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Summary
Review summaries for Microsoft Zune from expert mp3 player reviewers.
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Laptopmag
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PCMAG
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Winsupersite.com
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LaptopLogic.com
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Winsupersite.com
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Appleinsider
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PCWorld
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anythingbutipod.com
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Winsupersite.com
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Thetechlounge.com
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PCAuthority
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PCWorld
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DigitalTrends
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Stuff.tv
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*This summary was automatically generated using parts of the review which we determine to reflect the most important opinions for Microsoft Zune
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"
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The included earbuds provide a secure fit and a decent amount of low-end sound"
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PCMAG
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"
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The Zune's audio sounds quite nice, too, on a par with that of the latest iPods and Creative players."
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PCWorld
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"
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Excellent sound quality."
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"
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beautiful little LCD screen, quality accessories and substantial sound production"
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"
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substantial sound production"
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DigitalTrends
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"
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The very high end and the very low end are somewhat blurry"
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"
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Sound quality is average at moderate listening levels, but tends to fall flat and louder volumes."
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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Good sound"
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"
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Not WMA DRM-compatible."
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Stuff.tv
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"
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FM Radio The original Zune has this feature and it's great that this also made it into the little Zune as well."
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LaptopLogic.com
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"
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the new iPod interface is clean and easy to use"
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"
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The Zune's user interface is new and improved, and even owners of the original 30GB model can upgrade to the new version."
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"
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the interface was unpleasant to navigate."
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PCMAG
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"
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attractive interface"
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Intuitive controls and interface."
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"
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large, bright screen"
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PCWorld
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"
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Simple interface."
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"
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Weak headphones."
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DigitalTrends
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"
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The screen is very clear and accurate as far as displaying colors."
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When viewing photos full screen, you can access other features by pressing the center button."
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"
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the interface is very easy to use across the room and very easy to navigate with the supplied remote."
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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The menu system is fantastic – very intuitive and attractive, with only the slightest hint of lag – and the QVGA screen is crisp and bright, if small"
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"
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Great navigation and interface."
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"
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Cons Small screen."
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Stuff.tv
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"
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The Zune's interface is silky smooth."
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"
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It's available in black, green, pink, and red, with a decent size 1.8-inch screen that automatically switches to landscape mode for video and photo viewing."
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Laptopmag
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"
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The fundamentals are undeniably there – the great screen, the excellent onboard software and the WLAN are all major plus points."
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sensible menu"
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"
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the big, bright screen bringing up a sensible menu"
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PCAuthority
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"
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Users will also be able to navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track."
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"
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distinctive new interface menus"
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Appleinsider
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"
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It's got a nice, large screen, a simple menu system, and intuitive controls"
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"
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decent and large screen"
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"
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you can also navigate left and right through a list of albums, shown with album art, that exists at the top of the screen."
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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graphics are crisp, vibrant, and the video playback is smooth."
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LaptopLogic.com
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"
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Microsoft rates the Zune 8GB battery life of 24 hours for audio (when wireless is turned off)"
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PCMAG
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DigitalTrends
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"
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Battery life seems respectable"
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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The video clips I watched were bright"
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PCMAG
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"
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full video support"
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"
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Videos looked crisp and clear on the 3-inch screen--and again, the extra bit of display space makes an appreciable difference over the course of extended viewing."
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PCWorld
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"
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It looks great with the included video filling an entire 16:9 widescreen TV."
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"
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Photos converted and transferred to the Zune are very easy to access and browse."
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"
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Photo sharing is uninhibited; you are free to do whatever you want once you receive images."
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anythingbutipod.com
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Laptopmag
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"
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Pictures and video look superb Pictures and video look superb: while the screen's standard aspect, the 3in diagonal, means you can just about get away with widescreen video"
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PCAuthority
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"
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Users will be able to flick their thumbs over the pad to browse through song lists or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos."
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Appleinsider
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"
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Both the music and video experiences are superior."
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"
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new photo and screenshot galleries"
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Winsupersite.com
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All Features
Click on a feature for details
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sound
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PCMAG
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"
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The included earbuds provide a secure fit and a decent amount of low-end sound"
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PCWorld
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"
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The Zune's audio sounds quite nice, too, on a par with that of the latest iPods and Creative players."
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DigitalTrends
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"
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Excellent sound quality."
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"
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beautiful little LCD screen, quality accessories and substantial sound production"
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"
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substantial sound production"
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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The very high end and the very low end are somewhat blurry"
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"
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Sound quality is average at moderate listening levels, but tends to fall flat and louder volumes."
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Stuff.tv
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Appleinsider
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screen
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PCMAG
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"
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The tiny screen will likely have you squinting at your vacation pics"
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PCWorld
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"
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attractive interface"
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"
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large, bright screen"
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"
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large, bright screen"
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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The screen is very clear and accurate as far as displaying colors."
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"
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When viewing photos full screen, you can access other features by pressing the center button."
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Stuff.tv
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Laptopmag
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"
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It's available in black, green, pink, and red, with a decent size 1.8-inch screen that automatically switches to landscape mode for video and photo viewing."
