The Competition: Microsoft Releases the Zune HD
So, today’s the day. Everyone who works for Microsoft is up bright and early, on their way to lineup at their local Microsoft Store for a chance to scoop up a brand new, shiny Zune HD before they sell out. If you’re in line, shoot our sibling site WMExperts a pic and let them know if you manage to snag one of Ballmer’s new beauties.
Speaking of sarcasm, for an even harsher look at the Zune HD, check out AppleInsider, who we’re not sure have had a hands on yet, but certainly give it a pounding. (Even we said, “ouch!”)
And then join us back here tomorrow night at 8pm ET for iPhone Live! where WMExperts own news editor, Phil Nickinson will be joining us for a special edition smackdown, Zune HD vs. iPod touch G3.
Will OLED blind our iSight, or will 64GB prove size does matter? Get to the chat room early tomorrow, the place might just burn down!
September 15th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Yawn… wake me up when Windows Mobile 7 comes out. No offense to Phil.
September 15th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I know I’m going to be crucified for saying this on this board, but I have to say, I love the way it looks. I love my iPhone 3GS, but the Zune is exactly how I had hoped the latest iPhone would look when it came out. Looks like a serious machine you’re not embarassed to whip out when you’re in a business meeting with other executives. And, it has HD. I want that too.
September 15th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Apple sucks!!!! For not having a product with an OLED display
September 15th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
The AppleInsider piece was a total hackjob. A round up of every slam on OLED without ever touching the product.
Nothing about ease of use, freedom to load music onto it the way you want to load it, or even sound quality, build quality.
Really childish.
September 15th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
How is this competition?
What games or apps can i install on this thing?
September 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Whoa… That actually looks really nice. Almost exactly how I wanted the 3GS to look like. Still love Apple but whoa… Thats sharp.. Actually makes me think twice….
September 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
The folks over at WM Experts have to have mixed feelings about this. It seems like an incredible device but why the hell is this so much better than WinMo? Why isn’t this a phone? There are so many “why’s” at Microsoft. How can Xbox and now the Zune HD be so great while Vista and WinMo are abysmal? With the coming of Windows 7, that will be much better as well. It only stands to reason that next on the list is WinMo but man it must have been a long haul for them on such a bollocks mobile platform!!
September 15th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I agree. The Appleinsider article was arguing against technologies and spec’s on a data sheet, and not the device itself. Why don’t they try it out before bashing it? People on this site and others have been chomping at the bit to get a device with an OLED screen, so it’s going to be hard to sell people on the fact that OLED is garbage…
September 15th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Please, don’t quote Prince McLean/Daniel Eran
September 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
@Joe McG,
The question is whether Best Buy will have working Zune’s next to working iPod touches, or dummies like they did with the Pre. Also, like Gartenberg said, whether an average customer will notice or care about OLED…
September 15th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
If this sells as good as the original zune apples going to be in a lot of trouble……..
September 15th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Looks cool. I really hope Apple redesigns the iPhone and also adds better speakers.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Honestly, the Zune software is hands down better than iTunes. I know, I know, I’m gonna get fan-boys and girls calling fire down on me, but I HATE iTunes. I can’t transfer music FROM my device, it never seems to pull the right album info, and the spreadsheet view kills me, which I know that the new iTunes has it too, but blah blah. And the Zune HD is on my Wish list. I’ve always had the Zune and it’s never treated me wrong.
Might I add to the “where’s the apps” complaint. Every store needs a start, just give it time. I remember the iPhone app store on it’s first day of release.
Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not gonna replace my iPhone. Nothing can replace my precious, unless there was a zune-phone (i feel dirty just saying that)…jk by the way.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
The Zune sucked then and will suck now. Microsoft has already said they want to design a majority of the apps. Which to me means a lot of mini vistas. As for design at least that got that right. I will never trade my iPhone or iPod for a microsft product.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
@Mark That’s just ignorant. Try a product before discrediting it without trying it instead of going on a past release or just by what company you hate the most.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Zunes, lawyers, illiterate scumbag rappers…
Wake me up when it’s over.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I SO agree with you Chrstphr. This Zune has HD, and OLED screen, a professional expensive look I wanted from my 3GS, AND you don’t have to deal with the awful new iTunes that’s gotten really busy and clunky. Synch takes forever, you can’t move files from the device, etc.
If MS adds a phone to this Zune, the only thing it will lack is an app store. And that simply takes time and enough Zune buyers to reach mass.
Competition is a good thing for all. I think Microsoft is the first company that has finally released something that is superior to the current iPhone in SOME ways. You could never had said that since 2007 when the first iPhone came out. I think Apple has been resting easy with their lock on the market, focusing on milking the current technology and maximizing cross-sales on iTunes instead of focusing on user experience. This is going to cost Apple a little. I for one, as a fanatical Apple fan, am glad for this competition.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
@ Carl x2
I have my preferences, my dislikes, my likes, my EXTREME hates…but I will always give a product, idea, invention a sharp try or run down before making a broad and narrow-minded statement as that. The people who bash Microsoft(or any other international big name) oft time are very ignorant of what they’re criticing. Both companies have their flaws. Both have made incredible advancements in technology and design. You can’t criticize a companies as big as Microsoft for having to design their products towards such a wide range of markets and still keep design, functionality, ease of use, and cost in reference. Those things have trade offs. Apple is very strict and so is their market. Who’s sold more though? Alot here likes to jailbreak, so sounds like they should be pushing a Microsoft device instead of Apple. What happens when you add the functionality of an apple device to match that of a Microsoft?….it acts like 1
September 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I think that Microsoft released something superior than their own products with this Zune. Superior than iPhone? Never! Muahaha.
Alright, it looks cool but will it really thrump the itouch or iPhone? Competition is good.
@chrstphr.ross You can have the right Album info if you write the album’s title right. The Zune software has some cool things but it wouldn’t replace iTunes on my side.
September 15th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Just wait for the ZunePhone…it’s coming.
September 15th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
@ageman
i expect my software by now to read what cd it is on it’s own. not make me do it. that’s what the zune-soft does anyway…
September 15th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Looks amazing! wish it worked with iTunes..
September 15th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
@truth
yeah just wait to hear the thud of indifference….
September 15th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Lest I am called a “fanboy”, if apple started making toasters I’d say “what the ****”. I mean stick with what your good at ( or kind of good at) Microsoft. (that toaster would proboably look really cool though……)
September 15th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I just hope it leaves the ipod waaaay behind! ipod is overrated!
September 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
@phoenix
not going to happen. What no one seems to get is that if anyone is going to unseat apple from there current position, it’s going to be some new company or at the very least someone you would never expect. Someone who out apples apple. That sure as **** isn’t going to be Microsoft
September 15th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
i dig it and I’m getting one. zune pass is just a really nice thing to have too. Until it becomes a phone though, the iphone3g will have a place in my pocket.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:20 am
It seems no one is able to bypass Apple except Apple themselves lol. Who released the iPod killer? Apple and its called iPhone. And they will be the ones releasing the iPhone killer in the future, imo.
