Tell 'em to make sure it has an Apple logo on it before purchasing it. That doggone Zune logo is downright atrocious and the colors of Zunes are so blah.
I suppose what happened to that lady could happen to anyone unfamiliar with mp3 players. Maybe once she saw the package she would realize it's not an iPod. I've never seen a Zune box, but I'm sure it doesn't say iPod anywhere on it.

superheroes may be needed as the zune has made impressive strides from 1.0 to 2.0, and made much of the 2.0 goodies available for 1.0 zunes - nice. that will cost them sales, unlike apple who forces you to buy new ipods instead. my wife and i have ipods and enjoy them, but the zune is starting to get my attention - i must be outside the effective radius of the RDF.

hey David,

That's interesting. But with the improved Zune 2 it's hardly matters whether that lady picked a Zune instead of Ipod, as the prons and cons of both are very much debatable.

Dare I say it... I really like the new Zunes, and that artwork on the back is sweet!!! I am even liking their whole social webpage that shows your friends the music you are playing and have played the most.

@chalam
It would matter if the recipient had a Mac, as the Zune is not Mac compatible.

I love it when mac fans spread their propoganda like the 'jaws' of Zune. Hey how's 3% of the world pc marketshare doing you?

Well fortunately, Target also has a reasonable return policy - the bigger question is what % of Zune sales this holiday is returned on 12/26? :-)

As for people who think the Zune is anywhere close to the ipod, to quote the NY Times ...

Here are some of the iPod features that the Zune lacks: Games, alarm clock, stopwatch, world clock, password-protected volume limiter, graphic equalizer, notepad, auto-synched copy of your computer’s calendar and address book, and Disk Mode, which lets an iPod serve as an external drive for carrying around computer files.

If you use the Zune’s wireless features, you’ll also get much worse battery life: 19 hours of music playback on the 80-gig Zune versus 30 on the equivalent iPod. The 80-gig Zune is still thicker and chunkier than its iPod rival, too.

Above all, you may miss that thriving virtual bazaar of iPod accessories: more than 3,000 stereo docks, cases, car adapters, and so on, compared with only a handful for the Zune.

Here are some of the iTunes software features missing in the Zune’s software: Smart Playlists, which assemble groups of songs based on criteria that you specify (“80’s up-tempo songs I haven’t heard in three months”), choice of visualizers (screen-saver effects that dance to the music), closed captioning for videos and TV, Cover Flow view, and a graphic equalizer.

The Zune store is missing a lot of iPod features, too: TV shows, movies, audio books, monthly allowances and comprehensible pricing.

At the iTunes store, you pay $1 a song. But on the Zune store, you pay using Microsoft Points, which are sold in blocks of 400 ($5). Songs cost 79 to 129 points, which means 99 cents to $1.61. Suddenly, you’re a currency trader.

This absurd system serves nobody except Microsoft. First, it’s a ham-handed effort to make you lose track of how many dollars you’re actually spending. Second, you can’t just buy one song; the least you can spend is $5. And finally, you’ll inevitably waste money, since it’s unlikely that Microsoft’s various song prices will divide evenly into 400.

Just to let you know. I am living in Québec (that's the French speaking Canadian province) and iPod already became the generic name for mp3 player, long time ago. Most people here - except for the very young, the hip and the very trademark conscious - are not differentiating between the different mp3 players. For many quebecers (people I know) a PC is still an IBM.

Wrong move pal, I woulda gotten the zune. Btw, I think the person woulda been happy having recieved a zune 2.

Your article sucks, for one main reason. You arent employed by Apple and therefore, do not receive money your idiot opinion. Waste of time to babble about how it is a mistake to buy a Zune. I for one like competition and in fact own the both the Ipod classic 160 gig as a mp3 player, and the new Zune 80 for video watching. Stop, please stop with all of that Apple worship. Its not necessary.

too bad that woman missed out on the zune. I just bought myself the 80G and it is AMAZING! The screen is so much larger; the touch pad is so much more intuitive. I used to hate going in clockwise and counterclockwise circles on my Ipod. Now, I can flick up and down and get to where I need to get much quicker. Plus, I hate to say it, but Microsoft did a great job with the software. Love it.

