While Microsoft’s Zune mp3 player doesn’t have the same panache as the ubiquitous iPod, the player is making some pretty creative changes lately.
While iPods ordered directly from the Apple website give users the option of having a personalized message laser-engraved on the player’s metal shell, Zune is offering customers of its website the option of engraving personalized messages and elaborate images.
This one-up of the Apple engraving is nice—and sure to be a hit during the holidays. The only downside is that users are not allowed to upload their own artwork to the site for engraving. Instead, customers select from an array of artwork from the Zune engraving gallery. While some of the psychedelic, animal-themed, zodiac-inspired images are cool, it would’ve been awesome to be able to add your own custom image.
Maybe another company such as Creative or Sandisk will pick-up on the hint and take the custom-engraving notion to the next level.
Still, with $99 4GB players and $139 8GB players, Zune is a tempting and stylish alternative to the slightly pricier Apple version’s comparable $149 8GB Nano. And both players equip users with enough memory to store around a thousand songs, 25,000 photos or 12 hours of video (4GB models).
Regardless of which player you choose, you’ll be faced with the task of filling it up with mp3. Luckily, some websites still offer legal free mp3 downloads, so you can afford all the free tracks you want–even free Christmas songs!
