Even though the new version of Microsoft Inc.s Zune is better looking, has enhanced Wi-Fi, and offers an all-you-can-eat subscription plan, iPod and iTunes will likely keep their leads. Zune version 2.0 comes in three models: an 80-gigabyte hard drive version, a 4GB flash memory unit, and an 8GB flash memory unit. The new models are much better looking than the original Zune, with 20 designs to choose from and an optional inscription of up to five lines. The new navigation control is a nice innovation--the Zune-pad works as both a standard five-way control and as a pad that is sensitive to the flick of a finger. Zunes can now sync wirelessly with a Windows computer to transfer music, podcasts, video or photos. The menus and other material that appear on the display are clean and easy to use. However, although the desktop software looks good, its functionality suffers. Furthermore, the Zune Marketplace offers fewer tracks than the iTunes Store, there are no movies or TV shows available, and it uses a Microsoft Points system that is cumbersome. The best thing about the Zune is that it embraces subscription music, which may represent the only viable long-term business model for the music industry. The Zune Pass gives a user access to most of the 3 million tracks in the Zune Marketplace for a flat monthly fee. Although the Zune Pass is too restrictive and too expensive, it may lead the way to the new subscription era in music.