Zune: what we know, think we know, and don't yet know

Ok, so we got off the horn with Microsoft just a few minutes ago and realized that making heads or tails of all this Zune stuff is probably driving some of you crazy . (We know others are probably just getting driven crazy by all the posts we've been writing about it. Sorry, it's our job!) So here's what we know for sure, think we know according to inside sources (i.e. yet unconfirmed information), and what we don't yet know at all about the Zune.

What we know (for sure)

• Zune is the name of the project, the brand, and the device.
• The first Zune device will be launched this year, with more devices to come in 2007.
• The Zune brand encompasses not only the device, but the software that will drive it, as well as a music, movie, and media service the Zune device family will use for acquiring, sharing, and discovery of said media. Music will be the first angle of service that is launched, "connected entertainment" being the ultimate goal.
  
• The Zune media service will heavily leverage community aspects and recommendation; emphasis is being placed on using Zune to discover new artists, media, etc.
• The Zune media device will be drive-based, and have WiFi.
• The Zune brand is intended to be an entirely vertically integrated end-to-end solution, not unlike the iPod / iTunes / iTunes Music Store triumvirate.
• The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover.
  
• Zune is under Microsoft's new Entertainment & Devices Division, and is headed by, among others, Robbie Bach, J Allard (Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect), and Bryan Lee (Corporate Vice President and CFO, Entertainment and Devices Division), which accounts for the division of this project from the rest of Microsoft, similar to how the Xbox project was also strictly separated.
• The logo we had is, of course, real.
• Microsoft's launched the Zune viral marketing site, ComingZune.com. [Thanks, bv]

What we think we know (and are pretty sure of)

• They'll be showing off the device by the end of next month, and will aim for a November release.
• Microsoft will buy your way out of iTunes in order to convert you to a Zune user.
  
• The Zune will come in multiple colors.
• Pyxis is the codename for their nano competitor which would also include video capabilities; Alexandria is the codename for the software that powers the Zune experience.
• A Microsoft portable gaming system is in the works, and will be a part of the Zune family. This device should have Xbox Live Anywhere integration. This may or may not be an Xbox co-branded portable, but is probably going to be the portable gaming / media device we've been hearing about for years.
• Microsoft's ad campaign will include a Super Bowl commercial.
• The Zune will have a bevy of accessories at launch; it'll probably be cheaper for accessory makers to develop for the Zune port than pay the Made For iPod tax.

What we don't yet know

• Whether the Zune media service will offer the same kind of all-you-can-eat subscription media services as PlaysForSure media services like Napster and Vongo. Supposedly subscription will be offered, but downplayed in favor of song purchase (which is the opposite of most PlaysForSure services).
  
• Whether you'll actually only be limited to sharing with up to 10 people nearby, as rumored, and that they won't get the protected files, but will "bookmark" them for later purchase.
• Exact device specifications for the first Zune device, as well as its price (though we hear it could be as much as $399).
• Whether it'll include XM and/or Sirius service as rumored (we doubt it).

Let the analysis begin!

[Lauren @ Nov 21st 2006 3:37PM]

What is "Playforsure" if someone could explain to me what this is and what it means i would be very greatful.And how it is also a negitive for the zune.



Thank , Lauren

[andy @ Feb 25th 2008 11:29AM]

Two weeks back i bought a zune gadget which was cool all the 30GB you know what am saying but yesterday when i was listening to it, it juyst stop9ed i tried to swtich it on again but all vain tried charging but stillb failed to start now am looking at it like a toy after spending on it 400 USdollas. I have a question and i need an answer. Is it that all the zune gadgets in Africa feak because thats where i Am or is it that all microsoft zune gadgets feak world wide?

[greg kaminski @ Mar 21st 2008 10:15PM]

I am loking for directions on how to use my Zune also looking fort instruction on all things my Zune is capable of doing
Please send asap
greg kaminski
43 vulcun Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
[phone]
I am in Pennsylvania

[Ryan Block @ Jul 21st 2006 5:29PM]

Sorry, like it or not this is one of the biggest gadget news stories of the year for consumer electronics, we do the best job we possibly can at reporting the news, big and little. If this were a new iPod initiative we would give it the very same treatment. If you're sick of reading about it, well, then don't read the post!

