Microsoft Zune HD: Can it defeat Apple IPod touch ??

The Zune HD is much slimmer than the current Zune 120 because it will use flash memory rather than a hard drive. This means the expected storage capacity will be 16 GB with a possible more expense model at 32 GB or discount option at 8 GB. The price range will depend on storage capacity, however there is some expectation that the Zune HD Price will be $250 for the base model.

The outer casing is a matte finished aluminum to prevent fingerprints, it can come in black or silver with a hint of gold. Each Zune HD supports a full WiFi web browser which is a new feature for the Zune brand. Zune HD reviews will have to note the specific features that Zune apart from the iPod touch such as the HD radio reception and HD video output at 720p resolution.

Question:
With these features, will Microsoft Zune HD have a product comparable to the Apple iPod Touch ? are these cool features and comparable operation enough for Microsoft to take a bite of Apple and gain market share??

Analysis:
Quite frankly, NO...

While the Zune appears to function as well as or better then an iPod touch, there are items beyond the product itself that make iPods so popular. Looking at the history of the iPod, it is iTunes that has provided most of the growth for the product. Being a part of the CE industry during the rise of the iPod, I have used players that have sounded better, functioned better and provided more pleasure then iPods themselves. However, it you look at the ease of use of the iPod with iTunes as the means to load content, it has a benefit to any other player.

One down side to the Zune HD is that it will not play games or run apps (at least in the first release), this is something that is making the iPod touch and iPhone so popular. Consumers are not really buying it cause it sounds or looks good, the fact that you use it for everything is one of the most appealing factors.

Over the years Apple iTunes and iPod have become the known name for portable players and downloading music. These Apple brands are used like Band Aid and Kleenex to refer to downloading and playback. Because of the popularity, there is an entire industry based on the iPod. Everything that you could ever want from a new blingy cover to a dock so that you can listen on a big system are available, there are even TVs with docs so that video can be watched at home. AV product manufacturers have spent years developing products to support iPod and it will be a long time before they start developing for the Zune. Additionally, consumers have spent years building libraries in iTunes, and I bet that the Zune will not sync or play that content...

Microsoft has a counter measure for iTunes with ZunePass, this is a monthly fee service that allows for downloading of content to the Zune. While this is something that is needed, Microsoft would have been better to stay out of that game and partner with an established service such as Rhapsody. At this point in the game Rhapsody continues to grow as the alternative to iTunes, and while I am sure that purchased music from Rhapsody can be used on the Zune, having the subscription content would be better.

The bottom line is that while the Zune may have some advantages in performance, it lacks the support that the iPod has. The lower cost for the Zune HD may steer new users in Microsoft direction, it will not bring old iPod users over. However, only time will tell, as stranger things in Consumer Electronics have happened.

by Rushrush

Read More

Mobile Social Networking and Used Cell Phones

Mobile social networking is a trend that is growing at an incredible rate; it could soon overtake the need to access a computer for all social networking activities. Social networking companies, like Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace, have partnered together with mobile phone carriers and mobile phone manufacturers to ensure that their communities not only featured prominently within the web start pages but that their mobile applications function correctly on all internet-ready mobile phones. This is allowing people to be in constant contact with their online social communities.

The growing popularity of social networking is reaching mobile phone users from all walks of life; students are taking advantage of mobile social networking to help them stay in touch with their peers, family, and even with their schoolwork. Many schools (universities especially) have permitted their teachers and other activity groups within the schools to form private groups on social networking sites. These groups allow students to connect with one another when not in the classroom, get help with their homework, and keep up with assignments. The groups are accessible via the mobile networking applications; so long as the mobile phone being utilized is capable of loading the full application onto it. Parents of teenagers may not be willing to spend a small fortune upgrading their mobile phones so that they can have better access to a social networking website; however, a used cell phone that is adequate for accessing the social networking sites can be purchased more affordably from a reputable third party cell phone seller.

In addition to the student population using mobile social networking, there is a rather large contingent of stay at home moms using the available social networking sites to keep in touch with other stay at home moms, friends, family, and even with support groups that have set up presences on social networking websites. For a busy mom that has little to no time to sit down at a computer, the ability to quickly post a message, respond to a message, or check out an invitation in the palm of their hand is an invaluable tool!

