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This had to be in The Onion first!

Dec 11, 07 - 10:33 am Comment from: Zune Tang®

Great review, Wired. Thank you for having the guts to tell the TRUTH.

Read it and weep MAC sheep. The age of I-POD is mercifully coming to a close. Long live Zune!

Your potential. Our passion.™

Shogun said:
"Who was saying they want the Classic to go back to last generation's look? I was just checking the Classic out on the Apple site... looks the same as last generation to me."

You can't be serious. The classic is all metal, while the 5G and 5.5G iPods looked like 'iMac minis' with their glossy polycarbonate coating. They really don't look the same. I own a 80 Gb classic (more bang for my buck feature and capacity-wise), but the previous model looks better to me.

On to other things, namely the Wired piece of sub-par journalism. All these idiots who are giving low ratings to iPod classic while they're praising the Zune don't really know what they're doing or why they're doing that. If the iPod came out now, it would be hailed as the best MP3 player on the market (it still is). But by now the iPod is a mature device that doesn't get that many new features per update because it already has most of them. Meanwhile MS makes a new Zune that makes people like these Wired clowns orgasm just because it doesn't suck as much as the 1G brown squirter. For the best example of this subconscious (?) bias, look at the point where they choose Zune Marketplace over iTS. WTF??!? That's all I can say about that.

Dec 11, 07 - 10:37 am Comment from: silverhawk

They just wanted their Christmas bonus from Wired via M$.

this article was the final straw for wired, i will no longer subscribe to their news feed or read their articles. they have completely lost journalistic integrity for me and i will no longer consider their opinion as anything

bye wired, thanks for wasting my time

Dec 11, 07 - 10:46 am Comment from: Big Al

@ Josh,

And you know for a fact that they aren't just pen names.

This WIRED article is pretty dumb. But WIRED as a whole is still a great magazine. I've had a subscription for over 10 years now. They have consistently interesting, in-depth articles. Sure, its easy to pick on "traditional" publications, but fact of the matter is, as a whole, the people writing for WIRED have much more credibility than the majority of bloggers. WIRED also has stories that require weeks, if not months of interviews, preparation, etc.... something that is rare on the internet.

Dec 11, 07 - 10:50 am Comment from: eaDGbe

@Josh,
Thank you. Someone had to say it. No more ad hom name calling please, MDN. Love ya!
@The SteenMachine,
Huh? Did you miss the 2007 iPod update? New interface, coverflow, 160 gigs! Even the name "Classic" dates from, er, 2007.

Cheers,
DG

You know... sometimes at the gym, the option of having an FM radio would be nice... I was on the bike Sunday, and I wouldn't have minded to listen to the football game.

When Wired reviewed and claimed that Matrix Two was incredible and was better than the first, I knew then that their reviews were paid endorsements. There have been all sorts of articles done by Wired over the years that were written to sell advertising space rather than report facts.

Speaking of outrages, did anyone else see that CNET picked the LG Voyager over the iPhone?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-11399_7-332-101.html?tag=more

Like I mentioned somewhere else...these gadgetmo sites like wired or zunegadget or zunemodo are so intimidated by bloggers not to be labeled a mac fan boy site, they are flocking to back the Zune.

Dec 11, 07 - 11:20 am Comment from: whoitis

I would love to know what M$ paid them....

I can see them now, driving around town in their new H2s flashing their brand new platinum and diamond grills...

pathetic

Dec 11, 07 - 11:20 am Comment from: January 24, 1984

Infantile humor is never appropriate, except of course when describing the Zune.

I bought a Fiat once too, that was 35 years ago, and I still regret it.

my friend was talking about maybe getting a zune.
now i have proof why not!

but i wouldnt mind built in fm receiver for my ipod instead of a dongle. one less peripheral.

Dec 11, 07 - 11:31 am Comment from: Jubei

Again the new Zune is basically the same as the old Zune 1. So basically you MS Fanboys are paying for basically the same piece of iPod Wannabe crap and at the same time paying the music industry with your hard earned dollar and getting nothing for it. LOL

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2007/12/microsoft-zune-80-review.php

The 3.2” 320x240, 64k color screen appears to be the same screen as the first gen Zune 30; the same size, color tone, pixel density. So if you are familiar with the first Zune 30, you already know what the Zune 80’s screen looks like. For those who are not familiar, the screen looks really nice with colors represented well and good pixel response. The downside to the screen is that it does not look as crisp as some, since it is a QVGA screen stretched to 3.2” and black lines in between pixels are much more apparent if you look closely. It’s a good screen, just not anything to get excited about.

