Zune 2.0 update is ready for your first generation Zune

Are you one of the many who snagged an el cheapo, first generation Zune 30GB off of Woot or a big box fire sale? Or -- gasp -- paid full price? Good, the moment you've been waiting for has arrived. All the new features and interface bumps of your second generation peers are just a click away -- as soon as Microsoft finishes updating the Zune site. Our update lasted just a few, pain-free minutes -- peep the results in the gallery below, including shots of the install and new software and side by side screens of Zune 1.0 vs 2.0 software. Oh, hint: the 2.0 (2.1, technically) updated Zune is brownie up on the left. Now scoot kid, and let us know how you fare with yours when you pop on the upgrade.

P.S. -A note in advance about the name of the Zune: this is the same unit we tested at launch last year that gave us such an unbelievable headache and took about four hours to get installed right. Just happens that we never bothered to rename it from "oh god please work". Beggin' your pardon.

Update: Zune.net is back. Hit that read link now to get your updates.

Update 2: Sneaky, looks like we've been trumped by our own readers who are downloading v2.2 (1040) direct from Microsoft.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: Zune 2.0 update, comparison

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Gallery: Zune 2.0 update, software install

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[Big B @ Nov 13th 2007 2:52AM]

I'd have to say I am really liking the old screen a lot better, especially if you put your custom picture in the background. is there any way you can change back to the old interface?

this kind of makes me not want to buy the new zune now

[Jilk @ Nov 19th 2007 8:31PM]

I really really really hate the new look

is there anything i can do to get my old screen back? :-(

[Chris @ Nov 13th 2007 2:54AM]

Zune.net is down right now. Laaaaaaaaaaaaame.

[zMastaa @ Nov 13th 2007 2:55AM]

When it comes to device updates engadget seems to always get it first xD
"Checking for latest firmware"
"Firmware up to date"

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:01AM]

Ya, this sucks, both my Zune program and Zune device are both still latest. :*(
Hurry up Microsoft.

[jessy @ Nov 13th 2007 7:46AM]

P.S. -A note in advance about the name of the Zune: this is the same unit we tested at launch last year that gave us such an unbelievable headache and took about four hours to get installed right.


yes, engadget does seem to always be first? 4 hours? were you guys trying to use it on a mac for 3 of those hours?

[mr. mario @ Nov 13th 2007 12:24PM]

Go to the "Help" option instead of the "Sync" option... and search for updates there.

I tried that and got my update... loving the new tweaks, btw.

[FinalStar @ Nov 13th 2007 3:02AM]

I cant wait for the site to be back up.

[Aaron @ Nov 13th 2007 3:12AM]

I did notice the Maintenance screen has lost the contact numbers now though that it had last hour???

[Chris_3D @ Nov 13th 2007 3:19AM]

Site now says "Service Unavailable" 3:18 EST

[BlissX @ Nov 13th 2007 3:15AM]

*Comes out the closet*

Boy, I can't wait to update my Zune 30 to the new interface. The bigger font on the front screen alone is worth the upgrade for me, due to my poor eyes from sitting in front of this monitor all my life.

Yea that right, I have a Zune. Wanna fight about it? I'll be ready to whip you butt Mr, but until then, have you seen my Swingline stapler?

*Goes back into closet mumbling to self*

[Tavis Veighey @ Nov 13th 2007 3:27AM]

Hey no worries. I personally was trying to hold out for a large capacity PMP that was open, IE you plug it in, and it is assigned a drive letter...

However Woot had this brown Zune for $80.00... I could not resist, so I got it. It was tricky setting up the software to ONLY look at part of my music collection (I have 80 gig of music, so my poor 30 gig player would have choked. lol)

If only they would have released the firmware (Officially) on a BitTorren setup... I would have my Zune already upgraded, and I would just let my comp seed till the "OMG I have to have it now" calmed down. Then everyone could update in a couple of days, instead of crashing their servers... And other issues.

[spyyder @ Nov 13th 2007 8:10AM]

your mother must be disappointed for raising such a tool

[Ryan P @ Nov 13th 2007 3:01PM]

@ Tavis

Oh but you can unlock it! It's better than the iPod in this respect such that you can organize everything on your own if you want. I haven't tried this because my Woot Brownout score was DOA ironically.

http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/11/how_to_copy_dat.html

[Chris_3D @ Nov 13th 2007 3:15AM]

Video hardware not compatible? Last time I checked, the Zune software (even the new software) didn't look that graphics intensive...

Still nothing on Zune.net

[NeoDarkSaver @ Nov 13th 2007 3:17AM]

I cant wait... Can you just get it started microsoft?

I know my firmware is not "up-to-date".

[Nekiruhs @ Nov 13th 2007 4:51AM]

4:30 AM Here, still no update/zune.net Gah! I can't wait I want podcasting support soooo badly. How does the WiFi sync work? I have a WiFi router that connects to my network, but my computer doesn't go through WiFi, it goes through cable. So will it detect the network, and go to my computer or not?

[Scot Reutzel @ Nov 13th 2007 3:18AM]

Gah... this is insane. I've been sitting here with my zune checking zune.net and the firmware updates for hours and still nothing!!! I want to test out the firmware!!!

