastic too.  Let's say I purchase a few songs off Zune marketplace, those should automatically get synced to my Media Center library.  Finally, it seems the industry is OK with ripping audio CD's to our devices, so why not our DVD's?  If they must, fine, add some license protection, but allow the Zune software itself to rip the DVD into the correct Zune format and resolution and sync it to my device, and allow me to keep it in my library so I can re-add it to my Zune when I desire.

Microsoft started their Xbox program, as well as Media Center and Zune programs to try and get into 'the living room.'  Read any article about the origins of these product lines and you will see just that.  So, Microsoft, here's your chance.  You have 3 great product lines that need to all talk to each other and be best friends.  You do this, and the iPod doesn't stand a chance.  The iPod is a stand alone device with no cousins to call friend.  You want the living room Microsoft, now is your chance to take it.  Besides, PS3's already in big trouble.  Might as well finish the job.

So, what do you think?

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