"Tack on a scroll wheel and call it an iPod." Alright, now that we've gotten that obvious little gem out of the way, it's time to get down to business and start our
unpaid weekly focus group for major consumer electronics manufacturers, with today's
victim subject being none other than Microsoft's controversial
Zune. Far from the complete failure some had predicted, the Zune has actually managed to hold its own in the marketplace and even develop a small but dedicated following; however, we're not gathered here to give Redmond props on the social, so let's see what kind of suggestions we can come up with for its troubled-but-promising DAP. Bigger storage capacity? Check. Non-crippled wireless functionality? Check. Makes phone calls and plays YouTube videos and gives one a heightened sense of self-worth? Checkmate. Yup, looks like we're off to a good start here, so keep 'em comin' folks: how would you change the Zune?
posted Aug 3rd 2007 4:47PM
Discontinue it.
EXACTLY discontinue it....period.
That's what I was going to say.
just get rid of it the only use for it is a paper weight!
exactly what I was going to say. Discontinue the thing. Bow to iPod...
Discontinue it, and give the money back to the shareholders.
Oh, wait... that one's been used before. shoot.
Free.
I think there is no *real* difference with MP3 (or music/video) players. I like my music, and I can perfectly listen it in a Zune, a Sony device or an IPod.
I think, it is just a matter of taste, a kind of loyalty and personal style. I personally like Zune's simple sober (mate / non nickel or brillant) design, but I also like IPod's design.
I have used IPods and Zune, I can perfectly find my desired song easily and fast on both of them.
As I use Zune more frequently, I find having to "circle" the finger around a little cumbersome; but it is just because of the frequency of use.
It is like Gmail and Hotmail. I personally find Gmail a lot better, but that doesn't mean that every other mail is bad.
Thanks.
I disagree... http://hideapod.com/ ;-)
run it over with a truck and then set it on fire and watch it melt...
strap an anti-apple rocket launcher to it and laugh as steve jobs weeps
Agreed.
Recycle 'em into water bottles.
I would like there to be a second lineup of zune, the flash based model, to be announced soon, and the next version of zune to optionally be able to get an ssd instead of an hdd to save battery and make it less fragile. I also wish it had better xbox 360 support. Slimmer would make it better too.
how bout they add a vibrator, no ipod can offer that much pleasure
It's been done....
www.ohmibod.com
Touch screen.. make wifi easier to use. It's not out in Europe though so I haven't ever gotten a chance to use it. Which brings me to the question, why isn't it here? I'm used to Japan having stuff we dont but now america..
I got my Zune on day 1 and have been very pleased with it, but I would like to see:
better use of wi-fi (wireless sync/streaming???)
larger harddrive
Retooling the software (Very hard to use and slow)
More Codec supported
better accessories
and a bigger screen
I don't know if you've ever used a Touchscreen, but they're crap. It kills the battery and skyrockets the Price.
The Zune doesn't need to be changed. It just need some things added.
A small clock in the lower left corner, podcasting, and easy metadata is all I ask. I love my Zune all the same without it.
Frankly I think phones is where things is at bu anyway. How i would improve the Zune.
First and foremost it should cost at least half the price of an iPod of similar capacity/specs, if not less.
Failing to acheive a massive price difference versus iPod, I would add touchscreen for sure. One or two OLED buttons? Maybe. One think though it should have a sort of tactile feedback and be able to recognize an unintended light touch froma intentional hard push.
Oh, and bump up the resolution to at least 800 pixels wide.
Make the wifi and RF open so that it can act as a remote that brings up on screen (on HDTV screen that is)for other stuff including HDTV's that are operating from Xbox360.
Include a decent web browser and helper apps such as GPS.
None of the above are as important as reducing the cost to half that of the current iPod price - ideally to sub $100.
Oh yeah, and
GET RID OF DRM OR SUPPORT PLAYSFORSURE!!
n64 emulator
Touch screen.. make wifi easier to use. It's not out in Europe though so I haven't ever gotten a chance to use it. Which brings me to the question, why isn't it here? I'm used to Japan having stuff we dont but now america..
hmm, no 3 days or 3 plays. ACTUALLY UPDATE THE F*CKING FIRMWARE, wireless syncing, ADD A DAMN CLOCK, make the BLACK one actually look black not navy, uhh..marketplace via Zune device. I think that's it.
