iPod Touch or Zune HD? Advice needed!

PhaperPlane

PhaperPlane

CAGiversary!
Okay CAG. I'm currently looking to upgrade my current 8GB iPod Nano to either the iPod Touch or the Zune HD. But, there is a problem, I'm living in the UK. So I don't know where I could import the Zune HD. Also, the iPod Touch has the App store with thousands of Apps and yet the Zune HD doesn't have something equivalent yet. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

So, I am asking for a few things about the Zune HD:
Where can I find a store which will allow me to import it to the UK without any trouble?
Is there any word on a UK release?

If no to both I may end up getting the iPod touch.

Cheers! :D
 
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I'm not sure if this makes much of a difference to you but the Zune HD also has an HD Radio tuner if your area has those types of stations. Of course the opposite to that is that the iPod Touch can connect to Wifi in your area and listen to internet radio.
 
never have had a zune, but the app store is a very cool thing to have access to, so i'd say ipod. They'll both play mp3s, but the app store turns the ipod into many different things. For example there's several apps to listen to satellite/internet radio, and many many great casual games. It remains to be seen if the zune will have a decent app store equivalent/xbox live. If it has xbox live games and apps it could be cool, but for now apple's store is a proven commodity.
 
Yeah, I'd go with the iPod Touch. I just got one a few weeks ago and I'm gettinga lot of enjoyment out of the apps and games available for it.
 
[quote name='WormFOODx']I'm not sure if this makes much of a difference to you but the Zune HD also has an HD Radio tuner if your area has those types of stations. Of course the opposite to that is that the iPod Touch can connect to Wifi in your area and listen to internet radio.[/QUOTE]

Problem with the Zune in the UK for the HD Radio, were going to switch over to DAB Radio instead of FM. So, that would kinda kill the point for me using the radio feature.

Anyone know where I can import a Zune at all? Amazon has restricted it to be sold in the US. :(
 
I'm asking this as an honest question, but really ... what is the appeal of the Zune? I browsed the links left by MasterSprtn and I still don't understand the appeal. I realize some people just hate Apple because it's the industry leader in portable media players, but I've never understood the interest in MS's Zune ... it just seems second rate all around, with a limited store and no app support.

Granted I'm biased because I use an iPhone currently, but I just don't get the interest in Zune. It doesn't even seem to be particularly well supported by MS, given the limitless possibilities for portable gaming if it was given greater compatibility with the 360.

With that said, the App store really is hands above the offerings of any competitors at this point, and it's literally getting better every month. Even the Pre & the Storm, which were supposed to knock the iphone off it's post have done little to stop the flood of new applications that continue to be released. I suppose if you're really hot about the new OLED screens it might be worth getting a Zune, but otherwise I'd say go with a touch or even an iphone if you're in the market for a new phone too.
 
I've had a Zune 30 GB model that I have had for a year and a half now. I got it because I wanted something to carry my music and movies in, but also had radio.

It is great for carrying ALL of my music, as well as dozens of movies, tv shows, youtube videos, etc. I also like the TV out, wireless sync, and some of the other features. And purchasing is made pretty easy by using my excess microsoft points when I find good deals.

I'm not a bloodthirsty fanboy either way, I just found the Zune to be more intuitive to my tastes.
 
Well Zune HD isn't out yet, but if prior releases are any indication, the Zune will be the way to go. MS has been good about supporting/upgrading all the Zune releases so far, as opposed to the Apple "buy a new one if you want the new features" philosophy.

Only thing that would detract me from that is your location, as you've already mentioned above.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']Well Zune HD isn't out yet, but if prior releases are any indication, the Zune will be the way to go. MS has been good about supporting/upgrading all the Zune releases so far, as opposed to the Apple "buy a new one if you want the new features" philosophy.

Only thing that would detract me from that is your location, as you've already mentioned above.[/QUOTE]

I'm not quite sure I follow your point, while it's true Apple does add features to its newer models and has, in the past, left former users in the dust (mostly in regards to PC specs, OS's, etc), I hardly see how Apple hasn't supported current iphone and iTouch users. Granted, there was the upgrade issue, but I'm using a G1 iphone and can still use 90% of the apps on the iTunes store and have most of the capabilities of the newer iphones.

