$79.00 for iPod Shuffle, 2nd generation.
The price and the style, too much, can't resist.
I finally gave in and bought it, screw Zune.
For a bit more ($109), why not get a Sansa instead? 2 gigs, a screen larger than the nano's, and the ability to play converted video (video podcasts).
victor_c26 on
It's been so long since I've posted here, I've removed my signature since most of what I had here were broken links. Shows over, you can carry on to the next post.
At that point, I don't know. I'd pick a video capable player over the shuffle if there's just a $30 difference.
But I'm not concerned with space issues either. *shrug*
victor_c26 on
It's been so long since I've posted here, I've removed my signature since most of what I had here were broken links. Shows over, you can carry on to the next post.
i couldnt figure out what i thought was odd about hating itunes DRM so much, but i then realized that i only buy physicial media.
no DRM. Zune or iPod.
i think apple's DRM works fine for most, which is all they needed to do. it's unfortunate that they do not have a radio like service, but other people do.
bah, i am just tired of making fun of people who buy ipods with the claim that they are entering a social contract. i know a lot of people who are, but how many HERE are?
Sul on
Who is the mortal I see every morning with more than a little bit he must be important
Nintendo Friend Code: SW-0689-9921-0006
bah, i am just tired of making fun of people who buy ipods with the claim that they are entering a social contract. i know a lot of people who are, but how many HERE are?
One thing I've not seen mentioned as a selling point is the Zune pass. I bought in on this immediately and I would not go without it. Plus the music is of superior quality to that downloaded from the iTunes store.
Zune without Zune Pass = Xbox without Xbox Live as far as I'm concerned.
However I will admit that, currently, navigating the Zune marketplace is just ass. Also I find it vexing that I am unable to transfer videos I have purchased on my 360 (through the same account no less!) to my Zune. I sincerely hope this comes in the future and I hope it does so wirelessly. I would be very pleased to be treated to a future where this little mp3 player is capable of being fully functional without a PC. I think it's more than possible, if wishful thinking.
I would say I'm a shill...but I'm not getting paid. MS, get on that!
I mentioned it.
I mean, Zune Pass is the equivalent cost of one and a half CDs a month.
So, if you are a music lover, and don't illegally steal all your music, the Zune Pass is a great deal. You can download 300 dollars worth of albums a month for the price of one and a half. Granted it's just a rental, but so what?
I honestly don't know how to respond to this. I...I guess I'll try?
Okay.
I don't want to RENT my music that I paid money for. I want to own it. Now, I haven't tried the Zune marketplace or anything, but I'm assuming that once you stop subscribing you lose the ability to play that music? That just seems really stupid to me. At least with the iTunes store, you can burn your purchased music to CD, at which point all the DRM disappears. Can you do this with Zune?
I don't really know. I haven't seen any reason to purchase an album yet. The few artists available on Zune Marketplace that you cannot simply download - Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, for instance - didn't really make a difference to me because I already owned a lot of their albums.
I'm not really sure what your point is. Renting/subscriptions are popular traditions in America. See: Blockbuster, Apartments, Cable Television...etc.
You don't have to personally like the concept of "rent" but...how can you not understand how someone else does? For the cost of one and a half CDs, I can download a nearly unlimited amount of music to my Zune, limited only by its capacity and what is available on the Zune Marketplace. You really don't see how that is attractive to people that might otherwise buy ten CDs a month?
It's all about cost-effectiveness.
Yeah, I get this, but I still want to know whether or not the songs become unplayable if you ever stop your subscription.
Brodo Faggins on
0
CrayonSleeps in the wrong bed.TejasRegistered Userregular
I have to admit I really love the tagline of "welcome to the social." It inspires this community type vibe, and even thought it might not yet-I really do like what just the tagline says. But...MS will jam it down your throat if you register it with an email-I've had it 3 weeks and get a new email every other day about welcoming me to this social.
Edit: Brodo-it all depends on how legal you want to remain.
