It's Microsoft's set of mp3 players...they also have Zune Pass, which is sort of like itunes (except it only has 25 games for zune hd...more for wp7 I think), and you can choose to purchase the songs or pay $14.99 per month (or $149.90 per year) for unlimited song downloads (basically rentals), along with 10 permanent song downloads per month. 

I've been subscribed to the software for over a year now, and its pretty awesome actually...with the 10 permanent downloads, that would cost people $10 on itunes, so I'm basically getting unlimited music "rentals" (they stay on zune as long as zune pass is active) for $5 per month. (It's more of something for people like me who don't want to pirate music )

The only negative to zune pass is there have been 3 artists so far out of the tons I have looked up that still make you pay for their songs, but you can use your song credits each month on these dick artists, so its not much of a dilemna.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune_HD

I mostly use my Zune HD when I'm working out; and I love it.  Honestly I wonder if the hardware will go on sale now, the wife keeps stealing mine for when she works out (she likes the HD radio) and I've been meaning to pick one up for her...Maybe now is the time!

This is a shame though as I think my Zune is a sexy little beast.

Have you checked Amazon? lol

The 16 gb is on sale for $165.54 (regular $200) and 32 gb on sale for $182.54 (regular $270)

Best Buy has the same prices at $170 and $200, I'm thinking it will be one of those perma sale type deals where it never sells for the MSRP anymore.

Really?  That was fast!  HAHA, I haven't shopped for one recently and am at work now (shouldn't even be on chartz!), but thanks for the info, I'll stop at BB on way home!

as any nintendo fan on this site will tell you, sales and quality are the same thing therefore zune must have been bad quality ...

Oh, I meant same zunes at $170 and $200, but I think you understood my point...I got mine for like $200 on sale last February, so $170 is a pretty good deal now :)

Clearly your work doesn't check your history, bahahaha

I have seen a zune thanks to workmates from our US branch and thought it was great. At that time it was suppose to rule the world...according to some, and then the  Zune phones?

Funny enough on a flight to somewhere I can't recall last year there were Zunes advertised on the planes and I considered getting one.

The truth is it stood no chance in a competitive market where almost every electronics company were producing - if not quite the same - mp3 players. Apple always had the advantage being the first to go mainstream and ipod became a household name. It is not like consoles where they are only two other competitors and MS with it's trillions can grab a foothold.

It's sad but a reminder to those who think that MS (or any company) is invincible and shows that money can't buy everything.

They thought that simply releasing a product and throwing money at it equals success.

I called it like a year ago when my friend all of a sudden shut up about how great Zune is.

Well, I'd say it was more a lack of money that led to its inevitable "failure."  People want lots of apps, whether or not they cost money, they want apps for their electronic devices.  When it seems like every month or two, Microsoft just randomly releases 1 or 2 new apps for the zune hd, I think one person working part time could make all of the apps that come out for the device.

I mean, the device has the ability to be a beast, and the 32 gb is $100 cheaper than the similar sized 32 gb ipod touch...$100!!!

I really do think if they could even boast that there are hundreds of apps, or just over 1000 apps or something, it would have sold a lot better, as I've heard on numerous occasions the complaint that there are no apps, and people would gladly pay $100 more for the ipod so they can get the apps.

Also thought I'd ask, does anybody know the validity to the zune apps that you can download off of random websites that people made, but Microsoft decides they don't want the people to release the apps in their stores.

I am not sure of the overall budget regarding apps but from a promotion point of view I read a couple years back that they employed Crispin Porter & Bogusky to advertise the Zune. That name may not mean much to you but in the advertising world that means major bucks. I think it was to the "tune" - no pun intended - of $300m. I don't live in the US and never quite followed up on the outcome.

 I am sure the money spent on the zune will be revealed soon enough.

As for the rest of what you said you are probably right.