Best, Ryan

[ipod rules @ Oct 15th 2006 1:30AM]

ipod will beat zune any day. For one it is alot smaller than zune and can now have up to 80 gigs. zune s a complete copy of ipod and for a coppier microsoft have done an aful job

[Christina @ Aug 30th 2007 9:34PM]

A new version is coming up in the near future.


Christina
http://www.prankvideoz.com

[Joe @ Jul 21st 2006 5:30PM]

OK, what is that little cartoon supposed to be on the comingzune website? I'm going to jump out on a limp and say the big dude is Apple, the little dude is Microsoft and the bunny is music/video. They're trying to say that Apple is the big one in the biz, but Microsoft loves it more. :) When the little guy hugs it, the big guy gets jealous and starts petting it again.

Joe

[Kevin @ Jul 21st 2006 5:35PM]

Wow I don't beleive I invoked a repsonse. If youguys want to report on it, do it in one post. I don't want to hear about it every other post.

Prepare for the "You guys must be getting paid by Microsoft" comments. I am sure they come from the same people who say "You guys must work for Apple"

[mjparker @ Jul 21st 2006 5:36PM]

I think it's going to work. Sony could throw up a roadblock with a drive-based PSP2- but can they afford the risk? A well-crafted box for music/games/video will take the market by storm. If this Alexandria sells Music, Movies, AND GAMES- it will take ITunes Music Store's next generation of customers away. If Zune has Wi-Fi, limited file sharing, HD video out, and a DVR- it would obliterate Ipod.

Regardless, competition will serve to drive prices down, and service up. We win.

[zachary @ Jul 21st 2006 5:37PM]

I think they're saying sharing is good, but your idea makes a lot of sense... i thought i recognized the big bald dude! Keep up the good posting, the more news the better!

[jbbeauvoir @ Jul 21st 2006 5:38PM]

Read this on a blog called metroxing, and thinks it's on target:

10 Reasons Why the Microsoft Portable Music Player Will Fail

10) First the rumored features of WiFi, Community & Trading your AAC tracks for WMA tracks.

WiFi. The MusicGremlin that is out now is proving that it sounds like a feature you want but the reality is that, it’s not all much of anything. First, WiFi is not broadband. That’s why Apple can build it into your iPod right now but why – when a direct connection is hundreds times faster? Also WiFi coverage is spotty – presumably you have to stand in one spot until it downloads. Who here really wants that?
sides, how well is Rhapsody doing with ipod owners?

It also seems much more likely that a hacker will crack that open within hours so every mp3 track you own will appear to be a m4p track and by noon, MS will probably be on the hook for a billion tracks and they’ll have to shut it down.

But most of all, how many people trust MS will get it to work correctly. They cannot get PLAYS4SURE to work correctly on every machine when it’s plugged DIRECTLY in – how are they going to get WiFi working and sell you tracks while you walk around? It’s not.

Or look at their attempt at the feature set today with their WMP11 player – it will go and grab all your CD cover art. Surprise or no surprise, most reviewers note that it cannot find obscure artists like Bill Joel or U2.

9) MS has failed in EVERY consumer venture since 1998. From remotes to Barney (remember those? And fittingly, here's the 'patch') to home networking to watches to WebTV to online music stores - that launched in 1999 but that Apple managed to outsell in 6 months CUMULATIVELY three years later.

And the Xbox/360? When you spend $400 to sell every unit, how many more “successes” can you afford?

8) Information is already leaking like a sieve. Any enticing feature will be included in the Apple iPod updates coming out by this fall or holiday season.

7) It will antagonize MS’ many partners – they will fight tooth and nail to hold MS at bay. So far, there’s Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sony, Philips, SanDisk and others fighting for 10% to 20% of the leftover market. These companies all have direct relationships and many other products to offer to consumer electronic retailers not just Xbox (hardly any profit), and now another mp3 player. And some of these companies will be fighting to stay alive.

If anything, it further confuses consumers – do I want MS & their music service? Do I want Napster & iRiver & Plays4Sure but not MS music service? Do I want Creative & MTV Urge or can I still use MS music service? Or is it just too much damn work – how about SIMPLIFY with ONE solution EVERYONE else seems to agree on – itunes & ipod. Because people want to listen to music! Not play DJ - not have to use GoogleSpreadsheet to figure what's a better deal.

