Zune gets limited edition Adult Swim version

For all those Venture Brothers, Aqua Teen, Sea Lab, Harvey Birdman, and Robot Chicken nerds whose hearts just skipped a beat, steel yourself. While Microsoft is indeed producing a limited edition Adult Swim version of the Zune, when we say it's limited edition, we mean it: only 500 are being made, and will be given away at a Turner promotional event tonight. Obviously these units will have pre-loaded content, including photos, music, and, naturally, such classic shows as Assy McGee, Metalocalypse (rawk), and even a new program titled Lucy, Daughter of the Devil (on screen). Now if only we could get Microsoft to continue making Zunes with new colors and etchings, surely that will distract us all from the fact that they haven't actually done anything to improve the platform since launch (or launched any new devices, for that matter).

[Ipodsexual @ Apr 26th 2007 10:22PM]

"I assume that you are referring to Apple's ability to improve the platform within six months of launch."

You know that you shouldn't assume... If Apple released a device with WiFi that can do NONE of the following: access Internet, access music store, download content, exchange files, exchange copyfree songs, etc, it would be warranted to complain about Apple. Unfortunately, Zune is Microsoft's funeral, no one else to blame here, especially not Engadget for trying to get them to fix it.

[Dave @ Apr 27th 2007 11:17AM]

iPhone, stupid.

[Adam the Great @ Apr 26th 2007 9:23PM]

Ah Microsoft, it's always refreshing when they attempt to buy 'cool.'

It's a shame to see [adult swim] sell it to them like that, but I think they knew it wouldn't really effect ANYBODY, EVER.

[mike @ Apr 26th 2007 9:28PM]

Very limited. In fact, you might never see a Zune in real life. Just maybe.

[Bman21212 @ Apr 26th 2007 9:34PM]

It is frustrating to see Microsoft launch all these "new" devices. The Zune has such great potential. Most of the problems can be fixed with a firmware change. More codecs, such as flac and ogg for audio, and xvid for video, all of which are free. Get some pc free downloads and maybe pop in a rudimentary webbrowser, like the PSP. Sure it doesn't have a keyboard, but it is still good and helpful. And maybe even make the firmware open source. I know it is Microsoft, but letting people hack into it would be a huge boon in tech circles.

[Nick @ Apr 27th 2007 5:26AM]

Dream on. To all of your requests.

[Karl @ Apr 26th 2007 9:37PM]

No way the Zune is a serious competitor. Come on, they still haven't launched outside North America yet!

[kingofwale @ Apr 26th 2007 9:39PM]

>No way the Zune is a serious competitor. Come on, they still haven't launched outside North America yet!


You mean "USA", because there's NO Zune in Canada (and no, it's not a joke on Zune's lack of sales, they haven't launched in Canada yet)

well, all I have to say is, when you can't sell them (not even 1 million sold yet), there's NO such thing as "limited" ;)

[akijikan @ Apr 26th 2007 9:49PM]

Lucy, Daughter of the Devil is NOT a new program.

[Intellectualdiot @ Apr 27th 2007 2:16AM]

No. It's not.

But we must forgive them for their trespasses, for they know not what they do. It certainly isn't as if Adult Swim gave any of us much of a chance to appreciate the show though after all, if I recall correctly, the pilot was aired only twice. (Both of which were on the same night)

[kingofwale @ Apr 26th 2007 9:49PM]

>because Apple hasn't done shit in over a year with the ipod. Ouch. Sorry to expose your bias there. Zealot.


but unlike Apple did 7 years ago, Zune has a giant monster competiting for food with him. a monster that already sold 100 million units.

Now, I respect people who try to justify spending money on Zune because they want to feel their investment didn't go to waste, but sorry dude, Zune isn't going anywhere fast.

[Ian @ Apr 26th 2007 9:52PM]

"I assume that you are referring to Apple's ability to improve the platform within six months of launch. Oh wait. No, because Apple hasn't done shit in over a year with the ipod. Ouch. Sorry to expose your bias there. Zealot."

Actually, Apple doesn't have to improve the platform. They ARE the platform. The purpose of the Zune was to BEAT the iPod and it does not do that. Thusly, MS has to improve if they even want to compete, let alone beat Apple at their own game.
Apple didn't put half baked WiFi in the iPod and then leave it hanging. All of the things Apple promised would work in the iPods works. The same can not be said for Microsoft. I think you're just an Apple anti-zealot.