Regarding the look of the Zune HD, why on earth does it show big visible screws? we r not in the freakin ’90s.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:15 am
I bought it. It killlls the iPhone software wow. I’m typing from it right now. It just works fantastic. Why don’t they add a mic and speakers to this thing. I’m so pissed. It is so amazing on my 50inch tv too. The thing that amazes me the most is how it does not lag at all. Fuuuuuuuck man it’s great. iPods are finally behind. Trust me I as much as I hate apple I would tell u guys if it sucked. Microsoft can always pull it. Man u guys have no idea how good this thing is. It sounds a lot better than my 3g too. Man it is so nice. Noone can talk **** about this thing. I feels good in your hand. At sunlight it was like 50% brighter than my 3g. It looks so cool. Apple has finally been b i t ch slapped.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Oh yah I forgot to say. Zune software sooooooo much better. It looks great. It synchronizes faaast!!! And so happy I don’t have to use iTunes silvery looks anymore. My iPhone will only be a phone. Took off all the music and videos. Reset the phone and have like 4 apps installed. I’m not gonna even jailbreak it. The zune is at 60% capacity with videos. No lag nothing
September 16th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Well, it looks pretty.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Without the iPhone/iPod touch the zune HD would not exist (not to mention what seems like half the devices coming out right now). This is why Microsoft sucks and always will.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Zune 4.0 software kicks Itunes ***.
If anyone disagrees,they’re either..
ignorant lying to themselves an idiot or all of the above.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am
@Therealtruth
So you suck if you take an existing technology and make it better? Welcome to the world of technology.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am
@mgs
no you suck when you have no vision and contually play follow the leader. If you listen closely you can almost hear “let’s wait and see what apple does” echoing from Redmond
September 16th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Screws?
September 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Those of you bashing MS couldn’t develop or design your way out of a paper bag.
I played with the ZuneHD and it is really nice, I wouldn’t drop my iPhone for it because I don’t want multiple devices when I travel. If they would make it a phone I would buy it day one, not because Apple sucks but because I love gadgets.
Useless fanboys go back into your mum’s basement and stfu.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
@Therealtruth
Wow, fanboy much?
Apple didn’t patent a touch screen. Nor did they call dibs on a music player. MS has every right to take both technologies and make them better.. which they did, with the Zune HD. It’s business. Get used to it and STFU.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
With phones really begining to replace pmp’s Microsoft releases a pmp. Amazing. No apps? Not even an sdk?
September 16th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
@MGS
okay first off “fandboy” is one of the gayest terms ever. Douche chills everytime I hear it. Where did I say that Microsoft didn’t have a right to do anything? They could go ahead and make tampons for all I care. Is our reading comprehension a bit off? My only point is that without apple putting out the iPhone/itouch Microsoft is still making the original zune. They have no vision. No originality. Like it or not apple has changed the game. And as far as making it better….that’s really just your opinion isn’t it? You do realize that opinions are not facts?
September 16th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
@CJ: glad u like it. Now u can stop trolling this site.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
@treats
so the zune HD is “really nice”. **** I’m on my way to best buy right now. Hope they have some left…..
September 16th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
@Therealtruth
“Originality” is a poor argument. Tell me when it’s your go to make a product and see if you won’t use an idea that already exists. If you can, then you can complain about MS or any other company not having any vision. Until then, STFU. And yeah, just like Apple took the idea of a touch screen phone, which existed before the Iphone did (Vision, huh? Hah) and made it BETTER, so did Microsoft with the Zune. More formats supported? Check. Radio? Check. Better resolution? Check. More convenient user interface? Check.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
@MGS
more formats supported? Don’t give a ****. Radio? Please. It’s HD radio. No one cares. Better resolution? Is that so? Really? More convenient user interface? That is one of those things I talked about before. Do you remember? An OPINION. SAy it with me. You’ll get it soon enough. Show me touch screen phone that operated in a manner any where near that of the iPhone. Now look at your zune. Look at the touch. Not much of a difference really. And of course you build on previous ideas when creating a product. But you try and advance it. Don’t you think. I mean the zune is basically the iPod touch circa 07. The tech itself is more advanced than that original touch of course. But really what separates it? A touch screen device with multitouch input. Sounds familiar doesn’t It? Oh yeah. No apps. That’s what separates it. And don’t give me this oled **** and the radio. The average consumer doesn’t give a ****. Plain and simple. 70,000 apps to……9? Pathetic. And yeah of course the touch didn’t have that at the beginning but it does now and has for the last year. Face it the zune HD will be as popular as the original zune. That’s not an opinion. That’s what we call a fact. Learn it. Accept it. And oh yeah…..STFU
September 16th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
@MGS
one more thing. Why are you even on this site? I’m sure there’s a zune site somewhere that you and your buddies can pontificate on how much better it is and how it should unseat the iPod and you can all stick your zunes up your asses while you beat off…..just a thought
September 16th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I love the free apps on the zune. I mean they come with ads and everything. Take that apple!!!! You don’t have that do you????
