Microsoft came really Close but they need iTunes

bembol · 08-21-2008, 08:50 PM

My 32GB iPod touch was stolen and knowing that new iPod's are coming soon/late September I decided to try out Zune.

I love the Black 80GB , I think it's the Classic & touch put together and more. Wireless Synch/Sharing definitely a plus, the Radio IMO is a must in MP3 players and even the Earbuds included is a great/compared to Apple's.

As I said, Microsoft came really. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it when Apple releases their new iPod's BECAUSE I can't stand the ZUNE Sofware and have no time to Convert Files, restart my iMac to Boot Camp/running XP Pro SP3. It's cluttered.

I wish Microsoft would let us use iTunes, Leopard doesn't even recognize it. I had 6 different iPod's and I want something different/this is it.

Marshillboy · 08-21-2008, 08:52 PM

It's simple, iTunes is Apple-proprietary rubbish, frankly. I'd much rather prefer Windows Media player support than anything.

ESPKH2 · 08-21-2008, 09:07 PM

I think the Zune software is a beautiful work of art actually.

coasterfreak212 · 08-22-2008, 02:21 AM

it's not so much the microsoft won't let users run the zune on itunes, it's basically everything but. The zune is an mtp media player device while itunes and the ipod are storage based. apple would have to make itunes compatible with zune by completely recoding itunes. Furthermore, for the same reason, leopard or any mac os x os will not read the zune because of its mtp nature. there are other mtp devices that do work on the mac, it's just too difficult though compared to storage based. Although, microsoft does have the ability to make the zune software available for the make and supply drivers, but they figure the user base of people who own macs and the likelihood of them buying a zune over an ipod is too slim to bother with trying. on top of that, if apple did make itunes compatible with the zune, apple would have to allow every other mp3 player the permission, it's just not going to happen. The sad thing is, current ipod and itunes users who want to switch to the zune or another media player are restricted if their entire library is itunes run. hopefully the music is drm free, so that it's just an easy transfer, but apple didn't design itunes that way. itunes was designed toonly allow the ipod to play songs bought from the store, or burn them to s cd.

Above all, apple mad the ipod a device thats unbeatable because ipod owners will not be willing to switch because of their music library not being able to be ported to another device.

Media Transfer Protocol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KMS · 08-22-2008, 03:04 PM

I think the zune marketplace needs to be expanded to have more content but it isn't like its bad at all, plus it looks a ton better.

Netrix · 08-22-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coasterfreak212

it's not so much the microsoft won't let users run the zune on itunes, it's basically everything but. The zune is an mtp media player device while itunes and the ipod are storage based. apple would have to make itunes compatible with zune by completely recoding itunes. Furthermore, for the same reason, leopard or any mac os x os will not read the zune because of its mtp nature. there are other mtp devices that do work on the mac, it's just too difficult though compared to storage based. Although, microsoft does have the ability to make the zune software available for the make and supply drivers, but they figure the user base of people who own macs and the likelihood of them buying a zune over an ipod is too slim to bother with trying. on top of that, if apple did make itunes compatible with the zune, apple would have to allow every other mp3 player the permission, it's just not going to happen. The sad thing is, current ipod and itunes users who want to switch to the zune or another media player are restricted if their entire library is itunes run. hopefully the music is drm free, so that it's just an easy transfer, but apple didn't design itunes that way. itunes was designed toonly allow the ipod to play songs bought from the store, or burn them to s cd.

Above all, apple mad the ipod a device thats unbeatable because ipod owners will not be willing to switch because of their music library not being able to be ported to another device.

Media Transfer Protocol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Actually, the Zune uses MTPZ as well, which means it can only work with the Zune software.

davy.blitzkrieg · 08-27-2008, 01:07 AM

I think the zune software is great, especially the look of it, but i think this is somehow what lets it down. Itunes uses simplicity to its advantage. It takes time to get used to the zune software, how to use it.

ShotgunSnipist · 08-27-2008, 06:36 AM

If there is anything Microsoft could do to make it better is a 100% unlocked HDD.
Of course that's never going to happen...

