Stolen Zune recovered while attempting to join the social

So we knew there had to be a good use for the Zune's crippled wireless functionality, and by golly, a Zunerama member has found just that. "Scoutflyer," presumably a student at a school that has banned iPods, claims that he was able to locate his buddy's stolen Zune by using his own unit to "search for friends" and hone in on the purloined DAP. Painfully aware that he had the only other Zune in a three-mile radius, the thief wisely decided to cop to his crime when cornered, and Scoutflyer's friend was able to gleefully rejoin the social. Now if only Microsoft could build a Zune that finds stuff besides other Zunes (treasure, oil, Hoffa), they'd have a real iPod-killer on their hands.

[SOSdan @ Mar 15th 2007 3:43PM]

"Painfully aware that he had the only other Zune in a three-mile radius..."

I don't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing... Being a Zune owner in Seattle isn't too bad though. I've recently spotted a girl using a Zune so I'm guessing it appeals to people other than Microsoft fanboys.

[xbit @ Mar 15th 2007 3:44PM]

Sounds like the stolen Gizmondo story: http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/20/gizmondo-thief-busted-by-gps/

Except, perhaps, that the Zune isn't a scam designed to net the CEO a bunch of exotic cars (I hope!).

[Philster @ Mar 15th 2007 5:37PM]

Ha! I love that Story!

[in PeeWee Herman voice]

[kingofwale @ Mar 15th 2007 3:46PM]

>'ve recently spotted a girl using a Zune so I'm guessing it appeals to people other than Microsoft fanboys.


I have no doubt that Zune will be used as the device for dating service.

[CowboyGA @ Mar 15th 2007 3:46PM]

Awesome story, but where's the part about the theif getting punched? He deserved it.

[Ricardo @ Mar 15th 2007 3:48PM]

+1 for Wifi

[Ricardo @ Mar 15th 2007 3:50PM]

The perp confessed, and the Zune was returned to its rightful owner. Case closed.

Try that with your iPod.

'nuff said!!!

[g_stewart @ Mar 15th 2007 3:52PM]

Slow news day Engadget?

"Painfully aware that he had the only other Zune in a three-mile radius..."

now that was funny!

[Joe @ Mar 15th 2007 4:02PM]

Who in the hell would steal a Zune in the first place???

[Billy Kincaid @ Mar 15th 2007 4:16PM]

"Ain't no such thing as halfway crooks"
- Mobb Deep, "Shook Ones Part 2"

[Daniel Kirk @ Mar 15th 2007 4:06PM]

I love how Engadget's contributors have no objectivity *whatsoever* where the Zune is concerned. None of that nasty "journalist" mindset to get in the way of some good old-fashioned garbage-spewing.

[Brandon West @ Mar 15th 2007 4:23PM]

They've reviewed the device several times, and it sucked according to their reviews. Why then should Engadget proceed to be 'objective' when they have already given it an objective look and determined it sucks?

And the fact that you're looking for journalistic integrity on a blog is pretty laughable, in my opinion. But that's just me.

Shit, I don't think I'm gonna get an invite to the social now :(

[paloooz @ Mar 15th 2007 4:32PM]

That's what makes Engadget so awesome. That's what gets me to read Engadget obsessively every day. If you feel offended by Engadget's hilarious rhetoric, then that's your fault. I'm sure there are many fellow Engadget readers who though it was funny, you, sir, are the minority.

[Daniel Kirk @ Mar 16th 2007 2:46AM]

To Brandon: From what I can see, the bulk of their beef with the Zune seems to boil down to the simple fact that it isn't an iPod. That, in case you're oblivious, has been the bias that's been filtering through their articles on the device. I own one. Yeah, I took a chance. Guess what? It doesn't suck for what it is -- a media player. It isn't a damn WiFi access point. It plays audio perfectly well, and does photo and video better than any iPod out there -- with the possible exception of the iPhone, which isn't out yet.

On your second point: The fact that Engadget is a blog and not a hardcopy publication or major news outlet is the weakest excuse you could possibly have offered, unless you're suggesting that they shouldn't aim for professionalism. If that's the case, I might as well get my technology news and speculation from the blogs of 16 year old cheerleaders, or 9/11 conspiracy nuts. Engadge can, and should, aim higher.

On to paloooooooooo(zer). I'm not offended by the ridiculous little snide remarks and smarmy "u shud of bot a iPod OMG WTF LOL!" mentality that creeps into Engadget's Zune articles -- I'm disappointed by it. But you're right -- I am a member of a minority. I chose, ironically enough, to "Think Different." The only thing that offends me about little jabs Engadget's contributors like to throw at the Zune is that they smack of *conformity.* "Evry1 got a iPod, f u got the Zune ur t3h PWND!!11" It's tiresome, and I expect better.

[MikeN @ Mar 15th 2007 4:30PM]

Exactly. People act like they're reading from an encyclopedia or something. It reminds me of someone flipping to the editorials in the paper and getting pissed off because the columns were opinionated. If you want an unbiased story, follow the "read" link!

[mrhammerstein @ Mar 15th 2007 4:30PM]

ooh. do i get to be the first one...

"what's a zune?" or

"welcome to the social."

it's as lame typing it as it is reading it. there we go. we're done with that.

[walk2k @ Mar 15th 2007 5:08PM]

The social ... what?

[Geoff Gibson @ Mar 15th 2007 4:32PM]

I love my Zune.

Not sure why it got a bad review, but IGN gave it a fair score. I wouldn't call it an IPod killer simply because of DRM. Those shity things lock people into a MP3 player, including the Zune.

