Zune 3.0 software review

CNET's Donald Bell reviews the Zune 3.0 media jukebox software.

Donald Bell Senior Editor / How To

Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.

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Donald Bell

Oct. 9, 2008 10:49 a.m. PT

Screen shot of Zune 3 software. — The Zune software is coming into its own, but it's still no iTunes-killer.

The Zune desktop software has historically been a necessary evil for Zune owners. The original version of the software released in 2006 was nothing more than Windows Media Player 11 with a fresh coat of paint and a built-in store. Then, the remodeled, stripped-down, and buggy Version 2.0 was unveiled in 2007, forcing CNET's Molly Wood to sever her ties with Zune.

The third time may be the charm for Microsoft. Version 3.0 of the Zune software shows some real promise as a stable and attractive multimedia jukebox.

There's still much work to be done before this PC-only software will hold any appeal beyond the Zune-owners of the world, but there are plenty of things the software gets right. To read my full account of the pros and cons of using the Zune software as your computer's media jukebox, click through to read the Zune 3.0 software review on CNET Reviews.

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