September 17th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Therealtruth is an apple fagboy. Eat s h i t. There is 70000 apps on the AppStore and 0 of these cr apps are bug free. My iPhone has 4 apps installed. And even these apps are not fully finished. One of them has been around since two years ago. Comon an update for bug fixes every 2 weeks. And if u try the zune apps no problem no lag no bugs no bull. Trus me iPod has been bitchslapped. iPhone will probably be bitchslapped by nokia. And game over for apple.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:16 am
@cj.
Yeah zune apps are great. All 9 of them. And some of them even have ads before them!!! Let’s see apple do that!!!!! Your a shithead my friend. If apple gets bitchslapped and no one is there to hear it did they really get bitchslapped? Game over for apple? You should have your iPhone taken away. Your too retarded to be carrying that thing around. Zune would be perfect for you. A loser for a loser.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:25 am
@cj
no bugs. No bull with zune apps. Really? Okay a company making add supported apps on their own device. Yeah no bull. And what have you beat off on your zune for like 2 or three days. That’s not too much time with it really to make that “no bugs” statement. I mean granted you’ve proboably had the thing with you day and night. But still. When you rub your **** up against it while you sleep and it doesn’t tell you to stop is that really a good indication of a bug free device? How’s that oled screen hold up when you drop your load on it? Hopefully it’s sealed up well.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
@Therealtruth
You see, no matter what you say to me, in the end, you’re STILL an Apple fanboy who can’t handle the idea that somebody actually made a better product than Apple’s Iphone. And it’s Microsoft. SNAP! And the app argument is such a load of ****. Answer honestly. Of those 70K apps, how many did you actually DOWNLOAD? Much less USE? Yeah, not that many. And 2-3 days of release VS 3 YEARS? Do the math, you tool. I love how you throw the “opinion card” at me. It’s such a cop out response. Fact is, Zune can do more as a PMP than the Iphone/Ipod touch can. The interface IS more convenient. Anybody that played with the original Zunes VS original Ipods can tell you why it’s so much more convenient and easily accessible. Take a good look at the Zune and try not to think “Wow, that’s really easy.” Unless you’re an asshat of a fanboy (which you are), you’d be hard pressed to say it isn’t. So, yeah. Zune rocks. STFU, fanboy. Oh, and BTW.. I post here because I actually do have an Ipod touch AND a classic Zune. Pissing you off is just gravy on the side.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
@mgs
you should have to turn in your apple products. Your too much of a ******. If someone makes a product that in my OPINION ( say it with me) is better than the iPhone is buy it in a second. **** brand loyalty and that whole fanboy **** you **** talk about. I honestly could care a less what company makes th products I use as long as they work and do what I want them to do I’m good. Fact is I’m used to my iPhone/apple products and since I have a life and don’t sit in my basement beating off to bill gates mugshot or trying to figure out the best kind of lube to use on my zune so I can get it really far up there, I don’t really feel like changing to something different. I’m happy with what I got. And I did play with the original zune. A guy I work with has one. In my OPINION ( there’s that pesky word again….you’ll get it ) it’s just not something I’d be interested in using…..but that’s just my OPINION. I can’t begin too imagine how devoid your life is of promise that you have to come on a website devoted to a certain product and talk **** about it. It sad and pathetic really. But hey newton died a virgin and still had a pretty good life though.
