Well Zuneinites, the new models are primed and ready for store shelves tomorrow, but we've got first looks and reviews today. As Microsoft's
new media players make their way into the hands of eager beavers across the internets, we're here for you, picking up the pieces and putting it all together. As it stands right now, we've got videos and reviews from a number of sources, including (but not limited) to: CNET, Zune Thoughts, and Zunerama. All of the sites currently have unboxing videos and / or reviews of the new units, and Zune Thoughts even has an informative video on some firmware update problems they discovered with the Zune 80. Some interesting
Zune Marketplace info has also come out, including details that the DRM-free track cost will be $.99, or 79 Microsoft Points (the same as pricing on protected tracks). Additionally, we've received the official word from Microsoft on the
Zune Originals, as well as all the confirmation you'll ever need that the Zune-bomb really does drop tomorrow. Hold on to your hats folks, it's going to be an exciting week.
Read -- CNET First Look: Zune (second generation, 80GB, black)
Read -- Zune Thoughts
Read -- Zunerama: Full Zune 2 coverage
Read -- Microsoft Unveils Device Customization via New Zune Originals Store, New Zune Players Available Tomorrow
posted November 12th 2007 10:23AM
The new Zunes look nice but have you seen the commericials? They stink!
I honestly like the ads.
Better than "Music is my girlfriend!!!" that's for sure.
Anything is better than those "1-2-thee-4" iPod nano commercials with that Bjork imposter...
@ Jeff
a collage student made that iPod touch commercial
as if MS would air something made not by them
@applefreak you are officially an idiot. Microsoft did air stuff made by independent artists, it's called zune arts. And before you say(imagine this in a really whiny voice) "But Mark, aren't zune arts only online, not actually on TV?" These new commercials as well as the old ones showed the zune arts videos playing on the players. Seriously applefreak? Try looking stuff up before you spout it.
Just for the record, calling Feist a 'Bjork imposter' is one of the most fundamentally stupid things I've ever heard. If you don't know anything about the music (other than your gut reaction of 'like' or 'don't like,' which is fine, I don't care what you prefer to listen to) then don't make absurd generalizations that couldn't be further from the truth.
Oh, and Microsoft used that stupid "music is my girlfriend" (CSS' "Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex") last year, doing it to a Zune-Arts video.
http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2007/11/05/css-who-flipped-it-better.aspx
sell it worldwide already....
cant wait... ^_^
Too right, the Zune could be huge in the UK. But not even a slight word on the matter.
C'mon MS, just a hint that it's coming over here would be nice.
eBay for now?
I can't wait for tomorrow. I need mah Zune.
So this is the girl model or do all Zunes have that girly graphic on the back?
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/12/microsofts-zune-originals-customizations-free-starting-tomorr/#comments
I've got my tattoo scheduled for midnight!
Does anyone know if we are able to update the firmware on our old Zunes yet? Or do we have to wait till tomorrow?
I just investigated and I guess that answer is "sometime tomorrow."
Here's a video detailing the upgrading process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEKUVebnxH4
Will the Zune 30gb continue to be sold at a reduced price ($75-99) for a while until its totally phased out? Or, will it suddenly become impossible to buy a $99 Zune 30gb 1 week after the Zune 2 releases? Are they planning to carry both lines for a bit or pull an apple?
Zune 30 (old Zune) is part of the current lineup. NO phase up
Does anyone know if the new firmware will drop at midnight tonight? If it does I will stay up and download it, along with the new software.
To each his own.
I find the iPod Touch commercial to be good. I think it would be better if they slowed the video down a bit - it moves pretty quickly.
as nice as it is, being a Windows only device is unfortunate.
No, really, that's a damn good point. If MS really want to stick it to Apple at their own game they need to let Mac users see what the grass is like on the other side. OK, the Mac user base may be 10%, but if the majority of those 10% are the people who supposedly like to throw money away at shiny new objects then they would be a shoo in, no?
Why is he low rated? Obviously, MS doesn't need mac owners' business, but they should at least give the option.
Price ranges from $249.99 to $1,113.07?
Price ranges from $149,99 to $249,99. Your bash failed.
haha I saw this last night, for some reason the price on CompUSA's site was $1,113.07.
Fred... you're an idiot.
really cute! if we got it in japan I will be very happy to get the one with the Takahashi design...
I wish they put some druillet and moebius for Europe..! it would be a hit!
