Zune: Great Device, Crap Software
Unlike most of the population, I do not have an iPod and have never owned one. I have a Zune, which I received as a Christmas present last year. By definition, I am an early adopter since I have the first generation Zune device, thankfully in black instead of brown (???). I was largely skeptical about Microsoft’s “iPod killer” when it launched last year. It might be unfair, but I have a tendency to want to hate anything with Microsoft’s name on it. However, after using the Zune consistently for almost a year, I have to say that other than my X-Box 360, it is the only other product that Microsoft managed to turn out that I actually like. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the Zune desktop software application.
The Zune desktop app did not come with podcast support when it launched, and nearly a year later, it still does not have it. Lack of podcast support is one of my biggest complaints about the Zune desktop app. Since podcasts are just as important to me as music, I had to use Juice (formerly iPodder) to receive my podcasts. This worked fairly fine for me until my laptop died late last year. After purchasing a new laptop, I discovered that Juice doesn’t work with Windows Vista, despite my frequent attempts at trying to make it work. I tried out a couple of other podcast receivers and was unable to find anything that worked for me as well as Juice did as well as one that was Windows Vista compatible; therefore, I decided to go with a FireFox plugin. This requires me to do a bit more work to get updated podcasts, which can be frustrating and time consuming when you listen to as many podcasts as I do. This frustration has made me long for a firmware update to the Zune desktop app, which would solve my problems in receiving podcasts. I would rather have one app that does this instead of installing another app just to receive podcasts. Unfortunately, after a couple of firmware releases, Microsoft has yet to include podcast support. I find it hard to believe that Microsoft has gone this long without adding this feature yet incredibly, they have. But this isn’t the only issue I have with the giant software maker’s “iPod killer.”
Initially, I used my Zune just for music, never video; however, recently, I have been watching video on it, primarily because I enjoy watching Diggnation, the GigaOm Show, and other vidcasts more so than listening to them. As a result, I have a growing interest in finding good video content for my Zune, which I have found is the crux of the problem: finding good legal content. The Zune web site has some featured sites where I can download Zune-supported videos, but these partner sites do not appeal to me at all. Of course, the Zune Marketplace, which is Microsoft’s wannabe iTunes store, does not offer any video content, just music. This makes my search for video that interests me even more difficult. Yes, I’m aware that I can find all of my video needs on BitTorrent, but I turned over a new leaf in that regards once the RIAA started suing people for illegal downloads. I also realize I can convert video I already own on DVD and/or video tape to my PC; however, even if I felt like taking the time to do this, I’m skeptical if it will even work with Zune and Vista’s restrictive DRM policy. Even if the video works, I just don’t have that kind of time to rip video from DVD/video tape. I’m all about convenience these days, and the Zune Marktplace/desktop app does not offer that in a neat package.
My frustrations with the Zune have nothing to do with the device itself but with the software and music store. I can’t do what I need to do in one place, thus why the iPod is becoming an attractive option for me. While I no longer believe in purchasing songs online anymore (because of DRM), I would use iTunes to receive podcasts and purchase video. The iTunes application’s features are one reason why the Zune will never beat the iPod. Apple has adopted iTunes to consumers needs in the digital space while Microsoft is lagging behind. My patience is just about to run out, waiting for Microsoft to play catch up, and if they don’t get it together soon, I see an iPod in my future.