Opinion: a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty hope that helps
how exactly is the “opinion card” a cop out anyway? If I say your a retarded ****** that means you are? I mean don’t pull that opinion **** with me pal!!!!!!! And what exactly is an “asshat”? Is this something that exists? A hat for your ***. Have you not heard of pants? You are right when you say the zune can do more than th touch though. It can run ads ahead of it’s apps. That’s cool.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
To Therealtruth: u r such an idiot.I will get back shrtly cause I’m at work and I can’t see anything what I’m typing because of this iPhone keyboard bug. Apple raped me 300. Will u buy my iPhone so I can get rid of it?? I just want my money back and my 2 years contract I wasted on this piece of s h I t.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
@cj
I’m Typing this on my bug free iPhone keyboard. Who’s the idiot now? Apple raped you? I’m sure you enjoyed that. What do you have a 3gs? Put it on eBay. I got 380 for for my 3g when I got the 3gs. As for the 2 yr contract see if you can’t transfer to a different phone. If the thing is really that fucked up you should be able to get your money back. Buck up buddy soon the zune phone will become a reality and everything will be okay.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
okay so a friend just got the zune hd and im playing with it. Thoughts: loading a web page on the zune makes me nostalgic for the days of dial up internet…..opening the simple calculator app reminds me of waiting for a game to load on my PS2. seriously….Is this normal? the interface is really no better or worse than the touch. its just different, and quite honestly i see no reason to get used to something new. What for? i did notice a bit of a lag when scrolling but nothing major. Is the flickering screen when loading a web page normal? all in all the zune isnt really bad or good its just kind of pointless really for anyone who has an ipod or any other player. Theres just no compelling reason to get this. i guess if its your first PMP thats fine. But honestly these things have become quite ubiquitous. Microsoft is too late to the game i’m afraid
September 17th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Blah blah blah. I hear a lot of that, and it sounds like the cry of a fanboy getting pissy because he knows deep down that MS actually isn’t as lame as he so claims them to be. And you know what’s funny? I actually LIKE Apple, which is why I post. It just so happens that the Zune is BETTER. (For the reasons I listed) You can like Apple stuff more ALL you want. That isn’t the issue here. There are just instances when a product is just plain better. In this case, Zune > Ipod. If you don’t like, tough. That’s an objective way to look at it. You’re free to have an opinion all you want.. however, that being said, it doesn’t mean it’s an entirely informed one. And I can tell by your BS analysis of the product that you went in LOOKING for its flaws. Something like “Gee, how can I complain about it so that the Ipod appears superior?” That’s really pathetic. And, guess what.. I played with the same Zune… and it’s got none of the problems you claimed them to have. Nice try, though. If you want to BS me,try harder. What are you going to post next? More petty insults? More of the “opinion” card? Come on, what else can you dish out that makes you look like an inane Apple fanboy.
September 17th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
@MGS
please explain to me exactly how the zune is “better”. And thanks for letting me know that the behavior of the zune which my friend bought is not normal. I will inform him of this. Again thank you. Hopefully his replacement is everything the zune should be. So I suppose I was wrong with the whole opnion thing. I guess your right and I’m wrong. I guess you know things that I, along with the millions who will forgo the zune in favor of holding on to their iPods. You have spoken. I will try and get the news out that the zune, not in my opinion but based on indisputable fact is better than the iPhone. I guess we just don’t get it. Thank you for trying to help me and the 50 or so million iPhone/touch users see the truth. You my friend are the real truth!!!!! Again can you please provide those details for me of what makes the zune a better product. I need to spread the facts far and wide. I guess I’ll have to keep this darn iPhone until the zune phone comes out. I am also very impressed with your astute analasys of me. That darn fanboy stuff. I will get past it!!!!! I shall overcome!!!!!!! And of course I went into using the zune looking for flaws. I really wanted to hate that evil electronic device that has clearly bettered my beloved iPod. I wanted to damn it!!!!!! But alas, you are correct. I must have imagined those ads and somehow thought more time went by than it really did while waiting to open one of the fAr superior aps or a web page on the elegant browser. I must have imagined feeling more comfortable using my iPhone. The zune is easier, more intuitive and of course BETTER!!!!!!! I just need to understand this FACT. Thanks again
September 17th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
iPhone sucks!!!!!!! iPod sucks!!!!!!!!! Zune rules!!!!!!!!! Gooooooo zzzzzzzuneeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 18th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I already told you why Zune is better. Read above posts. And yeah, like I said, just because something is better, doesn’t mean people will like it more, either. The Playstation was a better game console than the Nintendo 64… yet some people actually preferred the 64. Different strokes for different folks.