I am not renewing my subscription to Wired.
It is just another microsoft owned rag that pumps up the products that suck so that an advertiser can get some of its ad dollars back at the expense of customers who look for honest reviews of products. To match up the 5th gen ipod to a new zune is like comparing a Porsche to a yogo! Have you guys heard of the iPod touch? it kills anything out there and will for the next decade.
That's my review! *****

Jeez, it only took them 6 years.

And how can a touch pad be "elegant" AND "quirky"?
The two notions cancel each other out.

Dec 11, 07 - 11:50 am Comment from: eaDGbe

Thanks, ZUNE-TANG®, love your I-PARODY. I especially enjoy your mock-insulting capitalizations.

MR. I-SHEEP


Your I-RONY, our ROFL.™

Dec 11, 07 - 11:51 am Comment from: madgunde

Thanks MDN for calling Wired on such a rubbish article. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Dec 11, 07 - 11:59 am Comment from: MCCFR

1) Bastardising people's names in order to make fun of them or ridicule their opinions is basically a pretty low form of wit and on a par with being a schoolyard bully: if people started making fun of our very own "Steve Jackoff", we'd all be shocked and scandalised. It doesn't do anything to prove the argument, so what's the point.

2) MDN makes a mistake by even giving this article the oxygen of free publicity: it's a hack piece that will be undermined by the fact that Apple will sell in excess in 25 million units in this quarter alone, whilst Microsoft will struggle to sell one tenth of that number.

3) When the Zune has the same accessory eco-system as the iPod, I'll be vaguely concerned. Until then,it's just another wannabe created from the waste DNA of Toshiba's Gigabeat and Microsoft's Windows Media Player - ugly, product-led engineering developed for a company that's too dumb to realise that it doesn't know how to do consumer electronics (let alone software).

In the 36 months ending 30/09/07, Apple sold 113 million iPods - a number which will probably be 133 million by the end of the year; call me when Microsoft get to 30 million in a 36-month period.

hey WIRED you IDIOTS!

You also forgot to mention that the Zune is brown, and brown for a reason.

good job Ferment and TOTAL Dumbass.

> The quality of journalism just keeps getting worse.

I don't think so. It seems to have been stuck in "biased" ever since the word "journalism" was coined. Thing is... unbiased news doesn't sell.

Oh my, MDN is in a tither now.

But what if it were true!? What if the Zune was actually better? I've seen other reviews which have said the same.

Could MDN ever admit it anyways?

Dec 11, 07 - 12:14 pm Comment from: ZuneTang

Tune Zang, I thought that was me for a minute! Okay, from the Real ZuneTang®... I'm finally giving up on the Zune.

I seriously can't believe their iTunes store/Zune marketplace comparison. How slanted can you be? You bring up the lack of NBC content when the Zune marketplace doesn't even have TV shows at all?! No movies, less than half of iTunes' music catalog and this is the conclusion you come to? That is just pathetic.

FM radio?
Woohoo!!!!!!!

It would at least worth the debate if it were an AM radio.

Quirky, yet elegant? LOL!

