I’ve been playing with the new version of Zune Software 3.0. It includes Zune Collection (manages your music collection), Zune Marketplace (purchase music), Zune Social (share music with other Zune members). Each section has sub-categories and there is a Zune Pass overlay (a subscription service).

Things I Like about Zune 3.0
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It was bound to happen, but Rhapsody finally launched a DRM Free MP3 store and integrating the DRM Free MP3s into the Rhapsody Jukebox. So, what does this mean?
- If you have a Rhapsody membership (subscription) you can listen to full songs as much as you want and buy songs for $.99 that work on any MP3 player including iPods.
- If you don’t have a Rhapsody membership, you can still listen to up to 25 song streams per month and buy DRM free songs for $.99 or $9.99 for the album.
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The Rhapsody compatible devices are starting to come fast and furious now! iRiver Clix, updated Sansa, TiVo and now Haier America (I’ve never heard of them either) is rolling out the Ibiza. The nicest feature of this player (other than the much larger harddrive than flash players) is that they actually connect to Rhapsody.com via WiFi. This is a much nicer integration than a simple drag the Rhapsody playlist or channel onto your MP3 player.

Here’s a shot of the device:
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I was looking at a buying guide in the Seattle P-I called “Make a Geek Smile” (I consider myself less of a geek, more of a connoisseur of fine technology) by Scott Taves and as an aside, he had this to say about Rhapsody when reviewing the iPod Touch.

“It’s a shame about touch’s relationship issues. Paired with an online music service like Rhapsody, we’d have near perfection. I started using Rhapsody’s To Go subscription ($14.99 per month, rhapsody.com) free several months ago as part of the review process for the iRiver Clix media player. When it came time for the complimentary period to end, I gladly shelled out for a paid subscription. It’s exceptionally easy to use and the music selection is vast. What I usually end up doing is looking for a specific song or album. With one click you can add it to your library where it’s a simple drag and drop to transfer it to any media player you’ve registered.
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DRM (Digital Rights Management) free MP3s are the same sort of buy it/use it where you want type music files you get when you buy a CD. As long as you are using it for personal purposes, not re-selling or swapping in the peer to peer networks - they are totally legal eagle. Better yet, because they are in DRM free universal MP3 format - they play on ipods, Sandisks or any MP3 playing device without the need for re-coding - FREE AT LAST! This is hot on the heels of releases by both iTunes and Walmart for selling DRM files - however there are some big differences. The table above helps separate the wheat from the chaff on what’s what.

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A ton of small businesses like chiropractors, doctors, espresso stands, taverns and retail need music to create the atmosphere for the customers and keep the employees pumped up. To get the right music into your establishment you basically have six options:
1) You plug a tuner into your sound system and listen to the radio.
Pros: Free, options from various type of stations, variety of music
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Dear Steve Jobs (ZDNet, 4/27/07) - By Alan Graham

Over the past 18 years I’ve spent close to $200k on Apple products, and I think with a track record like that, I can honestly say that I’m a pretty good customer. I’m someone who not only loves Apple products, but has a tendency to believe in the general strategies of the company. In fact, even in those difficult years, the years you spent in the wilderness, I stuck with the platform while many people left in droves. And while I did have a small time away to the Windows side in the late 90’s, I came back once you returned and started releasing great products again. The iMac…man that was a stroke of genius. You just seem to know what I want, even before I do. But Steve…here’s the thing. While I know you think you know what’s best for me (and I appreciate that), I have to say that when you recently told me that I am not interested in a subscription-based iTunes, because I would prefer to own my music, you totally missed the mark. So I just wanted to write you this quick note and clarify my stance on this right away and make sure you knew how I really felt about this topic.
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We’re building some comparisons of Zune, iPod and Sansa Rhapsody and came across this tidbit of info. Click here to read the story from AppleInsider.com and see the screenshot from Zune on a vista OS. Let the games begin!

I’ve been playing with the Sansa Rhapsody and trying to see what all it can do. On my last road trip, I built a couple of artist based custom channels in Rhapsody and transfered to my SansaRhapsody to see what Rhapsody kicked out. I’m going to see the Dixie Chicks tonight in Tacoma so put together a country music channel with my favorite hillbillies including: Dixie Chicks, Jerry Jeff Walker, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakum, Jimmy Buffett (close enough), Willie Nelson and Brad Paisley. You can pick up to 10 artists and allow Rhapsody to pick the songs, pick additional artists and fill out a channel.

The Good:
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While I love my iPod and prefer the look and feel, I really love music and would much rather have access to the Rhapsody catalog, fresh music updates and fun custom channel mixes. At the end of the day – it’s more about the music than the style. Click here to see my full comparison of the ipod nano 2 vs the Sansa Rhapsody MP3 Player