Video of the new Zunes, interface, and software

Curious to know what that new Zune interface and software looks like? Wonder no more, Microsoft's released some footage of the good stuff -- but not before a few minutes of Allard and Gates hamming it up for the camera, and plenty of other less than interesting stuff that may or may not turn you off altogether to the social. Video after the break, enjoy.

[Cam @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:07AM]

Ryan, thanks for staying up so late to pass on these gems of info. I'm sure I speak for many by saying, we appreciate all of your efforts.

[hman @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:13AM]

I'm sure I speak for many by saying...suck up

(anyone reading this, I know he meant well but he was asking for it)

p.s. great video

[supermeerkat @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:15AM]

Can we have a Zune free RSS feed? I'm fed up of the endless coverage it gets round here!

[neoufo51 @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:17AM]

Gee, what's more brown right now? The previous 30 GB or Cam's nose?

[aaron @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:50AM]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Read most any post by Ryan...It's so slanted. He slams anything microsoft, check out the comments of any post of Ryans pertaining to microsoft. People are getting sick of him,...guys an idiot. I wish he would STOP posting about microsoft so someone else can, and can do it right, with no slant...

[Rowdehaj @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:28AM]

Supermeerkat, Priceless!!!

[Ireland @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:41PM]

As usual the iPods (not the touch or iPhone) are beaten on features, but they continue to look better, have nicer, more elegant, easier-to-use software that integrates more seamlessly with their computers, and their lives. Not to mention the biggest, best, easiest music store.

[RoCKSTaH226 @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:00PM]

Holy crap! Microsoft has an event worth reporting on? I am an Apple fanboy who has traditionally atleast respected Microsoft for it's products (even if I personally felt Apple was better), but this video is sub-par for any corporation. PLEASE tell me this is not an official Microsoft video.

It looked like Microsoft gave a handycam to a local middle schooler! The photoshoot was pointless, the "action shots" of people playing with their Zunes came off as forced and unrealistic (and the lag between the sharing was evident), the pictures of the accessories looked like they were lit with a flashlight while being shot in a closet, but the very last part was the one that amazed me... I can plug this radio into my car and use it? really?? a radio... IN my car? BRILLIANT! The video did NOTHING to get me excited about why I should consider a Zune over the far more popular and proven iPod. The radio is a welcome addition (I wish my iPod had it!) but showing it being used while in your car is lamer than lame, and doesn't give it the emphasis it needs. Overall, this looks like a homemade movie done for YouTube, and even if that was the point (which is very possible), it fails to sell me on the product by a LONG shot.

[Akiosarin @ Oct 4th 2007 12:42AM]

You do know that thats probably an RF transmitter, right?

[punkintoter2 @ Oct 6th 2007 10:58PM]

It was an RF transmitter

[trekkie @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:11AM]

Very Cool UI. I may have to get one of these on one of my trips south of the border.

[Paul @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:12AM]

It's only nice to share the crack.

[michael @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:39AM]

I thin he's referring that he's from Canada - where the Zune still isn't sold yet. So the U.S. is south of the border of Canada.

I'm betting with the new Zunes, they'll be good enough to leave the U.S., and maybe then, all people will really have a chance to at least try the Zune.

[Dias @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:13AM]

I wonder if Zune Software can fetch all podcast that I can find on iTunes. Would be a major "+" for me.

[VH5150 @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:23AM]

Yes, it now supports podcasting. See the other stories.

[Dias @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:29AM]

I know that, but I'm curious if it's able to fetch all podcast that are present on iTunes remote directory.

[Tony @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:04AM]

Do you know how Podcasts work? It's an RSS feed. If you can get the RSS feed, you can download the file. There's nothing special about the podcasts in iTunes.

[BigD @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:16AM]

Tight work...I'll see if I can get someone to send me one of these (If I don't win one from engadget sooner than that).

[neoufo51 @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:19AM]

LOL I just noticed that that picture makes J. Allard look like he has some kind of pretty flower on his head.

[neoufo51 @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:21AM]

Is it me or does anybody else think that $149 for a 4 GB flash player with only a 1.8" screen is kind of a ripoff?

Oh well, the Wifi probably makes up for it, but MS should have had at the very least a 2.2" screen on their flash players.

[Joe @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:28AM]

Gates and Luthor '08

[riggs @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:41AM]

you win the internet sir.

[Brian @ Oct 4th 2007 5:57AM]

Wow... that's the most hilarious comment I've read here since... ever.

I just thought you'd like to know. :)

[Deluxe @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:31AM]

Wow, nice UI,sleek device. I'd be tempted if they sold them around here.

P.s, Bill needs a stylist.

[yoji @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:32AM]

Whoa.. what was with the 90's power rock guitar.

Anyways, being an iPod addict I have to admit.. the new Zune doesn't look too shabby!

