Zune hacked for Korean and Chinese language support

ZuneBoards has achieved the feat of getting the Zune to support Korean and Chinese languages, using a hack that could open the door for many new interesting hacks for the thoroughly uninteresting player. Apparently, the hackers managed to get access to the System Partition, which until now has been rather hard. Once in, all they had to do was add a new font package -- it all sounds a little dubious to us, but whatevs. By the time more hacks come around, we'll probably be playing with the Zune 2.

[Thanks, Mike]

[Z @ Sep 2nd 2007 4:49PM]

Well, I can see Korean and Japanese language in the photo... but where's the "Chinese" character support you are talking about?

[Truth Hurts @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:57PM]

The grammar and "sentence structure" of Japanese is very similar to Korean, which makes it much easier for hackers to convert between the two languages. On the other hand, the structure of the Japanese/Korean language is "totally" different from Chinese. I think it will take more time to get the Zune to support Chinese language. But who needs the Zune anyway?

[AdvWar @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:55PM]

Microsoft?

[1w @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:59PM]

Obviously, the Japanese laguage incorporates the chinese "characters", so there it is. Language structure doesn't matter here since we're talking about font support.

[inoguchi @ Sep 2nd 2007 11:18PM]

Actually, language structure does matter when remapping fonts (English to Japanese, Japanese to Korean). And also, even though
Japanese language incorporates some Chinese symbols (Kanji) within their writings, they are miles apart when it comes to spoken language. FYI, Korean/Japanese and Chinese belong to entirely different linguistic families; J/K languages are part of the Ural-Altaic (also Uralo-Altaic) family group which also includes Turkish, Finnish, and Hungarian, meanwhile Chinese is part of the Sino-Tibetan family group which also includes Vietnamese, Thai and Burmese.

[inoguchi @ Sep 2nd 2007 11:21PM]

Actually, language structure does matter when remapping fonts (English to Japanese, Japanese to Korean). And also, even though Japanese language incorporates some Chinese symbols (Kanji) within their writings, they are miles apart when it comes to spoken language.

FYI, Korean/Japanese and Chinese belong to entirely different linguistic families; J/K languages are part of the Ural-Altaic (also Uralo-Altaic) family group which also includes Turkish, Finnish, and Hungarian, meanwhile Chinese is part of the Sino-Tibetan family group which also includes Vietnamese, Thai and Burmese.

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Sep 2nd 2007 4:50PM]

Oh no you called the Zune an uninteresting player now all the Zunatics will come out of the woodwork saying how engadget is anti Microsoft or whatever.

[lt.milo @ Sep 2nd 2007 4:55PM]

maybe because the zune is a very interesting mp3 player.

[Das @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:13PM]

Zunatics huh?
you're funny
you're a funny guy
you should do comedy

[steve @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:18PM]

uninteresting? as opposed to what? By that logic, mp3 players are simply uninteresting. Granted, you're probably right, but that wasn't your point. Fact is, the Zune is one of the best players I've used, far better than it's direct competition anyway. It's lack of broad codec support is somewhat disappointing, but it's interface is great, quality is great, the thing is practically indestructible; no scratches after a few months of use, despite quite a few camping trips, without a case. If thats uninteresting to you, then so be it, I prefer uninteresting.

[AdvWar @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:54PM]

I wouldn't call it uninteresting, rather its true potential hasn't been tapped yet.

[John @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:28PM]

I'd call it more interesting than an iPod, because we've had those for years and the Zune is still new. I already own an iPod, and I'd rather learn about the competition than be told stuff I already know about my own player.

[waiownsyou @ Sep 2nd 2007 4:56PM]

If Microsoft patches this hack, then they must really don't want to make money anymore. They'd just want to throw plastic stuff to help collect dust on Wal-Mart shelves.

[Trace The Hedgehog @ Sep 3rd 2007 2:28AM]

I DID go to Wal-Mart a couple of times this week. Yesterday, and today. Yesterday, there were about 7 Zunes on the shelf. Today, none.

