14 DAY TRIAL // Welcome to the Social of incompatibility! Microsoft's Zune digital media player is moving at a very slow tempo. Zune was late to get into stores, and were it did, it was kept in stock. Moreover, the locations that rushed to put it on display found that Zune wasn't exactly flying off the shelves.
The customer incompatibility of Zune can be traced to the multiple features of the device. Microsoft is facing an increasing wave of criticism in all aspects of Zune. The price, the size (it's larger than the iPod) and even the over-applauded WiFi connection have become criticism magnets.
The Zune software takes over 20 minutes to install. And it fails to install. But when it does install, it proceeds to crash. Over and over again.
And then there is the Zune DRM. Not one of the most appealing characteristics of the device. But how about the wide variety of product colors? There's white, black and, oh yeah... brown. Can you say Pret a Porter? Than Zune isn't for you.
You want to buy a song? You can't use your money directly. You have to buy Microsoft Points. One song comes with a price tag of 79 points, or 99c, but points ca be bought only with $5 allocations.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs commented on Zune wireless sharing: "It takes forever ... You're much better off to take one of your earbuds out and put it in [a would-be girlfriend's] ear. Then you're connected with about two feet of headphone cable." Steve Ballmer retaliated: "I want to squirt you a picture of my kids. You want to squirt me back a video of your vacation. That's a software experience." Really Steve? You want to squirt? You think that image squirting will get customers interested in Zune?
And let's assume that you do share. Then a Microsoft "three days or three plays" rule applies to all transferred songs.
How about Zune and Vista? Well, there is a small issue of incompatibility. "This operating system is currently not supported by Zune." This is the error message presented when attempting to install Zune on Vista.
Not yet decided whether to buy iPod or Zune? Some other customers have. The list with the most popular items on Amazon.com features Apple 30 GB iPod video Black (5.5 Generation) in second position. The Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Black) is 16 and dropping. Does that give you a hint?