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