Wireless syncing would rock. Sometimes I'm just that lazy to sync my iPod because I have to get up and find it.
I'd drop my iPod for a Zune any day (not literally drop) but I'm waiting for the second gen Zune which is sure to improve on the first one.
more jiggabytes
how about a post "how would you change Engadget?"
first off, id take away all these pointless posts that aren't news. As well on working on getting facts straight, and making timely corrections. thats a start.
M-E-O-W!
Why isn't engadget exactly the way I like it?! I mean everyone has my taste and personal preference so I know best!
Get rid of the whiners?
then go to gizmodo. at least there you have to be approved for commenting...
Thinner!
Carefully take the Zune and carefully return it to the store and carefully buy an ipod.
agree
Zeus, your post had me lawling for about a minute.
Make it browner.
For one, its design needs to be more visually appealing. In order for it to ever fully compete with the iconic iPod, it needs to have the style to match or even surpass Apple's offering.
Better marketing, although some of the more recent commercials have been better
The Zune software needs to be more refined and made a little more user friendly.
other than that, I'm very pleased with mine, more pleased that I was with my two iPods (which are both broken)
Honestly, I think it DOES look nice. They need to stop taking pictures of it at angles, start doing photos to show off it's double color look. The Brown Zune is actually nice looking, but in all the adverts it looks at best like a chocolate bar and at worst a brick of shit. The Brown Zune with the Green Rim Shot howover is very nice looking, reminds me of foliage.
Of course that comes back to your better advertising.
I don't think it looks all that bad, the problem is that the install base of the iPod will call anything that tries to compete with it crap. Honestly, how many of the people who rated the Zune the worst gadget of the year over here actually use(d) it?
With a few nice changes it could really be something special, and I really think that it could all be done with firmware updates.
1. Change the way the wireless is used. Allow wireless streaming to the 360 and possibly to the computer. Make sharing music easier, maybe no play limit just a week limit on plays.
2. (Without having to hack my registry) Have the Zune appear as a external hard drive and allow it to be used as one.
3. Improve the Zune software so it is less of a memory and CPU hog. I think they could make it much more simple and attempt to be a little less pretty and it would go a long way with functionality.
4. Improve video file support. I wish that I didn't have to convert half of my videos if I want the on the Zune. They have done a good job with the music by supporting .wma,.mp3, and .mp4 but only allowing .wmv is a limitation.
That is really it. The Zune itself functions very well and it is easy to find music quickly on the device. It is reliable as far as I can tell. I have had it since December with no freezing, which is MUCH more than I can say with my old iPod. I am very happy with it, the price was right (got it for 50 bucks off at Meijer) and it does more than the iPod.
Until there is a Zune phone I think it is quite ridiculous to compare it to the iPhone. That is like comparing a walkman to a cordless telephone, it just doesn't make sense.
touchscreen, open wifi, access to the web, GSM phone built in...and for pete's sakes can they figure out how to make it look less like a brick?
Or rebrand Apple's iPhone into Microsoft's zPhone
Poor pete
Its funny that people say discontinue it just because its made by Microsoft. IMO it is better than the Ipod but it needs more storage and be Mac compatible. If it came in at least 80GB and mac compatible I would get rid of my iPod for it.
Why bother making it Mac compatible? The Apple Fanboys will never buy a non-Apple media player and they only have a limited user-base.
I'm on my third iPod. Nice concept and design, but they all break. I use my Sony w810 more frequently nowadays.
Shockingly, not all Mac uses are Apple fanboys. In fact, I'd say a majority of Apple users don't do the whole "worship-Steve-Jobs" thing.
They're just more noticable, because they're louder and a lot easier to hate.
"I'm on my third iPod. Nice concept and design, but they all break."
It is true that the iPod, like everything ever produced by man, breaks. Interestingly enough I'm on my second iPod, and the only reason I stopped using my old one is I bought a new one. The old one (a 3Gen) still works. Of course neither your anecdote nor mine actually matters because their not statistically large enough.
I completely agree when I first saw the Zune I wanted it.....This is considering the fact that I currently own a 4th gen Ipod and 2 5th gen I pods...a 12" Powerbook, and a G5 Power Mac....I love my ipods but mac support for the zune would be nice and a better user interface, would be nice.....The problem I have with the zune marketplace is that I store all my cd rips on a central server in my home. The zune marketplace makes it exceptionally difficult for me to move music from my server to my zune....(not very drag and drop friendly)....One other thing...an 80 gig zune would be nice...maybe a 100 gig too..
