iTunes and iPod used to be the largest and most famous music player/software out there, but now with the new launch of the Zune 3.0, I believe that the Zune software is much better than Apple’s.

First of all, Apple HAS to redesign iTunes. iTunes has looked like that for I don’t even know how long.

The Zune 3.0 software is graphically appealing..much more than iTunes at least. Everything is animated, and the black letters with the shadow drop against the pure white background is much more appealing than iTunes.

The Zune 3.0 also has much more new features, even though many of them are small. First, when the Zune 3.0 isn’t active, but is playing a song, a visualizer will appear (well..I guess I’ll call it a visualizer). Second, Zune is much more customizable than iTunes, like the background, and the arrangements, and all. Third, the marketplace is SO much better than iTunes Store! It’s much less crowded, and well thought out. Everything doesn’t take 5 minutes (yes…I’m exaggerating) to get from one place to another, and the way the Zune displays information about everything is so much better than iTunes.

Now to the actual players.

I have reviewed the players, but I just upgraded my 1st gen Zune 30GB to software 3.0. Apple, you might actually want to try to offer free major upgrades (ex: STOP CHARGING 10$ FOR AN UPGRADE TO IPOD TOUCH 2.0!!!!!). The new software has given MANY new features. Finally, audiobooks can be listened to on the Zune, and the FM Player (one of the BEST features of the Zune) is now so integrated with the Zune Marketplace (also another built in feature..buying songs from a marketplace..can go to McDonalds to buy…) that while you listen to a song, you might decide you want to buy it, and then you can add it into the cart.

I haven’t tried the 4th Gen Apple iPod Nano software, because I don’t want to get another iPod Nano when I just got one. However, if Apple DOES update the iPod Nano 3rd Gen to include Genius, or give a major update, then I might try and see some good in it.