Well, there really is no verdict on the Zune. The issue is that I don’t use portable MP3 players like I did then I had a 45 minute commute each way to work. Unless I am making the 3 hour drive to the office, I don’t really touch them at all. That makes it hard for me to determine if the Zune is a step forward or backwards.

On the plus side, the social is nice. Purchasing tracks is easier. Overall use of the system is good. Videos play faster and in wide screen. Overall it’s a solid platform that does exactly what it says it will do.

On the down side, it is not as machine agnostic as I would like. (i.e. it only works on Windows) The interface is hard to navigate when you have a very large music collection like mine. Navigating while driving is close to impossible but something I could get used to. The software lacks major search functionality and there are not enough people in the Social that I want to share with to make me keep it open. Playlists are clunky and a complete lack of rating system makes smart playlists a joke. I also just don’t like how it won’t play with other software to manage my podcasts and other things.

Now for the best part. A week after I have registered the device, I get my first “Welcome to Zune” e-mail. This is the guide I should have had on day one telling me how to use the software to it’s advantage. Just this week I have gotten part 2 of that e-mail and part 3 comes next week. This is a complete fail on Microsoft’s part by keeping usability information from the customer. It only makes me want to use the software less and less.

I am not going to get rid of the device for some time and give it more of a test run. My lack of time with the device is a big deterant and I have gotten away from using the iPod as well. It may be that my need for a portable player is gone and I just need something to store my music which the Zune does very well. But in time I know the lack of scroll wheel will get me then I will look to upgrade. Maybe after the Apple announcements on Sept 9th.

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