AppleMatters has a balanced Zune vs iPod review. Chris Seibold first says that there is no bad publicity. The look alike of the Zune / Zune Marketplace and iPod/iTunes is the main reason of this negative approach of the iPod fans.

Then goes to the point system MS uses in the Marketlace and the Zune-Xbox bonds. I believe he misses 3 details on this:

1. It is very possible Microsoft in the future to give revenue for song sharing back to the users (links: 1 , 2 , 3 ). The points system makes it easier.
   
2. Also the customers see 79 points a song. On iTunes they see 99 cents a song. Which one "seems" to be cheaper?
3. Kids don't have credit cards but can buy a $5 card easily.

He goes on about the speed Zune got out in the market just to be here before Christmas. Zune also is a 10-11 months project. Could Microsoft be in such a hurry because it wants to have a triple play? Vista - Xbox 360 - Zune: the three of them can play movies with DRM. Smells like a big Hollywood deal ?

I c/p the last paragraph without comments. It is very insightful by itself:

The Social, squirting and no Microsoft logo to be found

Microsoft seems to be trying very hard to make the Zune achingly hip. “The social” “Squirting” and the lack of a Microsoft logo all point to this fact. Thing is, when a company of Microsoft’s size tries to be cool it usually doesn’t work out. It is a lot like the over tanned 45 year old with a beer gut hanging over his speedo standing on the prow of a massively over powered speed boat with a ropey gold chain hanging around his neck. Restated in Zune speak: Microsoft is not anyone. Welcome to “the goofy”.

In the end, all the Zune’s flaws add up to one thing: it is not there to take out the iPod, yet. We see a strong attachment to the Xbox, a concerted effort to appeal the young, and an absolute abandonment of the old ways of Microsoft. What the Zune is there to do is be a place holder until the next big thing rolls around. Watch as the Zune slowly morphs from a Music movie player into a handle held version of the Xbox, witness the Zune become a virtual hub for the digital lifestyle that Steve Jobs had been promoting for years. Gaze in awe as more and more computing features are added to the Zune. Or perhaps none of these things will come to pass, sooner or later there will be a next big thing and Microsoft will be ready to pounce with the Zune.

Read the full article on AppleMatters .