4 Problems with Microsoft's Zune

Microsoft's Zune digital audio player has finally been released, and it's...well, it's a Zune.

If the Zune wants to compete against the iPod in the digital audio player marketplace (and you know that it does), it's going to have to get over a few hurdles. Here are some big problems that Microsoft needs to fix—fast.

It's Imitative, Not Innovative
The first thing you'll notice about the Zune is how much it looks like an iPod, and how much its interface is like an iPod, and how its features are similar; Microsoft clearly designed this in order to compete with Apple, but why not set yourself apart from the competition? Microsoft has basically taken the iPod and added a horde of basic, minor tweaks (most of which are useless—I'll get to that later), and it's not something that's going to grab the attention of the average person. Why get an iPod imitator when you can have an iPod? Playing around with the Zune feels like dating a hot girl's cousin—nice, but not the same.


No Compatibility With Anything but Zune Marketplace
It would be nice if we didn't have another proprietary mp3 player on the market, but Microsoft's Zune disappoints in this department. In order to use your Zune, you'll have to plug into the creatively named Zune marketplace, which gives you the option of a subscription service and offers what is essentially an iTunes-y experience. You can't use Napster or Rhapsody or any other service to interact with the Zune, which is a massive disappointment. It's going to be much harder for Microsoft to convince the public to buy a Zune with proprietary software than if the player interacted with other music services.


A Whole Lot of Nothin' On Extra Features
Okay, Microsoft, there are some big problems here. If you're trying to take on the iPod, you're going to need a whole lot more than a theoretical wireless swap between two Zune users of a song that's only going to last 3 days; we've got to have something innovative.