@All the Zunies making shill comments

If it weren't for the fact that the Zune is another attempt by a convicted monopolist to dominate yet another market, then I'd say yeah bring on the competition.

But Microsoft isn't about competition, they're about slavery.

Microsoft will have to make the Zune player and marketplace available for Macs before anyone will buy your M$ propaganda.

Thanks goodness your super hero tights were at the cleaners!

I think you caused a "morning tragedy" not prevented one.

Dear Lord, another kid is gonna wake up Christmas morning with an iPod under their tree. When is America gonna wake up and and stop walking around like zombies thinking they have to have an iPod? There are far superior alternatives out there including but not limited to the Zune.

What's a Zune?

When the Zune has the store, software, is Mac compatible and has access to the 3rd party products that the iPod does. I may consider it, but don't count on it…

I've had 5 iPods and within 3 months, some only a couple weeks, I started having locking up issues and charging issues, and other problems. So, I thought I would take the Zune for a test drive to see if I would like it, now that they have support for podcasting and MP4/ h.264. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really liked it. The look and feel of it. Also, a built in FM radio and wireless sync. I was in heaven. And, no problems what-so-ever yet. So, word to the wise, don't dismiss something because you are VERY biased to one brand, or because you think that one company has more money than they should need.

"If it weren't for the fact that the Zune is another attempt by a convicted monopolist to dominate yet another market, then I'd say yeah bring on the competition."

So you dont want MS to have a "monopoly", but you are perfectly fine with Apple having one?

"But Microsoft isn't about competition, they're about slavery."

From the looks of the guy who barfed this article, you both are looking to keep as many people with Apple as possible. Or as you call it "slavery".

"Microsoft will have to make the Zune player and marketplace available for Macs before anyone will buy your M$ propaganda."

Will Apple make iLife available for PCs? I mean Apple users make up 6% of the computing world, while Windows users are almost a billion in number.

Who should be going to whom?

Oh let me count the errors in this post….
"@All the Zunies making shill comments
If it weren't for the fact that the Zune is another attempt by a convicted monopolist to dominate yet another market, then I'd say yeah bring on the competition.”

The EU is going after Apple for being a monopoly in the MP3 player market because of its closed system. So does this also mean you are for a monopoly in the MP3 market? Competition is always good, unless you are afraid of losing… The iPod is perfect right and there is nothing to worry about from M$ as it has never made a “great” product… right?

“But Microsoft isn't about competition, they're about slavery.”

So are you claiming that Apple/iTunes/iPod/MAC is an open system? I think the EU would disagree… which also means that the US will follow and start going after Apple like they did with Microsoft.

“Microsoft will have to make the Zune player and marketplace available for Macs before anyone will buy your M$ propaganda."

How long did it take for Apple to release a Windows version of iTunes? Microsoft supported 90% of the computers in the world from day one… that is because Microsoft has a 90-95% market share of the OS market. Apple is something like 3-5% depending on who you believe. Linux is the rest of the market, so that makes Linux on par with Apple… So when should I expect the "Linux" version of iTunes, so it can be considered a "serious contender"?

Now go enjoy your day and put your “Apple fan boy hat” back in the box… life is worth living, without worrying about “who’s MP3 player is better”. Enjoy your iPod, I enjoyed mine when I had one. Each one I owned broke after about a year and a half. Then I bought a Zune a few months ago.. It has its positives and negatives, just like my iPods. If it lasts a few years great… if not, then I will see what is in the market at that time.

Wow you're not an Apple fanboy. Zunes are much better than iPods. I'm sure that person would have in fact been much happier with a Zune 2.

I don't know much about mp3 players, they seem to all play music and have different features depending on what appeals to the buyer, but I do know rock and roll. You are an idiot if you listen to music recorded with Gibson guitars, only listen to bands that play Fenders.

So how can you compare the current crap, err crop, of Zunes to the current models of iPods? How does a Zune compare to an iPod Shuffle? Or an iPod Touch? And I love how some are saying don't be a sheep, as if they operate a computer using something other than Microsoft Windows.