[Shawn O @ Apr 26th 2007 10:16PM]

1. If Apple didn't have to improve the platform why did they come out with a new one every year? If they are the platform does that mean they are done, we'll never see another new iPod?

2. Microsoft never stated they were "out to beat" the iPod, that was everyone elses assumption in their rush to oversimplify things.

3. All the things Microsoft promised about the Zune work. There are no "broken promises", though perhaps broken expectations. People projected quite a bit of high hopes on the Zune based on nothing but day dreams. While it perhaps didn't live up to what people wanted it does exactly what Microsoft said it would.

Lastly, nothing is wrong with bias as long as the facts are straight.

[Frank the Tank @ Apr 26th 2007 9:53PM]

as has sold out...?

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 26th 2007 10:06PM]

Yeah... I mean...there are strategies you can take that are sacrificial in the short term for long term game...and then there's Microsoft's strategy. "Hey guys, let's introduce something sort of like the iPod- only it sort of has WiFi and a much worse interface." "Yeah! Let's sell it at around the same price as the iPod too!"

Even with the Wifi, no point streaming something from a Zune when there aren't any Zunes around to be streamed to. The choice for any person looking for a PMP today is either an "iPod" or a "non-iPod". Microsoft is going to have to take drastic actions if it ever want to succeed with the Zune- either significantly cut the price (even to a loss per unit) or make it, in many ways, "better" than an iPod. Sure, if the first gen model flops, it's no big deal for Microsoft's pockets, but it had better get very good very fast if it ever wants to outpace Apple's rate of improvements.

[Jesse S @ Apr 26th 2007 10:13PM]

PMP? With the ipods TINY screen, I wouldn't call it a PMP.

Now, a Zune Vision W or Cowon A2, A3, or Q5 are PMP's.

[Matthew @ Apr 27th 2007 12:07AM]

" 2. Microsoft never stated they were "out to beat" the iPod, that was everyone elses assumption in their rush to oversimplify things. "

give me a goddamned break. explain the zune's existence itself. does microsoft (monopoly) enter any forum expecting modest penetration?

[kingofwale @ Apr 26th 2007 10:27PM]

>3. All the things Microsoft promised about the Zune work

yeah, except meet their sales forecast..

they all work, but not working perfectly, I don't remember knowing whenever you swap a song, you can only listen to it 3 times, EVEN if the song is music I made with my OWN BAND.

neither did Microsoft say about ditching their own PlayforSure format.

you can't just be as good as Ipod to win, you have to be A LOT better than Ipod. and frankly, Zune just isn't that good.

[Jesse S @ Apr 26th 2007 10:40PM]

The Cowon iaudio series of players are much better than an ipod, in almost every way (although there best players aren't as stylish as the ipod), as are many Zunes, and Sansas...

Really, Apple is an inferior product. It does well because it is super easy to use, it is stylish (although I myself don't like their looks), and it's trendy. Just like every Apply product. But they are also low quality (can you say, they break really easily and their batteries are crap?), just like ever other ipod product.

I have a tiny bias against Apple, but it's a justified one. Plus, I cannot stand their horrible, blind, 12 year old and scenester fanboys.

[Steve Shickles @ Apr 26th 2007 10:33PM]

Nice! Move over iPod.

[Mike @ Apr 26th 2007 10:38PM]

I don't get it. Crappy player, crappy network.

I used to LOVE [as]. They had an awesome lineup, and played great anime's, etc. Now? It's crap. After watchign Family Guy and Futurama, TV gets turned off. I used to stay up to watch the whole lineup. Their bumps sucks, their shows suck. [as] isn't cool anymore.

[ferny @ Apr 27th 2007 12:19AM]

agreed the only good shows are family guy, futurama and Robot chicken.
do they still run the oblongs? good show too bad it was not popular.

[MrWhite @ Apr 27th 2007 12:30AM]

I have a tiny bias against Apple, but it's a justified one. Plus, I cannot stand their horrible, blind, 12 year old and scenester fanboys.

If I'm not mistaken, if you defend one system over another wouldn't that make you a "fanboy" or zealot? Grow up already.