People choose the ipod for many reasons but mostly for CONVENIENCE. There are cheaper players and players with more features (I think even MS fans would agree it’s not in their most remote possibility that MS will design a mp3 player that looks better than the ipod) but no one beats the ipod for convenience.

ONE CLICK buys, and/or loads, AND syncs: music, movies, music videoes, photos, album art, podcasts, and/or audiobooks …

ONE CLICK.

Any bets the MS player will take more than one click just to turn on?

6) MS “marketing prowess” and ad dollars … stand back while the mighty gauntlet is thrown … er, yeah … it would be like Bill Gates as an ultimate fighter … MS spent $4 BILLION, yes BILLION dollars to try and take out AOL and LOST … if you can’t even defeat AOL – how can MS hope to beat back Apple, Sony, Samsung, Creative, iRiver & SanDisk?

In fact, they can’t even market you products based on their “fabled” OS – tablet PC’s, Media PC’s and that watch OS … all MAJOR launches that would sweep & revolutionize the industry. All TREMENDOUS flops. It’s the same marketing team – all ignored because when consumers have a choice, they seldom choose MS.

5) Their REAL REPUTATION. People tolerate their OS because they thought it was the only game in town … now, that it’s not and Bill Gates is leaving the company, what’s Microsoft again? When consumers have a choice, they seldom choose MS – certainly not since 1998. Because MS is the kludgy company with the not-quite working things with unattractive looking products. And of course, the requisite blue screen of death jokes.

4) They don’t really understand consumers. It’s a mixture of ignorance and arrogance … don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming Apple isn’t arrogant either but at least it’s the right arrogance for these times.* MS believes that by asking consumers what we want and because they’re so brilliant, we’ll buy it.

The problem is consumers say a lot of things they want but in reality, not really. We want low fat food, car pool lanes and flying cars but we don’t really want to eat low fat food more than once every two months; we don’t really want to drive around our neighborhoods picking up people or re-arranging our schedules; and we want a flying car that looks like a Ferrari/F-14, is under $15k.

The problem is MS’ culture is built on serving Enterprise & Gov’t Agencies who say exactly what they want, when they want it and how much they’ll pay. They are brilliant at selling to them. And that’s all fine and great.

They problem is that’s just not exciting enough for MS. They want our hearts, minds & wallets. They got a taste of it in the 1990’s with Win95 & 98 and ever since has been trying to get into our good graces but yet, the harder they try, the further they fall.

They just don’t understand when we say we want something, they “deliver” it – yet we don’t buy it (see next)

* Apple’ arrogance is different. Their aloofness is the allure. We don’t really care what you want. We will show you something … in good time. If you appreciate it – you understand. If you don’t, that’s your loss.

That is also why Apple can’t really sell to Enterprise, they just don’t care enough to beg like MS. Apple’s sales pitch is – here it is. If we release it, we think it’s great so why would we need to say much else?

3) In addition to the clueless arrogance, the other part of equation that brings MS down is their bureaucratic culture now. After the great success and cash flow of MS Office and Windows maintenance contracts, MS new mantra is continuous & PREDICTABLE revenue flow. They try and create every new division and product with that in mind. Again, what works fine in the corporate/enterprise/agency marketplace does NOT work in the consumer marketplace. Consumers loathe the monthly payment – it reminds of their utilities, credit cards and mortgage but to bureaucrats, what could be better than a PREDICATBLE & MONTHLY revenue stream? Hence MS attempt to take down AOL. 25 million people write a $25 check to AOL EVERY MONTH! (It’s now down to 18 million people a month using AOL). Or their attempts to get into the cable industry or the cell phone industry – we just want 10% of your take every month. That’s why they thought they had locked up the music & movie industries with their DRM & servers – just give us $.10 to $1.00 on every transaction … why were they were so hot on setting up Passport and a micro-payment system or why Bill Gates bought Corbis, the stock photo company – pay us X dollars to look or use this photo! (Remember he built those 10 plasma screen savers in his house? He presumed we would all do that and buy some package from Corbis every month).