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:00PM]

Man, who cares about this. Someone tell me when I can get my hands on that damn iphone software SIM unlock! Its suppose to come out today??

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:17PM]

years ago when I was finishing college, I worked in Best Buy and I knew Chinese people would come in specifically for MP3 players that supported Chinese. Having been a Chinese student priot, I knew the differences between Traditional and Simplified.

I have no idea why Microsoft, Apple or any other major distributor of PDAs, MP3 players,etc wouldn't include language support for French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and a few others.

[Alex @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:23PM]

I've been paying attention too. The only DAPs sold in the US that I know support the CJK characters out of the box, are the Apple iPod and Samsung YP series.

[Z @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:30PM]

You know, ALL Apple products (that includes iPods, Macs) comes multi-language ready RIGHT out of the box, it has a full list of languages including ones I havent even heard of. And you dont even need to "update" or "hack" to get them changed

[Das @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:22PM]

Apparently "Hurr hurr Zune dumb" is still comedic *Gold*

but I guess a little bias is the cost of quality news
so keep up the good work guys

[b @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:22PM]

lame, how about posting some tech news without any bias opinions towards one company or another. *Some* Engadget writers seem to have issues with that these days.

[CT @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:35PM]

You do know the difference between blog posts and news reports, right?

[Bobo @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:26PM]

I never thought I'd see the words "Zune" and "Support" together in a sentence.

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:26PM]

Yes! My site! I actually am part of the section staff over at ZuneBoards. And I must say, keep an eye on zB. We have some interesting things. I don't know if you've reported on this, but we've actually put out a program that gives directions that can be saved to be viewed on the screen. So, check it out. It's great.

[John @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:31PM]

Wow, that's the hardest I've seen anyone own a troll for a long time

[John @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:32PM]

>.< clicked wrong reply link, I was talking about the guy below you. And I do read zuneboards!

[Dolomite @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:37PM]

And all three Zune owners rejoice....

[o rly @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:47PM]

That's a new one, I'm sure I haven't heard it before.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/zune-2-0-to-feature-a-fuel-cell-recharger/

"Dolomite @ Apr 16th 2007 11:02AM
...All three Zune owners would probably be happy with that."


http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/10/zune-to-get-wireless-downloads-version-2-hardware-flash-player/

"Dolomite @ May 10th 2007 3:35PM

All three Zune owners rejoice..."



Honestly, come with a better line. It wasn't funny the first few times you said it and you aren't going to get any laughs now.

[o rly @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:47PM]

That's a new one, I'm sure I haven't heard it before.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/zune-2-0-to-feature-a-fuel-cell-recharger/

"Dolomite @ Apr 16th 2007 11:02AM
...All three Zune owners would probably be happy with that."


http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/10/zune-to-get-wireless-downloads-version-2-hardware-flash-player/

"Dolomite @ May 10th 2007 3:35PM

All three Zune owners rejoice..."



Honestly, come with a better line. It wasn't funny the first few times you said it and you aren't going to get any laughs now.

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:54PM]

Wow, you're funny. Wow. That's... great. Wow. Just, wow. I wish one day I could be as cool as you.

[zed @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:49PM]

Zune 2? just a 2? They will come up with something better like: Zune 2008 SE or Zune 360.

[AdvWar @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:58PM]

Or even better: Zune 360 Ultimate Edition Service Pack 2

Yeah, with a "hip" title like that, who wouldn't want one?

[Mr. B @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:54PM]

...awesome if this leads to other useful features like some actual usefulness for wi-fi.

[Kal-El @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:08PM]

Yeah, like the Chinese need MORE crappy products in their lives. Make your own crap.

[kcar @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:23PM]

"Honestly, come with a better line. It wasn't funny the first few times you said it and you aren't going to get any laughs now."

The Truth Hurts, O rly. Welcome to the So-So.

You know who those three Zune owners are? Pastor Ted Haggard, Rep. Mark Foley, and Senator Larry Craig.

aka Zune Boy Three.

Why all the Zune-iacs hang out at Engadget.com is beyond me.