*AHEM*.. if I may:
Man! Why is it always Zune Zune Zune with Engadget??? I mean come on! Isn't there anything else to talk about? You guys are such Microsoft fanboys. I really think you should make a separate site for "Zune Only" content. You didn't cover the iPhone from slApple anywhere near as much as the Zune! What a joke. If there wasn't a guy holding a gun to my head right now, I would turn away in disgust!! GAH!!!
**End of fake, sarcastic rant**
Worst sarcastic rant ever
**End of sarcasm free comment**
Dude, in the future, what makes a sarcastic rant a sarcastic rant is the implicit sarcasm.
For example:
BEST.
RANT.
EVER.
to the guy holding the gun to Fats head: PULL THE TRIGGER ALREADY!!!
r u kidding me did u not check this site when the stupid new ipods dropped there was so much stuff god lord...the zune stuff is on here cause it releases tomorrow..everyday i get on this site there is something about the ipod or the idiotic iphone wich is a waste of moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy..okay i am done.
This looks pretty decent actually. What's it made of? I'm an iPod man through and through but if this were Mac compativble I would seriously consider getting one.
I like the little 'blob-wheel' thingy.
Get your Zune 2 for the tine price of $1113! LOL! Look at this:
http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zune2crazypricenv4.jpg
http://shopper.cnet.com/mp3-players/zune-second-generation-80gb/4014-6490_9-32638989.html?tag=api&subj=sh&tag=cntv
If you shop at CompUSA, you deserve to pay that much.
If you shop at any big box retailer you deserve to pay that much.... Get it online, tax and shipping free.
Hello,
I have a question. There are a lot of iPod compatible systems out there that, with the proper link cable will allow you to control the iPod. My audio system supports the iPod in this way. If I get the Zune and a compatible cord, will these devices will also be able to control a Zune?
- Roger
@roger_huston: Short answer - No.
Some folks are apparently working on an iPod -> Zune protocol converter cable so that you can use iPod accessories with Zunes (it's a bit more complex than getting the cables to fit, there's going to have to be a chip in there doing some conversion too). Until then, you'll have to use your fingers. AFAIK there's no documentation for the Zune protocol and definitely no audio systems with specific support for the Zune.
Unfortunately, probably not.
These interfaces are usually designed specifically for the iPod.
Unless it is a simple auxiliary audio interface, I think you will be stuck with the iPod.
I have a Zune 30 and am very pleased with the hardware and glad we arent being overlooked when it comes the new firmware.
Whatever people wanna say about Microsoft, they certainly look after their customers.
The front view of the Zune is getting better. Bet that it even is easier to use than an iPod (even though I haven't used any one extensively) because MS had the iPod test the usability market beforehand. It also looks easier to hold and use with one thumb.
Subtract $25 off of that price if you act now, Stores like Target offer up a $25 giftcard on new zune purchases.
I don't get it. All the reviews say something like 'the Zune is now a legitimate contender to the iPod Classic', but after running a veritable laundry list of things the Zune has but iPod doesn't, they don't detail anything about the iPod that puts it in the Zune's league. Zune 80 has a bigger screen (64% to be exact, and a much better use of it IMHO), wireless syncing, wireless sharing, a radio and (most importantly) support for subscription music services. iPod has a billion accessories and Mac support. To me it seems as though the Zune is better hands-down, although I'll have to wait 24 tortuous hours to decide for myself.
Apple put such little innovation into their latest HD player that even they had to call it "Classic". These reviews are clearly downplaying Zune's ostensible superiority.
But your talking about a world that considers iPods better simply because they sell more. Cause you know, higher adoption rate ALWAYS equals higher quality.
I've noticed the same. But to be fair, there are still some things the iPod does that Zune does not:
- portable HD
- games
- calendar
- contacts
- clock
- Audible books
Of course, if you use your music player primarly for, um, music, the advantages you mention seem to be more significant (IMO of course).
"but after running a veritable laundry list of things the Zune has but iPod doesn't, they don't detail anything about the iPod that puts it in the Zune's league. Zune 80 has a bigger screen (64% to be exact, and a much better use of it IMHO), wireless syncing, wireless sharing, a radio and (most importantly) support for subscription music services. iPod has a billion accessories and Mac support."
I guess you've never heard of the iPod Touch.
