Zune firmware update v1.4 officially released

Yeah, you may be proud if something you conjured up sold one million pieces, but we're talking Microsoft here. The boys and girls at Redmond (thankfully) aren't satisfied with leaving things as they are, and just over two months after loosing v1.3 on the world, the Zune is officially getting another firmware update bringing it to v1.4. Notably, the actual software is still sitting at v1.3, and for the majority of you who voted this here device as the worst of the year, there ain't much here to change your attitude. According to ZuneInsider, the curiously minor update simply provides "an improved shuffle experience," and in particular, "makes successive shuffle actions produce more random lists." We know, you're patiently waiting for us to finish detailing what else v1.4 brings, but unfortunately that looks like the end of it. Feel free to get your download on if this somehow gets you jazzed up.

[Thanks, Segadc]

[Blake W @ May 31st 2007 5:18PM]

What's more random than Random?

[Ryhan @ May 31st 2007 5:20PM]

The older algorythmn may hae repeated the same songs... needless to say, more than others. There is no true "random" in a computing device. yet.

I hope this dosen't become another typical microsoft "keep sending fixes and eventually everything will work fine" deals...

Oh, and the COWON D2 is a far better device...

[Justin @ May 31st 2007 5:35PM]

"What's more random than Random?"

That's obvious..."randomer" is more random than random. After randomer the next shuffle action creates the randomest list, followed by double-dog random, then ludicrously random. Classic M$.

Seriously though: My guess is that they mis-phrased the press release and meant to say that another shuffle action creates another different random list that you may like more than the random list you got full of Kenny G and Chipmunk Christmas songs.

[ray @ May 31st 2007 5:22PM]

It actually also makes the UI snappier (removing lag times between certain menus), check the zune forums and see for yourself from people who've downloaded it.
But I agree this firmware update is disappointing and didn't deserve the .4 name- it should've been 1.3.1

[Mark @ May 31st 2007 5:30PM]

I, in addition to a few fellow conspiracy-theorists don't think we've seen the end of 1.4. My theory: in order to backlash against the reports that Zune firmware 1.4 would come out tomorrow and feature expanded wireless capabilities, they pushed this out as 1.4 today and will come out with a 1.5 tomorrow(or soon thereafter) which will include those features. And yes, I am a dreamer.

[ray @ May 31st 2007 5:44PM]

I agree because I find it strange that they would release an entirely new firmware update just for a tiny shuffle fix?? I also find it interesting the reports that the UI is snappier and over all performance better, perhaps they're gearing up to put in more heavyweight features that need more power? I suppose it's just wishful thinking on my part though and I really hope there is a big announcement tomorrow like the rumors said.

[Geoff Gibson @ May 31st 2007 5:33PM]

Neat.

I hope the new shuffling works better, the current one is a bit bleh and will repeatedly play a few of the same songs over and over and over again.

[michael @ May 31st 2007 5:39PM]

Sure, this is just a minor update. Improved shuffling for 1.4. Yeah, it's kind of a disappointment since every Zune owner is hoping for a update with new features.

But cheer up Zune owners. Every update brings something new and better. The Zune can only get better, so we must be happy about these kind of things. I too can't wait until there is an update packed full of feature. Every time I really think about, I'm anticipating for that day. So no worries.

[Federico @ Jun 1st 2007 11:15AM]

"The Zune can only get better"

How true.

[Cupajo @ May 31st 2007 5:40PM]

"and for the majority of you who voted this here device as the worst of the year,"

read=iPod fanboys

[Deezee @ May 31st 2007 5:56PM]

Worst update ever. But I still like the Zune tho.

[codyjohn26 @ May 31st 2007 6:07PM]

My Zune plays music. I listen to it.

[strider_mt2k @ May 31st 2007 6:13PM]

Anyone who doesn't like half-assed WiFi and DRM shoved down your throat voted against the Zune.

read=freedom fanboys

[C @ May 31st 2007 6:30PM]

and picked what? the ipod? do you really believe the ipod isnt full of drm and is half-assed. How about leaving the intelligent comments to people that think before they type.

[Zeus the God @ May 31st 2007 11:49PM]

Half-assed is better than no-assed. Seriously, would you rather have a chick with a tiny ass, or no ass at all?

DRM? Really, is that an argument? Just until yesterday did Apple get rid of DRM for an extra 30 cents per song, making the rip off that much worse.

[nash @ May 31st 2007 6:25PM]

im confused. how can this device be "the worst of the year" when its such a good device. everyday, i see someone hating on the zune, when i know atleast 10 people in my city that own one, and love it. but they don't keep up with the latest technology like some of you. they don't follow technology like we do. my point is, it may not be "the best device", but how the hell could it be "the worst"?

[Eric @ May 31st 2007 6:44PM]

Cause it's not an Apple silly! You obviously didn't get the memo, this is the year of the Jobs. Blindly follow the Apple. We aren't sheep, we are little white, fluffy... ah crap. We are sheep. They even started making us in black.

Zune FTW.

