Microsoft clears up Zune 80 availability issues

Those of you searching in vain for a Zune 80 may not have longer to wait -- Cesar over at Zune Insider has just posted a note about the situation, saying that all the Zunes are ready and shipping, but the Zune 80 won't be widespread for the next 7-10 days. Apparently Microsoft's sales forecasts called for it to produce more flash Zunes, but the strong reaction from the press and consumers has led to increased interest in the Zune 80 instead -- which seems like the sort of thing you commission sales forecasts for, but hey, live and learn. Anyway, Microsoft's sorted things out and scaled up Zune 80 production, so all of you aching to get 80GBs deep into the social should be good by next week.

[Via Got Zune?]

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 21st 2007 6:01PM]

Thank you =)

[Backlin @ Nov 22nd 2007 11:44AM]

Zune Originals 80Gbs for the win, you suckas.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Nov 21st 2007 11:26PM]

I saw some Zune 80's in stock at my local Wal-Mart this night. They're going for $247 without tax and they also have the 4 and 8 gigabyte versions too. ;)

The Zune 80's that were on display looked a little fake, imo. Upon closer inspection a little sign read "display only", but who knows. I have yet to hold one in my hand though. I've only seen the firmware update on the older Zunes.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 21st 2007 11:29PM]

I saw mine at my local wal mart too. My local Meijers and Target also have them too! Yipee!

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 6:08PM]

can you please offer a ZUNE-FREE engadget? you know the same way you offered a apple-free version during apple events....
thank you

[sburko @ Nov 21st 2007 6:12PM]

Can you please be more of a tool?

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 6:18PM]

@sburko
why am i a tool? because i dont care about a product that i cant use? last time i check the zune didnt support os x and it was not a mass storage devise. it doesnt even work with XNJB (http://www.wentnet.com/projects/xnjb/) "Unfortunately Microsoft have put some protection on file transfers so the Zune has to authenticate with the host computer before files can be transferred. "

therefore, i have no interest in reading about it

[jakep_82 @ Nov 21st 2007 6:26PM]

Perhaps when you see an article with the word Zune in the title, you should skip it. Not hard really. Or you can waste your time making stupid comments. Your choice.

[michael @ Nov 21st 2007 6:42PM]

@luidabruin:

I remembered iPods weren't compatible with Windows until 2 years after they were first launched.

So why complain? I think most Mac users are quite aware that OS X is still not compatible with many programs like Windows does. So if you want something that works for OS X, than get an iPod. Otherwise, keep looking. That's something every Mac user should be aware of. So stop complaining and wait until OS X becomes large enough for everyone to develop.

Even my older brother who uses Macs for his jobs knows that. He runs a copy of Windows on it as well.

It works well for him. So stop coming to Zune posts and complaining about lack of compatibility. I don't complain that some of Apple's better programs aren't available for Windows yet, and I don't care.

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 7:05PM]

@michael
I think, in your own childish and ineloquent style, you made my point when you say: “some of Apple's better programs aren't available for Windows yet, and I don't care.”
That is exactly why I don’t care about the Zune… it is largely irrelevant to my computing needs. In addition, I wasn’t completing about its lack of mac compatibility, I was merely asking engadget to give me the option to filter the Zune content.

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 7:08PM]

@michael
*complaining

[Ruben @ Nov 21st 2007 7:17PM]

@luidabruin

Ive asked engadget to give me an option to filter out all the Apple advertisements plastered all over the website, with some in particluar being really annoying.

Some Ad blocking software seems to have trouble removing them.
You cant always get what you want.


BTW, heres a product that, chances are, you wont be using:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/21/astucia-solarlite-led-studs-light-up-highways-after-dark/

And another:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/21/hitachis-emiew-2-humanoid-runs-errands-could-easily-replace-mi/

and so on:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/21/ladybug-styled-robot-to-clean-restrooms-give-travel-tips/

Do you want Engadget to filter out those? Or, perhaps you want engadget to read your f*cking mind and decide what you want to read, and only display that.

Tool.

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 7:26PM]

@Ruben
I like how you sign off calling yourself a toll... at least you are self-aware.

Luidabruin

[Ruben @ Nov 21st 2007 7:37PM]

@ luidabruin:

Your f*cking kidding, right? Are you that simple minded?

I was calling you a Tool. Why dont you learn to read and understand things in context before making stupid comments like that last one you made, you Tool.

To get back on topic, I really dont get why companies have setup pre-order systems. I would figure that by pre-ordering, which i did, i would be garanteed a Zune. That, of course, was far from the case, and im still waiting for mine. I supose its good news that they are shipping by next week.

[Le Master @ Nov 21st 2007 7:55PM]

@luidabruin

You just keep digging yourself in a deeper hole. Just quit.

