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Should I get a 3rd Gen iTouch, ZuneHD or...
The_Spaniard
It's never lupinesIrvine, CaliforniaRegistered User regular
It's never lupinesIrvine, CaliforniaRegistered User regular
I know this will probably cause some havoc, but it's an honest question.
I'm in the market for a new MP3 player. My parents need a new iPod because they broke their old one and they have a portable dock player and a Karaoke machine for it. I told them I'd sell them my first gen 32gig MINT iTouch for 150 bucks and then just use the money towards a new MP3 player for myself.
So now I'm torn between a 3rd gen iTouch and a ZuneHD, I need convincing. Oh and one friend won't shut the God damned, buttfucking hell up about the Archos 5 and how I should give my first born to it so that I may bask in its glory. So when I was at Best Buy earlier today I saw an Archos on display and it looked pretty good but big!
I'd like to hear what you guys have to say about each of those three, or maybe a different one.
I like my current touch, but I'd like all the new features that the last 2 generations have added like an external speaker, etc.
The ZuneHD looks sexy as hell, I like the idea of ZunePass even if I probably won't use it, and OLED display sounds great.
The Archos is really fucking big, about an inch longer than an ipod and about half an inch wider, also about as thick as a first gen iPhone. It's got a sexy 5 inch display, tons of features, it runs on the android OS, it's a fucking tablet for Christ sake and can still fit in your pocket. Though as nice as it is it still is just a bit big, but if I didn't just get a netbook it would be an honest no-brainer. Just having got a netbook I'm a little apprehensive, not about price though, just about having such a powerful device as an MP3/video/web device.
I'm in the market for a new MP3 player. My parents need a new iPod because they broke their old one and they have a portable dock player and a Karaoke machine for it. I told them I'd sell them my first gen 32gig MINT iTouch for 150 bucks and then just use the money towards a new MP3 player for myself.
So now I'm torn between a 3rd gen iTouch and a ZuneHD, I need convincing. Oh and one friend won't shut the God damned, buttfucking hell up about the Archos 5 and how I should give my first born to it so that I may bask in its glory. So when I was at Best Buy earlier today I saw an Archos on display and it looked pretty good but big!
I'd like to hear what you guys have to say about each of those three, or maybe a different one.
I like my current touch, but I'd like all the new features that the last 2 generations have added like an external speaker, etc.
The ZuneHD looks sexy as hell, I like the idea of ZunePass even if I probably won't use it, and OLED display sounds great.
The Archos is really fucking big, about an inch longer than an ipod and about half an inch wider, also about as thick as a first gen iPhone. It's got a sexy 5 inch display, tons of features, it runs on the android OS, it's a fucking tablet for Christ sake and can still fit in your pocket. Though as nice as it is it still is just a bit big, but if I didn't just get a netbook it would be an honest no-brainer. Just having got a netbook I'm a little apprehensive, not about price though, just about having such a powerful device as an MP3/video/web device.
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Its not just how zippy and cool the software is though. Its all about how the software works for you, and I am probably biased, but the Zune's software is way more dynamic and goes above and beyond in helping you find music that you will enjoy. There are Channels (themed playlists that automatically update every week), Mix View (elaborate web that connects similar artists), Smart DJ (magically creates a playlist of songs that actually work well together), and of course all the "Social" trimmings of interacting with other people's zune cards and seeing what they listen to, etc. I'm just sorry to say that MS has one upped Apple at its own game here...
As for the devices themselves, I always appreciated having something different and that is unique. When people see how thin, how sexy, and how fluid the interface is, the Zune HD just really shines. However, it really comes down to what tricks do you want it to do? Do you want a lot of random apps that do specific things that you may want a device to do, or would do you want something to be more music/media oriented?
Well there really isn't much in the way of software to speak of for the Achros, you just drag and drop files onto the device folders and you are done. No syncing or any of that crap.
If it came down between an iTouch and a Zune HD, even though I'm a Zune fanboy, I would probably go with the iTouch if I didn't have a Zune Pass, if only because it has more utility. If you do get a Zune Pass (worth the money imo), then obviously a Zune HD hands down.
tl;dr, a Zune HD. Unless you don't/can't shell out $15/month, then the iTouch.
Edit: Full disclosure, I've never handled a Zune HD, and the closest I've gotten to an iTouch is... using a friend's iPhone.
Oh, and the browser in the zune HD is very nice.
Some thoughts on the Zune HD
- I was really excited about the HD radio aspect of the mp3 player but it turns out that HD radio reception isn't that great. Generally I can't pick it up inside my house and it's really spotty in my car. I've been told that most HD radio signals are crap so I'm not sure how much of this problem is related to the Zune. Still, if it's a feature of the player I'd like for it to work well.
- Navigation. I like navigating around the iPod so much more than I like navigating around the Zune.
