Zune 80
Encyclopedia
The Zune 80 and Zune 120 are portable media player
s developed by Microsoft
in its Zune
series of media players. The Zune 80 was announced on October 2, 2007 and was released on November 13, 2007. It, along with the Zune 4, 8, and 16, is part of the second generation of Zune devices. It features music, video, and podcast support, and comes with Wi-Fi
and FM Radio
. The Zune 120, part of the second generation of Zune devices, was released September 16, 2008. As of January 2010, the devices run the 3.3 firmware.
Aiming to improve on the design of the original Zune
, the Zune 80 is 3.6 millimeters thinner and 31 grams lighter. It also has a slightly larger screen (3.2 inches instead of 3) and higher battery life (up to 24 hours for music, versus up to 14). The D-pad of the original has been replaced by the patented Zune Pad
, which supplements 5-way clicking using a capacitive touchpad
similar to the iPod Click Wheel
and only responding to human touch. The Zune 80 shipped with a newer firmware version than the original Zune shipped with, but a firmware update for the original restored parity. The Wi-Fi antenna can be used for buying music on the device, playing others in games via Wi-Fi, wireless synchronization and to share photos, podcasts, and music with other Zunes, although shared songs may only be played three times on the receiving Zune.
and on par with the iPod classic
, its primary competitor. CNET's review said, "The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative." Wired
's head-to-head review said the Zune 80 edged out the iPod classic due to its screen, Wi-Fi, radio, and navigation. However, some reviews have also been critical of the Zune Marketplace, which lacked movies (though it has since begun carrying TV shows and movies), and the lack of Mac support.
, and most were sold out as soon as they were available. As of June 13, 2008 the Zune is available in Canada at most major retailers including The Source, Best Buy, and Future Shop. The Zune has since been discontinued at these retailers from mid-late 2009 as they were being phased out due to Marketplace issues
The 80 is currently available in Black and Red, and the 120 is available in black and red,with matte black on the back and glossy black on the front, and glossy red front available from the Zune Store.
Online music stores
Portable media player
A portable media player or digital audio player, is a consumer electronics device that is capable of storing and playing digital media such as audio, images, video, documents, etc. the data is typically stored on a hard drive, microdrive, or flash memory. In contrast, analog portable audio...
s developed by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
in its Zune
Zune
Zune is a digital media brand owned by Microsoft which includes a line of portable media players, a digital media player software for Windows machines, a music subscription service known as a 'Zune Music Pass', music and video streaming for the Xbox 360 via the Zune Software, music, TV and movie...
series of media players. The Zune 80 was announced on October 2, 2007 and was released on November 13, 2007. It, along with the Zune 4, 8, and 16, is part of the second generation of Zune devices. It features music, video, and podcast support, and comes with Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
and FM Radio
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
. The Zune 120, part of the second generation of Zune devices, was released September 16, 2008. As of January 2010, the devices run the 3.3 firmware.
Overview
Zune 30
This article refers only to the Zune 30 model. For the main Zune article, click here.The Zune 30 was the first portable media player developed by Microsoft. It was released on November 14, 2006. It was simply named the Zune...
, the Zune 80 is 3.6 millimeters thinner and 31 grams lighter. It also has a slightly larger screen (3.2 inches instead of 3) and higher battery life (up to 24 hours for music, versus up to 14). The D-pad of the original has been replaced by the patented Zune Pad
Zune Pad
The Zune Pad, which is a squircle, is the primary control mechanism for Zune 4, 8, 16, 80 and 120. The pad lets users scroll through a long list of songs with a few flicks of the finger, then press the button to select tracks or change the volume....
, which supplements 5-way clicking using a capacitive touchpad
Touchpad
A touchpad is a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position on screen. Touch pads are a common feature of laptop computers, and they are also used as a substitute for a mouse where desk...
similar to the iPod Click Wheel
IPod Click Wheel
The iPod click wheel is the navigation component of several iPod models. It uses a combination of touch technology and traditional buttons, involving the technology of capacitive sensing, which senses the energy of the user's fingers. The wheel allows a user to find music, videos, photos and play...
and only responding to human touch. The Zune 80 shipped with a newer firmware version than the original Zune shipped with, but a firmware update for the original restored parity. The Wi-Fi antenna can be used for buying music on the device, playing others in games via Wi-Fi, wireless synchronization and to share photos, podcasts, and music with other Zunes, although shared songs may only be played three times on the receiving Zune.
Reception
The Zune 80 has been reviewed more positively than its predecessorZune 30
This article refers only to the Zune 30 model. For the main Zune article, click here.The Zune 30 was the first portable media player developed by Microsoft. It was released on November 14, 2006. It was simply named the Zune...
and on par with the iPod classic
IPod classic
The iPod Classic is a portable media player marketed by Apple Inc...
, its primary competitor. CNET's review said, "The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative." Wired
Wired (magazine)
Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
's head-to-head review said the Zune 80 edged out the iPod classic due to its screen, Wi-Fi, radio, and navigation. However, some reviews have also been critical of the Zune Marketplace, which lacked movies (though it has since begun carrying TV shows and movies), and the lack of Mac support.
Availability
Most stores did not stock the player during its launch as they were delayed for 6 weeks. However, there were limited numbers of Zune 80s in some stores like Circuit City and Wal-MartWal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, and most were sold out as soon as they were available. As of June 13, 2008 the Zune is available in Canada at most major retailers including The Source, Best Buy, and Future Shop. The Zune has since been discontinued at these retailers from mid-late 2009 as they were being phased out due to Marketplace issues
The 80 is currently available in Black and Red, and the 120 is available in black and red,with matte black on the back and glossy black on the front, and glossy red front available from the Zune Store.
Durability
The Zune 80 and 120 have scratch-resistant glass displays, and the back can withstand fine scratches if dropped on the floor. The premium in-ear earphones (available only with the Zune 80 unless purchased separately) are highly durable and have a magnetic back so they can stay together instead of coiling around each other in preventing damage to the wire.See also
- Comparison of portable media playersComparison of portable media playersThe following comparison of portable media players compares general and technical information for notable digital playback devices.- General :- Technical specifications :- Syncing and transfer :- Wifi Connectivity :- Audio formats :...
- Comparison of online music storesComparison of online music storesFor streaming services, see list of online music databases.The following table lists online music stores that carry a selection of songs by many record labels and artists. The stores listed below access passive databases and require access through a computer or some allow access and downloads...
Online music stores