Zune hacked for Korean and Chinese language support
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted Sep 2nd 2007 4:41PM
posted Sep 2nd 2007 4:41PM
[Thanks, Mike]
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Well, I can see Korean and Japanese language in the photo... but where's the "Chinese" character support you are talking about?
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?
Microsoft?
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.
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.
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.
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.
maybe because the zune is a very interesting mp3 player.
Zunatics huh?
you're funny
you're a funny guy
you should do comedy
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.
I wouldn't call it uninteresting, rather its true potential hasn't been tapped yet.
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.
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.
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.
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??
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.
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.
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
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
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.
You do know the difference between blog posts and news reports, right?
I never thought I'd see the words "Zune" and "Support" together in a sentence.
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.
Wow, that's the hardest I've seen anyone own a troll for a long time
>.< clicked wrong reply link, I was talking about the guy below you. And I do read zuneboards!
And all three Zune owners rejoice....
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.
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.
Wow, you're funny. Wow. That's... great. Wow. Just, wow. I wish one day I could be as cool as you.
Zune 2? just a 2? They will come up with something better like: Zune 2008 SE or Zune 360.
Or even better: Zune 360 Ultimate Edition Service Pack 2
Yeah, with a "hip" title like that, who wouldn't want one?
...awesome if this leads to other useful features like some actual usefulness for wi-fi.
Yeah, like the Chinese need MORE crappy products in their lives. Make your own crap.
"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.
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.
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.
LOL AND THE IPOD IS JUST A COPY OF A SEAGATE OR SOMETHING
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Way to be bias Engadget, way to be fanboys.
Don't be a hater just because you cannot afford an Ipod.
Why would I _want_ an iPod?
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.
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.
apple sucks, case closed.
a micorosoft product thats hard to hack at least give them credit for that
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.
"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.
I hope you realize that you could have sidestepped the whole being biased tools crap by leaving out TWO WORDS from your article.. but instead you decided to piss off everyone who likes microsoft, and everyone else who doesn't like to see random bias in stuff they read online. Way to go, Conrad.
The problem, of course, is that they need traffic to drive the ads.
A site of calm, well thought out and generally unbiased articles about the objective benefits and weaknesses of products without comparisons that pander to the fans of other products wouldn't draw the haters and fanatics who *need* to put everyone else down in order to feed their own weak egos - already hopelessly and pathetically tied to their hardware.
Consider for a moment that you'll see surreal bandwagoning here. Like, the obsessive hatred of DRM on the Zune when in fact, it's no worse than the iPod's DRM. While you can't truely share a file using Zune WiFi - the 3x3 over WiFi is still *better* than the WiFi currently offered by on the iPod - which is none.
That may change if the next iPod actually has WiFi - but no one's noticed that the iPhone doesn't do WiFi sharing either... Because they've been too busy gushing to actually think things through.
Similarly, the larger screen (which comes at the expense of a larger device) and the other features like WiFi DJ all are superiour to the iPod - yet rather than calling on Apple to catch up - these are denigrated in order to make the iPod seem better than it really is.
The one that really floors me is the universal hatred of the integrated FM tuner in the Zune. Sure - you may no longer listen to radio (which I doubt), but the simple equation is - Zune had radio built in for no extra cost - iPod you have to add it on at a cost. Ergo - Zune beats iPod in this area. So, rather than just admit this - the reaction is to try and show why FM radio sucks and no one wants it.
Which is both untrue, irrelevent and silly.
And so it goes on Days of our Engadget.
@dragod
You seem to think that just because someone doesn't like the Zune means they never owned one. I did own one and these are a few of the reasons I took mine back after 2 days of messing with it. First off I didn't care for the interface compared to the iPod. Second the thing is kinda clunky to me it just feels like a brick in my hand. Next was the way you hook it up the your computer it took me forever just to get the thing to be recognized by windows and it's a Microsoft product shouldn't they play well together? My iPod was ready to use in like 30 seconds what's up with that. If you like the Zune fine but there must be a reason why the Zune isn't selling very well and has had to have a price drop. When was the last time there was a price drop for the iPod? I guess you get what you pay for.