I don't think this has been mentioned, but there's a site called eMusic that offers a subscription service where you own the tracks you download. They're high-quality mp3 files, and you can download 90 a month for £14.99, the price of a CD at HMV or two at Play.com.
Of course, there's a "minor" catch; eMusic only offers tracks from independent labels. Still, I figure they're the ones who actually need my money, and I'm sure as shit not renting my music or being told where I can and can't play it, so it's a pretty good deal.
For me however the built in FM player in Zune is an absolute system seller
Crap ass FM radio is exactly why I have an MP3 player. System seller? Jeez.
Some people like NPR.
Indeed, and some lucky people like myself live in the UK. Where our radio stations are fantastic, playing a wide range of music and also offering the best news and current affairs shows to be found anywhere (radio 4)
I'm going to go right on ahead and post up my opinion on this whole shindig.
The reasons why im getting another iPod when I get one.
1: I already have all the ipod peripherals, docks, car adapters, chargers, cases, etc. Why would I go out and buy more when I can use what I already have?
2: iPod: Black or White, 30gb or 80gb
Zune: Brown, 30gb
3: I dont buy music, movies, I dont listen to podcasts or watch videos when im not at home.
4: I've no complaints with my 30gb white 5G so far
Now in more detail. Number 1 is pretty self explanitory, I've got everything I need to make a new iPod work with everything I've got. The same cant be said for the Zune. Number 2, well, my music collection alone hit 80gb as of tonight, so obviouslly the 30gb Zune just aint cutting it. I use my iPod primarily in my truck where I dont want to carry around a couple hundred cd's for when the mood strikes me for a certain song, nor do I want to be without that artist when I want to listen to them. I have no desire to watch video's on the go, the only time I do watch them outside my house is when I'm doublechecking to make sure I captured something well on my cam, otherwise I wait till I'm home. I dont need video's or podcasts when im 4xing or driving, or with friends. I dont buy music so I dont need a marketplace, and despite what everyone seems to preach around these parts. I'm fairly positive you dont either, atleast not entirely. so that marketplace may not be as huge of a feature as so many seem to think. The 30gb iPod I've owned for a little over a year now has never had a problem for me, up until recently I've never had a complaint. The only complaint still is the lacking size, but that was more a poor decision to buy the low end model when I didnt think I'd need more. For many, the 30gb Zune just aint enough. Up the offering and maybe, just maybe I'd reconsider, as of now? The featureset just isn't worth it.
I'm going to go right on ahead and post up my opinion on this whole shindig.
The reasons why im getting another iPod when I get one.
1: I already have all the ipod peripherals, docks, car adapters, chargers, cases, etc. Why would I go out and buy more when I can use what I already have?
2: iPod: Black or White, 30gb or 80gb
Zune: Brown, Black or White, 30gb
3: I dont buy music, movies, I dont listen to podcasts or watch videos when im not at home.
4: I've no complaints with my 30gb white 5G so far
Now in more detail. Number 1 is pretty self explanitory, I've got everything I need to make a new iPod work with everything I've got. The same cant be said for the Zune. Number 2, well, my music collection alone hit 80gb as of tonight, so obviouslly the 30gb Zune just aint cutting it. I use my iPod primarily in my truck where I dont want to carry around a couple hundred cd's for when the mood strikes me for a certain song, nor do I want to be without that artist when I want to listen to them. I have no desire to watch video's on the go, the only time I do watch them outside my house is when I'm doublechecking to make sure I captured something well on my cam, otherwise I wait till I'm home. I dont need video's or podcasts when im 4xing or driving, or with friends. I dont buy music so I dont need a marketplace, and despite what everyone seems to preach around these parts. I'm fairly positive you dont either, atleast not entirely. so that marketplace may not be as huge of a feature as so many seem to think. The 30gb iPod I've owned for a little over a year now has never had a problem for me, up until recently I've never had a complaint. The only complaint still is the lacking size, but that was more a poor decision to buy the low end model when I didnt think I'd need more. For many, the 30gb Zune just aint enough. Up the offering and maybe, just maybe I'd reconsider, as of now? The featureset just isn't worth it.
