Not so much the hardware mind you. Aesthetically the device looks like a poorly rendered iPod clone, or even an uncompleted prototype. Unexciting and uninpiring to put it mildly. On the merits of design and overall navigation interface, iPod wins hands down in that regard.

However in terms of the overall embedded software experience, ZUNE is one step ahead of the curve. Where the iPod interface is banal and elementary, ZUNE's is rich and fluid while still retaining the same ease of use afforded by the iPod.

Apple needs to go back to school with its embedded software, which is now painfully long in the tooth. Why not borrow a page (or better still TECHNOLOGY) from the iPhone and deliver a fluid, animated UI, with rotating album art and visual navigation similar to CoverFlow in iTunes.

Something needs to be overhauled, and soon. Because iPod isn't nearly as competitive or compelling as it once was. ZUNE may be a flawed first-generation product, but it does at least show that Microsoft is headed in the right direction. I wouldn't trade in my iPod for a ZUNE of course, but having broken my fifth generation iPod last fall (using a 3G model now) I'm not so eager to buy a replacement unit considering what little changes have been made to the existing product line. The high-end line is certainly due for a refresh. I hope for my sake Apple comes back swinging with something more exciting and worthier than its last efforts.