"The EU is going after Apple for being a monopoly in the MP3 player market because of its closed system."

That may be true, but Apple's system is really quite open. The player works with Windows as well as the Mac OS. iTunes store is available to users of both OSes. iPods play multiple formats of music files and have always done so. There is not and never has been any requirement that you purchase music from Apple (despite much FUD to the contrary). Apple's DRM is a result of contracts with music houses, and Steve Jobs is the biggest name in computing to publicly call for an end to DRM.

The Zune? I can't even consider using it without purchasing several hundred dollars worth of the Windows operating system . In other words, one is useful to all users of the mainstream consumer OS users and one is not. EU aside, which is the closed system again? Is either?
Just because someone is being sued doesn't mean they have actually done something wrong.

You are to be commended for saving the lady from a zune (who cares whether it is zune 1 or 2... its all the same microsoft retarded crap & not fit for humans). quite devious of microsoft to place their crap next to ipods in the hope of fooling people. i bet they are paying target and other retailers a pretty penny for that premium space. the only people who genuinely like zunes are probably people who love old soviet monstrosities like the LADA. Given that, this devious tactic of microsoft explains why some zunes are selling. God bless you for saving that woman today.

@Bo Peep
I proudly use an Apple iBook. I love Leopard, and drive my friends crazy evangelizing about my Mac. I often find it painful to go back to my desktop PC running Vista.

But I use a Zune. Why? Because it's better. Much bigger screen than an iPod Classic, and a lot more storage than an iPod Touch. It has an interface that blows away the "halfie" interface in both looks and performance. The desktop software doesn't look like I just opened FileMaker Pro. In other words, it's the player Apple should have made - you know, the one that's better than the monopolistic market leader.

Wow, why all the hate coming from the Zune fans? If the person was shopping for an "iPod", there is nothing wrong with letting the shopper know that iPods and Zunes are not the same. We can debate how happy or sad the recipient of the gift would have been with a Zune. However, according to the story, the recipient did not ask for a Zune.

That said, like many of the Zune fans, I'd agree the second generation is a very signficant improvement. But, lets be honest and acknowledge that the original Zune was in much need of improvement. Further, most reviews of the Zune make it clear that Microsoft is competing with last year's iPods. Some have already listed very specific features of the iPods which put them ahead. If Zune fans want to be taken seriously, they need to come up with a list of areas where they feel the Zune is better rather than just making vague claims of superiority with nothing of substance to back it up.

@Steve
Thanks for stating the obvious. This post was intended to make folks chuckle, not inspire a vicious debate. Lighten up, people!

Us Zunies are a little sensitive, since we get no love... no live Zune displays in stores... no Zune Marketplace gift cards anywhere to be found... and Apple drone fanboys always talking smack about a device they know nothing about. Zunes are pretty great, actually.

1- Wireless syncing is excellent
2- Device Interface and new software are simple and intuitive
3- Screen is large, clear and bright
4- The battery actually lasts as long as the packaging claims
5- It's kind of cool that not EVERYONE has one
6- You can get a flat-rate monthly subscription and download as many songs as you want
7- The headphones that come with it actually sound good
8- You can wirelessly zap pictures and songs to other Zunies, just because
9- You can auto-sync recorded TV shows and movies from a Windows Media Center PC
10- I just really like brown

I'm glad you all enjoy your Zunes....but I still think pointing out that a Zune is not an iPod was the smart move. The Zune2 is a big improvement, but overall it's still no iPod. That's why WIRED put the Zune2 on it's list of "Biggest Dissappointments:

"Microsoft got a chance to do things right with its "iPod Killer" in 2007. And --offering 80GB of storage instead of 30GB, wireless syncing, improved touch controls, and a choice of in a variety of bright colors (Pepto-Bismol pink, anyone?). But Microsoft failed to lose the Zune's proprietary DRM scheme or remove all its restrictions on wireless music sharing (you can share songs with other nearby Zune users, but they can only listen to them three times before the songs go poof).

We're not the only ones disappointed in the Zune. According to the NPD Group, Microsoft still lags behind Sandisk and Creative Labs in market share for portable media players."