Zune HD vs. iPod Touch

[mollipen]

What are some of these functions that apps bring to the Touch?

Well, here's some of what I use, understanding that some of these might not be as versatile when needing to run over wifi only versus being able to work over the cell network as well on the iPhone.

To Do app, Skype, AIM, Twitter, Facebook, Japanese/English dictionary, Amazon search / wish list editor, voice memos, bank account app, Delicious bookmarks, remote control for iTunes, Stanza (ebook reader), Lost It (diet/calorie tracker), pedometer, eBay, Netflix management app, Last.fm, plus some games.

I think the better thing to do would be to fire up iTunes and just kind of browse through the apps store, see what's on there. There are tens of thousands of apps, covering a range of uses so wide you'll probably be surprised at what all is available. Again, not all of the apps would be useful as they would on an iPhone with "always on" internet, but there's still a whole hell of a lot you could do. The iPhone / iPod Touch platform is, arguable, Apple's new computing platform. The app support already out there is pretty staggering, and even thought other devices like Android or the Zune may also have app stores, the fact is none of them are going to come close to the amount of options you'd have available on the Touch.

Again, though, it comes down to what you want. If you don't care about any of that, then get the player you think would be best for what you do want. If you want to get the most bang for your buck however, I'd argue that what the iPod Touch would offer in what you could do with it beyond music and movies is so far beyond all other options they aren't even close.

One thing that should be pointed out however is, there's the chance that Apple is going to update the iPod Touch line to add in a camera, something that was expected to happen last week but didn't supposedly due to some last-minute hardware problems. So, it's entirely possibly that within the next six months the line could get refreshed to add in the camera.

[Joust Williams]

I've been thinking of getting a ZHD. Thanks for the review

[Kidnemo]

To Do app, Skype, AIM, Twitter, Facebook, Japanese/English dictionary, Amazon search / wish list editor, voice memos, bank account app, Delicious bookmarks, remote control for iTunes, Stanza (ebook reader), Lost It (diet/calorie tracker), pedometer, eBay, Netflix management app, Last.fm, plus some games.

This is exactly why I know I don't need an iphone.

There is nothing on that list that makes me think "shit, I can't wait until I get home to manage my netflix queue.... I gotta get that done RIGHT NOW!"

Tiny ipod shuffle for working out is the winner.

[YellerDog]

My need to slap smartphones out of hands in public is getting INTENSE.

[Kidnemo]

DUDE I'M TWEETING WTF?!

[FuryFox]

Do any of these things allow for nested playlists? In other words, playlists set up like a folder hierarchy. We only have an Ipod Video (the model right before those able to update with a search feature), and we're starting to outgrow it.

[Rumpy]

I'm not sure what you mean by nested playlist.

A point a forgot to mention from the Engadet review that is an oversight. Not having physical button for the volume. You either have to tap the screen or push the button on the side to bring up media controls (skip, fast forward, pause, volume). That means you have to look at the screen to change the volume which isn't ideal all the time. Could get annoying.

I recently noticed that when you remove the wire from the headphone jack while playing media, it automatically pauses it. Small but handy feature.

Also! I really like the quickview on the home screen. It's always just chilling right there, holds What's Playing, Favorites (called Pins), History and latest media you added. Wireless syncing is a cool feature too.

I use it primarily as an MP3 player, so I'm willing to wait for the app store to get up to speed. I can be patient for it.

[Josh]

He means that he still uses windows explorer to organize his mp3's because he's a fucking mouth breather.

WHY ARE ALL MY SONGS LISTED AS ARTIST/ALBUM I NAMED THE FOLDERS WTF!

[Gymkata]

Currently it seems that there are not a lot of apps, so if you are an app whore then you will have issues. When the Ipod touch came out, it didnt have a lot of apps. I doubt that this will pick up apps as soon as the touch did, but I think its odd to say that the ipod touch had a million apps FREAKIN THREE DAYS IN (or whenever this thing was launched). Other than apps, its a solid device.

[FuryFox]

I'm not sure what you mean by nested playlist.

playlists within a playlist

playlists set up like a folder hierarchy

uses windows explorer to organize his mp3's

Uh, no. I was talking about playlists...I even used the term twice.

This seems so obvious. For instance, an example playlist path would be like:

All Music > Dane's Music > Rock > Metallica > Black > Unforgiven
All Music > Her Music > Workout Tunes > Techno Mix > Crystal Method

...and you'd be able to play at whichever directory level, and automatically include everything further down. Aside from smart playlists, I have to just create a new playlist for everything in iTunes. If it did work like windows explorer, I could, say, select Metallica and Sonata Arctica from the within the 'Rock' playlist, and play everything down those hierarchies. When tired of that, just move up a level for more inclusive lists, or down to specific albums and songs.

I can see where setting playlists like that wouldn't solve everything, but it the structure would save the hassle of making this laundry list of playlists for every combination you might want.