Another person who doesn't know the Zune comes in a colour other than brown?
My mistake, I should have noticed that somewhere along the lines of researching it. The rest of my post still stands though.
ImDrawingABlank on
0
WulfDisciple of TzeentchThe Void... (New Jersey)Registered Userregular
edited January 2007
Also, that sharing thing, as is (which from what I understand is three days or three plays) is entirely dumb and waste of the battery used to transfer a song. Yes, the iPod is less durable now than it was, but you have to see that the iPod went from being as 'heug as a house' (which is the Zune right now) to the slim, pocket pleaser that it is now. And I don't know about anyone else, but I have a ton of music, and if I had to click through all the artists/albums with a click instead of my variable speed, finger controled spin-wheel, I would go nuts. Just my 2¢.
Also, that sharing thing, as is (which from what I understand is three days or three plays) is entirely dumb and waste of the battery used to transfer a song. Yes, the iPod is less durable now than it was, but you have to see that the iPod went from being as 'heug as a house' (which is the Zune right now) to the slim, pocket pleaser that it is now. And I don't know about anyone else, but I have a ton of music, and if I had to click through all the artists/albums with a click instead of my variable speed, finger controled spin-wheel, I would go nuts. Just my 2¢.
That's the thing. It's not a click-click-click thing, you can hold it down to scroll smoothly and it'll throw up alphabet letters as you scroll so you don't have to pick your desired album name out of the blur. No click-click-clicking (though you can still do that if you want), less thumb whirling, what's not to like?
I don't think this has been mentioned, but there's a site called eMusic that offers a subscription service where you own the tracks you download. They're high-quality mp3 files, and you can download 90 a month for £14.99, the price of a CD at HMV or two at Play.com.
Of course, there's a "minor" catch; eMusic only offers tracks from independent labels. Still, I figure they're the ones who actually need my money, and I'm sure as shit not renting my music or being told where I can and can't play it, so it's a pretty good deal.
I second this recommendation. eMusic has lots of cool stuff you'll never hear on the radio and sometimes has bigger-name independent artists, like the White Stripes, Moby, and Van Morrison. It also has large classical and jazz collections and they calculate your quotas by track, so its a great way to beef up on symphonic music (which often has a lot of music per track). You get plane-jane mp3s that you can play on anything. :^:
I love my Zune. never owned another mp3 player, so I guess I don't know what I'm missing out on, but it seems pretty full featured to me, and comparably priced to other players when I was researching.
The real gem is the software though. Using Zune Pass, I download new albums every day. For the hell of it, I looked at Spin's top CD's of 2006 and just downloaded them all to see if any of them suit my taste.
Can you even do that with an iPod? To me, that's a pretty significant and desirable feature.
I love my Zune. never owned another mp3 player, so I guess I don't know what I'm missing out on, but it seems pretty full featured to me, and comparably priced to other players when I was researching.
The real gem is the software though. Using Zune Pass, I download new albums every day. For the hell of it, I looked at Spin's top CD's of 2006 and just downloaded them all to see if any of them suit my taste.
Can you even do that with an iPod? To me, that's a pretty significant and desirable feature.
I love my Zune. never owned another mp3 player, so I guess I don't know what I'm missing out on, but it seems pretty full featured to me, and comparably priced to other players when I was researching.
The real gem is the software though. Using Zune Pass, I download new albums every day. For the hell of it, I looked at Spin's top CD's of 2006 and just downloaded them all to see if any of them suit my taste.
Can you even do that with an iPod? To me, that's a pretty significant and desirable feature.
that's a real review without the apple fanboi madness.
maybe you won't make as many stupid comments after reading up.
Sound Quality: I've been using Shure E500PTH headphones with this thing, and it definitely sounds great. In fact, my ears tell me it's slightly cleaner than the output from the latest iPods, but you probably wouldn't notice if you don't use killer headphones. The eight baked-in EQ settings seem to distort the sound a bit less than the iPod's, but there is no custom EQ capability—a feature many other non-iPod players have and that we sorely missed.