This is the only reason they entered the video game marketplace. They saw that Sony made $5 to $10 on every PS2 disc sold and that online gaming meant $10 to $20 a month EVERY month. PREDICATABLE. The bureaucrats dream. Their new virus protection plan – again, sign up every year! Or why would MS spend millions designing an OS for a watch? All they saw was the PowerPoint presentation of $5 a month. No one stopped to say, why would anyone pay $5 a month for a weather report in tiny scrolling typeface when the same amount of time spent reading a watch face, you could simply look up for a BETTER weather report ALL AROUND YOU?

That’s the main difference with Apple. Your iPod works fine without ever using the iTunes Store … if fact, you can turn off the Store so it does not even show up … you think MS will offer that feature?

That’s why MS pushes subscription music – PREDICTABLE revenue stream … or what they want to do with this portable music player – add ads. Watch ads. Get free music. The problem is when you decide it has to be a predictable revenue stream first and then design the product around it – you’ve become a utility.

Microsoft is the only high-tech company that aspires to be a utility.

2) That’s one deadly DESIGN combination. Before you begin every venture, the bean counters want to know how you intend to generate revenues every month. Now design your product around that along with the 200 things consumers said they wanted – never mind what might be more or less important – just jam it all in there – the actual consumer is the furthest thing on our mind.

Perfect example. On the TREO, to use the speakerphone, there is a button SPEAKERPHONE. You press it. On the MS Q phone? Under the PROFILES MENU, go two deep and select SPEAKERPHONE. Which was designed by humans who actually use a phone and which was designed by a bureaucrat who just finished a stint at the DMV.

Microsoft – the DMV of technology.

1) It has already failed. Every other WMA player company is much nimbler (well, maybe not Sony :-) so already whatever MS produces will be heavier, bulkier, wonkier and dumber than products from Creative, iRiver, SanDisk, Samsung, etc … (the Xbox 360 is the work of hundreds of people after studying an ipod for 300 hours – bwahahaha).

It will have some annoying call-home-sign-in feature that only a bureaucrat could dream up … of course, they’ll tell you it’s to help you find new music but basically if you buy a Mariah track, there will be a 30-second ad pointing there might an obscure artist you’ve never heard of – Celine Dion. The WiFi will work sporatically, good luck getting a track replaced if the DL fails or they’ll charge you $19.99 a month for nationwide WiFi. MS will lose interest quickly as they start to lose the video game console fight to Sony & Nintendo and when/if they actually ship Vista in the middle of 2007 and/or when Google launches GoogleOffice for FREE on the internet.

They’ll all turn their eyes to Steve Ballmer to lead them out of the morass (the same guy who admits he missed what Yahoo, Google & Apple) were up to. The blame game will begin.

Meanwhile, Apple will probably announce an 8” ipod with a nano mini dock attachment to make it a nano mini mac …

MS should not let their player see the light of day – as a mythical beast, it will do much better – alighting far fetched rumors but if it were actually to step out into the sunlight. It will seal MS’ fate and announce to the world with trumpets that MS is truly a utility now.

[Matt @ Sep 19th 2006 6:30AM]

My playforsure Creative player synics in One Click, I dont see an Ipod logo on it.

[Carlos @ Oct 10th 2006 10:27PM]

OMG you are the most biased idiot ever!

For god sake, who killed your fucking puppy?

You are completely anti MS and a real iPod fan. I bet you own an ipod, but you don't own a Mac or anything else from apple. Seriously, you rant means nothing as it is clearly biases and not even to some company, but completely against microsoft...

bureocrats, wtf?

[Kevin @ Jul 21st 2006 5:42PM]

Also, I hope that is not the device. Because it is hideous. And resembles an iPod. Unless thats what they are going for? So people can't tell the difference, then under the covers when they switch they will buy them out of iTunes so that they never even knew they switched players.... sneaky.

As far as the price. $399, with a 30GB drive and a larger feature set is all fine and good. However, right before the Zune is released Apple will update its players with a similar feature set with larger capacites. Which will crush the Zune.

It is funny to see all the people who hate the iPod get excited about this. The main criteria for hating the iPod is that you are locked in. Well, guess what kids. Microsoft is doing the same thing. If the Zune reaches the popularity of the iPod is everyone going to hate it then too? Just because it is popular and they are making money?