Dec 11, 07 - 01:06 pm Comment from: Demon

A friend bought an 80GB Zune 2, the video looks like crap, it's unwatchable and forget about watching any sort of action movie, the screen is so slow, a good car chase looks like a blurry mess. The Video overall looks muddy and there are no smooth lines. He took it back and traded it for a 120GB iPod Classic. But, before he did we did some tests on it.
The wireless syncing is much slower (a empty 120GB iPod synced 110GB of music and Video in about the time it took the 80GB Zune to to sync 53GB of Video and Audio) then the iPod's USB 2 syncing. The wireless sync is also a pain to set up and have work consistently and well the wireless overall is worthless.
It sounds like ripped content (and non Zune Market Place Content) is down sampled by the Zune 2. The results from a test of an MP3 ripped at a 320kbps VBR is only played back at a much lower bit rate the audio analyzer shows the rate at about 64kbps and less. Listening to the same track I ripped from a CD as an MP3 at 320kbps VBR synced to an iPod and a Zune 2 then compared the track on each device. The iPod was crisp, clean and virtually undetectable that it was not the CD. The Zune 2 reproduction of the track was distorted and lacked the Mid responses and clipped the highs. The Bass response was poor and muddled (as the results were the same using an AAC file of a DMR Free iTunes Plus track and the track as a MP3 Track purchased from CD Baby).. However, the same track purchased from the Zune Market Place was reproduced at near CD quality. When compared to the iTune Plus Track played on an iPod the waves and their response dynamics were close but the iPod does have a better headphone Amp with a broader dynamic range, with a flatter response curve. The Zune 2's Headphone Amp while passable lacks the quality control or overall understanding of music reproduction. Like Windows itself Microsoft appears to leave the Music quality as an after thought.
Conclusion is well rather clear. The Zune 2 is better then the Zune 1 in some respects and like Windows itself and in typical Microsoft fashion it took them more then a year to finally say well the Zune 2 is good enough. Lack of engineer understanding or perhaps just poor quality control the Zune 2 is an expensive poor quality product made with a bunch or cheap low quality parts, that are not eco friendly at all (and try to give a reseller an old Zune for recycling and disposal you'd think it was a toxic brick, Unlike Apple where any Apple store or most reseller will take your old iPod for Eco friendly recycling that remain in the US. All Tech reviewers need to start considering eco disposal when they start recommending electronic products). But, the consumer needs to make the call.

I've subscribed to wired since 2000... No more. I'm done. This is such bullshit $$$$ lies from m$. If they can't have any integrity... /cancels subscription.

Dec 11, 07 - 01:40 pm Comment from: Buster

After reading Ferment and Dumbass's comments, I feel I should lower my intelligence and say something equally as stupid.

However as it is too hard to reach that level of stupidity, I will dispense with that idea.

Guess I am just 'quirky'.

Threads like these make one ashamed to be bundled into the group - Mac User.

The MDN Take represents the most vocal - and idiotic - of Mac users. It's not even worth counter-arguing any of the points MDN makes.

MDN Editors.... which one of you replied to this article? As a self-proclaimed news site, step up and state your name. Every MDN Take should be accompanied by your real name!

Ok, I am a mac user. I have 5 macs. I love them. You guys are entertaining... but I would never drink Kool-aid with you.

MDN I'm declaring this a Hit Piece! There's no reason for you to pick on Cotsco like that.

I love MDN - it's like the Rush Limbaugh of blogs. They give you the facts, then twist and turn them into propaganda. If you just read the facts, and ignore the "MDN Take" - you've got yourself a pretty newsworthy site!

The "MDN Take" is there for giggles. Not unlike an episode of "American Dad" - not guffaws, but giggles.

Thanks MDN for brightening up my day!

Dec 11, 07 - 02:51 pm Comment from: ken1w

For those complaining that the iPod classic hasn't really change too much in looks and functionality, I think that's the point. It's as good as a hard drive -based media player is going to get in terms of physical size, capacity, and interface. Apple will probably keep making it for a few more years, but it's the end of the line for hard drive -based players from Apple. Typically, Microsoft is chasing yesterday's iPod.

That's fine and dandy, ken, but as long as there's such a wide differential in the Zune and iPod touch's capacities, they won't be compared. That is the only reason why MS has a chance in the first place, because Apple left the iPod classic to age until the touch can take over.

Now if Apple can give us a 64gb flash touch by this time next year then it's game over for the Zune. But as long as it's compared to the iPod classic, which has even backtracked and become a step down software wise from the 5.5G, the Zune has a chance with its seemingly imposing large screen. These are PMPs, afterall.

It's very frustrating that Apple gave MS this chance in the first place.

Great Take, MDN! I used to read Wired once in a while; not anymore!

I love how you remove any comments of dissent on your page. Its pathetic.

Let me guess, the Zune was in that fabulous Microsoft TURD brown color.

Dec 11, 07 - 03:55 pm Comment from: stannyc

There are two things going on here. First, magazines like this one are dependent on their advertisers. Wired does NOT want to alienate the Microsoft-related advertisers. Second, magazines more and more rely on "contrarian" views to get readers. How many people want to read ANOTHER "iPod is great!" article? Not many people agree with the "Zune is great!" article, but it draws attention to itself, which is really what is wanted.