If anybody wants to educate themselves on what a zune is really like
No need to. I've already used one. Sound quality is the same as every other major DAP on the market, since almost every current model uses the same fuckin' Wolfson digital-to-analog stereo converter. That portion of the review just sounds like a dude with a hard-on for his new, overpriced headphones.
that's a real review without the apple fanboi madness.
maybe you won't make as many stupid comments after reading up.
Sound Quality: I've been using Shure E500PTH headphones with this thing, and it definitely sounds great. In fact, my ears tell me it's slightly cleaner than the output from the latest iPods, but you probably wouldn't notice if you don't use killer headphones. The eight baked-in EQ settings seem to distort the sound a bit less than the iPod's, but there is no custom EQ capability—a feature many other non-iPod players have and that we sorely missed.
thats my favorite bit though [/quote
So basically, you're a "fanboi" yourself, correct? Because that's the vibe I'm getting from your posts, you fucking plant.
Got my Zune today. First reaction was wow. It's bigger and flatter and not anywhere near as thick as I thought it would be. And that screen is gorgeous!
Got my Zune today. First reaction was wow. It's bigger and flatter and not anywhere near as thick as I thought it would be. And that screen is gorgeous!
Australia gets them and we don't? :x
Mattie on
3DS Code 0001-3323-2884
Xbox Live Gamertag: Suplex86
I've had my iPod Video for a while now and I've been totally happy with it, but if/when I buy another MP3 player I could go in any direction. One question for those who have a Zune - is there an equivalent to the iPod's "on the go" playlist?
(In case you haven't used it -- you can hold down on select instead of clicking to add a bunch of songs or albums to a default playlist, then play that playlist. It's a lifesaver if you fly frequently, you can put together a playlist for your flight in a few minutes while waiting to board.)
Vrtra Theory on
Are you a Software Engineer living in Seattle? HBO is hiring, message me.
Got my Zune today. First reaction was wow. It's bigger and flatter and not anywhere near as thick as I thought it would be. And that screen is gorgeous!
Posts
That's how I communicate with most people now.
The price and the style, too much, can't resist.
I finally gave in and bought it, screw Zune.
For a bit more ($109), why not get a Sansa instead? 2 gigs, a screen larger than the nano's, and the ability to play converted video (video podcasts).
Durr. It's an iPod man. Apple could put out a piece of toast under the iPod brand and people would buy it.
I like the iPod and Nano lines, but the Shuffle is a joke.
But I'm not concerned with space issues either. *shrug*
i couldnt figure out what i thought was odd about hating itunes DRM so much, but i then realized that i only buy physicial media.
no DRM. Zune or iPod.
i think apple's DRM works fine for most, which is all they needed to do. it's unfortunate that they do not have a radio like service, but other people do.
bah, i am just tired of making fun of people who buy ipods with the claim that they are entering a social contract. i know a lot of people who are, but how many HERE are?
Nintendo Friend Code: SW-0689-9921-0006
it's an electronic device
And look at the damn size.
Which I won't. Mp3 players aren't my bag.
Welcome to the social, dear brother.
(seemed funnier in my head,)
Shit yeah. I for one welcome our new ultra-faux-hip Redmondian overlords.
Yeah, I get this, but I still want to know whether or not the songs become unplayable if you ever stop your subscription.
I have to admit I really love the tagline of "welcome to the social." It inspires this community type vibe, and even thought it might not yet-I really do like what just the tagline says. But...MS will jam it down your throat if you register it with an email-I've had it 3 weeks and get a new email every other day about welcoming me to this social.
Edit: Brodo-it all depends on how legal you want to remain.
Of course, there's a "minor" catch; eMusic only offers tracks from independent labels. Still, I figure they're the ones who actually need my money, and I'm sure as shit not renting my music or being told where I can and can't play it, so it's a pretty good deal.
