Microsoft's Zune 2 just around the corner?
By Darren Murph 
posted October 1st 2007 4:39PM
posted October 1st 2007 4:39PM
Don't go betting the farm or anything, but "according to sources close to the situation," Microsoft will be unveiling the second-generation of Zune players come Tuesday. Apparently, Mr. Gates and J Allard will be attending the shindig, and it sounds like both the "thinner" HDD-based Zune and the flash-based Zune will indeed be launched. The overall design of the HDD Zune isn't set to change all that much, but the 3- x 1.25-inch flash Zunes "are said to look much like the iPod nano," and they should include video playback capabilities and larger storage capacities than "competing products." As expected, Redmond wouldn't respond to the hunches, but if these rumors prove true, we could see the new flock of Zunes hit shelves "this November."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
larger storage capacities than "competing products."
Cowon already has a 16GB flash player, is MS going to top that?
Thing is, Cowon isn't necessarily a "competing" product. When they say that, I really think they mean Apple, Sansa, things like that. Things people can go out to a retail store and buy. I don't know if you live in the US, but, I've never seen a single Cowon player for sale in a retail outlet here in the states.
That and Cowon players are awesome, and they'd be hard pressed to match that quality.
GR
I just hope the squircle is not in any way involved.
It could be a rebranded toshiba or asus player with crappy software, crippled functionality and same old Zune DRM. Or it could be brilliant, packing all the functionalities of internet, media player, long batteries, etc. Hopefully they'll come up with something that can be much more competetive to iPod than the last one.
I hope they make a brand new Zune logo, just to see that dorky tatoo guy cry.
Around the corner... Hidden maybe?
Quite simply, all they need to do is release an iPod touch with 3rd party applications.
I dont understand how people can say the Zune dosent have enough features when the ipod has music, video, and that's it!?
The zune has that and radio, a bigger screen, wifi(which i agree, could be so much more than it is) but seroiusly.
I think they need to improve the battery life, make it a bit thinner, add more wifi capabilites, and cheaper, and it will make the ipod cry.
The ipod is the most bland, lack-luster pmp on the market!
I think the key is the fact that most Apple customers like the clicky sound that it makes when you're scrolling.
Actually it's probably the click wheel, even though it provides no input back to the user as to how far down the list it is going, it's cool. I think we need a combo of the squircle and the click wheel interfaces, one that's round, but is a separate button that spins but with clicks, not audible but one that provides tactile feedback, so it gives feedback as to how far you're going, but not requiring as many clicks as the Zune or as nonfeedbacky as the iPod.
Also, the size is a huge thing, since the iPod is "massively" smaller at nearly 8mm shorter and 4mm thinner. Oh and don't forget that the Zune is bricklike in that it is a "massive" .8 ounces heavier. (Nevermind that the iPod is denser at 1.13 oz/in3, as opposed to the Zune at .88 oz/in3. Which would make the Apple feel heavier)
...And your mas face!(it's an irish thing)
The ipod has photos also, and audiobooks, and games (yeah not much but still). Honestly, radio isn't much of a plus, and the iphone and ipod touch have wifi that you can use to go on the web and youtube and buy/ preview songs. I don't know... I think the ipod generally has enough features to compete. That said, I am looking forward to seeing what the next zune will be like.
Those talking about this "Squircle", I wouldn't take it too seriously.
ZuneScene isn't the greatest Zune site for info. I actually mod on another Zune website and we only put news on the front page when it's worth reporting, not when "Our anonymous sources say".
All I'm saying is that don't be surprised when 70% of everything ZuneScene said was a lie.
ZuneScene just posted actual photos of the new Zune 2.0 devices (taken from the retail display package) that do indeed include the squircle.
I wish that the infantile backbiting and sniping between zuneboards and blogs would stop.
EDIT:
that should read "boards and blogs focusing on the Zune"... I wasn't referencing any particular site.
Well, I'd like to see those pictures, because all I've seen is poorly rendered concepts that are supposedly real...
Dragod,
Hit the URL here for a pic of the Zune 2.
http://www.zunescene.com/v2/zune-v2.JPG
This pic is in place of the Forums that are currently down.
Hopefully this one isn't DRM filled like the last Zune. If they made one with 16GB of storage, Xvid/Divx support, web browsing capabilities, with wifi, I'd consider buying it. And hopefully they make it Mac Compatible, I'm tired of having to use parallels for adding music to it.
Too late Microsoft, my iPod touch just arrived today.
Amen to that. All Microsoft can (and will) do now is copy Apple's design.
Zune 2? Hasn't Microsoft yet to launch its first Zune globally? Thanks Microsoft, but I don't buy your products any more.
This should be about as exciting as the Palm Centro event.
You have to be a Microsoft fanboy to want a Zune or be excited about this kind of announcement. Their media player lacks anything original, exciting, or sexy. There is nothing offered here that you can't find better elsewhere. The Zune is that part of your dream that you faintly remember when you wake up and immediately shrug off. It's the late-entry, white bread, uninspired little media player that kind-of could, unremarkable in every way.
Used in a sentence: The Zune 2 annoucement was the very pinnacle of ennui.
I'm sorry. I believe you clicked on the wrong blog entry...
I think you meant to hit one of the dozen Apple posts in the last week...
The Zune is by far the easiest highest quality player i've owned ... including all the various versions of iPod's i've owned.
Someone said it was a copy of the iPod ... hardly ... it has a better interface, bigger screen, and looks nothing like an iPod.
Steve Job's doesn't tell me what i want ... i do.