Fact of the matter is this, 1) the Zune is crap, just like ALL MS products 2) if you've never used both OS's for an extended period of time, stfu. I do and have for the past 20 years, Mac OS just kicks the ass out Windows, period. 3) The iPod has sold more units in three months than the Zune has since it's debut, mainly because no one wants the Zune and it's ugly as sin. It's an insignificant player that has barely made a hair line scratch into the market. I'm all for choice, and thank God we all have the right to choose, it just so happens that over 100 million people choose the iPod, why, because it's better, easy to use and does exactly what its meant to do. Oh and works on Mac and the PC. If you want a Zune go get, I don't care, I'll keep buying better products, like the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for" That is why Apple the iPod and their computers have a huge following and a devoted user base, unlike windows.

[Marian @ Apr 27th 2007 1:52AM]

Cowon iAudio better? Based on what metric? Bullet point features?

[Dragod @ Apr 26th 2007 10:42PM]

All I am going to say is that I'm sick of it. Apple fanboys say "It will never beat the iPod!", when that was never the point of the Zune. Zune was a way for Microsoft to experiment in making their own music experiance, rather than offering the same product "Now with slightly different intereface!"

Zune never was meant to be an iPod-killer, that was what was hoped by many when the first hints of the Zune were released. Everyone was excited about sending songs to each other, Except the music industry. They don't want people to have their songs sent to everyone with a Zune, if it did soon Songs would be $10 a piece with albums over $100. You can't call the Zune a failure when it's accomplished what it wanted as a stage 1. Stage 2 will bring new things, and I'm looking forward to it.

[greg @ Apr 26th 2007 10:52PM]

stop bashing the zune, when the ipod first came out every said what the heck is apple doing, yes i know its not the same situation. The zune works as a mp3 player and people buy it for that so what if you dont like it that much it doesn't mean other people wont buy, use it and like it.

OF COURSE IT DOESN'T DO EVERYTHING we want it to do, nor does the xbox, ipod and other stuff. so chill out and wait and see where the zune falls in place with everything. if it succeeds it succeeds and if it fails, it fails.

and dont call me a zune fanboy, i dont have one

[Luis @ Apr 26th 2007 10:53PM]

Hurray for Metalocalypse!!! Once someone puts one of these Zunes on ebay i'm going right for it

[Rod Munch @ Apr 27th 2007 9:16AM]

I just got a Zune as an impulse purchase. I have to admit its better than the iPod I used to have but compared to my Zen Vision M its nothing. The Zune does feel very strong and sturdy though.

[kingofwale @ Apr 26th 2007 11:13PM]

>and dont call me a zune fanboy, i dont have one

I think that's the problem, even people who are defending Zune (someone who other see as "Zune fanboy"), don't even own one. :)

Zune had all this hype, and Microsoft didn't capitalize it, It had potentials but wasn't utilized correct.

and I think people beating the dead horse right now. Microsoft needs to get out of music industry if they don't do something fast. Zune is not selling at all.

[burninhigh @ Apr 26th 2007 11:41PM]

I don't know why everybody knocks the Zune. There are so many players that have been out before and after the zune, and the only one being ragged is Zune. I have both Zune and IPOD, and the Zune is a better player, has great sound, decent build and the look is not bad. Yeah the WIFI is limited, but so is IPOD's(Oh yeah, IPOD doesn't have WIFI or a radio). People are banging ZUNE because it is MICROSOFT. If you wanna compare the two. Compare them on what they have that are the same, not what the other does not have. What about Creative and Sansa. I'm no MICROSOFT lover(love that UBUNTU), but don't bash a product because of it's maker.

[mel @ Apr 27th 2007 12:01AM]

nobody has mentioned yet that the "limited edition" is a black zune that's been run through a crappy single color printer. probably done on branders.com.
yay preloaded content! it saves everyone the time of trying to figure out the interface and load their own shite.

[Jesse S @ Apr 27th 2007 2:01AM]

I'm not defending the Zune, in fact, I didn't even mention it. I called the ipod a horrible product, and provided a few examples of the many players that are better than the ipod. Fanboys are idiots that blindly think their "whatever" (product, company, etc.) is better than all the others, when it really isn't.

1. That's not an Apply fanboy's comment at all! The Zune is actually a pretty good media player, better than an ipod. Too bad Rockbox doesn't support it though, that is the only thing stopping me from getting one.
2. I have used both of them a lot, for different reasons. I was mostly alluding to the hardware, but OS X isn't exactly a good OS, either. The only reason I ever liked OS X was because Photoshop was awesome in it, and I'm a photographer, so I use PS for post-processing a lot, but still, OS X is a horrible OS. It's so bloated and unstable, it has all the qualities of some mystical OS that it's fanboys always bash.
3. Because number of units sold obviously indicates a superior product. It has nothing to do with styling, ease of use, or marketing, does it? Oh wait, that's everything. In my comment before, I gave examples of better PMP's etc. than the ipod, but they haven't sold nearly as many ipods. Probably because there is so little marketing for them, and most people consider them ugly. Also, probably about 40 million different people bought ipods, because they're so crappy, they die just outside of their warranties. Not to mention, more people are actually using Windows as their OS, and OS X's devoted user base are dumb scenester fanboys that tout Mac OS X no matter once.