@Kevin
I haven't had too much trouble with the server situation. I just added the files on my server to the watched folder list with the zune software and it worked fine for me.
@getz76: Actually I have a Macbook and I refuse to buy an iPod. I think it's overpriced and it has a lack of quality features that I want. I personally liked the iRiver H120 better, and use my SE w810i more often now anyways.
I want to buy one. P.S. I'm a drop dead Apple Fan but I LOVE Zune.
make it bigger, chop the top off, and put it in a convenient place for throwing away trash?
* Support your own freakin DRM...PlaysForSure
* More storage
* Make your WiFi worth something
* About 1/2 the thickness
* Clock/Alarm...it can't be that difficult
* More Codec support for Video
"Clock/Alarm...it can't be that difficult"
Really? You saw how long it took for Vista to be released..
I don't believe anyone has ever seen a clock at Microsoft.
All right....you got me...I give on the clock
Make the brown one appear to have last nights dinner embedded in it.
Installing 3rd party apps and firmware. So when you plug one in to a PC it doesn't have to talk to Media player... Open the wifi up. Drop DRM. Just put Windows Mobile 6 on it and give it a touch screen.
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Don't put Windows Mobile on it!! I have a WM phone, it's the worst device of any kind I've ever owned. MS needs a completely fresh UI that's designed without the suits butting in at every turn. And they need to lose about 80% of the volume (size, not sound).
Send them in to make Hide-a-Pods and actually get some use out of the but-ugly things.
I love my Zune. Sure.. I get snickered at on the subway... I don't have the mightier-than-thou attitude mactards have.
It is solid. It works as advertised. I've never had a single issue with it.
I would like to see a lack of DRM. I'd like to see DRM-less over Wifi.. sharing vidoes would be nice. Access to the video content the Xbox has on Zune Marketplace.. access to Zune Marketplace without connecing to a PC over wifi would be in-friggin-credible!
I'd like to see the next design be smaller without sacrificing capacity. 30gb is just right for me.. I'd like to see a better interface.. why do I have the 2 buttons to the left and right of my 5-way control? at least a smaller unique control interface (iPod has done the click wheel). Give me something new. Even a bezel that it touchy would be cool. Sure it might work like crap.. but Apple has proven that anything can be as functional as a bull with nipples as long as it looks pretty.
Chat features in the Zune over wifi would be cool. Bringing the whole Zune in line with what the Xbox can do would be awesome!
Come on Microsoft... I've joined the social... now give me something to socialize with... or at least someone else to socialize with. I have met one person the whole city of Atlanta with a Zune.
I think most of Zune's negativity comes from people just seriously not trying to accept anything but the ipod, and the common notion that 'everything' Microsoft is bad.
I made a list a long time ago. For the Zune device itself:
1. Reduce the size
2. More models
3. Get rid of yucky advertising
4. Zune software needs a ton of work
5. Should integrate with WMP 11 (which is by far better)
6. Get rid of DRM (or have option to) in Zune Marketplace
7. Get rid of Microsoft Points
8. Podcast support
9. Accept more format standards
10. Using Zune as a player when it's plugged into the PC
11. Delete function within Zune
12. Mac support
13. eBook + audiobook support
14. games
15. Gapless payback
16. Zune as external harddrive
17. bookmark feature
18. Performing other functions, even when the radio is on
19. FM tagging
20. More usefullness with WiFi
21. Equalizer manual option
22. FM recording an AM radio
23. resolution enhancements
24. More content in Marketplace (video, games)
25. back-lit Zune logo
26. Bluetooth, FM Transmitter
That's just what I could think of. I added more detail on my blog.
But even with the things it does need, I still think the Zune is a nice solid player, and should get more bigger updates with just a firmware. And a new model.
Plus, the fact that the Zune has done things the iPod should have had by now, doesn't make it too bad.
i would buy one tomorrow if it sync with wmp11, natively.
I agree with the WMP 11 part. To me, WMP 11 is a whole lot better than both iTunes and Zune software.
WMP 11 > iTunes > Zune
Sorry, but that's how it seems to me, in usefulness.
