It’s been two weeks since Microsoft launched Zune and the verdict is still out on whether it will compete strongly with the iPod for a share of the wireless music/video market.

Consumers have responded positively to the choice of colors, the bigger screen, and its scratch-resistant case, but there are problems that are not making the majority of users happy campers.

First, to download the Zune software, a user’s system has to meet certain requirements; namely, Win XP SP2, processor running at minimum 1.5GHz, and so on. By comparison, Apple Computer’s iTunes 7 software does not have any such hardware requirements.

And to download the Zune software, users’ need to use only Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7). The software cannot be downloaded by using Mozilla’s Firefox.

Download time is a hassle with some reports that the Zune software takes up to 30 minutes to download, while iTunes 7 can handle the same task in five minutes.

Further, the result of the download is a media player interface that looks a lot like a less suave version of Microsoft’s Windows Media Player. What’s more, its not even compatible with Windows Media Player.

Going to the Zune Marketplace, it offers around two million music tracks (no videos/podcasts). But in order to buy songs, consumers have to use the store currency of points, plus there’s something called a minimum purchase.

In effect, a customer needs to spend at least 5 U.S. dollars to purchase blocks of 400 points (99 U.S. cents = 79 points). And, only upon spending 80 dollars, customers stand to get one extra song free-of-charge.

There are other minor things as well about the Zune; for example, its inability to wirelessly connect to the user’s PC even though its Wi-Fi capable.

Although users feel Microsoft will eventually take care of the minor things, the general feeling is that Microsoft has emulated the one bad thing about Apple’s iPod and iTunes, which is the DRM restricted closed system, while ignoring the many good things in making its Zune.

Download Movies to your iPOd

SAN FRANCISCO – The long-rumored arrival of a hybrid mobile phone and iPod music player from Apple Computer has morphed from a question of if to when among fans and analysts.

Since Apple’s introduction of the iPod five years ago, the company has sold more than 67 million of the devices and more than 1.5 billion songs from its iTunes online music store.

Now, Chief Executive Steve Jobs and Apple are poised to roll out what has been dubbed the iPhone, perhaps as soon as January at the Macworld conference that kicks off every new year, analysts say.

“From a technical standpoint, the phone is pretty much done,” American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu said. “It’s a big endeavor, and we believe it’s beyond speculation.”

Speculation has simmered since even before the introduction of the ROKR phone from Motorola that uses a slimmed-down version of the iTunes digital music jukebox to play 100 songs. But sales were lackluster as users complained the phone did not hold more songs.

In recent weeks, blogs that cater to Apple fans have been buzzing insistently that the iPhone is coming.

Just this week, the Taiwanese financial daily, Commercial Times, reported that Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. is building the iPhone.

“There is a lot of buzz,” said Gartner analyst Mike McGuire. “But there are also a lot of things in the way that make it difficult. Which carrier and the like they use are not trivial challenges.”

An Apple spokesman said the company does not comment on rumors or speculation.

Jobs and Apple are famously tight-lipped about unannounced products. But company Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer did hint about a possible mobile phone with iPod-like functions during a conference call with analysts in July to discuss third-quarter financial results.

Asked to comment on how Apple would compete with offerings such as Sony Corp.’s Walkman phone, Oppenheimer said he believed Apple would do just fine.

“We don’t think that the phones that are available today make the best music players,” he said. “We think the iPod is. But over time, that is likely to change. And we’re not sitting around doing nothing.”

Analyst Wu believes the iPhone would be shaped like a candy bar, rather than a flip phone like Motorola’s huge hit, the RAZR mobile phone.

And he believes the iPhone would not be too bogged down with all the bells and whistles often crammed into today’s smart phones.

The iPhone is also a way for Apple to add another line of revenue to its business.

With a billion cell phones expected to be sold next year, if Apple can break into that market and be half as successful as its iPod was, it adds up to serious dollars.

Unlimited Downloads for iPod

Apple Computer Inc., maker of the top-selling iPod, teamed up with six airlines so passengers can watch videos stored on the devices from seat back monitors.United, Continental, Delta, Air France, Emirates and KLM will offer iPod connections on flights starting in mid-2007, Cupertino, California-based Apple said in a statement today. The company also said it is working with Panasonic Avionics Corp. to bring the technology to more airlines.

The plan, announced the same day Microsoft Corp. released its rival Zune player, builds on Apple’s push to extend the iPod’s lead in the digital entertainment market. More than 70 percent of 2007 model U.S. automobiles offer iPod connections, and there are more than 3,000 accessories made for the players that range from carrying cases to underwear.

Apple began selling updated versions of the video iPod in September while adding full-length movies to the content sold on its iTunes store. The company now offers more than 5,000 music videos, 250 television shows and 100 movies for download, and sells more than 1 million videos a week. ITunes also offers more than 3.5 million songs.

Airline passengers will also be able to charge their iPods in flight as they watch videos on their seat back displays. Financial terms of the deals weren’t disclosed, said Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr.

Shares of Apple, also the maker of Macintosh personal computers, rose 65 cents to $85 at 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. They have gained 18 percent this year.

Apple controls 75 percent of the $4 billion U.S. market for portable music players, according to market researcher NPD Group Inc. in Port Washington, New York. Apple’s closest rival is SanDisk Corp., which has a 10 percent share.

The company has sold more than 67.6 million iPods since Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs introduced the device in 2001, with 39.4 million players shipped in the past year alone. The iPod and sales of music and videos through iTunes accounted for 42 percent of sales in the quarter ended Sept. 30.

Microsoft’s Zune will sell for $249.99 in the U.S., the same price as an iPod with comparable storage space. Both can hold as many as 7,500 songs.

Ipod and Movies

You’d think that by the looks on the faces at the top of the screen that you will be amazed with the services provided by Download-iPod-Movies. However, what you get is just the opposite affect. A poor movie collection, slow download speeds, and a lack of customer support will have you wishing you had never even visited the website.

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When you combine the hottest digital quality movies & music and unlimited media downloads for the ultimate iPod user, you’ve got a site that’s hard to beat! At MyiPodownloads, clients benefit from step-by-step video tutorials that will have novice, advanced PC and Mac users downloading with ease.

Outstanding customer support from a 24 hour technical team, and a noteworthy software conversion system.

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ipod-movies-DOWNLOAD.com

Initially, you may need you wear your shades to block the glare of the bright red flashing “Access” button. Once you get past that, Ipod-movies-download you might find them not having alot to offer. You get the usual unlimited movies, music videos, games, and e-books. In addition they provide their customers with free anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

They have a good collection of media. However, don’t count on getting quality customer support.

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