Comments on: Archos 5, Zune 4, and Slacker 2: Battle of the Non-iPods http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/archos-5-zune-4-and-slacker-2-battle-of-the-non-ipods/ Upgrade Your Lifestyle Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:06:40 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: BillyBootStrap http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/archos-5-zune-4-and-slacker-2-battle-of-the-non-ipods/#comment-60428 BillyBootStrap Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:36:16 +0000 #comment-60428 I've recently been using a Zune 4GB along with the new Zune 3.0 software (even the first gen Zune users received the upgrade for "free" and receive all the benefits of the new models).<br /> <br /> Overall, I'm extremely impressed. Originally I was just using it with my own files (which it handles easily and nicely), but the MarketPlace and the Social features are really pretty good.<br /> <br /> The name shown is Zune social handle, so it's pretty easy to verify <a href="http://social.zune.net/member/BillyBootStrap" title="http://social.zune.net/member/BillyBootStrap" target="_blank" ref="nofollow">http://social.zune.net/member/BillyBootStrap</a><br /> <br /> Even if MarketPlace is discontinued (which I highly doubt! Zune's going mobile soon too! So you'll soon Windows Mobile phones with Zune) the features of the device don't stop working. You'll still be able to do music samples to friends over the wi-fi, continue to manage and use your own collection of music, video's and podcasts, etc. I've recently been using a Zune 4GB along with the new Zune 3.0 software (even the first gen Zune users received the upgrade for “free” and receive all the benefits of the new models).

Overall, I'm extremely impressed. Originally I was just using it with my own files (which it handles easily and nicely), but the MarketPlace and the Social features are really pretty good.

The name shown is Zune social handle, so it's pretty easy to verify http://social.zune.net/member/BillyBootStrap

Even if MarketPlace is discontinued (which I highly doubt! Zune's going mobile soon too! So you'll soon Windows Mobile phones with Zune) the features of the device don't stop working. You'll still be able to do music samples to friends over the wi-fi, continue to manage and use your own collection of music, video's and podcasts, etc.

]]> By: ACE http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/archos-5-zune-4-and-slacker-2-battle-of-the-non-ipods/#comment-60429 ACE Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:27:17 +0000 #comment-60429 I think you missed some very key features of Zune that would make it much closer, if not eclipse Slacker. Zune now has features called "Picks" and "Channels" and when tied to the all-you-can-eat Zune Pass music download service, these rival any 'no work' music system out there. Picks give you selections from the marketplace specific to your own listening habits. Channels are dynamic playlists that refresh weekly and are also populated with music based on your personal most-played tunes....<br /> <br /> I love Zune BTW, if you can't tell =P I think you missed some very key features of Zune that would make it much closer, if not eclipse Slacker. Zune now has features called “Picks” and “Channels” and when tied to the all-you-can-eat Zune Pass music download service, these rival any 'no work' music system out there. Picks give you selections from the marketplace specific to your own listening habits. Channels are dynamic playlists that refresh weekly and are also populated with music based on your personal most-played tunes….

I love Zune BTW, if you can't tell =P

]]> By: RX8 http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/archos-5-zune-4-and-slacker-2-battle-of-the-non-ipods/#comment-60427 RX8 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:22:43 +0000 #comment-60427 I personally will not get a Zune though for fear that Microsoft will stop support for it, or close the Zune Marketplace and I will get hosed like they did for the Playsforsure. I personally will not get a Zune though for fear that Microsoft will stop support for it, or close the Zune Marketplace and I will get hosed like they did for the Playsforsure.

]]> By: Toby http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/archos-5-zune-4-and-slacker-2-battle-of-the-non-ipods/#comment-60426 Toby Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:29:22 +0000 #comment-60426 I just got my Slacker player early last week and couldn't agree more with the service part of your story. Maybe you didn't mention this on purpose, but I find that using the free service really makes it even better over other options out there. I just got my Slacker player early last week and couldn't agree more with the service part of your story. Maybe you didn't mention this on purpose, but I find that using the free service really makes it even better over other options out there.

]]>