This may be a great player, but why is everyone praising it when it is basically the same thing as the iPod, iTunes, iTMS model?

[DCaff @ Nov 19th 2006 11:20PM]

First of all it isnt 399 dollars...it is the same price as the ipod. Second...it isnt ugly, i love how it looks more than the ipod. You should keep your personal "look" ideas to yourself. Im not an ipod hater and im not a huge fan of microsoft....but i think this has a lot of potential that can over time beat the ipod. I just dont like the ipod cause it owns to much of the market. You want something like the zune to come along so that it causes competition...which will cause prices to go down and quality and everything else to go up. You probably havnt even picked one up...just dont diss it before you know the truth....i own one.

[jbbeauvoir @ Jul 21st 2006 5:43PM]

J Allard...

Nothing more to say...

HHHHMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

[Elliot @ Jul 21st 2006 5:44PM]

Microsoft is going to win some kind of "most ironic brand" award now for PlaysForSure.

[Donna @ Nov 15th 2006 1:55AM]

PSP vs. Zune ? I was thinking of getting the PSP2 and now see the Zune . Which do you think is better ?

[milo @ Jul 21st 2006 5:44PM]

I'm still wondering why I should care. If I have a PSP, and an iPod, will this provide something new? Is it going to be high-def, run on fuel cells, or project on the wall? If it's MS then I know I can't easily import media that I own in another format and want to rip myself, unlike my trusty Korean media player drive. Seriously, what are they bringing to the table on this? Another iPod clone, with a different pay service for the music. No thanks.

[Thataboy @ Jul 21st 2006 5:46PM]

Does Apple not have SOME patent on a scroll wheel?

[Dolomite @ Jul 21st 2006 5:48PM]

Force feeding the Zune isn't going to make it any more palettable. This product will be dead before it hits the street. It is over-priced, bloated, and buggy. Can we please get some gadget news worthy of reporting?

[aleandro @ Jul 21st 2006 5:48PM]

that songs kicks ass..never heard of the artist tho

[Fred @ Jul 21st 2006 5:48PM]

'made for ipod tax'

So how much did you sell out for? $10,000? $50,000?

[Brendan @ Jul 21st 2006 5:49PM]

A little birdie just told me that Engadget is changing its name to Zune.com ;)

[Jeff @ Jul 21st 2006 5:51PM]

I don't get it.

"Zune is the name of the project, the brand, and the device."

"The Zune brand encompasses not only the device, but the software that will drive it, as well as a music, movie, and media service the Zune device family will use for acquiring, sharing, and discovery of said media. Music will be the first angle of service that is launched, "connected entertainment" being the ultimate goal."

"The first Zune device will be launched this year, with more devices to come in 2007."

Does any of this make sense? So EVERYTHING is called Zune?

Jesus, people get confused enough just trying to distinguish between iTunes and the iTunes Music Store. Imagine if iTunes wasn't called iTunes at all but was instead called iPod. As was the music store. So you buy your iPod, use it with iPod, and download music with iPod. And hey, maybe at some point Apple releases other products also called iPod. No, that's not confusing at all!

This is the least of the problems I see with this but it's something that immediately came to mind while reading all this.

[willyjsimmons @ Jul 21st 2006 5:52PM]

'It is over-priced, bloated, and buggy.'

Dude, this is the second entry you've posted this in.

FUD. At it's best.

[Todd @ Jul 21st 2006 5:55PM]

Man ten posts a day for one product - I think Engasget has gone to the dark side and become part of the "viral marketing"...

...let's just cut to the chase, being vendor locked to Microsoft's iPod will be "good enough" for most people, they will steal 98% of the market share from Apple, while die hard Apple fan boys will continue to use iPods. SOunds just like what happen in the PC market.

The above eleminates the need for all future Zune posts

[zachary @ Jul 21st 2006 5:55PM]

How old is that apple lovers article? IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WMP or Playforsure. Also they havent announced price capacity or price. He sounds like a raving lunatic: "People tolerate their OS because they thought it was the only game in town … now, that it’s not and Bill Gates is leaving the company, what’s Microsoft again? When consumers have a choice, they seldom choose MS – certainly not since 1998. Because MS is the kludgy company with the not-quite working things with unattractive looking products. And of course, the requisite blue screen of death jokes."

