The Zune is a complete, humiliating failure.
November 26, 2006 |
Ok, so I know that as of late a vast majority of the stuff posted here has been pro Apple in some regard. Well, I’m trying to find other stuff to talk about, but this article just couldn’t be ignored. The Chicago Sun-Times has reviewed Microsoft’s “iPod killer,” the Zune digital media player, and it’s quite possibly the strongest review I’ve ever read, for anything, ever.
I’ve spent a week setting this thing up and using it, and the overall experience is about as pleasant as having an airbag deploy in your face.
Andy Ihnatko, one of the Chicago Sun-Times’ two technology columnists, penned the Zune review and, as you can see, it is less then pleasant. Throughout the article Ihnatko talks about how the Zune is really just a way for Microsoft to play nice with the music industry — attempting to give in to demands where Apple has stood their ground. The result, according to Ihnatko, is that the Zune serves the industry rather then the user. He even goes as far as basically saying friends don’t let friends buy Zunes.
You’ll find that the Zune Planet orbits the music industry’s Bizarro World, where users aren’t allowed to do anything that isn’t in the industry’s direct interests.
I’ve pulled a few choice quotes for the purpose of my covering the article, but you should really read the whole thing, especially if you are considering purchasing a Zune, iPod, or other device this Christmas season.
Result: The Zune will be dead and gone within six months. Good riddance.