Let me start this post with one major statement:
I love Apple.
This is a very broad statement, but it is at least more focussed then this:
I hate Microsoft (which, by the way, is true).
These statements are tied in to the new release of the “Zune,” Microsoft’s pitiful attempt to copy Apple in making a music player, and the expected release of the iPhone, the newest product from Apple. The “Zune” is a slipshod, badly made, turd colored marketing nightmare by Microsoft. They advertise many new features, such as WiFi song sharing, but these features are only the cover for another money-making ploy. For example, song sharing is a very good thing, I was actually remotely pleased when I heard of it, but the apple has a worm in it, pun not intended. The songs you share are only listenable for up to three times, in a period of up to three days. Then they are erased and may never be listened to again, unless you buy them, which brings me to the downloading service.
The downloading service costs 15 dollars a month for unlimited downloads, and this might not be bad enough, but once you unsubscribe to the service, the songs disappear as with the song sharing. For me, this is unacceptable. I much prefer iTunes, even if I were not using an iPod. The only feature that actually works as one would expect it to is the radio, and nowadays, radio is everywhere, so this feature is nearly obsolete. I will give them credit for that, though only because they need it.
The iPhone, on the other hand, has a touch-sensitive widescreen display, can, of course, make phone calls and play music, and can also browse the web. This wide array of features is very impressive for a company still only starting in the mobile world, however, some people think that this product will be the iPod killer. Usual clients and Apple fans alike will have two choices: either buy a cheaper classical iPod that mainly plays music and on top of that displays some photos and short videos, or buy the newest and more expensive Apple gadget. What’s your choice?