Granted, of those 50mil Ipod/phone fans,I highly doubt even 25% of them actually TRIED different products. They just automatically assume Ipod is the best and go with it without really exploring other options.
Oh well. Their loss. I don’t lose sleep over it.
That being said, I’m finished here. No point in back tracking 2 or 3 pages just to piss you off more. You’re boring now, so later.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:59 am
@MGS
okay so the zune is better because it’s a better user interface/experience, more formats supported etc…. Now I won’t use th evil O word cause I know how you hate it, what about personal preferance? Okay so what if I found out That you’ve been beating off your entire life with your left hand and I said ” no man! You’ve got to use the right! It’s so much better….so much more versitile!”. And you try it and you think “this isn bad…..but do really want to keep going with it in the hopes that it actually will be better?”. You just want to beat off, drop a load and go about your day. and you really like the way youve been doing it. You really really like it. Your left hand has served you well. Personaly I don want to spend a couple hundreD dollars on something that Im not sure wether I’ll like better or not. Why is that so difficult to fathom?
September 18th, 2009 at 11:03 am
@mgs
oh and I’m not at all pissed off. I’m just completely blown away by your lack of reading comprehension. And your inability to understand the concept of personal preference….
September 18th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I think u beat it toooo much. Apple should have an app for that. That when u beat it you don’t get that full pleasure cause it’s still ine beta. Your whole life is a beta test. And funny you pay for fixes that need fixes. Great luck paying that expensive marketing campain. It’s funny u will never win.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
@cj
what exactly am i trying to win? are we playing a game? and what the hell “fixes that need fixes” am i paying for? and theres no such thing as beating it too much. im a young healthy male it only takes a minute or two and i find it to be a great stress reliever. oh and i thing they do have “message” apps for females….so who knows done the line…..and you do know that apple barely makes any of the apps on the store? i mean your trashing talking these hard working developers who are just trying to make a buck….not nice
September 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
@ therealtruth listen fanboy 1. If u have a life, why do u spend every hour of it checking up on this site. 2. your inane sarcasm sucks your own balls 3. your *** jokes are as *** as yourself. goodbye
September 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
@getoutofmyworld
I spend every hour checking up on this site? Try every half hour pal!!!!! Suck on that!!!!! Anyway i’m an attention *****. So what. 1. FYI I’m not trying to suck any balls with my sarcasm, let alone my own. 2. You using the term “fanboy” makes you more of a *** than I can ever dream of being. No matter how hard I try. Goodbye.
September 21st, 2009 at 11:42 am
@getoutofmyworld oh and did I state I had a life. I lied *****!!!!!!!! Ha!!!!!!!! Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 6th, 2009 at 11:37 am
The only thing that microsoft makes that is superior to anything else is the XBOX 360 it has awesome online gameplay and a huge library of games of course windows has a lot more people running it but who cares and the only operating system that Microsoft makes that is actually decent is Windows 7 but when it comes to multimedia players apple knows what they are doing apple knows how to make secure and easy to use operating systems apple actually tries to play nice with their multimedia players and allow them to work on mac windows and Linux I have had windows and linux and the iPod works great on both so microsoft really needs to stop copying everybody else