[KawF @ Jul 21st 2006 5:55PM]

"The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover."

If that is in fact true, I can only call Microsoft insane. As far as I understand it, it would mean that NONE of the music you have bought from a Plays4Sure store will work on the Zune.

The positive side of that though would of course be that you now get the chance to download every track you've bought, again... for a small fee of what, $0.99/Track?

Ah well. It's a great business model at least.

[Aaron Rodriguez @ Jul 21st 2006 5:57PM]

I overall think the project could be successful but I still think its a HUGE mistake to not use wmp11/plays for sure.

WMP11 will come preinstalled on most computers out there and being able to "just hook it up" would be very nice to have. I know they are billing this as a all in one service like itunes/ipod but they could have easily done that with wmp11/urge and a new plays for sure device.

I just got my toshiba gigabeat S and I dont see this new device being better. But I love the toshiba by far the best player I have ever used (and that includes the ipod video).

[d chalmers @ Jul 21st 2006 5:59PM]

Aaaaaag, I am getting so sick of the Zune posts. Microsoft must be salivating over every content-free post of PR you throw their way. I mean, I'm as interested in this project as anyone (I've always thought the iPod lacked WiFi music sharing) but this is ridiculous. Every third Engadget post is just rehashing the same baseless speculation with the same exact goddamn picture. At least photoshop something new onto the screen every time, for God's sake (unless that violates your deal with Microsoft, natchally).

Gevalt! To paraphrase the Onion's Dead Feed (http://interglacial.com/rss/onion.rss), "Heard about Zune? Heard *this* about Zune? Fuck you idiot morons forever."

[David @ Jul 21st 2006 6:00PM]

So they might allow you to download all of your iTMS music for free. Will they do the same for all of your Plays for Sure content? Interesting...

[Gregory Pierce @ Jul 21st 2006 6:01PM]

Who is bv and how do we know this is for sure their viral marketing site. Never seen Microsoft to get a domain and not register it for themselves. If its theirs and they admit that its theirs, why use Domain by Proxy to hide who the owner of the website it?

[Ben B. @ Jul 21st 2006 6:03PM]

Not annoying at all... here's the commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS4qlYwTdnk

[cycomachead @ Jul 21st 2006 6:10PM]

this thing would do better if it turned out to be fake- I agree
Also I don't understand the buttons on the device- well from looking @ it @ least
Also, sure they are just images, but this thing seems big

Also I don't even konw how mich you are locked in using the iPod, well you don't have to buy music, and there are iTunes alternitaves

oh and seriouly can't MS come up w/ a better name, but then again Zen is just a wiierd name for an MP3 player

[Gregory Pierce @ Jul 21st 2006 6:13PM]

"The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant"

Guess it really doesn't "Play For Sure".

[O.I. @ Jul 21st 2006 6:15PM]

I love it. Everyone gets in an uproar like this is an unusual amount of coverage simply because it's a microsoft product. Obviously you guys don't remember all the iPod coverage we've seen on Engadget. Story after story after story. How about live transcripts from Apple Press meetings, even when all they ended up releasing was a boombox and a leather case?

Zune is a big deal, whether you like it or not. Stop your crying.

Also, jbbeauvoir, that was the biggest pile of crap I've ever read.

[Patrick @ Jul 21st 2006 6:16PM]

What they should do if they're serious, and they appear to be, is realse a full blown Windows Media Player for OS X that allows for Play For Sure. This is what Apple did, and if they hadn't they wouldn't be where they are today. And to be honest even though I love the iPod I would love to have some options an I really doubt that if I had as many choices as Windows users when it comes to PMPs that I would still own an iPod.

[Ryan Block @ Jul 21st 2006 6:22PM]

Kevin, it's not that simple! I'm sure a lot of people would love it if we could roundup all of 2007's iPod coverage into just one post, but the news comes out in bits and pieces, and we write it up as it goes. That's why it's called news flow.

willyjsimmons, I said "consumer electronics." Whereas I feel strongly about Net Neutrality, it's not really in our realm of coverage, so only the biggest NN news is going to show up on Engadget. For really great NN coverage check out /. and news.com.