Well, this is where we differ. I love the way the Zune feels. It feels solid and the rubber feels awesome. I prefer the Zune interface 100% over the iPod. I can actually see things other than size 8 Arial font and blank white screens. I don't know what's wrong with your computer, mine recognizes it in under 10 seconds. And the reason it isn't selling well is because it's a first generation player in an already over-saturated market. And I did get what I payed for. An amazing product, at a reasonable price.
Watch this space
How much can your pocket hold? That’s up to you and your iPod. It holds up to 20,000 songs, up to 25,000 photos, and up to 100 hours of video — or any combination of each.1 So you can browse movies on the iTunes Store, download the ones you want (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, perhaps?), then sync it to your iPod. Same goes for TV episodes, new iPod games, 99¢ songs, best-selling audiobooks, and an entire universe of free podcasts, including captivating tours to zoos, museums, and French chateaus. Go ahead. Fill ’er up.
iPod in Dock
Suit yourself
From cases to car kits, customize your iPod with accessories made especially for it. Pick up an iPod Universal Dock for more convenient syncing. Add an iPod Hi-Fi for room-filling sound. Sync photos on the go with an iPod Camera Connector. Attach a voice recorder to take audio notes. And if you buy from the Apple Store online, you can even have your iPod engraved with your name or a message.
Play all day
With all that music at your fingertips, you may never want to stop listening. Lucky thing your iPod plays audio for up to 20 hours.2 Or, if you’d rather watch, you can feast your eyes on movies and TV shows for up to six-and-a-half hours.3
iPod pure front, 3/4, 7/8, and pure side.
Pack light
It might be a miracle. Otherwise, it’s hard to explain exactly how 30GB of storage4 can fit into an iPod that’s over 30% thinner than the previous fourth generation. Or how an 80GB iPod can be the same size as the 60GB model before it. However it happened, it means you can carry your entire music collection — plus a nice selection of video — absolutely everywhere you go. And a 60% brighter, more vibrant display gives your album art, photos, and video extra oomph.
Search and enjoy
Finding what you want to hear among 20,000 songs could be quite a chore — unless you have an iPod. A new interface lets you search your iPod using the patented Click Wheel. And if you’re a fan of live albums, classical works, or anything that sounds best when it’s continuous, iPod supports gapless playback that seamlessly transitions from one song to another.
@Dragod you love the way Zune feel because
1. You can't afford an Ipod.
2.Ipod is for creative and artistic people, you are obviously too stupid to appreciate the beauty it.
You love the way your hand feels down your pants because:
1. You will never find someone to care about you with your cocky attitude. "Apple products are exclusively for the elite of the population like me, the top 3%." --Real nice, Asshole.
2. Mother will only leave you alone after shaving her back on Wednesday nights.
Seriously man, who the hell do you think you are? "Apple products are exclusively for the elite of the population like me, the top 3%." Seriously man, get off your F*cking high horse and go get some common sense. I sincerely hope you lose every cent you have.
And that 3% might explain why there are so few of you mac users.
I'd like to hear what your criteria on "top 3%" are.
Is it income? (corporations don't support Macs)
Is it intelligence? (many research scientists, doctors, and lawyers use PCs)
Is it the size of one's tail? Perhaps there is an inverse relationship between the size of one's tail, and the propensity to be a Mac fan boy.
And if you don't know what I mean by tail, study some Latin and etymology.
I'm actually a 15 year old, thank you. And yes, I live with my mother. And I do have a job, asshole. I have a Zune that I bought for $250 and I have several hundred in cash. So yeah, I don't care if you think you're so "elite" because you own some overpriced hardware. You're still a cocky douche bag who should learn that money isn't everything. Because, you know, I'm the loser for not conforming to what everyone else has and bought what I liked.
Go f**k yourself.
Seung-Hwan if you don't know the criteria then you are the lower class. AKA the guy who work at fast food restaurant. Ipod are for people of the upper class, the corporate executive, the top 3% of this country. But obvious if you are too stupid to understand that then you are not part of the elite upper class.
Maybe you just feel special because you have no concept of the value of money? And you somehow think $250 is an amazing amount of money for the "lower class population, the lower 97%" You should really go out and see how much things cost. Oh, and be sure that you let your daddy know that you made yourself feel better for making fun of the less fortunate. Though, I consider myself lucky to not be as arrogant as you are.
Quite on the contrary, I think it is you who needs an education on social hierarchy.
