Review: Microsoft Zune portable media player

Microsoft may have dabbled at the sidelines of the mp3 player market before, but it's now jumping in feet first with the Zune. But after years of dominance, does Apple have competition for its mp3 player crown?

Oddly, Microsoft hasn't named a UK launch date for the Zune yet, despite it being available in the US. However, those eager to purchase will find plentiful supplies on sites such as Ebay.

One thing Microsoft has got right with the Zune is the screen - it's big at 3in and fills a large proportion of the front. You have to turn the unit 90 degrees to watch video, but this means that widescreen content can be shown full screen, which looks great.

Another distinguishing feature is wireless music sharing, which allows you to beam songs to a fellow Zuner (assuming you can find one) via the built-in Wifi. Transfer is quick (around 10 seconds per track), and you can even share some DRM protected tracks. But before you get too excited this isn't Kazaa in the wild. Shared tracks can only be played three times for up to three days before expiring, which limits its use. This applies to any files sent between Zunes, regardless of whether or not the original has DRM.

The interface is very reminiscent of Portable Media Center, which Microsoft released in 2004. The menu allows you to go left and right, as well as up and down. So if you're browsing the list of artists, you can just click left for albums rather than have to go up a menu level and back down again.

The controls are easy enough to use, however, what looks like a wheel at the bottom of the unit is actually a four way switch.

Audio quality is great - even through the bundled headphones which provide adequate, though not excessive, bass.

Zune Marketplace is Microsoft's online music store, though like the player it's only available in the US at the moment. In addition to individual tracks there's also a subscription service similar to Napster, which costs $14.99 (approx £7) a month. Single tracks cost $0.99 but have to be bought using Microsoft points - the same currency used on Xbox Live.

Microsoft has largely got things right with the Zune, but it's unlikely to give Apple sleepless nights just yet.

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