Release Date: 5th Nov 2008

From:www.itvoir.com

keyword: Zune

Nevertheless, the two opponents come in the battle zone head to head. It's again Microsoft and Apple, but this time it's not the operating system fight; but the comparison is between MP3 players.

Zune is the Microsoft's card to fight with Apple's iPod.  Both have some great features to beat the other and meanwhile both can learn something from the opponent.

Indeed, Zune has a long way to go to match the superiority of iPod, but this itself does not make iPod flawless. I have tried my best to compare feature wise both the MP3 players by leaving the last decision with consumers; which gadget they want to go with.

What's new?

IPod got its new incarnation in the form of Nano. Priced at $149-$199, it was successful to draw the attention of two. Revamped with 2" screen and third-generation model the oval-esque shaped Nano fits well into a back pocket. Also, it is offered with an array of bright colors to make its presence felt distinguished in the market.

To compete with its new look, Microsoft launched its latest flash memory-based Zune. Priced at $150-$200, it is also offered in array of bright colors. With 3.6" size, it is the same height as the new Nano but bit bulkier.

Which go the Wireless Way?

Looks matter but to tech savvy people, features make the real difference. Where wireless is the driving force, Apple is lacking at this point. Microsoft takes the lead here by including a wireless option in Zune against Nano's accelerometer, which allows the users to reshuffle the songs.

Zune's wireless capability allows the sharing songs with other Zune users and to synchronizing music, videos and photos with personal computers. The company has smartly enhanced the feature by making it possible for the users to access Zune Marketplace when they are in Wi-Fi hotspots.

Apple has put this feature in iPod Touch kitty but Nano misses it out.

Accelerating with Accelerometer:  Pitching the iPod's accelerometer with Nano, Apple is smartly moving towards the lead position. With accelerometer, it is easy to reshuffle the songs and scroll through album covers. Lovers of this feature really wish if Zune can take the tip. M/

Marketplace: The tastemaker of battle: Where Nano races with accelerometer, Zune's marketplace is a good spot for music lovers to rest on.  The marketplace feature is easy and satisfying as it lets you search by lists of top songs, or by tapping in artist names.

Also, Wi-Fi feature lets you to download songs you hear over the built-in FM radio and requires a few clicks from start to finish. In the absence of hotspot, you can queue them for downloading them the next time you connect to your computer.

Genius vs MixView:  Nano's "Genius" feature helps you to put playlists together by taking one song as a starting point and suggesting other tracks with a similar sound or feel. While using it with computer and iTunes software, a Genius sidebar shows related songs which can be purcahsed from the online iTunes Store.

To counter, Genius, Microsoft came with its Mix View. Mix View uses thumbnails of album art and artist photos to give music suggestions by tracking the users listening pattern. It is rated better than Genius as allows user to click on each thumbnail to find related albums, and also to check out profiles of other Zune users who listen to that music.

Besides these, there are many other similar specifications that really confuse the users to decide which gadget to purchase. But, Apple can be warned as Microsoft is really making strides to catch with iPod.