• Zune extends across PCs, phones, gaming consoles and portable media players.laptop image by Du...?an Zidar from Fotolia.com
  
  Microsoft Zune is a portable media player as well as an entertainment platform that extends across devices including the personal computer, Xbox 360 and mobile phones. All Zune products focus on playing digital media such as music, movies and television shows. The Zune platform also lets users download new media and organize their collections, synchronizing them across various electronic devices.
  
  

Zune Software

• Microsoft's free Zune software for personal computers serves as a platform for acquiring, playing and organizing music and other digital media. Zune software features Smart DJ, which allows users to create instant music playlists based on any album, song or artist in their collection. Quickplay gathers music, videos and podcasts in one accessible place while Mixview displays related music and influences for artists and albums. Zune's Pick feature makes recommendations to users based on their musical preferences. Zune software also syncs with portable Zune devices.
  
  

Zune for Windows Mobile

• Zune for Windows 7 mobile phones performs similar functions as Zune PC software. Mobile Zune lets users listen to music and watch movies and television shows on their cellular phones. When mobile Zune is used in conjunction with Zune for Windows PCs, users can stream music from their PC to their Windows 7 Mobile phone. For Mac users, this feature syncs music libraries, photos, videos and podcasts from iTunes and and iPhoto libraries.
  
  

Zune for Xbox Live

• Zune for Xbox Live, accessible via the Xbox 360's dashboard, lets users watch high-definition movies and television shows instantly via streaming technology. With optional Zune passes and season passes, users stream millions of songs through the Xbox 360. Zune on Xbox Live supports Smart DJ and lets users subscribe to their favorite TV shows. With Kinect for Xbox 360, users control Zune functions -- such as play, rewind and fast forward -- using the motion of their hands or the sound of their voice.
  
  

Zune Devices

• Microsoft offers a line of Zune-based portable media devices, including the Zune 4-, 8-, 16-, 80- and 120-gigabyte MP3 players. Each Zune MP3 player plays MP3 music files and features FM radio tuning, wireless syncing with other Zune platforms, touch controls, music downloads and portable video playback. While Zune HD devices perform similar functions, they feature touchscreen displays, high-definition FM radio, high-definition video playback, wi-fi access and compatibility with online social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.