Anytime a product is upgrade, there will be new features ... can you upgrade your old Zune to an OLED display? Just like I can't add 3G speed to my iphone ... but in terms of software updates, I can utilize just about all the new features of 3.0 outside of GPS and a few others ... but then Zune doesn't really offer any of those added features outside of a radio.

I just think it's ridiculous when people make it seem like Apple has absolutely no support for past users ... even in the case of the iTouch, it was a modest fee to upgrade to 3.0 (I don't agree with the fee .. but that's life). And in the case of MS, let's not forget this is the same company that promised full Xbox to 360 backwards compatibility and has scrapped it for all intents and purposes now.
 
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[quote name='etcrane']I'm not quite sure I follow your point, while it's true Apple does add features to its newer models and has, in the past, left former users in the dust (mostly in regards to PC specs, OS's, etc), I hardly see how Apple hasn't supported current iphone and iTouch users. Granted, there was the upgrade issue, but I'm using a G1 iphone and can still use 90% of the apps on the iTunes store and have most of the capabilities of the newer iphones.

Anytime a product is upgrade, there will be new features ... can you upgrade your old Zune to an OLED display? Just like I can't add 3G speed to my iphone ... but in terms of software updates, I can utilize just about all the new features of 3.0 outside of GPS and a few others ... but then Zune doesn't really offer any of those added features outside of a radio.

I just think it's ridiculous when people make it seem like Apple has absolutely no support for past users ... even in the case of the iTouch, it was a modest fee to upgrade to 3.0 (I don't agree with the fee .. but that's life). And in the case of MS, let's not forget this is the same company that promised full Xbox to 360 backwards compatibility and has scrapped it for all intents and purposes now.[/QUOTE]

You don't know what the Zune HD will support because the Zune HD hasn't gone retail yet. In that same vein, I don't know why anyone here is recommending anything yet, because outside of system specs and aesthetics we know very little about the Zune HD.

To the OP, this topic is premature. I'd recommend you ask again in September, when there's something to talk about.
 
Actually haven't the specs been floating around the net for awhile ... it's true we don't know the exact specs yet, this article from May does some decent speculating http://psp.about.com/b/2009/05/27/zune-hd-specs-revealed.htm ... and then engadget had this ... http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/zune-hd-is-official-heading-your-way-this-fall/

I'm not sure the topic is all that premature ... considering September is 2 months away ... and we know what the iTouch brings to the table. I'm just not convinced MS has the infrastructure in place to compete with the App store when the Zune HD releases. Perhaps down the line it will become a proper contender, but MS does seem particularly good at copying the technology of others and then offering a debatable experience (in looking at the original Zune, the Xbox, Windows, etc)
 
Fiance have the Ipod Touch, and I have the Creative Zen:M

I liked the Touch, because to me it's more of an "Apple PDA" than a dedicated mp3 player. The App store (and the games in it) is just an awesome thing to wield, has built in WiFi, and it has the best mobile browser than anything I've seen.

Oh, and it's an Ipod, so the music quality is there.

My only cons with anything-goes-ipod is itunes: I can't stand that crap. You could get away with using another media player, but you're stuck with itunes if you want to hit the itunes music store.

EDIT: Come to think of it, during my Stickwar/Bejeweled sessions, battery life on the Touch seems to tank. Not so sure about when you're only listening to music, but that's something I've noticed.

As for the Zune, I've seen friends with the older models, and they're pretty happy with the product. It's somewhat reliable, but there are a lot more Touches out there than any past iterations of the Zune, and probably with good reason.

But yeah, the Zune HD isn't even out yet, so go with the Touch if you can't wait.
 
[quote name='etcrane']Actually haven't the specs been floating around the net for awhile ... it's true we don't know the exact specs yet, this article from May does some decent speculating http://psp.about.com/b/2009/05/27/zune-hd-specs-revealed.htm ... and then engadget had this ... http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/zune-hd-is-official-heading-your-way-this-fall/

I'm not sure the topic is all that premature ... considering September is 2 months away ... and we know what the iTouch brings to the table. I'm just not convinced MS has the infrastructure in place to compete with the App store when the Zune HD releases. Perhaps down the line it will become a proper contender, but MS does seem particularly good at copying the technology of others and then offering a debatable experience (in looking at the original Zune, the Xbox, Windows, etc)[/QUOTE]