[kevinm @ Nov 13th 2007 3:20AM]

UPDATE: zune.net is offline right now.

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:21AM]

Why thank you for the update.

[kevinm @ Nov 13th 2007 3:26AM]

Yeah so is xbox.com. looks like they're upgrading the servers.

[sorahn @ Nov 13th 2007 3:22AM]

xbox.com just went down for maintenance, maybe zune.net is with it and it'll be back up at 2amish

[JoshR @ Nov 13th 2007 3:22AM]

Yeah, but zune-arts.net is up now. I didn't think that site would need to be redesigned... oh well, looks neat so far.

[Chris_3D @ Nov 13th 2007 3:26AM]

Microsoft support site updated:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926770

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:31AM]

Nice, thanks, refreshing www.zune.net every few minutes now.

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:32AM]

errr I mean: http://www.zune.net/setup

[dfn_doe @ Nov 13th 2007 3:33AM]

Why the heck does it take 3-5 minutes for the zune software to check if it is the latest version? I mean tonight I expect their servers are getting quite a bit of traffic, but even last Wednesday it took this long. I've used plenty of software that takes no more then 3-5 seconds to determine if it is the latest version.

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:36AM]

You can also do the "Check for Zune Updates" and it's much faster. (that's how to update the firmware)

[Shane @ Nov 13th 2007 3:37AM]

I'm getting tired of looking at that big ugly guy with the scraggly beard who obviously doesn't belong in a limo.

[Chris_3D @ Nov 13th 2007 3:39AM]

I was thinking the same thing

[sean @ Nov 13th 2007 1:50PM]

Out of all of the Zune Experience pictures they flash, that's the lone pic that makes me shake my head, yeah.

[dfn_doe @ Nov 13th 2007 3:41AM]

@nxtiak
I don't see that in any of the menus...

[Chris_3D @ Nov 13th 2007 3:45AM]

right click " Zune" in the left pane.
Check for Zune Device Updates

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:47AM]

Go to Options, Sync, Select your Zune Device (it's listed as whatever you named it) and select "Check for Zune Device Updates"

[V3LOCIP3D3 @ Nov 13th 2007 3:43AM]

So I'm thinking about getting the Zune 80 pretty quick anyway, but should I upgrade my old Zune with the new software? Or is it worth it . . maybe I should save it just to remember the old OS.

Also, does this update make the old Zune have the new wireless sync features? I've never heard that question answered anywhere . . anyone have some info?

[Jon Rick @ Nov 13th 2007 3:45AM]

There really isn't any point in NOT upgrading, and yes the old zunes will be getting the wireless sync.

[dfn_doe @ Nov 13th 2007 3:45AM]

The only feature not available in the firmware for the 30 that is in the 80 is mpeg4 video. Or so I've read...

[Neal @ Nov 13th 2007 3:48AM]

From my understanding, you have to update the old Zunes in order for the new software/store to function. Yes, it will make the wireless on the old versions have the ability to synch with your PC via your wireless network as well as get the new functonality of the gesure based "flick" motion t scroll through menus and screens.

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 3:48AM]

The Zune 30gig supports .mp4 just fine.

[dfn_doe @ Nov 13th 2007 3:51AM]

@nxtiak
Do you have a link or something, because I've seen it mentioned in a few places that the 30 doesn't play mpeg4 with the new firmware.

[neon @ Nov 13th 2007 4:12AM]

@Neal, what are you talking about? How could the old zune have the flick motion to scroll without the zune pad?

[nxtiak @ Nov 13th 2007 4:08AM]

dfn_doe: Hmm, well if the new firmware takes away mp4 capability that would be crappy.
Cuz the current Zune 30gig supports it and heck, the Zune software makes it the default program for playing .mp4 files.

[Neal @ Nov 13th 2007 4:18AM]

I supposed it's entirely possible that the flick motion is beyond the capabilites of the hardware in V1, maybe that's wishful thinking on my part and the pickups are only click based for that hardware :(

[neon @ Nov 13th 2007 4:21AM]

That would be great if you are right!

[m16 @ Nov 13th 2007 3:50AM]

I dont know why, but I feel compelled to click the "check zune for updates" button once a minute....

I dont even use my zune, because it sounds like rubbish. I just want to see the new UI I guess. :/

[Reader @ Nov 13th 2007 4:24AM]

Are you using iPod headphones perchance?

[m16 @ Nov 13th 2007 5:11AM]

nope, Ultimate Ears Super HiFi Pro 5's

[Chris @ Nov 13th 2007 5:57AM]

Maybe you should pull your head out of your ass. It seems to be muffling the sound for you.

[slug @ Nov 13th 2007 6:33AM]

I have to agree with you there. The zune sound quality isnt great. I told it on ebay and bought an iPod touch :)

[dfn_doe @ Nov 13th 2007 3:51AM]

Heh, I'd be pretty pissed if I picked up a new zune from a 24hour walmart or something@midnight only to discover that it is unusable because it won't work till you've updated the firmware the first time AND zune.net is down.