In the mean time the Zune Software appears to work great.
It works like crap on old computers but on a good computer it works very nicely.
I'm excited for the new update.

coasterfreak212 · 08-27-2008, 06:55 AM

again, it's not the case of Microsoft locking down the hard drive. The zune is an mtp device (mtpz if you want to be technical, but it's really the same **** with a z at the end). it's not like storage based ipods that are formated in Fat32 and HFS. The Zune wasn't designed to work like an external hard drive. The ipod originaly was suppose to be just that, an external hard drive, not even a music player (which is why it's called pod instead of some easier moniker). Of course there are hacks to enable hard drive usage, but the file system is different and not practical. The mtp system was only meant to transfer media, not hold miscellaneous files.

ShotgunSnipist · 08-27-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coasterfreak212

again, it's not the case of Microsoft locking down the hard drive. The zune is an mtp device (mtpz if you want to be technical, but it's really the same **** with a z at the end). it's not like storage based ipods that are formated in Fat32 and HFS. The Zune wasn't designed to work like an external hard drive. The ipod originaly was suppose to be just that, an external hard drive, not even a music player (which is why it's called pod instead of some easier moniker). Of course there are hacks to enable hard drive usage, but the file system is different and not practical. The mtp system was only meant to transfer media, not hold miscellaneous files.

Nice I didn't know that.
+Rep.

HipHopScribe · 08-27-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coasterfreak212

again, it's not the case of Microsoft locking down the hard drive. The zune is an mtp device (mtpz if you want to be technical, but it's really the same **** with a z at the end). it's not like storage based ipods that are formated in Fat32 and HFS. The Zune wasn't designed to work like an external hard drive. The ipod originaly was suppose to be just that, an external hard drive, not even a music player (which is why it's called pod instead of some easier moniker). Of course there are hacks to enable hard drive usage, but the file system is different and not practical. The mtp system was only meant to transfer media, not hold miscellaneous files.

Well, that was all Microsoft's choice, so it basically is a case of Microsoft locking down the hard drive due to their choice of limiting the player to one transfer protocol.

coasterfreak212 · 08-27-2008, 08:10 AM

true, microsoft could've had the zune be a usb mass storage device like the ipod, but they sought to have a media player. and they invented the mtp and it works well for just that, transferring media. It results for a more reliable playback on the zune as compared to when I had my ipod and things would randomly go weird and for some reason I had to defragment my ipod to fix the problem. overall, I'm happy that they took the mtp route to serve the media. Although I do wish their were times I could use my zune as an external hard drive.

HipHopScribe · 08-27-2008, 08:13 AM

I realize there are advantages to MTP, which is why they should have gone the same route that many DAP makers have gone, which is have a setting to switch between MTP and MSC on their players, so it is the choice of the user, based on what fits their needs best. And even keeping it MTP only, but using the standard MTP protocol, instead of the variation used for the Zune, would have made it more flexible.

MadOx23 · 08-27-2008, 08:35 AM

I'm not saying the Zune Software is the best, but iTunes is absolute garbage. Not very user friendly at all.

blackwood550 · 08-27-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPKH2

I think the Zune software is a beautiful work of art actually.

Amen...i just want a portable version

piratenetradio · 09-12-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESPKH2

I think the Zune software is a beautiful work of art actually.

zune looks nicer, sure. but it's a pain to use. and it eats up ram.

08-21-2008, 08:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
bembol Zewbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Reputation: 10	Microsoft came really Close but they need iTunes My 32GB iPod touch was stolen and knowing that new iPod's are coming soon/late September I decided to try out Zune. I love the Black 80GB , I think it's the Classic & touch put together and more. Wireless Synch/Sharing definitely a plus, the Radio IMO is a must in MP3 players and even the Earbuds included is a great/compared to Apple's. As I said, Microsoft came really. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it when Apple releases their new iPod's BECAUSE I can't stand the ZUNE Sofware and have no time to Convert Files, restart my iMac to Boot Camp/running XP Pro SP3. It's cluttered. I wish Microsoft would let us use iTunes, Leopard doesn't even recognize it. I had 6 different iPod's and I want something different/this is it.

