Zune:  A good first-generation media player

Nice touches and nit-picking
Having an FM radio built in is a nice touch.  There are still a few radio stations worth listening to in some places - although less and less each year. The Zune's FM radio has settings for U.S., Europe and Japan but was sometimes confused showing different call letters from the station I was listening to. For example, at one point, the Zune told me I was listening to a station that began with the call letter "K." No station in Manhattan begin with a "K." Also, it was sometimes tricky to adjust the FM antenna (also known as the headphone cord) for the best signal.

While I’m nit-picking, I’d like to chide Microsoft for not allowing uncompressed music files to be stored and played on Zune. The best sounding formats, uncompressed WAV and Windows Media Lossless files, are not options on the Zune. Apple gets this part right.  Microsoft should update Zune’s firmware to allow these files ASAP. If I want to carry around better-sounding songs — which take up more hard drive space, and may get me to buy a second Zune — that should be incentive enough to update the software.

I’ve been playing with the Zune constantly since I’ve received it and overall can say I like it a lot. Ripping music from CDs was simple. The Zune PC program is easy to figure out and use.  Same for the Zune itself.  There’s no spinning wheel for navigation – but it will take you 2 minutes to become proficient on Zune’s controls.  There's a large circular 5-way button, a back button to the left and a pause/play button to the right.  Zune turns itself off when not in use to save battery life. There’s a lock button on the top next to the headphone jack.

Speaking of the headphones, the ones that come with Zune are worth the price you pay for them — nothing.  Go out and get yourself real ones. Look for models from Shure, Sennheiser and other headphone experts. Better headphones are worth their weight in music.

Navigating around the Zune was quick – everything seems to respond much quicker than iPods and most other MP3s players I’ve had the pleasure of testing.  Zune’s on-screen interface is simple to understand and easy to use.  The learning curve is very quite short. Overall, Zune itself is a good device. It’s too bad it has to compete with others.

Zune comes in three colors: black (my test unit), white (very iPod) and brown (I’ll let you write in your own description).  There is only one size – a 30 GB model which retails for $249.99.  It’s available in stores now.

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