- Software. I know that a lot of people have issues with iTunes but I fond it much more streamlined and easier to use than the Zune software. Of course, I'm using iTunes on a mac - I've never tried it on PC. I MUST use Zune software on a PC and while that isn't a big deal I would like a mac option.
- Zune Pass. As far as I'm concerned this is the best part about the Zune. I love this service and have no problem paying $15 a month for it.
Bottom line, I like both players and I think that a lot of the issues I have with the Zune stem from having first used an iPod. I'm just accustomed to the iPods interface, etc...
I do wish the the HD Radio function of the Zune worked better...
Basically, the zune hd set out to be the opposite of the ipod touch in this regard, and after taking a moment to figure a few things out about it, I think the zune hd interface is every bit as functional, but looks much better. It's just more fun to use. Also, the screen, damn. I cannot say enough good things about the hardware here.
Gizmodo has a tendency to slant very heavily towards apple in a lot of areas, so I was surprised when even they said quote "The Zune HD is the best touchscreen PMP on the market."
That said, if you're looking for a greater range of functionality, you will not find it in the zune hd. It's for media playback. No youtube, no decent games, nothing.
I've had my HD since launch and I like it quite a bit. Once you get used to where everything is, it's just about as easy to navigate it in the car as a 30 or 80. My biggest problem with it right now is the lack of affordable cases.
But I'm not buying Windows just to run one app.
They are working on a Mac client.
Really? Honestly, I didn't think there was enough of a demand to do so.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my Zune 80, but Apple has basically fostered a religion around the synergy between their operating systems and the iPod line. It's hard to go against that kind of campaigning and integration.
If this divine synergy is called iTunes, I think you are mistaken because I strongly disagree that iTunes is the best it can be for connecting device to the computer itself.
3G itouch was a lackluster pos that had nothing worthwhile. Get a Zune HD. Though, honestly, I'd keep your current touch.
Personally, I'd go iPhone, but that's just me. Mac user + requirement of a super thin phone + love of convergence leaves you with not a lot of choices.
I used a Zune HD and found the browser sadly deficient and the lack of external volume controls downright baffling.
Really? This is the first I heard of this (awesome) news.
Is it a rumor though, or is there actual confirmation?
That's just it, he doesn't have to. He wants to. Which case, either buy yourself a cheapo mp3 player that'll hold you over until a worthwhile touch comes out or buy a zune HD. There isn't anything significantly different (remotely worth the charge price for a new model) that would even entice a purchase. Zune HD hands down. The hardware alone makes it a no brainer.
The screen is nice but totally incapable of overcoming direct sunlight. I can also see little interference lines in it when it shows a particularly bright image. No external volume controls. The player interface is strange with no obvious sign when something is clickable. It tended to mis-regognize my flick gestures too, which made navigation annoying. From time to time, I'd click something and it would go unresponsive, so I'd click again and the clicks would stack and I'd end up in the wrong place... gross. Basic stuff, Microsoft. The app-like features are lacking and take way too long to start up. The browser sucks compared to mobile Safari in terms of both speed and usefulness.
I'm saying that's my choice between the two. But if I had to choose RIGHT NOW, i'd stay away from touchscreen pmp and get a zune 8 or 120.
Actual quality of product is an entirely different matter. I am just aware that iTunes (mostly) sucks on the Windows platform (any Windows platform, it doesn't matter). I can't say as to how good it is on Apple. I always assumed it was because of the very strong advertising and campaigning Apple has done on its behalf.
Just to give you an example, the ass-backwards way plugging in an iPod works on Windows makes sense on OS X because that's how all USB devices perform. It's not perfect, but it fits the OS like a glove.
I don't think a Ghost Robot would be able to understand.
Depending on your phone situation you also might want to consider an iPhone instead of an iPod Touch. Cellular connection + Pandora/Last.fm = incredible.
Yeah I want to try a ZuneHD, but the fact of the matter is that I do use a few of the apps on my iTouch often. Currency exchange, notepad, email, uhhh uhh damn I know there are more...
no, you don't at all. Though I don't know if the music you get from zunepass will work on non-zune pmps
That's kind of the point of me asking.
Supposedly you can play the Zune Pass protected WMA files on any media player that supports PlaysForSure.
Does an iTouch?
No. No subscription based music will play on an Ipod Touch, a bane of my existence.
Yeah, that's why I have a 1g touch gathering dust (amongst other reasons I don't care to elaborate on - cough buying it for my wife who then bought an iphone - cough). I'm not paying for something I should get for FREE. I wish I could hack the f.cker to use as a zune, but that would fail so hard.
I'd wait and see what the plans are for the next touch and if it's nothing, get the newest on they just launched at a discounted price. The newer ones, from what I've heard, have something better about them that lets them play certain games the old touches can't.
Can't touch this!