Microsoft's new Zunes go live

Nothing new to say about these things that you haven't heard a hundred times already, other than the fact that they've finally graced us with their presence. The Zune 4, Zune 8 and Zune 80 are now available at a wide assortment of online stores, or you can score one from Microsoft directly at the Zune Originals store with custom text and artwork engraving, but it'll mean waiting 5-7 business days for it to ship -- the price remains the same. Unfortunately, if you want an "Original" you're limited to the 4 and 8 at the moment, the Zune 80 will be available custom in December.

[Thanks, JoeP]

Read - Zune.net Compare Devices
Read - Zune Originals

[Randy @ Nov 13th 2007 9:01AM]

Wooohoooo! The New iPods are out already! ...oh wait, WTF is a Zune anyway?

[David Clark @ Nov 13th 2007 9:11AM]

The 1st generation Diamond Rio MP3 player was out before the iPod. By your logic, it must be better.

..Troll..

[Le Master @ Nov 13th 2007 9:11AM]

Wow, how witty.

[Beef Supreme @ Nov 13th 2007 9:16AM]

Hey suck my Zune dude.

[tits @ Nov 13th 2007 9:39AM]

Randy is always soooo gay!

[Marc Federico @ Nov 13th 2007 9:58AM]

new zune software / firmware is awesome everyones gotta try it. shits on wmp and itunes

[jamma @ Nov 13th 2007 3:22PM]

Troll.


You're not even a proper fanboy, i don't see you with any tatoos of iPods anywhere

[Scott Culp @ Nov 13th 2007 9:02AM]

ACCESS DENIED

Sorry, this site is currently unavailable from your location. Please visit Zune.net for the latest news and information.


Only in the U.S. I'm guessing!!! UGH!!

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 15th 2007 8:41AM]

I couldn't even get in with an American proxy server!

[jason w @ Nov 13th 2007 9:07AM]

I did the update on my old zune today with the new software. It appears to be a cleanner and faster set up now. I like it alot.

PS
Zunes on Amazon for 89.00 and just update the software.

[FrankTheCrank @ Nov 13th 2007 9:07AM]

I definitely just puked up into my mouth. And it tasted like Zune.

[Molly C @ Nov 13th 2007 10:13AM]

iPod fanboys, gotta luv 'em.
So smug, yet so insecure.

[jason51873 @ Nov 13th 2007 12:07PM]

I’m sure your god Steve Jobs would be so proud of the pure intellect displayed here.

[DWells55 @ Nov 13th 2007 1:32PM]

I fail to see how being anti-Zune makes him an iPod fanboy. By that logic, anyone who's anti-Accord is a Camry fanboy. The truth is that Frank is just an anti-Microsoft troll who comes around here and Joystiq to watch his comments get voted down.

[FrankTheCrank @ Nov 13th 2007 1:59PM]

Whatever...Zune will never reach the same levels of penetration the iPod has, so it's a moot point. Apple is at least 6 years ahead of them. Put a Zune and an iPhone infront of any consumer and see which one get's played with more.

Good luck to Microsoft. Their going to need it. That entertainment division is finally making money. Teh Haloz. Teh Haloz. What happens when they run that one into the ground?

[Ian @ Nov 13th 2007 3:51PM]

Put an iPhone and a Zune in front of a customer and see which one they play with?

Wow, Apple fanboys ARE stupider than they look.

[robert @ Nov 14th 2007 1:57AM]

Any fanboy is stupid. If you're happy with whatever brand you have, good for you, stick with it, but stop annoying the heck out of everyone else by bashing on some other company's product.

[Dude @ Nov 13th 2007 9:11AM]

the new zune originals site is tight!

i'm getting a zune 80 when they come out there.

Great product, good price, can't wait!

[Le Master @ Nov 13th 2007 9:14AM]

I just updated the firmware on my Zune 30 and I have to say it is honestly the prettiest and most elegant operating system I've ever seen on an mp3 player. I can't wait till Christmas when I get an actual new Zune.

[Eric @ Nov 13th 2007 9:16AM]

Let the Apple fanboys flood in...The new Zunes are very nice. If only they would be supported on a Mac I would definitely have one. NO, I am not a fanboy but a graphic designer so a Mac is essential for me. Id take the new Zunes over an iPod. Use it before you flame it.