Clearly you represent the very thing you seem to loathe- the low class troglodyte who is a bottom feeder of the society.
And no, Macs will not grant you entry into the elite world you seem to seek, unless you think even a bunch of idiot art college students who just happen to use Macs also represent the top 3% of the society.
Macs are not even that expensive; it'd been one thing if you claimed that owning a private jet or a 5 million dollar home is a prerequisite for joining the social elite, but to suggest that owning a computer that costs a mere few grand endows one with some sort of special privileges is only true in your sad little conjured up, frugal world.
As a Mac user for the past 20 years, dfsdfsfsf is a disgrace to Mac users around the globe. Yes, Macs as a whole is a better system and OS, hands down. As for the iPod and Zune, I'll stick to the facts. The iPod has done well because of it's ease of use and simple design. The Zune came late to the party and may pick up some users later on, but the Zune fails on it's ease of use and it's software is laughable.
LOL speak for yourself man I doubt you even own any Apple products. Apple products are exclusively for the elite of the population like me, the top 3%.
holy shit - he's actually so obsessed that he even derides other people who spout Apple propaganda. He's like an uneducated Steve Jobs.
dsdfsdfdsfds, you, my friend, are a fucking idiot.
i love apple, the company, and it really sucks for them to have zealot fanbois like you spreading FUD as if you're their marketing representitive. idiots like you are the exact reason why apple's being hated because thsoe haters think that YOU idiots represent apple (and they're as idiotic).
go away, seriously. for good. just stfu and go away.
Oh great, they hacked the Zune so that they could add a feature that has been available on iPods since oh... I don't know, first generation?
I'm not an iPod fan, and I don't even own an iPod anymore, but zune is teh suxx0rz.
Ironic from the people that are trying to hack a phone from Apple to do the same thing that a cheap flip phone could do 3 years ago.
dfsdfsfsf @ Sep 2nd 2007 10:08PM
LOL speak for yourself man I doubt you even own any Apple products. Apple products are exclusively for the elite of the population like me, the top 3%
:| :|
In order:
Apple IIc
Apple Color Classic
Macintosh 7500
Performa 6320CD
iBook (Blueberry clamshell)
17' iMac (Last years model)
at work Power mac G5 with two 20" monitors
80GB iPod
Don't be a douche
It's too late. He's already accomplished that in his first post. His "Douchedom" just skyrocketed with the 3% thing.
"You are like the ignorant peasant during the dark ages."
Uh-oh! The Dark Ages insult!
What's next, the Iron age insult? Bronze age insult?
I guess the troglodyte isn't urbane enough to come up with a more current insult.
"not to mention we got moar money."
Apparently top 3% of your society does not have secondary education.
@ dfsdfsfsf :
You have got to be the smarmiest person I've ever seen. Honestly, how insecure about your buying decisions do you have to be to try and degrade somebody else's?
I don't own and iPod or a Zune, but I've used both, and they're both good at what they set out to do. Picking one or the other is not a status symbol (and seriously, who do you hang out with if it is?), but just a personal preference.
Before you start attacking me by saying I can't afford one, I have more than enough money to buy any normal mp3 player on the market (i.e., not gold-plated and whatever else it is they do these days).
And really, if you were as "elite" as you claim to be, you wouldn't be trolling a blog site like this...
Ok obviously "dfsdfs".... or whatever he calls himself, is just a troll and is not an actuall apple fanboy he is just trying to make mac users sound like stuck-up egotistical jackasses.
Ps: i love apple products and just because i think they are years ahead in design and interface does not give me the rights to brag that i own a mac or ipod and that in turn makes me superior to someone that owns a pc or zune for that matter so for god sake STFU dsfdsffsf.
If we lived in a World filled with Nothing but iPods and Apple products the World would be so Boring.
WTF? Seriously how can MS not including east asia font in Zune? iPod or my old Samsung 512M will show your tag in whatever language if they are in unicode, plus what ever local legacy encoding that it supports (i.e. shiftJIS, Big5 etc). Just about any MP3 player in the market can do that. Seriously someone at MS is just lazy and ignored some important features that only needs a simple software update.
wow, very cool stuff. one of my friends has one, it can put in thousands thousands songs and movies. screen is so big, very impresive!