With a nice UI, easy to use, and where everything is where you need it, it's pretty awesome in managing your media. Now if only another store offered as much content as iTunes.
I've got to agree with the WMP 11 support. My wife has a Zune, but I use it, and I HATE syncing it through the Zune software. There was no reason to create an entirely new Media Player, when they already had a perfectly functional (and popular) one in WMP 11. The Zune software on the other hand is buggy and annoying.
OK for all you people who complain about not being able to use it to play music while plugged in, Have you tryed closing the software? I can plug it in and play music off of it at the same time as long as the zune software isnt running. The reason for this is because MS decided that if you have it plugged in to your computer that your music is also on the computer.
If it had WMP11 syncing, a delete function, external HDD support, and Gapless playback, it'd be the best player out there in that price range.
I'd actually be incredibly impressed with a delete function...
I think those four things would even be realistic for the devs to accomplish for the next generation of the players. I'd buy it.
so true.
i have my own list too...
- larger screen
- wifi sync
- storage device
- linux support
- no drm
- larger capacity
- a bit thinner
=]
Why can't I sync Vista Media Center content like I can with other devices? And of course why is there no podcast support. I know you can do audio podcast, but it's a pain, and video podcast don't work at all. I was about to buy one before it came out, and had to stick with my Ipod after I found out how crappy it was with everything I cared about.
MORE COWBELL!!
I'm going to start by saying I have a zune.
I would just make the software FASTER, the load times are just very very long on the marketplace. I would increase the battery life, even though its not terrible, but who wouldnt want a longer battery? And i'd make the marketplace have more songs and such, and videos, basically i love my zune, hate the software, isnt that always the story with microsoft?
Here's some tips:
Make the Wi-Fi sharing open and unlimited until charged or updated. This means that any file can be transfered to any Zune and can be play as many times as they want until they charge the Zune or update their Zune.
Make it OSX/Linux compatible. Make is so that Linux users and OSX users can use the darn thing instead of making it "Windows only". If you don't want to do Linux at least do OSX.
Make it thinner. Enough said.
Increase the resolution. Make it to widescreen 480p resolutions for both videos and the Zune itself.
Built-in Podcast identifier. A lot of people listen to podcasts and it would be pretty nice to have a seperation of podcats from music.
Built-in clock. Hey at least I can tell time if I'm using it.
Finally, harddrive accessable. Allow all of the Zunes to be able to be used as a portable harddrive so that we can be able to transfer files to other computers.
AKBlade13
hey they pretty much copied the ipod so why the hell not have a Zune-a-phone?
ban,rape,castrate please.
make an iPhone-like product, but make it open to all carriers and networks, not just ATT or EDGE networks
Haven't had the chance to use one, so apologies if it already has this stuff.:-
Clock with alarm clock facility and stopwatch with laptimers (for the runners out there), FM Radio, Touchscreen, Calculator, Calendar (Outlook synchronisation), 2 Megapixel camera on the reverse. Standard USB plug on the bottom for charging and drag and drop file exchange. Built in business card, which links to WiFi capabilities to exchange data with friends etc.
It needs to replace a number of different devices and also look the business - at the moment it isnt doesnt look as good as the ipod or probably feel as good as it.
Uh get rid of the brown and puke green trim. also the rubber casing, people like plastic or metal electronics they want to feel like they're are holding their music not a pile of crap
It doesnt have a rubber casing, it is plastic. please try to actually use a product before commenting about how awful it is.
I have used one and I don't even have to think about it microsoft made it. IT SUCKS
Ross is right, it is plastic, not rubber.
And based on the your comment right under Ross', I too, believe you haven't really tried it.
BTW: Zune comes in 5 colors. And even the black Zune is way more popular than the brown Zune.
I got the black Zune with blue doubleshot, and it really looks nice to me.
Heres a thought; you SUCK.
Its plastic, numb-nuts. A lot of people actually like the brown Zune. Kind of like how people like brown shoes, brown coats, shirts, pants, car interiors, etc.
A tattoo kit included with every one !
