How would you change Microsoft's flash Zune?

Hey, we gave you the opportunity to voice your opinion on Microsoft's original Zune back in August, so it's only fair that the new kids on the block get their turn in the ring, too. This go 'round, however, we're adding a little twist -- focus your attention on the flash-based iterations only. The diminutive Zune 4 and Zune 8 were probably more highly anticipated than their HDD-based siblings, and considering that the rumors were literally all over the map leading up to the release, we can't say anything really shocked us when launch day came and went. Granted, we were a bit bummed to find that these wouldn't feature TV outputs, but hey, at least we got the option of adding more than just two lines of text to the thing's rear, right?

By now, you've had more than ample time to give the flash-based Zune of your choice some serious play, and we're sure you've logged a couple of complaints in your mind, so here's your chance to get it all out in the open. If given the keys to the Zune 4 / 8 design lab, what changes would you implement? Add in a few more pixels? How about a few more gigabytes? Melt the whole thing down and shape it like a discus? Or is your heart still longing for the oh-so-elusive Zune phone? Whatever your wish may be, feel free to let the whole world know in comments below -- you never know who'll tune in.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2007 10:26PM]

Well, I have a 30gb zune and the software is great, so I'll add mythought's on waht can be improve that also applies to the Z2 flash based version.

For starters, audiobook support, how hard could it be, just audio support with tagging for saving where you were last, audible would be great too. Any audio that you want to resume to would work great here.

Microphone. Let me use it with either an inbuilt or an external one.

Mass storage. Not even necessarily everything, but you could at least have an option to define a mass storage area.

Equalizer, and equalizer presets selectable on the audio options, this seems particulary grave to me, that you can only set it in settings. Just Dumb.

Lyrics support would be nice, so many of us have bad memories and like to do a little sing-along.

Let users be able to sync with wmp, if not with any 3rd party, there are many of us that do like a little more control on how to manage music. A plugin spec for dev would be awesome.

That's about it. Happy Zunning.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2007 2:08PM]

ditto the max storage. i tag my music with media monkey already and wouldn't use the zune software unless i had to, which i do. at least i'd settle for the zune to show up in wmp and manage the library that way.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2007 8:34PM]

I would turn it into an iPod.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2007 12:24AM]

"I already heard that one today you f*cking unoriginal bastard. Go suck a cork you piece of f*cking repeating sh*t"

Adam Sandler at his prime.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2007 7:55PM]

allow chinese characters!!!!

other than that, nothing, its the best mp3 player out.

[tcc3 Posted Dec 15th 2007 7:31PM]

This problem plagues every model: the software. Its terrible. The interface, the search, the media management, everything about it is awful. It doesn't just need an update, it needs a revamp. Nuke it from orbit, its the only way to be sure.

For god's sake let us sync it with WMP. Media 11 is one of the best players / music managers available. WPM already does 99% of what Zune should do, just cut to he chase and enable Zune support.

[Reginald Posted Dec 15th 2007 7:56PM]

-- Larger screen size. 1.7 in is too small compared to all other flash PMP with 2-3in. screens.

-- Wi-Fi radio streaming.

-- Lastly, and probably most importantly to actual sales of unit, provide a truely working model at the demo kiosks. I went to BestBuy yesterday and the unit on display was a demo only unit given to them by MS. I couldn't try it out even though I wanted to. It just has an image burned onto the screen. You couldn't use any of its features. No sale.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 31st 2007 4:15PM]

how about allowing it to work with play for sure aka certified for vista. Why microsoft would create a device that doesnt work with a standard they created is beyond me.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2007 4:17AM]

I have an 8Gb zune .. and i'm happy with it. Having had a couple of iPod's in the past, I'd say i'm more happy with the zune than either of those.

However:

- No EQ
- No broad codec support
- At least four different media players on MS platforms (that i can think of : WMP / Zune / Xbox Media / Media Centre ), only one of which really integrates with Zune

Hopefully someone at Zune HQ is scrawling these forums (unlikely). BTW, I think Engadget's treatment of Zune has been quite impartial ..

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2007 4:23AM]

oops .. forgot to mention .. the Std headphones that come with the 8Gb Zune are terrible.

It pains me to walk around with iPod headphones like all the other automatons whilst listening to my Zune. i'm sure the premium headphones are great, but why the heck do i get a $2 junk set of headphones with a $200 media player ... not cool.

[eddieexe Posted Dec 16th 2007 5:32PM]

Add a bigger screen, TV out. That's about it.

[Cyberdyne Systems Posted Dec 16th 2007 5:14PM]

I think my only complaint after holding and actually using the zune 4,8,80... is build quality. Apple just feels more solid, if only to be more scratch prone. I think the new squircle thing is a great idea though.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2007 2:19AM]

The Zune software is really crap - it has (or atleast had) problems with tagging, its bloated , yadda yadda yadda.

The problem is, Microsoft uses undocumented, proprietary extensions to MTP (which it calls MTP-Z) to communicate with the Zune.

Let it publish the API's so that other software (like Winamp can be used with Zune).
Note that this doesnt affect Microsft's online music business, since it uses public key crypto to sign DRM songs for the Zune. This cant be broken even if other software acquire the capability to put non-DRM tracks on the Zune.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2007 2:34AM]

I'm still asking for Asian language support and it's still not coming...

[zkolev Posted Dec 17th 2007 3:38PM]

Its not like every Windows Mobile 6 phone supports A2DP or anything. I'm surprised that Apple didnt use it on such a media centric phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 18th 2007 6:33AM]

I think it looks like a very nice device, I JUST WANT IT TO COME TO THE UK, ideally with 16GB of memory and a radio (not sure if it already has a radio)

WHEN FOR GODS SAKE WILL WE GET A ZUNE IN THE UK!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2007 2:08AM]

I don't own a 4/8 Zune, but I do own an 80 and I love it so far - my first real PMP purchase.

Anyhow, just to reiterate some of the sentiments, DiVX/XviD compatibility would be nice, bluetooth, easier/better syncing software (less restrictions and more power to the user), equalizer, more wireless capabilities (streaming, internet browser (not for web surf, but for certifying media)), better quality on the production of the Zune (i.e. I had to return the first one due to faulty button right out of the box, and I've read other accounts of the same thing happening)... All-in-all I'm pleased with the product. I'm just hoping tweaks and software editions will take care of the little issues I have.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2007 12:00AM]

I bought a Zune 80 and I'm enjoying it. It works well with both video and audio. The things I would like to see added are support for more video formats and audio formats (DivX, FLAC.) In addition, the other big thing that would make the Zune much better for me is if I could sync it and manage it with Windows Media Player 11. Then all would be well. In addition, even the iPod can be used as a mass storage device, the Zune should be able to do that as well. A lot of disk space I could use and I can stop carrying my flash drive.

And also, remove the ridiculous 3-play restriction from shared songs. I understand on DRM songs, you can have those restrictions but on songs with no DRM it makes no sense. Besides, I'll just rip it and send it through some other method without the restriction. Just eliminate it altogether.