So I’ve been using my Zune HD for about 6 months now and I have to say that the device as well as the Zune subscription service really works well. 

 

For the Device:

The screen is a bit small.  Cost is OK (same as iPod Touch).  Interface is fast and well laid out.  The DJ mixer works very well to pretty much make a custom playlist based on your listening patterns.

 

For the software+service:
I think this is where the Zune really shines over iPod/iTunes.  Microsoft took a new approach to getting more music to more people for a reasonable price.  How much do you spend on music a month?  For the price of one average priced CD a month ($14.95), you get the following:

 

1) Download as much music you want.  That’s right, you can download and play on your Zune HD, Gen 1 or Gen 2 device music that you don’t own.  Think of it as renting the music.  As long as you pay your monthly subscription, you can keep this music.  $14.95 a months, thousands of songs that you can add/delete any time.

 

2) OK, so you are thinking the rent vs. buy scenario with houses right?  Zune gives you 10 song credits every month to buy 10 songs.  So if you figure it’s 99 cents per song, you are really getting $10 of music just for paying the monthly subscription fees.  These songs you keep and own and are from what I can tell DRM free.  I store them on my home server and play them from my Xbox’s, phone, etc.

 

Apple does have the app store which is very successful and works very well.  There are security concerns there though so be careful what you use and what you let access your data!  Microsoft has an app store called "Marketplace" where you can download games/apps.  It hasn’t caught on too much but I suspect with Xbox and soon to release Windows Phone 7 (Holiday 2010), the Marketplace will take off. 

 

That’s it for now.  More car stuff in the next post as my 98 Vette has come a long way!