08-22-2008, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
KMS Squirt Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 Reputation: 11	I think the zune marketplace needs to be expanded to have more content but it isn't like its bad at all, plus it looks a ton better. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-27-2008, 01:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
davy.blitzkrieg Squirt Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 21 Reputation: 14	I think the zune software is great, especially the look of it, but i think this is somehow what lets it down. Itunes uses simplicity to its advantage. It takes time to get used to the zune software, how to use it. __________________ Is it FAST??

08-27-2008, 06:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
ShotgunSnipist Zune Guardian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 738 Reputation: 73	If there is anything Microsoft could do to make it better is a 100% unlocked HDD. Of course that's never going to happen... In the mean time the Zune Software appears to work great. It works like crap on old computers but on a good computer it works very nicely. I'm excited for the new update. __________________ Invisible Text. =P To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-21-2008, 09:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
ESPKH2 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 111 Reputation: 14	I think the Zune software is a beautiful work of art actually.

08-22-2008, 02:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
coasterfreak212 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 127 Reputation: 29	it's not so much the microsoft won't let users run the zune on itunes, it's basically everything but. The zune is an mtp media player device while itunes and the ipod are storage based. apple would have to make itunes compatible with zune by completely recoding itunes. Furthermore, for the same reason, leopard or any mac os x os will not read the zune because of its mtp nature. there are other mtp devices that do work on the mac, it's just too difficult though compared to storage based. Although, microsoft does have the ability to make the zune software available for the make and supply drivers, but they figure the user base of people who own macs and the likelihood of them buying a zune over an ipod is too slim to bother with trying. on top of that, if apple did make itunes compatible with the zune, apple would have to allow every other mp3 player the permission, it's just not going to happen. The sad thing is, current ipod and itunes users who want to switch to the zune or another media player are restricted if their entire library is itunes run. hopefully the music is drm free, so that it's just an easy transfer, but apple didn't design itunes that way. itunes was designed toonly allow the ipod to play songs bought from the store, or burn them to s cd. Above all, apple mad the ipod a device thats unbeatable because ipod owners will not be willing to switch because of their music library not being able to be ported to another device. Media Transfer Protocol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

08-27-2008, 06:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
coasterfreak212 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 127 Reputation: 29	again, it's not the case of Microsoft locking down the hard drive. The zune is an mtp device (mtpz if you want to be technical, but it's really the same **** with a z at the end). it's not like storage based ipods that are formated in Fat32 and HFS. The Zune wasn't designed to work like an external hard drive. The ipod originaly was suppose to be just that, an external hard drive, not even a music player (which is why it's called pod instead of some easier moniker). Of course there are hacks to enable hard drive usage, but the file system is different and not practical. The mtp system was only meant to transfer media, not hold miscellaneous files.

08-27-2008, 08:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
coasterfreak212 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 127 Reputation: 29	true, microsoft could've had the zune be a usb mass storage device like the ipod, but they sought to have a media player. and they invented the mtp and it works well for just that, transferring media. It results for a more reliable playback on the zune as compared to when I had my ipod and things would randomly go weird and for some reason I had to defragment my ipod to fix the problem. overall, I'm happy that they took the mtp route to serve the media. Although I do wish their were times I could use my zune as an external hard drive.

08-27-2008, 08:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
HipHopScribe Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 372 Reputation: 41	I realize there are advantages to MTP, which is why they should have gone the same route that many DAP makers have gone, which is have a setting to switch between MTP and MSC on their players, so it is the choice of the user, based on what fits their needs best. And even keeping it MTP only, but using the standard MTP protocol, instead of the variation used for the Zune, would have made it more flexible.

08-27-2008, 08:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
MadOx23 Jr. Zuner Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NE PA Posts: 31 Reputation: 10	I'm not saying the Zune Software is the best, but iTunes is absolute garbage. Not very user friendly at all.

Advertisement