[thuff @ May 31st 2007 7:11PM]

there's no DRMed music on my iPod and i still have not found crippled functionality on it yet.

[C @ May 31st 2007 7:13PM]

theres no drm'd music or movies on my zune either.

[Zeus the God @ Jun 1st 2007 12:07AM]

You basically summed it up right there. The sad thing is, is that basically is what its like here at Engadget. So many Apple fanboys. Now, I know there are Microsoft fanboys, but- Jesus, the Apple fanboys just flood the blogs, engulfing all the MS fanboys.

Really, the Zune is a GREAT device that doesn't get the respect it deserves. I remember when Apple came out with the iPod. People thought the same thing about it as they do now with the Zune. The only difference is, the Zune is selling much more earlier in it's lifetime than the iPod, which can only mean great things.

Seriously Apple fanboys, can't we just get along? The Zune is good for you, even though you don't like it. Competition will keep your iPod great, and keep the Zune improving it's game, and when it is all said and done, we will all have great devices that do just what we want it to, but with the competition, we won't be spending an arm and a leg.

[2ASquared @ May 31st 2007 6:45PM]

Yeah, I never understood how it could be voted worst device of the year. I have one, it isn't hardly any different than an ipod. So what if the wifi feature isn't extremely useful, I didn't pay an extra money for it. Still costs the same as an ipod, with or without the extra features. I like the fm tuner on it too.

[sc00ter @ May 31st 2007 6:50PM]

the ipod is over rated. its a great icon not so great music player. i got rid of my ipod video for a zune and i dont regret it at all. you iboys need to go listen to the radio and transfer files on your ipod that has a 3" screen.

[Bob E @ May 31st 2007 6:51PM]

I always wondered how I could randomly come up with successive random songs from the same CD when I have like 5000 songs on my Zune!

[thuff @ May 31st 2007 7:17PM]

so now that we have that all sorted out, lets get back to the intelligent comments.

[C @ May 31st 2007 7:21PM]

good luck on that

[strider_mt2k @ May 31st 2007 7:43PM]

Since when is an iPod the only other alternative?
Silly kids with their assumptions.

iPods suck just as bad as the Zune does!

Seek alternatives to BOTH I say!

[Frangible @ May 31st 2007 7:48PM]

I own a Zune, purchased only because I won a contest on Amazon to buy it for $70. I considered eBaying it, but eventually broke down and opened it, as the only MP3 player I had was an old Dell DJ 15 on its last legs.

It's really not terrible, and is one of the better MP3 players I've used. No, it's not an iPod-- the iPod's PC software and interface are better, and the iPod is thinner.

But the sound quality is decent, and the interface is much better than my Dell DJ 15. Good battery life, video support, a radio, TV out.

Eh, don't see how it's the most terrible device of the year.

This firmware update doesn't excite me, though. My main problem is the horrible PC software (my kingdom for freaking folder support). God, the way it "splits" albums for no reason into multiple albums with the same name seriously frustrates me. iTunes never messed up so badly.

[Amlain @ May 31st 2007 9:53PM]

Frangible
It is because the zune uses album artist tag to sort it albums

[Matt @ May 31st 2007 7:49PM]

I wish Zen would add OGG/AAC/AVC support. Then the player would be clearly above the others.

[Matt @ May 31st 2007 7:52PM]

Actually, if the Zune got OGG/DIVX/AVC (does it have that already?) support perhaps along with some actual WiFi features like wireless sync/shoutcast, it would be my player of choice.

[Forrest @ May 31st 2007 8:01PM]

It was voted worst device of the year by the readers of this blog because of the atmosphere of this blog. Some of those responsible for covering it before and after launch were at first overly optimistic, and then overly critical when it didn't live up to their delusional expectations.

They continue to either beat on it or show their indifference to it, despite the repeated comments of the device's owners that it is definitely not a bad device.

I could understand if people voted it 'Biggest Letdown Of the Year', but worst device? Why don't you poll the owners?

[apeguero @ May 31st 2007 9:23PM]

I didn't want to comment on this player but damn it seems so pathetic. MS has had so many chances to make it better and all they keep doing is coming up with these pathetic updates. Glad I kept my iPod and didn't waste my time or money on this.

[Vilppi @ Jun 1st 2007 5:43AM]

I certainly don't want to derail the Great PMP-war of the 21st century, but I have to out that the problem with shuffle modes in general is that our perception of "randomness" is flawed. When the player keeps selecting tracks on random it can just as easily play the same track ten times in a row as it could play ten different tracks. If the selection is random, the previous choice does not influence it and thus the probability is the same for each track. If anything, the shuffle-mode is "too random" and what we actually want is shuffle-and-never-repeat-a-track-mode.
If the Zune is in fact supposed to have such a mode then the update is in order, otherwise the mode should probably been renamed.

[nyse @ Jul 23rd 2007 12:45AM]

Since I get my Zune I only dream to get rid, the firmwares the "IMPROVE" it's just a waste of time the 1.4 it's just stupid, now you heard the song three times less than before that version so what about the Wi-Fi this is the feature that make me brought this piece of crab