[wetworker @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:27PM]

Dolomite you should check out the amout of members on the zuneboards site
http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/
and yes i'm one of them.

[wetworker @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:47PM]

I had an ipood, and the Zune is way better devise, ask anyone that has played with it,I’ve been having lots fun with mine since dec 2006 and it’s brown.

[AdvWar @ Sep 2nd 2007 6:59PM]

LOL AND THE IPOD IS JUST A COPY OF A SEAGATE OR SOMETHING

[eric cumbee @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:02PM]

i had an ipod and was not impressed. When i bought my zune they were roughly in the same price range. i am quite happy with it.

[Patrick @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:05PM]

Was saying it's uninteresting really necessary? Since CNET gave it an excellent rating so it can't be too bad. I don't have a Zune and have an iPod, but honestly the MS bashing by this site is becoming stupid. Sometimes I wonder why I even come to this unnecessarily biased site.

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:44PM]

I agree... I'd like to know if anyone who writes these articles about the Zune has actually used a Zune. And if they have, I challenge them to Email me with exactly what they don't like about it, rather than the usual vague "it's uninteresting" comments.

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:44PM]

I agree... I'd like to know if anyone who writes these articles about the Zune has actually used a Zune. And if they have, I challenge them to Email me with exactly what they don't like about it, rather than the usual vague "it's uninteresting" comments.

[kcar @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:26PM]

"I had an ipood, and the Zune is way better devise, ask anyone that has played with it,I’ve been having lots fun with mine since dec 2006 and it’s brown."

That's just the trouble. I can't find any Zune owners. Maybe they all hang out in Redmond.

Wetworker, If you love your Zune, great. More power to you. But try looking at the unit sales numbers for iPods and Zunes. Also keep in mind that Zune has dropped in price by about $100. That should tell you how well Zune is doing.

Check out the new iPods coming this week. You might change your mind.

Patrick--you wrote:

"but honestly the MS bashing by this site is becoming stupid. Sometimes I wonder why I even come to this unnecessarily biased site."

MS bashing? Try again. Engadget's a haven for Zuneiacs, or shills posing as such. If you think Engadget's anti-MS, go elsewhere like Slashdot.

[Matt @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:34PM]

Way to be bias Engadget, way to be fanboys.

[dfsdfsfsf @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:37PM]

Don't be a hater just because you cannot afford an Ipod.

[Matt @ Sep 5th 2007 8:43PM]

Why would I _want_ an iPod?

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:40PM]

First of all, I've owned an iPod. Returned it after 9 days. Got a Zune. Haven't looked back.
Second, I can afford an iPod, I chose Zune.
Third, it is not an iPod copy. That's like saying "Your car is red, mine is red too. You copied me."
Fourth, you never see Zune owners running around saying "Lollol u suck bekuz u like teh Ipod!11 Loll go enjoy ur IPOD!"
Fifth, go an actually use a Zune instead of posting on anything having to do with the Zune, and then tell me what you think. Don't post blatantly stupid comments.

[dfsdfsfsf @ Sep 2nd 2007 7:53PM]

Dragod, you may have own an Ipod in your dream but never in reality. The truth of the matter is, ipod is superior to all other mp3 player including the zune. People like you are pathetic because they cannot afford an ipod so instead they try to justify their purchase by saying a zune is a good as an ipod.

[StandardAI @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:03PM]

apple sucks, case closed.

[Dragod @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:35PM]

People like you are pathetic because you think that everyone has the same taste. It's pathetic that you attack other people for owning a product. It's pathetic how idiotic you sound.

[John @ Sep 2nd 2007 8:36PM]

"dfsdfsfsf", it's pretty sad for a guy who lives with his parents to try and critique others' buying power. If you can buy a Zune, you can buy an iPod, because if you have the spare money for an mp3 player, you're not going to settle for a low quality device if you end up paying over a hundred dollars for it. If you want to actually see which players people who are devoted to getting the best sound use, check head-fi.org - and fyi, people there use both iPods and Zunes.