Microsoft beefs up Zune music and community experience
By Ryan Block 
posted October 2nd 2007 11:31PM
posted October 2nd 2007 11:31PM
- The Zune Marketplace is officially adding DRM-free music support, launching with over a million DRM-free MP3 tracks. As we mentioned earlier, other details (like which labels, whether there is a DRM-free upgrade path is for users who've bought music with DRM, price differences, etc.) are not yet known.
- Zune Marketplace is also getting podcasts and music videos. (Great, but where's the real video content?)
- Microsoft is also launching Zune Social, a free online music community / social network (great, another social network!) which allows users to create...
- Zune Cards, which are web widgets not unlike Xbox's Gamer Cards. Zune Cards let other users track your most played and recently played music (updated each time you sync back to your host machine). Users can also sample music directly from someone's Zune Card.
- You can now share with others music that was shared with you.
- No, the Zune still doesn't analyze the tracks it shares, so Zune Pass unlimited customers still can't share music without DRM.
- But, at very least the Zune's 3x3 DRM no longer has a time limit. Same three play restriction, but it no longer has to be within three days.
well, at least the iPods are making actual real use of the wifi... All wifi in the zune does is drain the battery faster. wow. wifi fucking rocks in the zune, i can send my all my friends a song that they can play only 3 times. wow. now, if only my friends also had a zune.
maybe ill go find that guy with the 3 zune tattoos, and maybe send him a song while he gets his 4th one.
"so you agree? the zunes have always had wifi ability and only recently have the most pricely ipods have had that feature?"
iPod is around since October 2001 (6 years).
Zune didn't exist in any form before November 2006 (11 months).
iPhone (the first Wi-Fi enabled iPod) has been around since end of June 2007 (4 months).
So, to you, the difference between "always" and "only recently" is 7 months. No further comments.
Disclaimer: not particularly fond of eijther the iPod, iPhone or Zune. Fond of facts and common sense though.
Zune.net is slowly updating- so far "Meet Zune" page is the only one with new images
http://www.zune.net/en-US/meetzune/
Hoping to see a release date for firmware/hardware.
November for new models & updated software. Yuck... Seems so faaaaarrrrrrrr away...
Very interesting. I only hope this compels Apple to finally update iTunes with some meaningful features. Competition is a good thing for consumers, no matter what fanboy camp you're in.
Apple is more compelled by players like Creative Zen which have better success on the market. They actually look at sales, not marketing, to determine what matters to them.
Zune is not among the top players on the market right now. Some have noticed that over a million of Zunes have been sold. One million, honestly guys, isn't a lot for a consumer mass market device.
iPod has sold over 110 million units in 6 year lifespan. Makes around 20 million units per year.
And let's forget iPod since it's rather the exception not the rule (but THIS is who Microsoft targets, right).
Creative Zen is selling 8 million units per year.
And again, Zune has sold one million per year.
Hope this puts it in perspective. Let's hope Zune 3 has something that's worth it to buy over iPod, or Zen, or a cheap no-brand chinese player.
Two questions: what happened to the brown color. I thought it was very hip (and I actually liked it better than the baby green on the smaller models).
And two, "YOU MAKE IT YOU"... This is their official slogan. Previous one was "WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL".
Did they outsource their marketing department to India*? At least try to make some sense in English, guys!
*I'm working in an outsourcing firm so naturally no offense to outsource companies.
What makes you think that Indian marketing firms don't know English?
FYI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_population
Hopefully your tongue is in check the next time it tries to move faster than your teeny brain
Rajat, what part of "I'm working in an outsourcing firm so naturally no offense to outsource companies" didn't you understand.
It was a joke towards Zune's team, rather than Indian companies. I'm myself not a native English speaker.
Appreciating a joke isn't too hard, try it.
Recorded Television To Go
Great feature, no need to purchase shows. Just use Media Center to record and sync.
I WAS excited about wireless sync, until I went to the website and read the fine-print -- wireless sync only works when the zune is either plugged into the dock or charge --- stupid!
Great point. Except that isn't what it says.
Ahem... "Wireless Sync requires access to a home wireless network and can be manually initiated by clicking “sync now” on the Zune. Automatic Wireless Sync requires AC power to the Zune device via a dock, AC adapter or speaker dock accessory."
This means that it *automatically* syncs when you plug it in or dock it. If you want it to sync when it isn't plugged in, you just have to push sync button on the device. Sounds completely reasonable to me.
The Zune community looks really good. Now we're finally seeing a good reason for MS ditching PlaysForSure.
And Zune and Xbox work together, so if you buy MS Points for one, they work on the other.
Now if we could just take downloaded Xbox TV shows on our Zunes...
Here is something I havent seen imn any press releases "Recorded television content to go [Using Windows Media Center]" http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/holiday2007.htm
I knew from the very beginning that they were going to add some last.fm type feature at some point. Looks like I was right.
I guess i better finish my site soon
http://www.zunecards.net/
No DRM is great. Seriously. I hope more stores keep doing it. Amazon too. It would be great to have so many options to buy your music from different stores so they keep the prices down and you can actually find what you're looking for and not being bound to a certain online store, for instance iTunes.
