Summary: A bigger screen, wi-fi, touch and click interface, FM radio, podcast support, and a sweet new interface, all in a more compact and lean design make this a worthy iPod alternative.

Intro



I hate to have an 'I told you so attitude' but the Zune is showing the greatest shift in the DAP player market to date. Perhaps it is a bit early for me to start declaring victory, but attitudes towards the new Zune and Microsoft's approach to the brand have been the most successful since its extraordinarily popular and well liked Xbox brand. Coming from the same person, J Allard, it represents a new Microsoft which customers come to like and appreciate, and typically is fairly generous to its customers, in hopes of instilling loyalty. This generosity is fueled by the old Microsoft with the OS and Office programs. Microsoft tried to burst into the DAP scene in 2006 with its first Zune. It was a modest success, with a few glaring drawbacks. The new Zune 80 hopes to improve upon that with a slimmer design and a new interface. Microsoft even let old Zune users download the new software to load onto their old Zunes. We may have waited a bit to get our review to you, but we'll give you the full rundown on the new Zune.

Specs, Features, Overview

80GB, 1.8 inch hard drive
Size: 61.1 x108.2 x 12.9 mm
Weight: 128 grams (4.5 ounces)
Battery life (up to): music - 22 hours, video - 4 hours (wi-fi off)
Charge time: 1.25 hours to 90%, 2 hours full charge
Screen size: 3.2 inch color glass screen 320 x 240 pixels
Orientation: Music - Vertical, Video - Horizontal
Audio formats: MP3, WMA, WMA Pro/Lossless, AAC
Video formats: WMV, MPEG-4, H.264
Picture formats: JPEG
Video Output: Composite or component through headphone jack or dock
Radio: FM
Wireless: 802.11b/g WEP,WPA/WPA2 supported
Included Accessories: Premium headphones (3 sets of earbuds), sync cable
Ports: Connector Port, Headphone jack/Video output

This review was written using the latest Zune firmware (2.3) and software (2.3) as of the time of writing (March 9, 2008).

article index
page 1 - current : Introduction
page 2 : Package, Build Quality and Design
page 3 : Controls, Screen
page 4 : GUI, Media Organization
page 5 : Audio Playback, Playlists/Quick List, Bookmarking
page 6 : Video Playback, TV Output/Xbox 360
page 7 : Picture Viewing, FM Radio, Podcasts
page 8 : Zune Software, Social, Wireless Sync
page 9 : Battery, Value
page 10 : Comparison to iPod and iPod Touch
page 11 : Conclusion