CNET Editor Brian Tong promoted one of his classic techno-toy Prizefights this week between Microsoft’s Zune and Apple’s iPod Classic. Tong set the tone for this matchup early on by stating that “We have a battle where the emotions fuel the fire.” With Christmas shoppers out in full bloom, the winner of this classic matchup could potentially persuade some consumers, especially parents, to buy the 2008 MP3 winner in the 120GB player category. If it matters to anyone, the influential CNET gave the edge to Microsoft’s Zune. Yes, fuel for the fire they did. Yet before you pull your hair out and scream blue murder, it’s important to note that the Zune only beat out the iPod Classic by a measly one tenth of one percent; Not exactly a ringing endorsement. The judges included CNET editors Donald Bell, Brian Tong and Jasmine France – and to be fair, they did a good job. The battle did swing wildly back and forth until the last round. At the end of the day, it really boiled down to a handful of features that you may or may not agree are important. You could take a quick look at the individual score cards below or check out the full prizefight on CNET TV (look under the CNET logo for What’s Hot ).
On Sexiness: iPod Classic Wins
On Navigation: Zune Wins
On Compatibility: iPod Classic Wins
On Sound and Science: Zune Wins
On Bang for the Buck: Zune Wins
Prizefight Winner: Zune
So what pushed CNET to push the Zune past the iconic iPod Classic? Here are the Zune’s supposed strengths in point form:
1) Zune’s screen is almost double the size of the iPod Classic
2) The touch pad was far more responsive to the touch
3) “Taggable” FM songs
4) Games have multiplayer support
5) Not locked out of future firmware updates like the iPod Classic
CNET Editor Brian Tong summed up the MP3 Player prizefight this way: “Apple seems happy to keep the Classic the way it is and the constantly evolving Microsoft Zune is the one that benefits.” Hmm, and I thought that the term “Classic” was self-evident: Silly me. Perhaps the great and “constantly evolving Microsoft Zune” will have something to compete with Apple’s iPod touch or iPhone in a few years time – Ha! You know, copy-cat evolution does take time.
Written and researched by Jack Purcher.
Contact Author: emailneo@shaw.ca .
3 Responses to “Prizefight: Zune beats iPod Classic in CNET Slugfest”
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December 28th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
If this isn’t a hack piece by CNET, I wonder if they got some of that payoff money that Microsoft has been passing around? The purpose of this was to get “Zune beats iPod” into the news before Christmas.
Now lets compare an iPod Touch versus the Zune.
On Sexiness: The iPod Touch wins hands down. It’s gorgeous to look at and doesn’t fell like a cheap piece of junk.
On Navigation:The iPod Touch by a mile. How can the Zune even compete with a touch interface.
On Compatibility: iPod Touch Wins. It’s an iPod, nuff said.
On Sound and Science: The iPod Touch Wins. You can’t get more cutting edge than touch screen, Wi-Fi, 480p and 576p component TV out and accelerometer.
On Bang for the Buck: iPod Touch Wins on 10,000+ apps alone.
Prizefight Winner:iPod Touch
Here are the iPod Touch’s strengths in point form:
1) iPod Touch’s screen is larger that the Zune’s and is a widescreen.
2) The iPod Touch’s touch screen was far more responsive to the touch
3) Wi-Fi.
4) 10,000+ apps and games that can tap into the iPod Touch’s accelerometer
5) Not locked out of a future like the Zune
January 13th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
@cyxodus: The comparison of the Zune vs. iPod Touch is unfair. The Zune is never meant to compete against the Touch, since it’s one or two generations behind. What the Zune does is compete with the iPod Classic and does it well.
You clearly see the price difference between Zune and iPod Touch. So, a person who doesn’t want the advanced capabilities of Touch (or can’t afford the price) can choose among the Zune, iPod Classic, or other vendors.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
One thing I might add that seems to not to have been taken into account by CNet is viability. From a construction to support to commitment, Apple and its iPod line have shown to be superior to just about every competitor.
Although we’re talking about Microsoft, the world’s largest technology company, their track record especially in this sector has been suspect. Whether it’s turning off DRM servers or abandoning “PlaysForSure” (partners) to the most recent quarter’s disastrous sales figures, Microsoft is showing no long term ambitions in their music products. Apple, on the other hand, has the perpetual dynamics of dominant market share…something Microsoft is well aware of in the operating system sector.
Does anyone really thing Apple is going to turn off the DRM servers? Does anyone see Apple halting iPod sales? Does anyone foresee a company or collaboration challenging iTunes lead in digital music sales, both in songs & hardware players?
Sure, on paper on this date, buying a Zune might be 1/10 of better reason to buy it over an iPod Classic (or any other iPod), but can you really say you’ll be (able) using it in the future?