Microsoft's Zune Marketplace saw a huge change in 2007 with the release of the second-generation Zune. Even if you didn't have the device, the layout and speed of the program was greatly improved and the marketplace interface completely redone. The folks who designed Windows Media Center for Windows Vista were behind the change, and the result is a program that was less like the strung together reskin of Windows Media Player from previous generation.
In order to get music or music videos off of the Zune Marketplace users must either must pay a monthly subscription for all-you-can eat downloads, or simply purchase tracks one at a time with Microsoft Points, Microsoft's closed credit system. There's also integrated podcast directory for both audio and video podcasts.
Winner: Zune Marketplace (Zune.net)
Category: Audio
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