[416Hammy @ Nov 21st 2007 7:57PM]

@luidabruin

You're a whiner and an illiterate little twit. Post something relevant to the article or resist the urge to post, just like yo momma should have resisted the urge to let your daddy impregnate her with what would become your pathetic excuse for human DNA.

Now back to our show...

I'm seriously considering the Zune 80 to replace my Zen Vision:M 30. Am I nuts?

C'mon Creative... you wouldn't be going down the financial tubes if you could stay in this game.

[sidlogan @ Dec 15th 2007 9:53PM]

There should be a luidabruin-FREE engadget.

[luidabruin @ Nov 21st 2007 8:19PM]

@Ruben
of course I was kidding, you idiot

@Le Master
it is not my fault these zune-girls are so touchy

@416Hammy
wow!!! deoxyribonucleic acid… ouch!
oh btw, do you even know what DNA is or how it works? Judging by your lexicon, my guess is that you don’t. you almost certainly learned the word by watching CSI…


CALM DOWN ZUNE HOES!!! CALM DOWN!!

[LordFarkward @ Nov 21st 2007 9:13PM]

i don't think calling then 'zune hoes' would convince them to calm down, you idiot.

shut up, you idiot, shut up. is this convincing for you?

[Zeus the God @ Nov 21st 2007 9:57PM]

Luidabruin, you're a total fucking retard.

Thats all I have to say, because other than insulting, nothing is really going to get through to you.

[Penguin Warlord @ Nov 21st 2007 10:38PM]

No! dig up Luidabruin, dig up.

[Molly C @ Nov 21st 2007 10:41PM]

luidabruin, you'd have no desire to get a Zune even if it did work with OSX, so stop frontin'.

Anyway, most mp3 players don't work with OSX becuase mp3 makers know that Mac users generally have an Apple-only mindset, and they'll only buy iPods regardless of whether an alternative is better or not.

But those Mac users that are open to alternatives are likely to be running Parallels or the like, so they'd be able to use Zunes on their Macs (if not in OSX proper).

[Paris @ Nov 22nd 2007 12:47AM]

Is this the longest chain of replies ever or what?

[Archdoom @ Nov 22nd 2007 6:08AM]

Seriously Guys CALM DOWN. It's really not all that important, 2 different combinations of plastic, metal, silicone, various other elements, using a different combination of 1's and 0's.
Not worth so much fuss when you look at it like that, is it?
luidabruin, really, no need to get so angry, you shouldn't have been called a tool, and it was probably a fair call to ask for a zune free version, if there was an apple free version, but seriously, If it has Zune in the title, or whatever, just don't click it.
The rest of you, calm down, just let it go.

[neon @ Nov 22nd 2007 4:21AM]

That fookin guy would probably rather read more posts about the "Hello Kitty Bluetooth Headsets" or the "Skating Sakura Robot"

Since you know, we all come to Engadget just to read about the products we love to use everyday!




Can you please offer a LUIDABRUIN-FREE engadget?

[Jack Storm @ Nov 23rd 2007 12:41AM]

@luidabruin

people like you ruin this world.

[Miguel @ Nov 21st 2007 6:18PM]

Hey everyone looking to get a zune, dont.
Look for something else, i dont care if its the Zen, iPod, or watever.
LOOK FOR SOMETHING ELSE!!
-A Very Angry Zune Owner

[michael @ Nov 21st 2007 6:36PM]

Any reasons as to why?

I've been using my 30GB Zune for almost a year, and I'm quite satisfied with it.

So what's so bad about buying any new Zunes?

[Luis @ Nov 21st 2007 6:36PM]

Yeah your arguments make your point is really convincing[/sarcasm]

[Miguel @ Nov 21st 2007 6:42PM]

I didnt mean to offend any of those few lucky zuners out there with no problems, but please face the facts.
Check out on zune.net forums too,
A lot of zuners are experiencing problems
I did not like how my whole library of music was skrewed
As in Album art, artists, names of the songs, all changed
Take pity in me if u want, i am not using this zune ever,
or if i dont have enough money to fork over for a zen,
i guess ill just use it until i get bored with it...

[Bob @ Nov 21st 2007 6:51PM]

Miguel,

Though I don't have a Zune myself, there's apparently a fix for this problem on the Zune.net forum. You have to rebuild your collection by deleting some save files on your PC.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945319?sd=zune

YMMV, obviously.

Have you tried posting to that forum to get help with your issues so you can enjoy your new toy?

[michael @ Nov 21st 2007 7:55PM]

@Miguel:

Dude, I wasn't calling you out. I was just simply asking what was so bad about the Zune that got you upset. Maybe somebody reading the post can help?

Some Zune haters can be pretty touchy.

And have you been to an iPod forum? Trust me, there's practically 6X the amount of problems. That doesn't make the iPod unusable to you, does it?

