| For many years, there has never been a | | | | release in October 2007. They sport a |
| technology battle so public such as the | | | | new touchpad surface, can sync without |
| one between Apple and Microsoft. The | | | | cables, support podcasts (made famous by |
| two companies have been at it for the | | | | Apple), and even supports WMV and Mpeg4 |
| longest time, since the time of the | | | | formats (the Mpeg4 is the only video |
| computer boom in the 1980s, in fact. | | | | format that can be used on iPod). The |
| They have each been releasing their own | | | | Zune 80 has a large 3.2 inch screen and |
| brand of software and hardware in a | | | | now new firmware for the latest device |
| seeming friendly competition of who is | | | | has been released to improve its |
| better than whom. But this all changed | | | | performance. |
| when Apple introduced the iPod. It | | | | Now here is a player that seems to be |
| instantly swept the world off of its | | | | giving the iPod a run for its money. |
| feet and took the tech and non-tech | | | | The Zune clearly has more support and is |
| population by storm. After all, how | | | | not too strict with formats and it can |
| could something so small and sexy hold | | | | do a whole lot more than the iPod can |
| so much entertainment? | | | | do, including wireless syncing which is |
| For years, Apple took advantage of this | | | | a feature many people should enjoy. |
| newfound glory and continued releasing | | | | Basically, it seems Microsoft has |
| smaller and better models of the iPod, | | | | finally given a solution to free people |
| each of them sporting larger storage | | | | from the "tyranny" of Apple's iPod. |
| systems in thinner and sleeker models. | | | | Apple's Answer |
| All of this time, Microsoft stood idly | | | | However, since the introduction of the |
| by and concentrated on other things such | | | | Zune, Apple has been busy with their |
| as mobile software and their own Windows | | | | devices as well. They have made the |
| OS. Then in 2006, Microsoft dropped a | | | | iPod smaller and thinner, with even more |
| bombshell: they released the first ever | | | | storage than one can handle. Their |
| Microsoft-driven mp3, picture and video | | | | latest iPod classic can take in 160 gigs |
| player, the Zune. | | | | of music and video data! But it doesn't |
| It was a silent release and there wasn't | | | | end there. Although the iPod still does |
| much hype surrounding it, unlike Apple. | | | | not sync wirelessly and only supports |
| CEO Steve Jobs makes it a point to | | | | the same video format without opening to |
| introduce Apple's products to the world | | | | other formats, Apple has made sure that |
| with such gusto, to keep the market | | | | the iPod still has a place in the |
| hungry and wanting for more. So what is | | | | consumer pocket. How? Look at the iPod |
| the Zune exactly? And why has it caught | | | | of today. The iPod Nano now plays video |
| the attention of many iPod users as | | | | (something that was unexpected); Apple |
| well? | | | | introduced the iPhone which is not only |
| The Player | | | | a phone but an iPod and an Internet |
| Microsoft's Zune is a digital multimedia | | | | communicator; Apple later introduced |
| product that has taken its place in a | | | | iTouch which is an iPhone without the |
| world crowded with iPods. All three | | | | phone capabilities, is thinner but |
| styles of the Zune can play music, | | | | sports the same touch screen technology |
| display images and play videos; all can | | | | that everybody is learning to love. |
| receive FM radio signals and even shows | | | | So it goes without saying that although |
| station information; and all can share | | | | Zune has introduced something to go up |
| files wirelessly with other Zune units | | | | against the giants in the mp3 market, |
| and even with Microsoft's gaming | | | | Apple has taken a different step and |
| platform, the Xbox 360, but only via a | | | | re-invented their iPod. Is Apple still |
| USB cable. | | | | ahead in the game? Everyone is entitled |
| The latest models are known as the Zune | | | | to his or her own opinion. |
| 4, 8, and 80 and were all announced for | | | | |