The social networking companies mentioned above do have fierce competition in companies that provide only mobile social networking; they have little to no web presence. With lower overhead and limited marketing budget, these companies rely on consumer word of mouth to ensure their communities grow.

As the technology grows and the available software improves, the communications on social networking sites will no longer be limited in nature; consumers will be able to perform all functions on a mobile phone that they would using a computer. In fact, with each passing day, mobile phones are becoming more and more like mobile computers - with functionality beyond web-interfacing like work processors, picture editors, and so on. Mobile phones that are technologically advanced will become more and more affordable for all consumers; however, for those who have a limited budget to spend and do not mind being one generation behind, a good refurbished used cell phone will be a great option.

by Jerry Atkins

Read More

7 Tips on How to Select The Perfect Laptop

Tip 1: Know The Purpose Of Your Laptop. In other words, why are you buying a laptop? This is extremely important to know and admit to yourself because different purposes favor different aspects in a laptop. Are you a gamer? Then your going to want a great graphics card and a good amount of RAM (Random Access Memory). Are you a casual at-home user? Then you will want a great battery-life along with some Processor Speed (Ghz). It's very important to know what you need for your dream laptop.

Tip 2: Choose a Computer Look That fits your style. The best laptop for you is the one that is going to make you squirm by just looking at it. You should pick a color that you either love or a color that fits your personality. Professionals who use there computer for work and profit usually prefer white or gray. Experts who are serious and enjoy showing off their knowledge tend to go for black. More Unique users branch out and purchase red, green, or blue laptops. Also, are you after a laptop that is paper thin? Do you prefer a big screen? These are things you need to know before hand so you will know the perfect laptop the instant you see it. Check out my webpage (in the resource box) for way more information on this topic.

Tip 3: Know your price range. You can find the right computer for you much faster if you use advanced searches and enter in a price range. This will keep results off the page that you instantly disregard because they are either way out of your budget, or look way to cheap without good specs. How do you know your price range? Just ask yourself, "If I saw my dream laptop, with every attribute I wanted and more, would I pay $700 for it. What about $750. $800?" You get the point. Also, tell yourself your not going to jump on any deals that are WAY to good to be true. Obviously, your not going to get your dream laptop for $150. So don't aim for it. A really good way to get an awesome laptop for a much cheaper price is to build it yourself!

Tip 4: Aim For Decent Internal System Aspects. Like I said before, different purposes for a computer lead to different main aspects. But, overall you don't want anything to be horrible even if the rest is great. For example, you are getting 3 GB of RAM, a whopping 200 GB of Hard Disk Space, and for a great price, sounds great! But wait, the processor speed is only .5 Ghz, slow as a snail. Unfortunately, one major drawback like this can prevent us from being pleased with the laptop. Click Here for a great free table that shows you my personal opinions for good aspects.

Tip 5: Microsoft Windows or Apple MAC? This is a VERY big decision that you have to make. It all depends on your style and how you want your files organized. Windows gives you more of a decision on what security settings to use and where your files are placed. MAC can be very handy though because it organizes your files and folders for you. Which is for who? It depends on how much you know. If you know a lot about computers you will probably prefer Windows, where you can customize it to your style. If you don't know much and don't have a clue what your doing, then MAC is for you because its very hands off and keeps you from accessing your dangerous or program files. One more pro for MAC, Apple creates its own products for its products. What do I mean? Anything, and I mean anything, that is created by Apple for computers will work on your computer. Check out my website for way more free information on operating systems.

Tip 6: Get a Laptop that has that perfect "feel" to it. What am I talking about? Certain laptops may have something to them that will utterly annoy you forever. Examples:A screechy keyboard, USB ports in the back of the computer, an unresponsive mouse pad, etc. Look online to find information about other users of the laptop who had "annoyances," or, better yet, ask if you can try using the laptop for a test run before actually purchasing it. The goal is to find a laptop where everything is right where you want it, and the feel to everything is great!

Tip 7: Make sure you are getting everything you think you are getting. Buying a laptop off Ebay, Craigslist, or any other place that sells used or refurbished laptops? Then MAKE SURE to check contents of the package before purchasing. Some people will scam you and send you a laptop that has no power cord! Even some stores these days sell new laptops that have no wireless card (used for connecting to the internet wirelessly)! It is better safe than sorry, don't get cheated out of your money!

by Kyle

Read More