Anyone else: please stop whining. Like I said, we'd give an unreleased iPod the same treatment. Big news is big news, and we aren't not writing about other things in order to cover this stuff. If you're sick of hearing about the Zune (which has had a grand total of maybe 10 posts out of the tens of thousands we've written) feel free to just not read it, and go on to the next story!

Best, Ryan

[Charlie @ Jul 21st 2006 6:23PM]

Here is my take.

If their motto (or theme) is "integration" they should try starting off with the name and call it a Xune (pronounced the same). It would make a whole lot more sense of their logo cause no matter how hard I try I just cant see a "Z" in there. It would tie it in (vaguely) to the Xbox but not so much that the non gamers would associate it with Xbox.

On a side note: the naming also will make naming a gaming device confusing. Will it fall in the Zune "family" or the Xbox "family". All I know is if it had been name the Xune it wouldnt really matter.

The Xbox fanboy inside me (similair to the Nintendo fanboy reaction to the Revolution/Wii fiasco) hopes that this a just viral marketing and that it will in fact be called a Xune (hence the X in the logo)

Also I don't like the new color being thrown into their X-cubey-thing

[OPTICAL OUT PLEASE @ Jul 21st 2006 6:23PM]

Please MS, give an OPTICAL OUT port. I will pay big money on whichever DAP with an OPTICAL OUT.

[pipdo @ Jul 21st 2006 6:32PM]

Heh, well if you sign up for the newsletter, they send you a wallpaper...and if you open that up in notepad/wordpad, you can see that it was made in Photoshop on...a Mac. Lol...anyway, I love it, I just kinda wish the player itself looked a little different. It's not bad, but I was just expecting something maybe a little cleaner. I can't really explain it. Can't wait until November(?) though!

[Cman @ Jul 21st 2006 6:36PM]

As a non iPod user and a PC user I am happy to go a day without some new iPod accessory story.

Wow...ANOTHER iPod cover...great.
Hey...ANOTHER fake iPod deck...great.

My portable music/video NEEDS will never be so extravagant as to spend $200 + on a machine ... but with each advance and each competitor trying to oneup each other I will soon be able to have the portable media machine I WANT for cheap. And that's a good thing.

So good on you MS ... try and move the bar and someday I'll get in on this!

[zorg @ Jul 21st 2006 6:38PM]

I think you should ONLY do posts about Zune. For instance, you haven't covered "What We Don't Know That We Don't Know," and Donald Rumsfeld wouldn't let such an opportunity go to waste!

[Jim @ Jul 21st 2006 6:44PM]

Zzzzzzzune. Uhhh, one question. How much will buying into this new "ecosystem" cost? An XBox 360 plus 2-3 other portable devices, plus content? Yikes, who is it aimed at?

At least this might spur Apple to releasing some new iPods before the Holidays (and may be even stimulate talks between Apple and Sony - PS3-iPod integration).

[Mambo @ Jul 21st 2006 6:46PM]

Has the Zune logo been changed? It now has a purple colour gradient in it as well ... or did Engadget just change it for a laugh?

[Appleologist @ Jul 21st 2006 6:54PM]

Even though I respect Microsoft and I think that they could really get some competition going (which is good for everyone), I still think they are acting very immature and just not planning this the right way. I mean, just look at the bunny animation. It has Microsoft's name all over it. At least Apple can innovate and doesn't just imitate the other companies.

[Charlie @ Jul 21st 2006 7:12PM]

yes its been changed. that is the logo from the viral marketing site video

[Mr. B @ Jul 21st 2006 7:31PM]

I can't help but laugh at all the Microsoft bashing going on here. All you people have to go on is a picture and an incomplete feature list and the trial is already over. I for one of pretty tired of all the holier-than-thou Apple crap. It would be great if Microsoft was actually able to mount some real competition against the iPod. Competition, even the failing variety, almost always means better prices and better products.

[sracer @ Jul 21st 2006 7:43PM]

Sorry, but this is NOT one of the biggest gadget news stories of the year. But Engadget gets an 'A' for effort in trying to puff this up to be a big deal. Origami-redux. LOL

An unproven device, using an unproven service, playing media with proprietary DRM, at a price that will probably top out OVER the high end iPods. Clearly this device will be dead-on-arrival.