I have a Mac. I have an iPod. I want a Zune. No, really. I really wish that Microsoft would make the Zune compatible with Mac OS X so that I could purchase one and try it out.
yeah ....nice to see 40+ comments on a Zune blog .......much required change
Yeh, but it only helps if they're favorable or informative comments and not a bunch of I hate Zune comments.
So much can be done with the Zune. It could Wifi connect to your music library and stream things even! Its a powerful little thing, it could run some really good games! Wifi music store, internet radio, sooo much...
Please Microsoft, give me an explosion of software. Please.
Ok, I really wanted a Zune 2, but then I saw the Samsung YP-Y2 and now im not so sure about the Zune. It's going to have to be a hell of alot better to convince me into getting a Zune
oops i meant to say Samsung YP-P2 sorry
i have 3 ipods and a zune in my household. I like the zune way better, actually.
There are only 2 things that I think suck about this device:
The library software - please microsoft, just rip off apple on this one. you're good at it and itunes is a better library system.
the wireless is useless! put a browser in this thing. maybe make a web interface that you can access from your email to set your favorites so i can browse sites and stuff. Or make it so the social network rides over the internet, not proximity...
the hardware itself is FANTASTIC.
I'm curious why nobody's mentioning the possiblity of bluetooth stereo capability?
Since there's yet to be an iPod product that can do it (without a cumbersome add on), then I would think that feature alone would help Zune sales.
"The flash based players will measure 3-inches by 1.25-inches and are said to look much like the iPod nano." Microsoft. Masters of innovation...
Given how everyone said that the Zune was ugly and (until it turned out to be the real design) everyone hated the iPod nano "fatty" because it was (and STILL IS) so fuggin ugly, it would seem that Apple actually stole MS's 'ugly' design groove
To be fair, with the length of the development cycles these devices go through, theres no way Microsoft could have intentionally copied the 3G Nano because they simply wouldn't have had enough time to. The reported similarities in the design is probably just a coincidence, they both went around the problem of getting a bigger screen on a smaller device in the same way, make it fatter.
The redesign of the Nano is hardly what I would call at all innovative, but in the same vein I doubt the new Zune is going to be particularly innovative either, just a continuation of the current market trends. Its how all companies do it (including Apple, don't let the RDF fool you)
Yeah, because Apple never copies everything they're all original, their commercials, products, everything...original. They've never been sued or nothin' for stealing stuff...nope...
I have had a lot of brand loyalty to the Zune so far -- I've recommended it to friends, family and even posted up "comparison" flyers around my dorm. There is no question that the Zune was one of the most underrated products of the year, with their first player making leaps and bounds over the last gen iPods (I'm sorry Apple Fanboys, but built-in radio and $15/month music is itself enough of a reason to make that statement).
That being said, Microsoft has to come out and dazzle. They can't announce the same player with a cosmetic upgrade that happens to have a larger HDD or flash capacity.
My keys to success?
1. Make the Zune compatible/play nicer with DivX and other popular video codecs.
2. Give the Zune Marketplace a facelift and software overhaul. It's too heavy on a computer and it looks atrocious. Playlist and library management needs a lot of work.
3. Thinner, thinner, thinner.
4. Games, games, games.
And if they want to be adventurous...
5. Give the Zune wi-fi downloads from the Zune Marketplace.
Be honest here, even Apple fanboys. How many of us would pass on a $250 player that had unlimited wi-fi downloads for $15/month? You'd have to be crazy.
I've already made the decision that if Microsoft doesn't come out and do something big, I'm done with the Zune. I've already invested time, money and effort into promoting it more than a normal consumer should. I expect something more than an iPod by Microsoft.
i think they were planing to add games to the zune by next year. think the head xbox feller and MS announced that earlier this year.... pretty sure.
woah, if I could download all the music I wanted over wifi with the $15/month plan... you couldn't stop me from getting one
Screw all that noise! I just want a clock and audible support!
The iPod is King.. and the Zune will have no chance to overcome their monumental blunder. I have seen 1 Zune since it launched and about a zillion iPods... case closed.. M$ lost this battle. Thank God.
If the Zune 2 gets better WiFi usage, is it possible that a firmware update will do the same for the original Zune?
*yawns* I'll wait and look at version 3. Traditionally it usually takes MS at least 3 versions of something to get it marginally right.
What do you call the Xbox 360? It was leaps and bounds better than the first Xbox (and miles ahead of the current competition in terms of value, adoption, and the crucial area--fun factor).
Plays MS Office cliparts
I want that guy to get more Zune tattoos in honor of the Zune 2. He should have plenty of space on his buttocks.
Do you REALLY want to see zune-ified buttocks? You KNOW that Engadget WILL blog it if it happens, so pray that it doesn't...
*yurg*
Look, I'm bored and I need a good laugh every once in a while.
Given Apple's attitude problems I'm going to give the Zune serious consideration.
Think Different. Think Zune.
Here Here on the Zune software needing to just be replaced by WMP 11. I get that they think they need to compete with iTunes, but iTunes is crap, please don't try and mimic it. It is weird, because largely the Zune Software uses the same COM ojbects as WMP (notice a similarity in the library browsing?) and once installed, you can listen to all of your Zune files in WMP. WMP already supports having a store AND syncing devices (every music player not made by Apple of MS uses it, and having used the sync feature it is remarkably nice) so I just don't get why MS doesnt' use it. The difference between the two programs is literally skin deep, so at the very least it would be nice if they offered an option for those of us who hate us the zune application (though I imagine they have the application so they can distribute firmware updates from it. If they did that with WMP 11 they would either need to distribute all MP3 player firmware updates, or have a seperate updater, otherwise there is that antitrust issue).
I would add a 10. Drop the freaking prices on your accessories!