Baig: It's no iPod

Edward Baig reviewed Microsoft's Zune mp3 player on USAToday.com. His conclusion: "Zune shows promise. But I'd like to see more offerings in the store, and less stringent wireless restrictions. And Microsoft should rethink the silly points system. For now, I'm sticking with iPod."

More excerpts:

"Just as iPods are meant to work seamlessly with iTunes software and no other service, Zunes will make nice only with the online Zune Marketplace... Songs bought from PlaysForSure stores will not play on Zune. Nor can you connect other devices to the Zune store."

"It's not the most elegant device I've come across. I was impressed, though, by its vibrant 3-inch display, which is a half-inch (measured diagonally) larger than the iPod's. Album art looks good. You can display your own pictures as a background... On-screen menus are simple and easy to navigate."

"But Zune has built-in Wi-Fi that lets you send or receive songs from other Zune pals, within about a 30-foot range. You need not be near a Wi-Fi hot spot... Microsoft hinted at intriguing future possibilities, including the idea that performers at a concert might zap a playlist to Zune-carrying audience members."