[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by SoundMix

How good is the new Ipod software? Early reports are that it is much improved. If Apple can make it as good as the Zune software, coupled with their new hardware...I'd say Zune has a huge problem.

It's better, but it's still not as fast, fluid, or pretty as the Zune software. Much-improved UI, that's for sure. Let's not forgot though that the Zune 4.0 software is coming soon...

Originally Posted by SoundMix

The 160GB Ipod is going to be a major problem for Zune. It even offers more space than the now defunct 120GB Zune.

I don't know what the numbers are, but given the way Apple ignores the Classic (hell, even the name tells you that...) I don't think they're big sellers. It seems like Apple is keeping it around to keep some people happy, but are there a lot of those people? I'm not so sure...

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by SoundMix

How good is the new Ipod software? Early reports are that it is much improved. If Apple can make it as good as the Zune software, coupled with their new hardware...I'd say Zune has a huge problem.

It's better, but it's still not as fast, fluid, or pretty as the Zune software. Much-improved UI, that's for sure. Let's not forgot though that the Zune 4.0 software is coming soon...

Originally Posted by SoundMix

The 160GB Ipod is going to be a major problem for Zune. It even offers more space than the now defunct 120GB Zune.

I don't know what the numbers are, but given the way Apple ignores the Classic (hell, even the name tells you that...) I don't think they're big sellers. It seems like Apple is keeping it around to keep some people happy, but are there a lot of those people? I'm not so sure...

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by ptyork

Microsoft should put a camera at the TOP of their device so that users don't take pictures of their index fingers. Better yet, one that takes photos in addition to videos. Those are easy wins for Microsoft!!

Agreed - the placement of the camera is kind of insane...unless it's designed to take pictures when the iPod is placed horizontally. There's a slew of video coming out now from people with iPhones held vertically...

[Macguy59]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Agreed - but if you put a camera and a microphone on the iPod Touch, it's going to be turned into a VOIP/Webcam device, and I think Apple is afraid it will hurt iPhone sales.

Actually if Apple were really afraid of that, they would not have included WiFi. VOIP is already possible (jailbroken) on the 'Touches. I expect Apple to add video to them in the near future. I agree that the event was a snoozer but I'm really surprised that Jobs used it to make his first public appearance. I would have thought he waits until the tablet is announced but perhaps the board felt it necessary. The iTunes store makeover is not an extreme one. I've seen screenshots of the Zune Marketplace but I'm not making the connection you are ?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by paschott

I have to agree with the disappointment w/ Zune on the large storage capacity and the tag editing. Maybe the editing of tags will be better in the upcoming software release, but it doesn't sound that way.

What's the problem with tag editing exactly?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by brianchris

My biggest disapointment? That iTunes 9 isn't officially compatible with Windows 7. I know eventually it will be, but I thought they were going to introduce that official compatability with 9.0.

The Zune software should work OK with Windows 7. I imagine Apple will have Windows 7 compatibility working OK by October when Windows 7 officially comes out.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Macguy59

Actually if Apple were really afraid of that, they would not have included WiFi. VOIP is already possible (jailbroken) on the 'Touches.

The number of jailbroken iPod Touch units can't be that significant - I doubt it even registers on Apple's radar. Not including WiFi isn't an option - but you can see Apple wiggling around on why they have concerns with VOIP apps:

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-a...fcc-questions/

Originally Posted by Macguy59

I've seen screenshots of the Zune Marketplace but I'm not making the connection you are ?

I'm not the only one - check out the live coverage. More than a few people thought "Zune" when it was shown.

[Ruination509]

Originally Posted by brianchris

My biggest disapointment? That iTunes 9 isn't officially compatible with Windows 7. I know eventually it will be, but I thought they were going to introduce that official compatability with 9.0.

I installed iTunes 9 on my Windows 7 Pro RTM computer today without a problem. Seems to be working just fine without official compatibility out there.

[dp]

The ability to sync music/videos from one PC to another is neat, but Apple is still focused on a peer to peer system and is ignoring users who want to centralize their media content (NAS drive, Windows Home Server, etc.). I wonder if

iTunes 9 will finally monitor music folders?

Folder monitoring accomplishes several things, and it's still not available in iTunes, but it's not just centralized storage. To your specific concern of central storage:

1. You can place a music library on a NAS/server/peripheral device, and then simply change the default library location to the address of this directory on any and/or all PCs on the network. Centralization problem solved.

2. With Bonjour on, you have access to all local network libraries anyway: centralization through decentralization. (And you could still opt to have a networked accessible centralized library too!)

*3. Throw in SimplifyMedia (and for special fun, if you can, Mojo), and you're money!

[Phillip Dyson]

Personally I glad the annoucements are done and over. As far fetched as it may be I believe that there may be a chance that MS was holding some HD goodness back to see what Apple would do.

Its probably not likely, but a man can dream.

[BBBikernerd]

I think if Microsoft integrates X Box Live Arcade games into the HD, it will pull customers away from the iPod. The power of the Tegra kicks the Apple's butt. Also, if Microsoft had a decent selections of Apps, you will finally see competition for apple.