Zune HD Review

The Zune is a touch screen mp4 player, with a 3.3 inch OLED screen. It is accessible on any pc, through the Zune software available for download on the internet. It plays music, videos, the radio, can connect to the Wi-Fi, contains apps and games which can be installed as well. Throughout this review, I will be comparing it with the ipod touch (3rd gen) 16gb, as these are the only two real competitors in the market.

The Zune HD. Nice eh?!

Let us begin with the design. Microsoft has retained the basic design of the earlier Zunes, but improved upon the details. Unlike the iTouch's steel body with a chrome backside, Microsoft opted for an aluminium casing, making it much lighter than the iTouch. This is both an advantage and disadvantage, as the iTouch's smooth steel and chrome casing gives you the feeling that it might just slip out of your hand (and believe you me, it does happen), while the Zune's aluminium body offers a much more effective grip. However, this light weight can be unnerving to inexperienced users (again causing it to slip out of your hand!). The contours along the body of the Zune are ergonomically designed and will fit perfectly into your palm. There are three buttons on the body of the Zune: a home button, placed just below the screen, a power button on top, which doubles up as a hold switch, and a volume button on the upper-left side of the Zune. Now this volume control button is a big pain! You have to press it to bring up the on screen volume controls from where you can adjust whatever you want. Don't get me wrong, the interface is just perfect, but the fact still remains that you have to take it out of my pocket just to adjust the volume, which negates the entire advantage of a volume button! 

Now let us move along to the interface. Microsoft has taken a huge risk with the interface of the Zune. It is arranged in a haphazard manner, with no capitals, a black background, and small album clippings all around. But this makes the interface starkly different from the rest of the crowd, and appeals to me like no other could. The interface is smoother than you can wish for, and the brilliant OLED screen makes you want to keep scrolling through the menu all day long!

Now that we are done with the appetizers, let us move on to the main dish!

The Music. Is mind-blowing. Yes, I said it. After listening to music from the Zune, you will not be satisfied with the ordinary again. If you thought the iTouch was good, well then, this is better. Truthfully, both of them are really good. The iTouch has wonderful sound, but sacrifices on clarity for an extra amount of bass, while the Zune is crystal clear. Every beat, every vibrato, every breath, you will Feel. When I started the Zune for the first time, I listened to 21 Guns by Green Day. I actually felt the violin move around behind me. The packaged earphones that come along with the Zune, are wonderful, although I feel that Apple's earphones have a better bass quotient and thereby prove to be a better bargain, it depends again on what you are looking for.

The music menu. Notice the background.
A pic of the artist. 

The video. Is again brilliant. If you want to watch videos on any portable device, Microsoft Zune is for you. The colours, contrast ratio, and vibrancy of the video itself just makes the video worth watching over and over and over again. The HD output on the OLED screen is better than you could possible hope for. And the on-screen video navigating controls are simple and easy to use. The minus point is that you cannot watch videos in strong sunlight as the screen brightness is not that high (a minus point for all OLED screens). But considering the fact that people watch videos indoors, this point is negligible.

I wasn't joking.

The Zune has an inbuilt Wi-Fi detector and can catch local networks. The browser is simple yet easy to use. The webpages load surprisingly fast and even pages designed for desktop pcs load in a flash on the Zune. However, the basic functionality of the internet browser leaves us craving for more. For example, there is no concept of tabs on the Zune, or copying and pasting text, and the forward button is like my watch – missing! There is also the additional problem of the Zune not supporting video, so you can forget about using the Zune to watch the latest trailers and singles released. 

Finally, the apps. The Zune has a disappointing collection of apps. Although the ones released are fun and simple, it leaves you wanting more. Much more. The controls are like butter, and screen is very interactive, but the question of variety keeps popping up. Although apps are being released periodically, it is not at a rate which would satisfy the needs of a gaming enthusiast, and definitely nothing compared to the iTunes app service. The fact that Microsoft does not allow third party apps on its official Marketplace, stems the flow to a mere trickle. 

You gotta love the trickle!

To connect the Zune to a computer, you will require the Zune software, available for downloading at the Zune site. Yes, everything is called the Zune. I will be coming up with a review for that as well, because it certainly does demand one! Suffice to say, the software is a visual treat! It is simple, fun to use, and frankly, just amazing!

So this is a Zune. One of the more brilliant devices I have come across in my limited years. Microsoft has risen from the ashes of Vista and the earlier Zunes to show us why they are one of the biggest companies on the face of the planet! In this world where people need everyone and everything at one touch, and want one device to perform all their requirements, the Zune is a premium music player which does what you bought it to do, play music. Everything else is a bonus.  


The Good: Design, music quality, video quality, interface, price


The Bad: Lack of apps, marketplace scheme


And The Ugly(Truth): Wonderful player for an audiophile. However, those looking for an all-in-one PMP will find a better option in the iTouch.

Editor's Rating: 8.5/10