Microsoft Zune ™ Black (30 GB) Digital Media Player (JS8-00001)

The Digital Media Player reinvented. With the new Microsoft Zune you can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune. Listen to those received full-length songs up to three times in three days, with the option to flag the ones you like to easily purchase them the next time you sync up. Browse the Zune Marketplace for access to millions of songs, old and new. Use the bright 3 & quot; LCD screen to watch your favorite videos or browse pictures of your family and friends. 30GB of storage means plenty of space for your music, photos, and videos. Never grow tired of your music with a built-in FM tuner for access to local FM radio broadcasts. Reinvent your digital media experience with the Microsoft Zune! Import unprotected music, photos and videos in WMA, MP3, AAC, JPEG, WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 from iTunes and Windows Media Player Purchase music from the continually updated Zune Marketplace.

If you were looking for an analog to iTunes, you got it with the...

Pros: Easy to use, good out-of-box experience, good sound, good display
Cons: Limited playable codecs, limited sharing, can only use Zune software and store
Proof that Marketing is the Key It ' s true - marketing is key. If it wasn ' t for in-your-face marketing, the Zune would have never been considered as a serious contender to the iPod. My brother ' s 2nd generation iPod 10 GB player finally died, and he...

Microsoft Zune (30GB, black).

saved by jane | reviews.cnet.com

The good: The Microsoft Zune has very good playback performance of audio, video, and photos; intuitive and colorful interface; good FM radio with RDS; works well with Zune Marketplace software; integrated wireless allows sharing of songs (limited) and photos; many accessories available at launch. The bottom line: The Microsoft Zune with its intuitive interface and solid playback performance will please most users. But lukewarm format support and the cool but limited Wi-Fi capability will have advanced users seeking more. The Zune is a very good start, though.

Microsoft Zune player

saved by jane | engadget.com

The player was responsive and fast; all functions worked flawlessly and without delay. The software and storefront has a lot of new, unique features that make browsing and finding music a more engrossing, enjoyable experience. Obviously Apple is the game to beat -- and a tough game at that -- but something tells us this little player's got some fight in it. The matte finish is very good at reflecting fingerprints, and overall the body feels extremely solid.

Zune: First Full Review - Gizmodo

saved by jane | gizmodo.com

The outside is made out of a rubberized plastic, which goes through an interesting process where they paint the inside a different color than the case—this gives the Zune a two-toned look which both looks and feels great. Microsoft's put in WiFi on the Zune, which even though it doesn't seem to be a big draw to consumers now. The hardware paves the road for them to do various other "scenarios" with the Zune. In the future, via software update, the Zune should be able to possibly do stuff like share songs over the internet, wirelessly sync with the computer, stream music/video to other devices, and much more. The hardware is there, but it just needs to be activated by software.

Review: Microsoft's Zune

saved by jane | popularmechanics.com

It's bigger, boxier and less shiny than the iPod. The control pad is straightforward, and reassuring—it clicks in four directions, with a central button that drives you deeper into the interface and confirms selection choices. The back button is useful, and so is the play/pause button, but it's hard not to miss the iPod's blazing-fast, touch-sensitive wheel. The Zune's screen isn't of a higher quality than the iPod, but, wow, this is much bigger. Turned sideways to watch videos, it's almost a viable video player. Much, much better than videos on an iPod.

Hands On The Zune

saved by jane | 2old2play.com

It is not as light as the latest video iPod, but compared to my fourth-generation iPod, the Zune was lighter. The top of the Zune had a clear glass layer while the exterior had a tactile feel to it, nothing like the hard metal and plastic of the iPod devices. The "home" screen had a user-configurable background for all the major sections of the device such as music, video, radio, community and settings. Click on any one of these major sections and the background zooms in a bit, giving you a feeling of probing deeper into the device.

Microsoft Zune review

saved by jane | mp3.com

The Microsoft Zune can hold its own as a portable media player, and the sharing feature is definitely cool. But the lack of format support will estrange some seasoned users.

Amazon.co.uk: Zune - Portable Media Player

saved by jane | amazon.co.uk

Zune is here. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for people to connect and share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience centers around connection-- connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you're listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown and white.

Reviewing the Microsoft Zune: iPod killer?

saved by jane | mobilemag.com

We're on the eve of a new age. An age where you are given more portable media choices than just those emblazoned with fruit on the back. Microsoft's Zune is in the race...the exterior "both looks and feels great" thanks to the dual layer coating (green glowing poop?). The Zune is only compatible with the Zune Marketplace, so any Rhapsody or Napster enthusiasts need not apply.