-Much Thinner
-Better screen (current is 3" QVGA @ 65k color, new model should be 3" VGA 16.7m or at least 262k)
-Completely overhauled control mechanism (doesn't have to be an ipod-like touch wheel, anything original would be better than a four way directional pad)
-Flash 8gb/16gb OR HDD 30gb/100gb
-WiFi for use with online music store, wireless syncing and data exchange as a mass storage device with your computer and other WiFi devices such as other Zunes
-Bluetooth for syncing, data exchange, blue tooth devices
-current color options. What can I say, I like the brown!
For the silly, Make it modular.
For the serious, Add FLAC.
also, add voip or skype.
Yeah, definitely FLAC and OGG support. I haven't used one, but it's things like this (not just with the Zune, but with most daps) that keep me from going and buying one. The only player I use right now is a tiny little Creative Zen, but it's not even mine, I just used it when my dad doesn't.
Down with DRM!
We love to bash Microsoft, but in all seriousness, how about an open file format? There are lots of iPods out there, and people have made an investment in iTunes. Microsoft isn't going to be able to pull people away from that with an equally limited format. It offers nothing that iTunes doesn't already offer. If Microsoft set a bold example, standardized a DRM protected file format and allowed any hardware player or online store to use this format without paying royalties, it could potentially take some of the air out of iTunes. Consumers could buy a Zune knowing that they wouldn't be locked into a single music source. If some stupid contract dispute kept a particular artist off of one store, another store could come in and sell the same product. Competition could force companies to stop being stupid. (See Apple vs. The Beatles.) Sure Microsoft would lose some money in the short term because of open competition, but in the long term, that's the only strategy that's going to beat iTunes stranglehold on the market. Microsoft is one of the few players in the game that could burn enough capital to make this work.
I honestly don't see why people think the ipod is better. It does nothing better than a zune except play more formats, have podcast support and have support for audiobooks. Quite honestly those arent purchasing points for me and I dont see why they would matter to apple fanboys so much that theyd continually bash zune. I would add a 5.1 MP camera into it so the wifi would be both legal and easy to implement. Other than that besides the obvious (bigger HDD, better battery, slimmer profile) that comes with every new generation of DAP I wouldn't change a thing. The 3 days 3 plays has to stay like it is for obvious legal reasons so stfu about that. My favorite feature of it is that I've had it since xmas and havent bought a case yet, use it every day at work and dont have a scratch yet, when i had a scratch in my ipod the first day i had it. zune ftw
So MS can't come up with any answers themselves?
What I want is a 120 gig DAP with wireless synching to my computer and to my stereo (probably via Airport Express) Sleek, stylish, slim - widescreen - - Zune should probably just wait for the next gen iPod and copy it... But call it original!
The Zune needs two features that all mp3 players need.
1. A universal car integration method with universal head unit control. Allowing any car stereo to play and control the Zune.
2. A more open source OS. Take the popularity of the Linksys WRT-54g router as an example. The more user that develop uses for a product the more in demand it becomes.
Line em up for target practice!
Blow that crap right out of its misery and then fedex its parts back to Steve Ballhead to shove up his fat lard.
Just give up microsoft and stop trying to bite off off other companies who make quality products and just stick to improving windows which is crap as well. I gave zune a chance but it was a mistake!! microsoft is notorious for garbage products, just look at windows and xbox360, complete and utter garbage!!
The 360 isn't a horrible product, people just need to take care of it.
Let me guess, you own a Playstation 3?
100gb drive, Xbox Live Arcade games.
I wish it could play WMA lossless, had an AM tuner, and supported podcasting.
Tetris.
YES! tetris free when bought with the zune! and a limited edition tetris version design with the keys design like tetris would be pretty kool
add a peanut and corn kernel "skin" to the shit brown one with scratch-n-sniff fecal odor
Why don't they discontinue it /and/ give Zune owners coupons for a slightly cheaper iPod?
agreed.
Mass Storage Device.
If I wanna drop a mp3 on it, it should play it. If I want to keep some Word files on it at home, open them up at school, it should do that.
Allow more file formats to play. Encourage app development.
No DRM. at all. My computer allows me to play these files, so should my Zune.
you can "drop an mp3 on it" thats the only format i have on mine. seriously i didnt know about drm until a few weeks ago when it was cracked, its not that big an issue unless you have your library built from itunes, then there's converters for it at that point, but why bother trying to convince you otherwise that most of these comments are total BS from bitter ipod owners who think apple cant make a mistake. well i have one word for you and the rest who think that.
safari