All players will probably cause some problems for people. That doesn't mean it's junk.

Maybe I am lucky, my library didn't get screwed. But I also don't use Limewire, or any file-sharing program. All my tracks are pretty legal.

I think I heard that some of those problems came from using Limewire. Whatever the reason, it obviously isnt' stopping many Zune users from being happy.

[Zeus the God @ Nov 21st 2007 10:02PM]

Miguel, if you were to install the software on the computer in which you already had the music, then you shouldn't have any problems. If you did and you do have problems, it really isn't hard to reorganize a library.

Everything ever produced is going to have some sort of issues. Hell- iTunes has given me more problems than anything, but I don't sit here and try to tell others not to use it. I think it sucks balls, but you could be seriously affecting people's decisions to buy a product when only a fraction of the community are having those problems.

[neon @ Nov 22nd 2007 4:28AM]

um, all you had to do was tell the Zune software not to fill in the media information for you...

[Miguel @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:36PM]

@ all of you guys,
If you guys would have had the same problem im sure you would have tried all those things. It DID NOT Work for me ok? I had too rip my discs again so thats over and done with, im in search of a new zen which i dont have to have so much drive space anymore. My review was the same as many other unlucky zuners who have had the same problem, dont get the zune, im sure you would see why whenever microsoft releases a new zune software upgrade. My discussion is over, dont bother replying to this post, wont check back. See ya and dont get a zune

[Poco153 @ Nov 21st 2007 6:27PM]

Hooray! I was afraid I was going to be stuck without one for a great deal longer. I've sold my last player already, so I'm without one until I can get a Zune.

[MaX PL and the 360 r4pe Tr4iN @ Nov 21st 2007 6:34PM]

i just got a zune 80 yesterday. awesome product.

[Darkest Daze @ Nov 21st 2007 9:13PM]

Same here. Been using it for 2 days and love it. I had it in my car and all my friends there were playing with it. Now they want to get one since they're looking to replace their older iPods.

[Disclaimer]: I am not advertising for Zune, just stating my opinion on the product and a short account of what happened to me.

[Maxxx @ Nov 23rd 2007 3:40PM]

Also loving my new Zune I bought last week.

[Flalex @ Nov 21st 2007 6:40PM]

BRING IT TO CANADA!!! We're not all that different than you.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 21st 2007 7:24PM]

Very true. But I am a chicagoan and we don't hate canada as mucch for some reason...

[416Hammy @ Nov 21st 2007 7:59PM]

I'm trying to find a US-based distributor that will ship a Zune 80 to me in Toronto. Maybe newegg.com?

[Zeus the God @ Nov 21st 2007 10:06PM]

I don't know. I think Newegg will do US and Canadian shipments... Its worth a shot.

I think that this will soon be over, with Zunes being available in both Europe and Canada. The Asians (no offense) probably wouldn't have much interest with Sony molesting their electronics markets.

[Thunderbuck @ Nov 21st 2007 10:09PM]

The problem with bringing a Zune across the border into Canada without support is that you may have trouble setting up an account with the Zune store. Not sure what impact that ultimately has on overall functionality.

*sigh* I'd love to see the new Zunes available here; At least the screen's large enough to make video watchable.

[Ruben @ Nov 21st 2007 10:50PM]

Get it from www.jr.com. Its only on for pre-order, but it cost me the standard 249 + 29 shipping (i know). I preordered it when the dollar was strong. Now i wish they had billed me before shipping it.

[Water @ Nov 21st 2007 6:41PM]

The Zune 80GB is amazing. It's got the big screen and the big capacity that is hard to find in such a small body. Nothing else comes close.

I personally picked up a brown 30GB for $95. Great device, and most worthwhile $95 I ever spent.

[victor @ Nov 21st 2007 6:57PM]

i found my Zune 80 on accident at Target last Sunday morning. I love it so far. They had it right next to the black Zune 8, so I passed over it the first time i looked.

[Darkest Daze @ Nov 22nd 2007 3:03AM]

That's really funny, I did the same thing. I had checked the Target site and saw they were in stock, so I went down there to pick it up. Get to the cabinet and was like "crap" cause I only saw the flash based Zunes. I decided to ask someone if they had any, he went over to the case to make sure they weren't in there and I saw 80GB Black on the front of the box. I didn't notice cause it was only slightly larger than the 8GB Flash box, so I assumed it was that. Needless to say, I felt pretty stupid.

[Tony @ Nov 21st 2007 7:26PM]

Good thing the Zune cannot be compared to the iPod Touch.

Unless you're a fanboy, only then does it makes sense.

[Scooby Doo @ Nov 21st 2007 7:53PM]

Unless of course you want to put a decent music library and a few movies on it. 16GB is a joke for a PMP and PVP.