Thats the #1 reason why I NEVER buy any of my music off the Zune Marketplace. If something better somes along I can easily jump ship.

[JL @ Mar 15th 2007 5:22PM]

The funny thing is it seemed like the media was hyping the Zune up as an "iPod Killer" I didn't necessarily get that impression from Microsoft. Similar situation with regards to the xbox vs PS2, the xbox got MS's feet wet with regards to console gaming and as we've seen with the 360, they've been trying to refine and evolve that side of gaming.

For better or worse, Zune may be in that same realm of attempting to push/evolve the market. It probably won't beat the iPod but some of the features introduced with it will find their way into future players.

[JL @ Mar 15th 2007 4:50PM]

I think it's funny how some get indignant over the fact that someone (company-wise) is trying to break the iPod monopoly.

People seem to forget as well that when Microsoft puts their efforts into something, they may not see any returns initially but they do seem to stick with it if it will benefit them in the long run.

I personally don't like the crippled WiFi.. I want a device that will allow me to listen to net radio or if i set up a streaming server at home to listen to my collection wirelessly.

Now I know i'm gonna be considered lame but the device that is doing that for me presently is my custom firmwared PSP. (just a matter of spending the $$ for the 4Gb MS pro duo, I have a 2Gb one now - got it for $50 on sale at Staples!)

It's cool though that they were able to get their device back.

Guess I'm "out of the social" as well - LOL

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 15th 2007 7:08PM]

Zune doesn't work that way.

In order for a Zune to be visible over Wi-Fi, you must select "receive" first. If it's just in your pocket, no one will be able to find it on Wi-Fi.

I'm pretty sure the story is a lie.

[zack @ Mar 15th 2007 9:34PM]

I'm scoutflyer and this is a really funny article, you have some clever and creative people working for ya (evan).

[zack @ Mar 15th 2007 9:36PM]

Actually, it happened and that doesn't make any sense, when you go to Search Nearby, if they have the 'detailed' option on, you see the name and what they are listening to. You are wrong. Please be more informed before trying to shoot down others. thanks.

[hchute @ Mar 16th 2007 2:25AM]

"LS2/LS7" is not understanding how Zune wireless works. A Zune can detect any other Zune players within wireless range - there's no need for the other players to "select receive first". All they have to have is the wireless option turned on.

Also: jackryan - the "3 mile radius" was a wry joke from engadget. Zunes can only detect other Zunes that are within wireless range - about a 30 foot radius.

[nikster @ Mar 16th 2007 5:49AM]

"I have no doubt that Zune will be used as the device for dating service."

It will be immensely popular: Date other Microsoft geeks!

[nikster @ Mar 16th 2007 5:59AM]

dear zune users - dont be sad. you have an mp3 player that works.

engadget rightfully makes lots of zune jokes because zunes are really not cool. if zune were a cool gadget, this wouldnt be happening. but it's not. whereas the 95% player everyone has _is_ cool.

then again, ppl who own zunes probably don't get that at all, or think it's cool to be uncool or whatever. zune is lame, get over it already. next topic! or i will "squirt" you my contact info. bwahahahahaha.

ps its also not MS bashing - MS makes lots of bashworthy third-rate products but you won't see engadget bash the xbox. that's 'cause the xbox is cool.

[FrankTheCrank @ Mar 16th 2007 7:25AM]

What's a "Hoffa"???

[dub @ Mar 16th 2007 11:38AM]

"What's a "Hoffa"???"

LOL. You serious?? Jimmy Hoffa. Google/wiki him. Man, I feel old now...

[toosday @ Mar 16th 2007 3:03PM]

@ JL

At very least, the Zune will force Apple to update the iPod's [totally boring] user interface for the first time in, like, six years. That's one area where Zune destroys the iPod, IMO.

[spike @ Mar 16th 2007 8:37PM]

I'm confused about one blurb in the summary, there...

"...presumably a student at a school that has banned iPods..."

would a school ban only iPods? not portable music players? what's the point? I'm lost.

[Woody56292 @ Mar 18th 2007 3:20AM]

"Zune doesn't work that way.

In order for a Zune to be visible over Wi-Fi, you must select "receive" first. If it's just in your pocket, no one will be able to find it on Wi-Fi.

I'm pretty sure the story is a lie."

This person already had their wifi on and visible. ( don't know why, I never leave my wifi on, but w/e it is their perogative )

So it is possible to see them, they just still must click accept whenever you send a pic or song.

[jackryan @ Mar 18th 2007 5:22PM]

funny that there was only one other zune in a 3 mile radius. LOL.

[Daniel Kirk @ Mar 21st 2007 1:21PM]

And see, this is the kind of asinine crap those little jabs lead to. Engadget's contributors aren't stupid. Arrogant, maybe; stupid, no. Most of the rest of us aren't stupid. I hope.

Then you get guys like this, who take the (not especially witty) witticisms at face value. Christ.

[jackryan @ Mar 21st 2007 9:47PM]

Jesus, lighten up.
You sound like you are going to stroke out over something so trivial. You are wound up tighter than http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6304687408656696643

[Polo79 @ Apr 12th 2008 5:15AM]

Since when did nerds start making fun of other nerds? Zune users may like the "butter side down" but look closely idiot, what the hell is the difference?? They both get the job done period point blank. they just look a little different and have a different logo on them. anyone who can get this worked up about hating an electric device is in desperate need of psychological help. mark my words, apple will not have the market cornered forever. it is almost assured that apple will one day be out and someone (anyone) will be in. good luck with those apple only docking stereos. hope you didn't spend too much......lol