Anyone able to download this new version of the Zune software and firmware? It keeps saying I have the latest (v1.4 for the firmware)...
The software won't be available until November, along with the new Zunes.
Awwww... I stayed up late for just the announcement only then. No matter, it does revitalize my interest in the Zune though.
I love it how they don't emphasize the cut off "podcasts" on the screen - classic Bill.
hey i hav a question to all the diggers out there
i hav a zune 1
and its soooo tight i luv it more than all the ipods
i got the first nano it was shit
zune ownes ipod
but now the new ipod touch came out and its rely tight
so i preordered it through amazon so they wont ship it for a week or so
NOW the new zunes r anounced and im goin crazy theres so much cool new stuff and its thinner and all the other stuff
i can cancel my order for the touch anytime so plzzzz respond to tell me wat i shood du!!!!!!!
You should tidy your room before your mummy gets in.
hey i hav a question to all the diggers out there
i hav a zune 1 and its soooo tight i luv it more than all the ipods
i got the first nano it was shit
zune ownes ipod but now the new ipod touch came out and its
rely tight so i preordered it through amazon so they wont ship it for
a week or so
NOW the new zunes r anounced and im goin crazy theres so
much cool new stuff and its thinner and all the other stuff
i can cancel my order for the touch anytime so plzzzz respond to tell me
wat i shood du!!!!!!!
o ya also i forgot 2 say
i hav a mac. srry. but me and my dad shared a windows pc before i got the mac and he uses it so i can use that
plzz help
srry for sendin that twice
Is it me or does the Zune really looks rubbish?
If Microsoft was cool they would easily incorporate all their products. They do between like the PC and the Xbox 360, and I guess between the PC and Zune (never used it). But what about the Xbox 360 and the Zune? I know between the Xbox 360 and my WinMo Device theres not connection what so ever. Also, the PC and WinMo connection is sub par when it comes to multimedia.
So it would be really nice if they had all these device work together. Set some standards for WinMo Device (must have Wi-fi and whatever). Then they should get Zune software on for WinMo Devices so you can do all that great stuff Zune does like the Wi-fi syncing and sharing. I mean why not? It's all Microsoft...Also get like syncing contacts with the Xbox 360(future VOIP support idea) and Zune and be able to share music with the Xbox from a WinMo Device and Zune (if not possible already). That would be like the perfect integration, along with ya know...stuff I didn't mention/think of.
For the love of god, Carlos - it's an MP3 player, not a smartphone/PDA. I already have a smartphone (I heart HTC S710), and actually think it's GOOD that this doesn't come with a calendar and/or address book. It's an MP3 player. It plays music, and it plays video, too. That's all I need. Now, if the wireless syncing works as advertised, I think Apple can say goodbye to a large part of its marketshare.
Wow, I'm really impressed. Microsoft actually did something right -- too bad it wasn't last year with the Version 1 -- but big kudos to MS for updating the features of V1s to match the V2s. I still wish they would just eliminate the Zune software and use WMP11, but maybe a compromise MS, how about let us choose?
It would be better and killer if they would go ahead and add Mac OSX support and if they would try to compete with a lower price that Apple, say $199 for the 80 gig or even $225, but at least these features blow away the standard iPod. If only MS had done this 5 years ago, Apple might not be so dominate today, but sadly, MS has been playing catch up in numerous areas for 10 years and now the iPhone is really the gadget to beat now. The iPhone, however, is still too expensive --$99 is the sweet spot on it maybe even $150. But thanks to all those early adopter fools who whined about the price cut, Apple won't be lowering it again anytime soon.
Anyway, back to MS. Media Center functionality is great. They deserve credit also for backward compatibility. The only thing I haven't heard yet is, what about support for Windows Media Lossless?
i totally agree about eliminating the Zune software, but I also thought how chaotic i can get if they use WMP11, but then again i'm sure they could work with it (make WMP11 better). Subscription support would be great too as well as OS X support for a shot at the mac users.
i am really super stoked about the new Zunes, however i most likely will not be getting one cuz i can do music and stuff with my WinMo phone (music and pictures, videos are crap on my 8525 and hopefully will be better on the Tilt, plus support for new gen SD cards and the usb 2.0 will be muchly appreciated) and hopefully sum better MS integration with WinMo and other Microsoft devices is in the near future.
What about Audible support!!!! Please oh please tell me they are including audible support this time around!!!! Why aren't the bloggers asking MS about Audible support? It's one of the most obvious questions to ask I would think as it's one of the most glaring ommissions from Zune 30.
As a MSFT shareholder, J or Bill please answer the following.
How is the ability to play recorded TV shows from Vista driving revenue growth?
How is the ability for iPod users to purchase DRM free music from Zune Marketplace driving Zune device sales?
How will the Zune Social website drive revenue growth? Will the operational expenses be covered by the potential music sales?
