Stupid review

Microsoft announced some new Zunes this week, a kind of afterthought to Apple's big announcements a few weeks ago. This generation of Zunes is better than the last, with clear improvements both inside and out. Still, the question on everyone's mind was whether the Zune poses a real threat to the iPod. Microsoft tried to deflect that question by claiming that this year, at least, the company was only aiming to be second place in the category. Take a look at what the critics had to say, after the jump, and let us know whether you're ready to make the switch.

Some negative comparisons to the iPod:

"Despite its giant size, [the flash-based Zune's] screen is smaller than that on the diminutive, chubby new iPod Nano." — Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool

"You can't expect people to choose a newcomer over the leader unless you're clearly better, or clearly cheaper. The new generation of Zune makes it a credible music player, but I don't see anything really superior to what the iPod offers." — Matt Rosoff, CNet

But in at least one respect, it's better:

"Microsoft's done something fantastic here by rewarding first-gen buyers with cool new stuff that also happens to be free by software upgrade… Contrast this to what Apple did between the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The iPod Touch is running the same OS as the iPhone, but it's artificially gimped." — Jason Chen, Gizmodo

Plus, it has Wi-Fi:

"The new Wi-Fi capabilities are great for fans of podcasts — your updating is done for you automatically when you walk through your front door (and press sync or dock your Zune)." — Tim Gideon, PC Mag

Is Zune the new Xbox?

"Say what you will about Microsoft, but it's shown with things like the Xbox 360 that it can enter a market, and then learn a lot from customer feedback to improve its products, and I think they've done the same with Zune." Mark McClusky, Wired

On Zune's improved file-sharing system:

"The improved wireless music sharing (tracks downloaded from another Zune can be played three times) is a better compromise than the old three-days-or-three-plays straightjacket" Emru Townsend, PC World

Plus, some uniquely-Zune problems:

[There's] no mention of any changes to my two least-favorite Zune features: Its incompatibility with Microsoft's own PlaysForSure format for purchased audio and video downloads, and the Zune Marketplace's dopey "Microsoft Points" payment system. Rob Pegoraro, The Washington Post

Personally, I love that Microsoft made the Zune back compatible, and bravo for the radio tuner. But it would take me a week to transfer all of my songs from iTunes, so I'm locked in with Apple. What do you think of the new Zune? Leave your thoughts below. — S.E. Kramer

Last Week: Gateway's One

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