You know, I'm in a community with a huge amount of Mac fanboys. I tried to have an intelligent conversation with some of the users on that site, just asking about their OS choice. The Mac fanboys ran down my throat, "yelling" at me, about how great OS X is, saying MS sucks, just like you. Yet, when I talked to people that used Mac OS X for their lively hood, I found that I could have a good, intelligent conversation with them, and that the majority of them actually didn't like Macs or OS X, but they couldn't move to Windows or another OS for different reasons.

I find it funny that the devoted user base are just bumbling idiot-fanboys, and that I should never again have a conversation with any of them. Yet, I am able to have enjoyable, intelligent discussion with professional Mac users, eg. people that have a real reason to use OS X and tout it or not.

One fanboy even tried to insist that OS X was a superior server OS to linux!

I'm sorry, but Apple products are shit, and their fanbase is made up of fanboys and trendy 12 year olds, with an extremely small segment being rational, professional users.

[MrWhite @ Apr 27th 2007 11:23AM]

@ Jesse S

"It's so bloated and unstable, it has all the qualities of some mystical OS that it's fanboys always bash."

Are you serious, you "have" got to be a complete newb. Have you seen the system requirements of windows compared to OSX? If you did, you would notice windows takes up more HD space requires and more RAM just to run, and MS is notorius for bloatware, I don't know where your getting your info but it is way off. Macs don't come with software that you don't need, or trial software that will expire and gobs of internet service provider icons on the desktop.

I have two jobs currently, first job I work for an insurance compamy, we use brand new 3.0GHz dual core Dells with 2GB of RAM, why does it take like 30 to 40 seconds for the right click menu to appear? and they crash at least twice a week or need to be rebooted at sometime. We have about 5 techs supporting about 100 users and the machine is slower than my almost two year old iMac.

Second job, I work for my local newspaper doing page layout and design. It is all run on Macs, except for one PC that its sole function is to run an excel spreadsheet to let the press guys know that items went to film. The only thing that ever really goes wrong is the adobe InDesign software and the DTI exchange gets overloaded with pages and crashes, and all we do is restart the application, not the machine. We have 2 tech guys supporting 150 users, one for the day and one for the night. And most of the night crew like I am don't even need the techs to fix problems but they are so rare and usualy just requires to quit the app and restart it.

If you seriously want to have a intellegent conversation, first know your facts before speaking and second stop using the word fanboy, because as soon as you do, the word intellegent loses all of its meaning.

Like I keep saying, would you not yourself be a fanboy of windows because of your defending your choice of computer like Mac people defend theirs? Grow up.

[HoldenCfld @ Apr 27th 2007 12:41AM]

@ MrWhite

Microsoft doesn't have a devoted user base? Are you serious? That's laughable.

You keep right on living in that Apple distortion field, I hope you have fun there.

[MrWhite @ Apr 27th 2007 1:02AM]

@HoldenCfld

Yes, I am serious, people use windows because mainly they "have" to, not becuase they want to. Most IT professionals use Macs at home because it's a pleasure to work on. Think about it, why do people buy windows pc's? Because that is what they are forced to use at work, and since most users are dumb (having delt with them myself) and don't do any research, they buy what they have at work, mainly becasue they know no better.

[Dan @ Apr 27th 2007 12:48AM]

Just don't leave on of these laying around in Boston.

[Dan @ Apr 27th 2007 12:49AM]

Er, one, not on. *proofreading, what's that?

[HoldenCfld @ Apr 27th 2007 1:10AM]

There are those users, yes. There are those types of people for everything. There are people who buy Macs just because they look pretty, does that make them any better? No. Both sets of people are idiots.

However, there are those users who choose to use Windows. I myself chose Windows because it is my preferred platform (as a side note, if OSX was licensed out to PCs, I would dual boot it in a heartbeat. I just hate using Macs, but their software is usually good). Windows is not a bad operating system, and neither is OSX. There is no reason for you to bash it so much, when its a perfectly fine OS.