[Scott @ Nov 13th 2007 10:57AM]

I guess you don't value smart playlists then. They are the ONLY playlists I use anymore. The Zune software not only doesn't have them, they actually *removed* it from the first release! Talk about stupid!

[jason51873 @ Nov 13th 2007 12:12PM]

We we all know creative things cant be done on a PC...

When will it freankin end - Photoshop, Flash, Maya, *instert design program here* all look and run the same on MAC or PC.

I use a MAC at work and a PC at home and I can tell you there is no difference when it comes to the Adobe Suite.

[Mez Jr @ Nov 13th 2007 12:51PM]

I, and the other 6 designers I work with, using Adobe CS3 use PCs. Not a substantial difference.

Boxers vs. briefs people.

[Carl @ Nov 13th 2007 9:23AM]

It's too bad they don't have "Zune Guy" as one of the artwork options so you could get your Zune tatooed with him.

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 13th 2007 9:53AM]

A tatoo on your Zune of the Zune Guy and his tatoo of the Zune. Why does this sound like a bad art project in the making?

[davedave24 @ Nov 13th 2007 9:27AM]

argh, thanks for getting me all excited about custom graphics coming out today and now telling me I have to wait a month if I want the 80 gig, guys. maybe if i can get a green 80 by then it'll make up for this roller coaster of emotions. maybe.

[Macbeth @ Nov 13th 2007 10:50AM]

At least you weren't up at 4am clicking away at the Zune 80 place holder. Microsoft's an asshole for paper/soft launch the 80gb like this, that's my conclusion considering everyone is out of stock or back ordered until Dec 14, and Zune Orig listing 'early december'.

[bob e @ Nov 13th 2007 9:32AM]

I just bought mine (Black 8)! Kind of confusing to order, you need to press preview before check-out.

[Chris @ Nov 13th 2007 9:39AM]

I feel microsoft hit the nail on the head, they gave zune 1.0 users the 2.0 software and at the same time the zune30 is on sale in some locations for as low as 89.00 and you get the full 2.0 software via download.

Then they have the new 2.0 hardware and software for a reasonable price especially the zune80 vs ipod classic

but i really like the idea of zune originals, that's just the sickest idea to come out of a monolithic corporation in a long time lets just hope that it goes smoothly if so i might be buying my brother a zune for his xmas from originals

[brutha-man @ Nov 13th 2007 9:39AM]

They've done a good job with this. The Social site is already very active.

[niemassacred @ Nov 13th 2007 9:40AM]

I have an iPod. I have a MacBook Pro. I have an iPhone. And damn, these things look nice. I've never been a real "fanboy," I've just bought what I've found to be the best product for my needs at the time.

Anyways, kudos to Microsoft for these new Zunes and the interface. Great to see more solid PMPs on the market - remember, competition is good for the consumer!

[Raphael @ Nov 13th 2007 10:10AM]

I totally agree! While I probably won't be buying one since I'm a bit of a mac-nerd (note: != fanboy) these are a huge step in the right direction for Microsoft. Think they look great and are definitely a huge improvement over the first generation.
Good to finally see some serious competition in this area. Well done MS!

[Kris @ Nov 13th 2007 9:42AM]

I wouldn't buy one, but I'm glad they're being made. In fact, I hope they sell better than the last generation (and they probably will). Anything to convince Apple that they need to bump capacity/lower prices sooner than they would have. I may have an iPod, but I got it off some Amazon deal for 160 back in the day (read about it on FW of course :) ). Being frugal comes first!!

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 13th 2007 9:54AM]

Same here, I just wish it wasn't Microsoft that was benefiting.

[Kris @ Nov 13th 2007 10:12AM]

Well, someone has to do it. The competition until now was pathetic. Though I throw up in my mouth a little whenever I hear about "the social" or that SJ wannabe "J Allard".

[John P @ Nov 13th 2007 9:51AM]

I'm sold on the zune. Now I just have to decide whether to be cheap and get the 30, which is a great price, or get a 4 or 8. Really a very sleek device, I think this time Microsoft will create some decent competition.

[Justin @ Nov 13th 2007 9:54AM]

Ipod-no bluetooth, no wifi. Nice case, thats it. Just like everything Mac, the shell is it has going for it.

