The Challenge of Overcomplicating Simplicity
Microsoft just doesn’t get it. If you make your product hard to use, people will find something else that’s easier. That’s exactly what happened with me and the Zune.
Apple gets it…
I’m not thrilled about the price of Apple’s gadgets, but you have to give them credit: they really do think about the user. You buy an iPod, download iTunes, install it, plug your iPod in, and you’re ready to go. If there’s an update, a little box pops up, asks if you want to install it, you click “yes,” accept the agreement, and that’s it. It’s so simple even a caveman could do it.
Microsoft, have you looked at iTunes lately?
Don’t get me wrong — I like my Zune player. It sounds better than my second-generation iPod Touch and third-generation Nano, and it’s got a good-looking screen. The user interface isn’t as smooth as Apple’s, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fine.
The Zune Marketplace? It’s not the iTunes Store, but it’s functional. Plus, the subscription service is great if you’re the type who likes renting songs instead of buying them.
Here’s the problem…
Tonight, I wanted to find a song I heard in a video. I opened the Zune software, clicked “Sign In,” and got hit with a notice about agreeing to new terms of service. No big deal, right? Wrong.
I clicked the link, and instead of handling it in the app, it opened my browser — Firefox, since that’s my default. (I avoid Internet Explorer, but that’s a whole other post.)
Except Firefox threw a cryptic error. Luckily, I noticed it, copied the URL, opened it in Internet Explorer, and signed into Zune.net from there. After agreeing to the terms, I finally logged back into the Zune software… just to find out the song I wanted wasn’t available.
(Found it on Amazon, by the way — but that’s another story.)
Why couldn’t Microsoft just build the agreement right into the Zune app?
They have the talent. There’s no excuse for making something so basic so frustrating.
If Microsoft wants to take market share from Apple, they need to make the user experience easier — or at least as good. For me, it wasn’t a huge deal because I’m used to working around stuff like this. But for someone who isn’t tech-savvy? This would have been a dealbreaker. It’s one more reason someone might stick with an iPod next time.
Make it simple. Apple gets it. Microsoft… it’s time you did too.
And yeah, I know this is really old. Microsoft killed off the Zune a long time ago.
I guess that’s not much of a surprise.
Originally posted back in 2009 when the Zune was still alive and kicking. Updated in 2025 with some light edits but the frustration remains the same. Apple did end up getting my money afterall.