Anyway, back to the point, take a look around online and I'm sure you will find that there is definitely a devoted Windows user base, by choice.

[Alex Paris @ Apr 27th 2007 1:11AM]

I HAVE NO [ADULT SWIM]

[Josef F @ Apr 27th 2007 1:24AM]

http://www.tshirthell.com/store/product.php?productid=910

[Crazylink @ Apr 27th 2007 1:25AM]

I hate to say this, but DO WANT.

[Jesse S @ Apr 27th 2007 2:04AM]

Sound output quality, build quality, etc.

[Marian @ Apr 27th 2007 2:11AM]

Yeah, as expected, bullet points features!
I checked my iPod in the environment I am using it. It's sound quality (in that environment, especially for mp3 compressed music): perfect.

Build quality? Give me a break! Compared with many shitty products, ipods actually last for years. Ask mine how many times did I drop it. Even on concrete.

[Jesse S @ Apr 27th 2007 2:15AM]

Well, the ipods are actually good for low-bitrate music, because it masks some of the metallic sound.

By the way, your ears don't equate to spectrum graphs comparing sound output, and sadly, I have none of these myself. But the point stands, ipods output horrible sound when compared to other devices.

Then again, if your using crappy headphones, like those supplied with the ipod, it doesn't matter at all.

[Jesse S @ Apr 27th 2007 3:42AM]

I think it's supposed to start airing soon.

[Matt @ Apr 27th 2007 12:13PM]

The fact that [adult swim] would allow their logo to be pasted upon this crap is a testament to exactly how much money Microsoft has at their disposal. There's just no other way this would happen.

[Deezee @ Apr 27th 2007 3:32AM]

I'm a Sansa fan but I would very much like a [AS] Zune.

I think MS is targeting audiences that want to have something different than the average player. Aka iPod. The iPod scene right now reminds me of the Mac commercial from 1984. Except everybody in the audience has an iPod. iPod drones.

[Jesse S @ Apr 27th 2007 3:42AM]

http://www.adultswim.com/williams/news/index.html?http%3A//www.adultswim.com/williams/news/articles/news080.html

[Rick Ludwig @ Apr 27th 2007 4:54AM]

" 2. Microsoft never stated they were "out to beat" the iPod, that was everyone elses assumption in their rush to oversimplify things. "

Okay, this is just wrong. I know a vast majority of people like to ignore Steve Ballmer, but he IS head of Microsoft and what he says IS offical policy, so YES Microsoft DID say they were "out to beat the iPod". In fact, the Zune was target specifically AT the iPod, not the music player business in general. If you don't believe me, go back in Engadget's archives and search for early Zune stories.

The second thing, Excuse Me for being an "Apple/iPod fanboy". The iPod may be an inferior product IN YOUR OPINION, but that doesn't make it fact. Fine, you don't like the iPod, it's good that you have other choices then and can leave the iPod on the shelf at the store for somebody who does want one. I've played with the Zune and read Engadget so I'm aware there are other players out there, but guess what? Few, if any, work with OS X!!! Gee. Microsoft missed a BIG oppertunity by not opening the Zune to Mac users. I'm sure there are Mac users who look at the Zune and like it compared to the iPod. The Zune is a nice player, but, for myself, I just use my iPod to listen to music/podcasts so none of the fancy features hold any sway for me. The interface is visuall much better, but for my money you can't beat the iPod for quick simplicity. Video and pictures are great, but even the Zune's screen is too small (in my opinion), I have a PSP for 'ultraportable video'. WiFi shareing? Well, nobody like the muisc I listen to, and, unless it's at work where I can do other things, my patience level for standing around while a song transfers it nil. And don't try and say "It's only 30 seconds" or something like that. I'm sure, just like the Palm, there's more than one that I would like to sample, should I find someone with the same taste in music as I. Also, I like the hardware design. I know there are people who have the "beige box" mentality where you don't care what it looks like, but I don't, and I DO care what it looks like. For me, it's part of the experiance useing the device.

So, for me, I like the iPod. I'm sure there are people for whom other devices work. Please, just remember that it's your right to have an opion about a product, but also try and not dis-respect other people for their choice in product.

[Eric @ Apr 27th 2007 8:22AM]

Anyone that has ever owned a Rio Karma knows that the ipod is just overblown fanboy crap. Cant speak for the Zune never used one.