Indeed, and some lucky people like myself live in the UK. Where our radio stations are fantastic, playing a wide range of music and also offering the best news and current affairs shows to be found anywhere (radio 4)
The reasons why im getting another iPod when I get one.
1: I already have all the ipod peripherals, docks, car adapters, chargers, cases, etc. Why would I go out and buy more when I can use what I already have?
2: iPod: Black or White, 30gb or 80gb
Zune: Brown, 30gb
3: I dont buy music, movies, I dont listen to podcasts or watch videos when im not at home.
4: I've no complaints with my 30gb white 5G so far
Now in more detail. Number 1 is pretty self explanitory, I've got everything I need to make a new iPod work with everything I've got. The same cant be said for the Zune. Number 2, well, my music collection alone hit 80gb as of tonight, so obviouslly the 30gb Zune just aint cutting it. I use my iPod primarily in my truck where I dont want to carry around a couple hundred cd's for when the mood strikes me for a certain song, nor do I want to be without that artist when I want to listen to them. I have no desire to watch video's on the go, the only time I do watch them outside my house is when I'm doublechecking to make sure I captured something well on my cam, otherwise I wait till I'm home. I dont need video's or podcasts when im 4xing or driving, or with friends. I dont buy music so I dont need a marketplace, and despite what everyone seems to preach around these parts. I'm fairly positive you dont either, atleast not entirely. so that marketplace may not be as huge of a feature as so many seem to think. The 30gb iPod I've owned for a little over a year now has never had a problem for me, up until recently I've never had a complaint. The only complaint still is the lacking size, but that was more a poor decision to buy the low end model when I didnt think I'd need more. For many, the 30gb Zune just aint enough. Up the offering and maybe, just maybe I'd reconsider, as of now? The featureset just isn't worth it.
Another person who doesn't know the Zune comes in a colour other than brown?
Everything else, fair enough, but still - jeez.
That's the thing. It's not a click-click-click thing, you can hold it down to scroll smoothly and it'll throw up alphabet letters as you scroll so you don't have to pick your desired album name out of the blur. No click-click-clicking (though you can still do that if you want), less thumb whirling, what's not to like?
I second this recommendation. eMusic has lots of cool stuff you'll never hear on the radio and sometimes has bigger-name independent artists, like the White Stripes, Moby, and Van Morrison. It also has large classical and jazz collections and they calculate your quotas by track, so its a great way to beef up on symphonic music (which often has a lot of music per track). You get plane-jane mp3s that you can play on anything. :^:
virgin is offering nondrm already.
itunes won't have a market stranglehold for much longer me thinks.
I'm pretty sure emusic's files are non-DRM'd, and have been for a while.
or Brawl. 4854.6102.3895 Name: NU..
Yes. But it will still have more marketshare than Microsoft.
猿も木から落ちる
The real gem is the software though. Using Zune Pass, I download new albums every day. For the hell of it, I looked at Spin's top CD's of 2006 and just downloaded them all to see if any of them suit my taste.
Can you even do that with an iPod? To me, that's a pretty significant and desirable feature.
Yes
Can you elaborate on that? I was unaware the iPod/iTunes had a feature similar to the Zune Pass. (http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/zunepass.htm)
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2061980,00.asp
that's a real review without the apple fanboi madness.
maybe you won't make as many stupid comments after reading up.
thats my favorite bit though
No need to. I've already used one. Sound quality is the same as every other major DAP on the market, since almost every current model uses the same fuckin' Wolfson digital-to-analog stereo converter. That portion of the review just sounds like a dude with a hard-on for his new, overpriced headphones.
So much for educating myself.
Australia gets them and we don't? :x
Xbox Live Gamertag: Suplex86
(In case you haven't used it -- you can hold down on select instead of clicking to add a bunch of songs or albums to a default playlist, then play that playlist. It's a lifesaver if you fly frequently, you can put together a playlist for your flight in a few minutes while waiting to board.)
Well, no. I got mine from a grey-market importer.