[punkintoter2 @ Oct 6th 2007 10:58PM]

that video was edited by someone on youtube

[Oliver @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:33AM]

If Lex Luthor likes it then so do I! :3

[Tony @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:49AM]

Aaaah yes; those two definately represent the faces of what's 'cool' and 'hip'.

Welcome to the LOSER.

[Dan @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:54AM]

Any plans for UK release date? :)

[dukrous @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:54AM]

The lining up on that pic is unfortunate...looks like J Allard has a cute little hat on.

[reticulate @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:59AM]

Uhh... I kinda want one now.

Despite the generic rock music and the fact that Bill Gates will never, ever be cool no matter how much cash he has. The UI looks bold and smooth, and the new Zune store actually seems pretty good.

And here's me wanting to converge my devices. Shame they haven't announced selling them anywhere but the US.

[mrnym @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:07AM]

after seeing how apple screwed things with the ipod, new zunes feel like fresh air. i guess it's time to replace old nano with a zune 8.

waiting for europe release date..

[shaliron @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:19AM]

I know what you mean.

That interface looks sleek - much nicer than the half-arsed attempt that Apple labelled 'new' ('scuse the language). The Zune looks a lot more immersive.

[William @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:13AM]

BOY ! Look at that Picture !

Does Allard look depressed, or what !

Bill is all bubbly, and Allard seems to be thinking "Wish I had an iPod, sigh."

[Joy Williams @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:24AM]

I think that it looks preety cool, but apple will always have the upper hand with design. Microsoft needs to just stick to software. If apple had not just released a sexy new lineup of ipods, this thing would be sitting pretty. To bad... it looks like another flop for the zune.

[Ryan B @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:32PM]

Yea, for a video showcasing a music player, the background music really made me want to kill myself.

[GK Nelson @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:37AM]

Why is it when Microsoft releases a product they do their best to make it look like it *belongs* in Walmart? And that soundtrack made me want to get a couple of pencils and gouge out my eardrums. With the advertising revenue at their disposal, you'd think they could come up with something remotely as interesting as "One Two Three Four" and create packaging that looked less like a cheap knockoff of Apple's.

[artman1033 @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:47AM]

I agree. The background music sounds like "how it's made" on the Discovery channel. This Zune ad looks like it was done by a Computer geek. Ipod ads are done by marketing people who understand the wants and desires of the consumer. The products could be identical, but the marketing efforts by both companies would lead the consumer to buy the Ipod. The ipod is COOL. Feist is Cool. Zune = anus

[ryao @ Oct 3rd 2007 1:34PM]

I agree completely that this looks stupid (the music was painful)
however, I don't really think that these are ads like TV ads- Thus- I don't think you can really compare them.

Keep in mind I still think that the 'social' was a bit rediculous. 'oh you have a zune? let me whip mine out! here lets have them touch!'

I love my old zune brick, but I sure hope they change the slogan... welcome to the social just isn't doing it for me.

[Ben @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:53AM]

Yes, I agree that it was super cheezy, and made me feel like I was watching a "Just Say No" video in High School. However, this is just a crappy promo on youtube. Their TV commercials aren't half bad. If anything makes me want to shove sharp objects in my ears, its "One Two Three For".

[Chris @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:06PM]

if Fiest == Cool then artman1033 = woman

[grr @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:38AM]

God, Allard is really depressed! It's like he is thinking: "Shit, there we go again... Another freakin' loser... I just want to kill myself..." :)

[Bart Lee @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:38AM]

Bill Gates should shoot whoever is responsible for making that video. It is a perfect example of how lame their efforts to market the Zune are.

[tekdroid @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:49AM]

I will purchase this instead of an unrestricted device that allows uploads and downloads, like a USB stick.

That vid and those cool people convinced me it's all about Windows & the 3-days social.

[tekdroid @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:53AM]

sorry, 3-PLAYS-before-expiring social.

I gotta get my new social DRM facts right.

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:40AM]

Love the sarcasm! :P

Really though. The video was lame, it's Microsoft, and I think I puked a little in my mouth.

[gavhug @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:56AM]

It would be obvious Terry Schiavo that most of you clowns are on the Microsoft payroll. Doesn't Microsoft realize that they damage the Zune even further by coming in here and taking us all for fools?

By the way, how much do you get paid and where do I sign up?

[john A. @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:59AM]

I just watched this video - WOW!

Microsoft - with this commercial, the 80's are definitely calling!

ipod killer? No way!!!!

[Zeus the God @ Oct 4th 2007 3:01AM]

Its already killed the iPod. The first gen Zune is far cheaper than the new iPod Classic with more features other than a smaller hard drive. With the new 80GB Zune, the iPod Classic is gone, and the iPod Touch is a rip off.

[john A. @ Oct 4th 2007 5:55AM]

Zeus, ipod touch blows away whatever vestige of the zune is left.

If M$ wants to sell Zunes they need to innovate against what Apple has today - not what they released two years ago!