Man, if Zune played well with Mac, I would seriously just go buy an 80 gig Zune instead of the next-gen iPods. The software looks a lot better, the hardware design is sleek and modern, and I just love the Zune's versatility. But... it's not MACabble.
but cant u dual boot.
i mean if u already have windows. lol im sure buy vista just to use ur zune is not worth dishin out the bucks for an overly expensive os, but i guess u could just get home basic :D
Why are so many people here enamored with the Zune? It looks very plain, the controls are a pain to use, and it doesn't really break any new ground (syncing over wifi to my PC? So what, I have to plug in a cable to charge it anyway). Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Microsoft (I'm a lfetime Windows user and XBOX 360 absolutely rocks!!) but the Zune doesn't really differentiate itself from the competition. They are priced EXACTLY like the equivalent Apple products, and they don't look much different either. Basically another "me too" product. "Squirting" my favorite songs to some other dumb ass who happens to also own a Zune? That just a bunch of B.S.! Well, at least they got rid of the poop brown model (how trendy!). Hey, here's one way that a Zune stands out from the crowd: hideapod.com
here's a scenario that i kno for a fact that ppl encounter. you live in a house with a bunch of ppl, you want to put some music on ur mp3 before u leave, and someones on the computer (and siblings are hard to boot off). oh but wait, u have a zune, just get it wirelessly (only of course if ur pc is wifi enabled). also if ur not near ur comp but its on and theres a song u want from it...haha take it wirelessly. personally i think that is an excellent idea. but the really need to get that wireless music store goin.
Good point! I always thought that the chances of randomly seeing three people with Zunes in a room together would be like getting struck by lightning twice. But I guess once they get marked down in price enough, they would make a great group present for a family.
Podcasts as in specially selected by Microsoft podcasts, such as what you can find on the iTunes store? Or podcasts as in any properly formatted podcast feed that you can manually add to the Zune software, as you can with iTunes?
If I can do the latter I'm definitely buying a Zune whenever the new ones land. :)
I'm returning my iPod touch today to Best Buy and waiting for the new 80GB Zune. I have a bunch of dead pixels anyway. I'm also tired of Apple crippling its devices to protect their cash machine. I thought I would be able to manually enter calendar events when I bought it. Apple lied to me... Stick it Steve!
- Still US Only?
- DRM Free MP3s? Are you sure about that. DRM Free WMA, surely.
- Track Price?
- Where's the 160Gb version?
I take it the software/firmware update will be available when the new Zune's launch.......
In any market it's hard to compete with the market leader in the market leader's signature product, so give microsoft a break. I think the new features are a big improvement and A for effort. Also makes for good fodder for funny online comics:
http://www.itgumbo.com/mumbogumbo/2007/10/zune_takes_on_ipod_in_war_over.php
"Where's the real video content?"
It plays mp4 and h.264. The real video content is on the torrentz.
Marshall
---------------------
The Real HT Info Podcast
Never mind, looks like it doesn't specify which type of mp4, might not be divx/xvid compatible (which will be a dumb mistake if true.)
Marshall
-------------
The Real HT Info Podcast
Here's the thing, I'm not knocking Zune or saying that apple is the best. But if Ms wants to beat apple in the mp3 market then they've got to go past apple. Don't look at what apple can do. Do more, have better things included.
At this point the differences between the zune + ipod isn't that great. There are some features that are availabe on the zune not on the ipod and some on the pod not on the zune.
MS wants to win they've got to come in from a whole different approach. They got to say, this is what they have, this is what we want and where we want to take it too.
EX. Apple has the ability to use WIFI for surfing the web on the touch and buying songs via the itunes store. MS could take wifi further and push it into new terroity, allow you to sync wireless to your library. Let the zune become a wifi music/video player, able to stream music/video to any compatible wifi speaker/tv or stereo system?
Apple can tv out but it's only 480p/480I. Zune, why not allow 480i/480P/720P output?
Native support for divx/xvid
User high resolution than the iphone touch.
It may cost MS more $$$ but MS has been late to the game and they need to move into new areas that apple has not gone to. They need to push, be the leader, be the innovator and make apple go, "gee why didn't we do that earlier"
i absolutely, i dont think Microsoft wants to completely put apple out, they'll just end up with the monopoly cases and stuff. but if they want to really compete then they do need to go beyond the apple features. plus, they should have included bluetooth with A2DP support, i mean why would they leave that out with speculation of a bluetooth radio in the ipod touch?
sry typo above, ment to say absolutely agree
Why has no one cracked the 3 days/plays restriction, yet?
Microsoft must be keeping hackers under their thumb. :p
I explored the difficulties MS will have with its ongoing Zune strategy (with links, videos and background) at:
In the shadow of the iPod: Microsoft Zuning out of the Social
http://counternotions.com/2007/11/06/zune-no-longer-social/
"...Zune has no compelling advantage over the iPod, other than being not-the-iPod. With the possible exception of Sony (that apparently cannot write software if its life depended on it), there’s really no other company better positioned to challenge Apple’s digital music hegemony than Microsoft. But is Microsoft being delusional here or is Zune 2 just a bridge to Zune 3 that’ll crush the iPod?"
"So what does Microsoft do for Zune 2? Double the ad budget ($17 million for the next six months), change the ad agency (McCann-Erickson’s new T.A.G. unit in San Francisco) and drop the “Welcome to the Social” strategy."