Zune 80 has a smaller screen. It does not have a wi-fi music store. No Mac support. No DRM-less downloads from the Zune store. And can you even use a Zune as a portable hard drive these days? You at least used to not be able to.
You listed a bunch of stuff the Zune has that the market has shown repeatedly that it doesn't care about. Lots of players have offered radios for years; nobody buys them. Wireless sharing is crippled, as we all know, and is not a selling point as implemented. Subscription-based services are all losing subscribers right now; that market has dried up as people have tried them and moved on.
The things the iPod has that the Zune doesn't are the reasons why people buy iPods. Some will tell you the iPod is successful strictly because of marketing, then in another post will tell you that the iPod ads suck. It can't be both. We iPod owners are not idiots; we bought them for specific reasons. I bought mine because I wanted both a portable music player and a portable hard drive, and I wanted software to go with it that would manage my library well, without crashing or otherwise acting up - at the time, that meant iTunes. Nowadays, people probably buy iPods for different reasons - the touch screen, or the tough casing (they're all metal, you know), or the wi-fi, or the ease of converting video files in iTunes, I don't know. But people have legitimate reasons, and nothing about the new Zune is going to change that.
I will say that the new Zune is at least on track design-wise, although functionally it is still a generation behind the iPod, as is the Zune store a generation behind iTMS.
"but after running a veritable laundry list of things the Zune has but iPod doesn't, they don't detail anything about the iPod that puts it in the Zune's league. Zune 80 has a bigger screen (64% to be exact, and a much better use of it IMHO), wireless syncing, wireless sharing, a radio and (most importantly) support for subscription music services. iPod has a billion accessories and Mac support."
I guess you've never heard of the iPod Touch.
Zune 80 has a smaller screen. It does not have a wi-fi music store. No Mac support. No DRM-less downloads from the Zune store. And can you even use a Zune as a portable hard drive these days? You at least used to not be able to.
You listed a bunch of stuff the Zune has that the market has shown repeatedly that it doesn't care about. Lots of players have offered radios for years; nobody buys them. Wireless sharing is crippled, as we all know, and is not a selling point as implemented. Subscription-based services are all losing subscribers right now; that market has dried up as people have tried them and moved on.
The things the iPod has that the Zune doesn't are the reasons why people buy iPods. Some will tell you the iPod is successful strictly because of marketing, then in another post will tell you that the iPod ads suck. It can't be both. We iPod owners are not idiots; we bought them for specific reasons. I bought mine because I wanted both a portable music player and a portable hard drive, and I wanted software to go with it that would manage my library well, without crashing or otherwise acting up - at the time, that meant iTunes. Nowadays, people probably buy iPods for different reasons - the touch screen, or the tough casing (they're all metal, you know), or the wi-fi, or the ease of converting video files in iTunes, I don't know. But people have legitimate reasons, and nothing about the new Zune is going to change that.
I will say that the new Zune is at least on track design-wise, although functionally it is still a generation behind the iPod, as is the Zune store a generation behind iTMS.
"Zune 80 has a smaller screen. It does not have a wi-fi music store. No Mac support. No DRM-less downloads from the Zune store. And can you even use a Zune as a portable hard drive these days? You at least used to not be able to."
First, you're completely wrong, the new Zune store DOES in fact have DRM-less downloads. Aside from that, the zune 80 also has 5-10x the storage capacity and costs 50-100 dollars more, plus the zune 80 has wifi sync which is simply awesome. Mac support: 10% of computers are macs so no biggy. Wi-fi music store is much less cool than the wifi sharing if they actually sell enough to make it worth anything this time. Sorry, I'd rather be able to share music with anyone I see that has a zune or get music from them and get to try the music out for free than run over to starbucks, hope the connection actually works, and pay $1 for a song I might decide I never wanted. So ya, If you only have 8 or 16 GB worth of movies and music and don't want to be able to sync songs without having your player connected to your computer and want to pay more then go for the ipod touch.
Not that I would replace my iPod, yet the new Zune looks really good.
Sadly M$ did that terrible job on software side - they should have integrated with WMP. But as usually they "did it again:" rewrote all sync standards for their own new toy. Note that previous standard - MTP - was also co-developed by them. They single-sidedly replace standards like... nvm. For time being I'll stick with iTunes.
dude... trust me...
Im currently using the pre-release version, and it is REALLY REALLY better than the old crappy Zune Software