Ipod vs. Zune

This is a technology article.

Christmas shopping is underway and one thing that may be returning to your lists is an mp3 player, however, an iPod may or may not be the go-to product for some this year
With the introduction of the iPod touch and redesigned iPod models, Apple wants to guarantee its staying power. Other mp3 players haven't come close to matching the desire for an iPod, but Apple's longtime competitor, Microsoft, has redesigned the version of their mp3 player, Zune, to better compete with the iPod.
Key technical features when choosing an mp3 player are: price, capacity for memory (GB), compatible audio formats (iPod won't play WMA files) and battery life. Looking at capacity for memory determines how many songs the mp3 player will hold. Zune and iPod are almost neck and neck with memory.
Microsoft's Zune has one design that comes in 4, 8, 30, and 80GB capacity. All have a built in FM radio, wireless sync capabilities, plays video and shows pictures. The new designs are smaller in size, have glass screens instead of plastic, better video resolution and the squircle or navigation pad is touch sensitive. The 4 and 8 GB Zune come in black, green, pink and red. The 30 GB comes in black, pink, brown, white and red. The 80GB comes in black.
Apple's iPods have four different designs, shuffle, nano, classic and touch. All newly designed, the shuffle is 1GB, the nano holds 4 and 8GB, the classic holds 80 and 160GB and the touch holds 8 and 16GB. All except the shuffle now play video. With the iPhone being introduced this summer, the iPod touch was designed resembling the iPhone. The most recent addition to the iPod family has a 3.5 inch multi-touch screen and is wireless capable. With all these new features memory is sacrificed, as the iPod touch only comes in 8 and 16GB. The shuffle comes in white, blue, green, purple, and Product Red color. The nano comes in the same colors with black added. The classic comes in black and white, and the touch comes only in black.
Microsoft Zune uses the Zune Marketplace to download, store and play music, videos and podcasts. The marketplace gives the option to use an "all-you-can-eat" $14.99 per month subscription pass or download songs using refillable Microsoft Points. The subscription pass allows you to download as many songs as you want per month. When you stop paying for the subscription, you lose the songs. The Microsoft Points options are 400 points for $5, 1,200 points for $15, 2,000 points for $25, and 4,000 for $50. Songs go for 79 points each. Microsoft points are can be used to buy music, videos, or, if you own an XBOX 360, games for XBOX Live, and windows games. The Zune Marketplace shows recent releases, what's hot, artist pages and your own customized page
Apple's iTunes music store allows you to download music, videos, podcasts, audio books, TV shows, movies and games. Songs are $0.99, videos and TV shows are $1.99, and podcasts are free. Audio books and movies range in price as books and DVD's do in retail stores. They can go on sale or clearance. Full seasons of televisions shows are also available. Games are available for iPod nano and classic iPod only for $4.99. Pages are tailored for artist, author, TV show, etc; iTunes also makes a playlist with recommendations for you based on what you have purchased. To make a purchase a registration is needed and billing information is asked for once. After that you are free to make purchases. If you are not connected to the internet you cannot access the iTunes music store but you can access your music library.
What Apple and Microsoft may not take into account is: not everyone buys music from iTunes or Zune Marketplace. Services such as Bearshare, limewire, rhapsody, etc, allows users to download and share music for free.
Wireless is a relatively new feature for mp3 players. Microsoft Zune allows wireless syncing, meaning you don't have to connect the Zune to the computer to upload songs. Zune allows wireless sharing songs, pictures and video with other Zune owners with the touch of a button. You are also able to stream music to your Xbox 360 from the Zune.
IPod touch comes with safari and YouTube buttons installed automatically. Through safari, you can browse full web pages and zoom in or out on the page using the touch interface. Touching the YouTube button sends you to the page where you can search and view videos. The iTunes music store is available on the iPod. You can search, preview and buy music. The benefit here is that you don't have to wait to sync the music on the iPod. As long as you have wireless access you can buy music right off the iPod.
The prices of the iPod and Zune are close on the websites. The 4GB Zune is $149.99, 8 and 30GB are $199.99, and the 80 GB is $249.99. The iPod shuffle sells for $79, 4GB nano's are $149 and 8GB is $199. The classic 80 GB is $249 and 160GB is $349. The 8GB touch is $299 and 16GB is $399. If you want to compare the iPod and Zune, I would suggest comparing the 4 and 8GB Zune with the nano, and the 30 and 80GB with the classic.
When deciding which mp3 player to buy this Christmas, keep in mind the commitment that it takes for upkeep. Consider buying a protection plan to cover any mishaps that may occur. Good luck shopping!