I said that we know the specs. With the second paragraph, you're wildly speculating, extrapolating, and exaggerating. You are correct in making the general postulation that time-tested products tend to be better than initial releases, but to speculate farther than that is nonsense.
 
i hate to say this because even still overall, I still love microsoft over Apple but I recently purchased a iPhone 3GS and love it. I have a 120 gig Zune and I like it still but am using it less and less because the iPhone has so much more to it. I don't mean to keep on promoting apple at all but unless Microsoft totally changes the Zune around, I probably won't be picking one up. Granted it's going to be high def but still; the way i look at it, what's the point in having a HD with a 3 inch display? It's like the laptops that have built in bluray players. What's the point?

I dunno. I hope I like the Zune HD. But it's just like-do I wanna carry one thin device or a thin device and a thick mp3/video player?
 
If I were deciding between these two (ha! I wish!), I would wait until the Zune HD is out for a month or two for everything to settle in and then compare.
 
If it were me, I would go with the ipod. Unless ms has made some major changes to the new zune. As someone mentioned before having the app store is really handy and convenient when you can get free stuff off of it.
 
Does Apple offer anything equivilant to MS's subscription plan for the Zune? I've had my Zune for about 3 years now, and I adore the thing. The subcription plan is incredible, I pay $15/mo, get to download just about anything I can think of, and even get 10 songs/mo to keep if I ever decide to cancel my sub.

I'm definitely looking forward to the Zune HD, tho it will probably be a Christmas request for me. ;)
 
Wait a bit to see if they come out with a new model of the Ipod touch, I have a feeling though that Microsoft is waiting so they can match the new models features and more so....... Just wait a bit till you hear more about the Zune HD and the next version of the touch. Honestly though I'm been stalking Microsoft and i feel like they have something that'll blow socks off but the touch is solid to...... I think I just confused my self...... 8-[
 
Like the last couple of posters said, wait until September. All the new portables (including PSP Go) will be out this fall and probably within a month of each other.

I'm going to wait. I was set on the Zune as an upgrade for my iPod until I saw the rumors for the camera on iPod. Zune would be very nice with the HD radio, but iPod with the apps can probably beat that. In the end, it'll probably all come down to price and storage.

And, I believe the Zune HD will have wifi capabilities as well (with the browser and all), so it may be able to listen to internet radio.
 
I don't know what MS has planned for the Zune HD, but I've had the best experience with my ipod touch since I got it. I can't recommend it enough for all of the functionality and for the diverse amounts of apps available on the app store.
 
[quote name='Tyga24']I don't know what MS has planned for the Zune HD, but I've had the best experience with my ipod touch since I got it. I can't recommend it enough for all of the functionality and for the diverse amounts of apps available on the app store.[/QUOTE]


i really want one, mostly for the web browser, im trying to find someone to trade my psp for an ipod touch
 
I'm kinda torn between both too. Zunes, though, are appreciated by audiophiles since it produces better sound than iPods. Not that I would be able to tell the difference, but it is something to note. Then again, we don't really know about the Zune HD yet since it's not even out yet.

There's also the OLED screen which looks sexy.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.
 
All I gotta type of this

Zune media player
Infamous zune syncing problems

Most zune users know about the first one, and many have faced problems with the second
 
To be fair, I think iTunes and Zune Media Player are both equally cumbersome, though I think Zune Media Player is a little nicer on the eyes as far as I'm concerned. I have had some minor problems with the Zune syncing, but I still think the wireless syncing is invaluable. There also seem to be more granular syncing options for the Zune than the iPod, if memory serves.
 
I would say go with the iPod touch honestly. While I think the Zune HD will be a solid mp3 player and all, you have to remember that it'll be first generation when it comes out, and thus subject to the potential for a lot of problems. iPod touches on the other hand are already on the 2nd gen, so Apple has had time to iron stuff out. Apple also seems to have better 3rd party support, especially in terms of apps, so they'd probably edge out the Zune in that respect as well. I like the Zune and all, but for right now, I'd say the iPod touch is the way to go.
 
Thanks for all the feedback CAG :) After looking up on some current rumours that Apple are going to be upgrading the iPod touch. I'm going to hold out until September and see what the reviews are like and then I'll make a decision.

Thanks again CAG! :D
 
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