The Pros and Cons of Microsoft's Upcoming Zune Media Player



Let's face it: Microsoft's Zune has to be brilliant to compete with Apple's iPod series. Apple has managed over the years to get a huge customer base for their iPod portable media players, and even though there are other alternatives they really don't seem to be making a dent in Apple's stronghold. Will the Zune change that? Depends on just how good it is.

WiFi: This is a big one, something I think Apple should have put into its newest models. Sure, it's not that hard to put in a USB cable, but why would you want to if you don't need it? It also keeps you from having to carry a cable around if you want to sync up with your laptop; one less thing to keep in your pockets.


XM Radio: The WiFi antenna also will help Microsoft to support XM radio on the Zune, something they've been looking into. If Zune is to kill the iPod, they need something big that the iPod doesn't have; this may or may not be it, but they'll need all the firepower they can get. With the iPod lacking even an FM radio, this could be a big advantage.

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