@James R. Stoup
This whole article is irrelevant, why did you waste your time bashing the ZUNE when its features and functionality are far better than the IPOD. Your only motive is the pricing scheme because its not as retard proof as itunes. It's genious what microsoft did, and i'm glad they did it. Why? Because for the people who do own an xbox, they can easily earn free music by being lazy like me and playing video games. Besides who pays for music nowadays or even the last 10 years for that matter. Who wouldn't want free music LEGALLY? And what better way to get it than playing video games.
But in all honesty your right for the common consumer or all the old farts out there that have no interest in videos games, or an xbox, it's just a stupid extra step to get music. But consider those of us that own both in your reviews and throw some positive points in there about the benefits of being a part of that "community" and maybe you wouldn't leave yourself looking like a pissed off apple stockholder from the early 90's cursing every innovative idea microsoft introduced.
And if you do respond, don't bother typing a stupid resonse to belittle me and avoid everything you just read about. There's no point.
Zune Marketplace's Absurd Pricing Scheme