[Jason @ Nov 13th 2007 10:20AM]

last I checked, the Zune doesn't have bluetooth either? And the Zune's wifi is really only useful for "squirting" songs to other Zunes. Yeah, it's got "wireless" syncing w/your PC, but only when the Zune is PLUGGED IN to a charger or is docked, so what's the point then?... compared to the iPod Touch which has useful wifi connectivity, with web browsing and music search/buy/download from iTunes.

[Neal @ Nov 13th 2007 11:15AM]

Quit spreading FUD - The Zune V2 will wireless synch ANYTIME YOU WANT IT TO and it's within range of your Wifi at home. It just has to be told to unless on the charger to save battery power, when cradled and charging it will always look for wifi *roll eyes*

[Jason @ Nov 13th 2007 12:02PM]

@ Neal: then tell MSFT to update their website. From Zune.net:

"Wirelessly sync with your PC via your home wireless network when docked or charging with an AC adaptor. Any new music or podcasts will be sent to your Zune automatically every time you charge."

http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/wirelesssync.htm

To me that reads that it only syncs if it's plugged in. If that's not the case, then I'm wrong and I apologize, I'm just going off what's on their site.

[Jason @ Nov 13th 2007 12:55PM]

@ myself: so apparently I just really somehow missed the last sentence of the paragraph about wireless sync that I'd just quoted from:

"Keep in step with the latest music, podcasts, and more by setting your Zune to update automatically. Wirelessly sync with your PC via your home wireless network when docked or charging with an AC adaptor. Any new music or podcasts will be sent to your Zune automatically every time you charge. You can also manually start synce from your device when you are in range of your wireless network.

Read the Zune User’s Guide for information on how to get started:"

doh! so yeah, don't mind me, apparently I don't know what I'm talking about...

(I do find it funny that there's two obvious typos in that paragraph though, so much for spellcheck, haha).

[Andy @ Nov 15th 2007 9:38PM]

Youtube it, the zune will sync anywhere, theres loads of videos of people doing it. The Zune site is just implying that it will sync when docked without interaction, but it will also sync when you tell it to.

Settings --> Wireless ---> Sync Now

[Ryan Moffitt @ Nov 13th 2007 10:10AM]

playlist support is still an epic fail.

all i want to do is connect my laptop and rearrange some songs into a play list and not have to have the entire collection there to do it.

this is the only thing i miss from ipod-itunes.

[neon @ Nov 13th 2007 2:22PM]

new Zune still has the Quick List... not bad

[Marc Federico @ Nov 13th 2007 10:11AM]

agreed dude. the new software is awesome. wireless sync is pretty sick too. real useful for audio/video podcast updates. i want a new zune 80 so bad but once i found out about the free customizations my jaw dropped.

totally free: large original artwork engraved on the back of your zune, or a smaller artwork and 3 lines of customized text, or 5 lines of text and no artwork. free shipping direct from microsoft.

so sweet, looks like the "you make it you" tag line is being carried out in full effect

http://www.zuneoriginals.net

[Kris @ Nov 13th 2007 10:20AM]

Marketing-speak. You know how you can tell? No one talks this way. The only people who do are the 30-somethings hanging out and trying to act cool in any commercial. Subtle to the untrained eye but obvious otherwise.

[BrotherEstapol @ Nov 13th 2007 10:35AM]

LOL! Man, I like the new Zune too(wanna get an 80 but it's a pain the arse since I live in Australia) but NO-ONE posts a message like that without being on mircosoft's payroll!


---"so sweet, looks like the "you make it you" tag line is being carried out in full effect"

rofl! seriously, how is the tag line being in "full effect", "so sweet"? It's a tag line ffs!
My god that post may have well just been a blurb on their website...who the hell is happy to see a slogan being used? Especially a really shitty one like that.(get yourself a better slogan Microsoft!)

[Pavan @ Nov 13th 2007 12:25PM]

Click on his name and check out his other posts... I love the use of borderline profanity as a cheap attempt at not appearing like a shill.

[boden @ Nov 13th 2007 10:14AM]

That 80gb one is looking like a good contender to replace my Zen Vision M... Well it would be if they released them in the UK! Don't make me buy an ipod... I've nothing against them in principle. I'd just rather have something else.

[stupid @ Nov 13th 2007 10:15AM]

Uh. my ipod touch has wi-fi. Who needs bluetooth if you have wifi anyway? Its nice surfing to a porn site and using the touch screen to zoom in, and tickle. ha.