

More important, however, is the fact that it reset all of my sounds and mouse pointers to default and set up it's hideous wallpaper as well. I'd rather blue or green, but that's my problem. Maybe that's more common now since I gave up on themes long ago and just settled for the silver one that comes standard.

This is a slickly presented media player that’s easy to navigate and integrates well with the online Zune experience, although you’ll need a compatible portable device to get the most out of it.A very nice theme, and nice to see one that needs no paid products installed. It’s all very slick and well put together – you can use it simply as a replacement for Windows Media Player, or to make the most of Microsoft’s Zune service just don’t expect it to work with your iPod or any other non-Zune hardware device. Social is where you can connect with other Zune users to share your tastes and pick up hints in return, while Quickplay is where your favourite content can be accessed from one customisable screen. Collection is where your existing content is stored, including files and Windows Media playlists already present on your PC when you install the software, while Marketplace is where you browse the eight million tracks and videos on offer – it’s all very quick and easy thanks to the search box and friendly navigation. It’s a very minimalist affair, and is split into four sections: Quickplay, Collection, Marketplace and Social. Zune is designed to work on Microsoft-powered devices, such as PCs, Windows 7 phones and the Xbox 360 console, and this is the software player that powers it on the PC. Zune is its answer to these services, offering unlimited access to movies and music via monthly subscription, plus the option to buy individual music tracks, albums and video outright, all through your existing Windows Live ID. It goes without saying that Microsoft wasn’t going to let the likes of Apple’s iTunes, Napster and Spotify just walk into the burgeoning digital media market without trying to grab a piece of the action for itself.
