11-14-2006, 11:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Ladies and Gentlemen: The Worst Zune Review Ever
"It's bigger, boxier and less shiny than the iPod. In my book, that's a bad thing, as is the bizarre brown color and even more bizarre semi-translucent green tones at the corners...this thing doesn't seem to be compatible with my iMac. The included software won't run at all, and I'm now investigating a runaround to actually get files on and off the player...until we can try out the Wi-Fi functions and the Zune Marketplace, it's not completely fair to deliver a verdict…but we will anyway."
This "review" from Popular Mechanics’ Upgrade editor Erik Sofge seems to be a the result of two things coming crashing together: disastrously bad media relations and someone who should have never graduated journalism school (or maybe he never went). First off, who sent him a brown Zune? Brown is a colour that people either love or hate, and while I completely understand why Microsoft is offering the Zune in brown (it's a trendy colour again, though most fashion-challenged geek bloggers don't grasp that), the PR company sending out Zunes to the media should only send the white or the black. Period. Next, the PR company obviously didn't ask if the person reviewing the device even owned a Windows XP-based computer! Sofge's own blunt-as-a-butter knife journalistic instincts come into play here, because one thing you should check on before starting to write an article is if it's meant to work with your niche platform. In the same way that it would be unfair for me to slam iLife in a review because it wouldn't work on my Windows XP PC, it's utterly ridiculous that Sofge is reviewing a product he can't actually use. And then, rather than fessing up to his lack of knowledge in accepting a product for review that he can't fully use, he delivers a verdict anyway. I can only assume that he gets paid by the word and his editors are out at a strip club somewhere rather than checking his work.
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11-14-2006, 11:28 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 58
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He did have a couple backhanded compliments in there at least. I do know that the Brown color is not a "like it or hate it" as it really does grow on you.
I think the housing on the Zune is a very minimalist design with an understated strength. The accent colors set off the primary color with quiet sophistication. Obviously not every color is for every person. I am certain as time goes on we will see Microsoft with Toshiba release new colors into the Zune arsenal. This is, of course pure conjecture on my part, but if MS is in it to win it they will have to put out alts to stay competitive. (I would love to see a great green or bluish purple).
With any luck no one will read this guy's column other than to poke fun at someone for working in a technology field and not reading the Minimum Operating Requirements!
PS. "work around" is the commonly used term not "runaround". And he should try running his i-mac in Windows emulation mode.
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11-14-2006, 11:56 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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Perspective time, folks.
No one reads Popular Mechanics for their gadget news. Now if Popular Science had said something similar, that would be a problem.
Secondly...
In the same way that it would be unfair for me to slam iLife in a review because it wouldn't work on my Windows XP PC, it's utterly ridiculous that Sofge is reviewing a product he can't actually use.
Indeed, and frankly, anyone doing reviews should at least have the common sense to verify its functionality before they grab one. God, even common sense would tell you it wouldn't work out of the box with a Mac, no rocket science required, although it would probably work fine with a Mac running Parallels or Bootcamp (for the massochistic type)...
I would love to play with a Zune. Not own one. Just play with one. I mean, how could you not want to hold it in your hand and get the full rich album art experience? 
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11-15-2006, 12:28 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent M Ferrari
Perspective time, folks. No one reads Popular Mechanics for their gadget news.
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Hey, blame Google News Alert - I get an email anytime anyone anywhere mentions the Zune online, then my wrath is unleashed. 
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11-15-2006, 12:44 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
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It was only a matter of time before one of these popped up and it will only be a matter of time before another one comes along. I say wait till it starts to get a name for itself and you won't have enough time in the day to read through all of them.  ffice ffice" />>>
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11-15-2006, 02:14 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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Hey you. Quiet. Just play. Go enjoy the rich album art experience and report back, mmmkay? 
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11-15-2006, 02:50 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 130
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I can't keep my hands off my Zune. I already sold my Ipod, I'm not going back.
I got the black one, but I almost get the brown one, the white is fine but it didn't atract me.
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11-15-2006, 02:54 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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They make a cream for that :-)
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11-15-2006, 03:30 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fgarcia10
I can't keep my hands off my Zune.
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Keep it up and you'll go blind
Have fun and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts on your new toy.
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11-15-2006, 04:14 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
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It wasn't that bad. Granted the guy was an idiot assuming that a Microsoft product would work on a Mac. However I read it more as a first experience blurb not a detailed review. (The article was barely a page long) He did like video playback and did confess that it really wasn't fair to deliver a verdict. He expressed his view on the features he could experience, whats wrong with that? I've seen articles all over the web on the Zune and its release and frankly they all say pretty much the same thing as this guys. If the WiFi and Zune Marketplace aren't up to snuff, then the Zune will be the iPod's ugly cousin. Is ZuneThoughts supposed to be an objective Zune website akin to the other Thoughts Media sites, or a site that flames anyone who doesn't share your view of the product. I love the brown by the way.
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