"Zune's screen looks pixellated and iPod's screen looks sharp and crisp" have you looked at the zune 80 screen...no i didn't think so it's actually brighter than the classic and the only way to see the pix on it is if your holdin direcetly to the face

"Zune's automatic wireless syncing requires that the thing be PLUGGED IN for power" once i agin i can see you've never touched the 80 because you don't have to be plugged in all you have to do is press the button.

"Apple's iTunes Store offers TV shows and movies. Zune Marketplace does not offer TV shows or movies. Zune doesn't have NBC, CBS, ABC or any other TV network, so, there's not even any content to hemorrhage. Zune's software can't rip DVDs, either. Apple's iTunes Store also has over 6 million songs and growing." this is the age of the pirate as far as the movies and tv shows go same can be said for the music

"Zune's "squircle" is not "elegant" says who?...oh i get since it's on the zune it's not elegant and the click is jus the shit....ok not only does the the zune has the squircle and it has tactile so put that together thats more the ipod

jus take it like a man u guys lost it's jus one little poll...we get apple is god...well not gods because gods don't lose, come to think of the classic has been gettin beat by the zune 80 on alot other site...and callin the writers of wired names is so childish take it like a man

Erm...
The Zune doesn't need to be connected to anything to sync wirelessly. You simple press "sync". The Zune will just sync automatically while plugged in.

Also, what exactly do you mean by the Zune makes "people pay for a FM receiver if they don't want it". How exactly does it make them pay? The Zune 80 and the iPod Classic 80gb both cost $250. The Zune does make you pay anything more! But, if you have an iPod an DO want a FM receiver, then you have to pay extra.

Although, I do agree that iTunes has a much better online store. Also, the fact that the iPod works in Windows and Mac,(and Linux with a bit of work), is nice. Though, since Microsoft makes Windows and the Zune, it would be like shooting themselves in the foot if they made it work with another OS.

Basically, the point is that when you compare the Zune 80 and the iPod Classic 80gb, the Zune wins because of its larger amount of features. Simply that.

it's funny that you talk about anyone being biased when when you are named after the opposing company

Dec 11, 07 - 08:11 pm Comment from: Jubei

I guess these recent Zune desperado to be legit are missing the big point. You got a minor hardware update. Thats about it.


Again the new Zune is basically the same as the old Zune 1. So basically you MS Fanboys are paying for basically the same piece of iPod Wannabe crap and at the same time paying the music industry with your hard earned dollar and getting nothing for it. LOL

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2007/12/microsoft-zune-80-review.php

"The 3.2” 320x240, 64k color screen appears to be the same screen as the first gen Zune 30; the same size, color tone, pixel density. So if you are familiar with the first Zune 30, you already know what the Zune 80’s screen looks like. For those who are not familiar, the screen looks really nice with colors represented well and good pixel response. The downside to the screen is that it does not look as crisp as some, since it is a QVGA screen stretched to 3.2” and black lines in between pixels are much more apparent if you look closely. It’s a good screen, just not anything to get excited about."

Haha, I know why they picked the zune... and why Cnet picked the zune... Because its better.

Dec 11, 07 - 09:15 pm Comment from: LorD1776

Matt,
We all know why you pick your nose. You're trying to find a brain. Lost cause, give it up buttwipe.

That's "doo-maus"...


Why To Love The Zune Top 10

10. If you buy more than 1, they work as great draft-dodgers for your front door in the winter!

9. Dull colors are great for keeping you hidden during paintball matches!

8. You wanna be the talk of all your friends, even if it means negatively...

7. OMG xB0x z00n, \/ista, r0x0rz all 0vr appl!! L0LZ!!!

6. The Fed just cut the rate....and you watched your stock drop

5. You want the hard drive out of it to upgrade your old iPod Mini

4. Cause you need the bigger screen to compensate for a smaller...um...nevermind...

3. Who hasn't wanted to "squirt" their friend's hot older sister?

2. HUGE 3.5" screen is PERFECT for snorting a line of coke with your friend Steve Ballmer!

1. "Squircle" fetish...!?!?

why do the pics make the new iPod nanos look fat and chubbie?