Musings from The Software Underground

The software integration is a big part of the success of a product like the iPod. If the Zune can ever hope to make any inroads, they have to nail this, and apparently (*SHOCK*), according to Engadget they didn't:

When it comes to the hardware, we're pretty much set; we all now know the Zune inside and out. But how it interacts with the software, the marketplace, etc. -- that's where the magic happens. Or doesn't. We really wanted to give the Zune the benefit of the doubt. We hoped installing the Zune software and getting our player running would be as seamless and painless as getting iTunes and an iPod running on your machine, since that is, after all, what it's up against. (Granted, not even iTunes is bereft of major problems on major releases.) Unfortunately, the reality of our experience with the first version of the Zune software this afternoon is much like that of many version 1 software experiences. It sucks. Read on to see what happened.

But hey, at least $1 of your payment goes to support a record company whose CEO thinks we're all criminals. Why would anyone want to buy this product? Just because it's NOT an iPod? I can't think of a more stupid reason, in light of everything. Support the Zune and you're supporting major record labels who think you are a criminal.