ZUNE
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What is the Zune?
The Zune is Microsoft's answer to the iPhone from the Apple company. It is a portable media player that allows you play music, TV shows, movies, and podcasts. All media material can be purchased from the Zune Marketplace. Along with the Zune Marketplace software Microsoft has also come up with the Zune Social software. This software allows a user to interact with other Zune users by adding them as friends, send messages to one another and also compare and share music between two different Zunes.
History
The Micorsoft Zune was first released on November 14, 2006, a full five years after the original ipod was introduced to the world. The first model to be released was the Zune 30. Microsoft worked closely with the Toshiba company to develop the model which is closely related to Toshiba's Gigabeat S media player. This first model of the Zune had the capability to play the FM radio, hold 30 gigs of media and had a 3 inch screen. The second generation of Zune, the Zune 80, was released less than a year later on October 2, 2007. Along with the release of the second generation of Zune came the Zune 4 and 8. These were much smaller Zunes and meant to compete with smaller ipod nano series. These new Zunes came with the ability to communicate between other Zunes bringing in the social aspect of the Zune that Microsoft was hoping would put it over the ipod. The Zune is now also available in a 120 gig model for those who wish to hold tons of music. The newest version of the Zune to hit to the market is the Zune HD introduced May 26, 2009. This model allows user to watch HD video in the palm of their hand while using all of the other great features of the Zune.
Software
The Zune software that comes with the device is a full managament system for the Zune, works as an interface to the Zune marketplace, and can allow stream media live right onto the software. The Zune software is the only software that can work with the Zune and it was designed that way. It synchronizes all the content on the software with the device including music, videos, podcasts, games, pictures, and your social network. Microsoft is planning on having the Xbox Marketplace replaced with the Zune Marketplace by late Fall 2009. The edge that Microsoft is trying to get over apple is the fact that instead of paying for every download, like you have to itunes, with the Zune Marketplace you can pay for a monthly subscription for a price of $14.99 a month and have unlimited downloads for that month. For the avid media downloader this could be a great selling point except for the fact that music downloaded with this pass cannot be burned to a disc.