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PCAuthority
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"
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The fundamentals are undeniably there – the great screen, the excellent onboard software and the WLAN are all major plus points."
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"
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the big, bright screen bringing up a sensible menu"
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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It offers a vastly superior screen with a nicer user interface."
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"
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It's got a nice, large screen, a simple menu system, and intuitive controls"
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beautiful screen"
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LaptopLogic.com
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"
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graphics are crisp, vibrant, and the video playback is smooth."
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product
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PCMAG
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"
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a pretty good player in its own right."
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"
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the Zune 80GB offers a much more enjoyable experience."
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"
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The newly redesigned Zune software and Marketplace are perhaps the best thing about the flash-based player."
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PCWorld
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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a very rugged finish and a great choice for an on-the-go device."
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Stuff.tv
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"
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The Zune packs enough grunt to play at a smooth frame rate and the pixel density means movies always look sharp."
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Thetechlounge.com
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"
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Like a lot of you I fiddled with the Zune player at Best Buy and Target shortly after its release."
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"
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The overall player design is quite simple and even rather...well, let's call it square."
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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It's quite pleasant"
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"
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the device is cool,"
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"
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Those who are familiar with device sync in WMP 11 and iTunes might find Zune 2.0's device management features confusing."
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LaptopLogic.com
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"
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For a device this small, video playback is smooth on the tiny screen, and there wasn't too much motion blur."
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battery life
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PCMAG
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"
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Microsoft rates the Zune 8GB battery life of 24 hours for audio (when wireless is turned off)"
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DigitalTrends
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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Battery life seems respectable"
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interface
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PCMAG
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|
"
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the new iPod interface is clean and easy to use"
|
|
|
"
|
The Zune's user interface is new and improved, and even owners of the original 30GB model can upgrade to the new version."
|
|
|
"
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the interface was unpleasant to navigate."
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PCWorld
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"
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Intuitive controls and interface."
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DigitalTrends
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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the interface is very easy to use across the room and very easy to navigate with the supplied remote."
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Stuff.tv
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"
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Great navigation and interface."
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Laptopmag
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"
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The Zune's interface is silky smooth."
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Appleinsider
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"
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distinctive new interface menus"
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video
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PCMAG
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"
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The video clips I watched were bright"
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PCWorld
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|
"
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full video support"
|
|
|
"
|
Videos looked crisp and clear on the 3-inch screen--and again, the extra bit of display space makes an appreciable difference over the course of extended viewing."
|
|
|
|
|
anythingbutipod.com
|
|
|
"
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It looks great with the included video filling an entire 16:9 widescreen TV."
|
|
|
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Laptopmag
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PCAuthority
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"
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Pictures and video look superb Pictures and video look superb: while the screen's standard aspect, the 3in diagonal, means you can just about get away with widescreen video"
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Appleinsider
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"
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Users will be able to flick their thumbs over the pad to browse through song lists or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos."
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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Both the music and video experiences are superior."
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other
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PCMAG
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"
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It's easy to scroll through the dial and find stations, and simply pressing the touch pad makes a station a preset."
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"
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press Sync Now under the wireless menu and new music, videos, or podcasts on your PC will be added to your player."
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"
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The newly designed Marketplace looks completely different."
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PCWorld
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Wireless syncing."
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"
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the 8GB Zune offers some interesting options as a flash player."
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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The Zune has a good heft and feel in the hand."
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"
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It's not heavy at all,"
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"
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you'll have to supply that video content yourself"
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price
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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Whereas the Zune 80 costs a reasonable $249,"
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design
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DigitalTrends
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menu
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Stuff.tv
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"
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The menu system is fantastic – very intuitive and attractive, with only the slightest hint of lag – and the QVGA screen is crisp and bright, if small"
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PCAuthority
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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The Zune menu is logical and clear-cut"
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"
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you can also navigate left and right through a list of albums, shown with album art, that exists at the top of the screen."
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"
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the menu text is so large, you can't actually see the entire menu at one time"
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button
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Appleinsider
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"
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Users will also be able to navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track."
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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click-wheel's directional buttons"
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usage
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PCWorld
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"
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it's a very fun way to navigate through a music collection, even in a long view of artists on the 80GB player."
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PCAuthority
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"
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It's nippy in use and the control system is self-explanatory – a four-way rocker switch with a central select, a play/pause button and a back button."
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image
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anythingbutipod.com
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"
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Photos converted and transferred to the Zune are very easy to access and browse."
|
|
|
"
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Photo sharing is uninhibited; you are free to do whatever you want once you receive images."
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|
|
|
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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new photo and screenshot galleries"
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memory
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Winsupersite.com
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"
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you can store over 50 movies on a Zune 80."
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performance
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Stuff.tv
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"
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performance is rather important, and we’re pleased to report that the Zune does a fine job."
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fm radio
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LaptopLogic.com
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"
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FM Radio The original Zune has this feature and it's great that this also made it into the little Zune as well."
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headphones
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DigitalTrends
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wma
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Stuff.tv
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"
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Not WMA DRM-compatible."
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Categories for Microsoft Zune (4GB) (4 GB 1000 Songs) Digital Media Player
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