Not to be confused with the
Zune 2.3 firmware update, Microsoft is today pushing out the Zune 2.3 software update, which brings with it a whole slew of fixes but no real new features. If the rundown of those fixes given by the ever-helpful Cesar of the Zune Insider blog are any indication, however, it seems that there are few areas of that software that aren't touched by the update. Among the problems getting ironed out are various Marketplace issues, as well as some nagging podcast problems (like not being able to subscribe to anything larger than 10MB), setup issues, and UI mishaps, not to mention a whole mess of sync issues that have supposedly now been sorted, to name a few things. In other words, the sort of update you probably want, and no doubt wish you never needed.
posted Jan 22nd 2008 4:26PM
Hi
1) MACSuckMYBalls - "no one is going to make a player for linux because its gay" ... I'm gay - keep your homophobic comments to yourself jerk.
2) For me... I don't care how good the software/firmware updates are because I've never been able to install them without investing an hour or two. I run the windows update to make sure my system is current, run the installer, read the error message when it crashes, Google the worthless message, download another installer, watch it crash, remove all of the zune software (with the third party uninstaller) and manually remove remaining registry entries, and install it again and sync my zune overnight.
I love the zune, the software, the screen, yada yada yada... I appreciate the updates and firmware upgrades for free, yada yada yada... and I still download and wrestle with this stuff despite the hassle. I just wish Microsoft could get an installation package right.
Did any of you read this? http://www.microsoftzuneinjuries.com/
Did any of you read this? http://www.microsoftzuneinjuries.com/
Sorry about the duplicate post above. Browser error.
Physical keyboard, fast, works as a WiFi router with simple software addition. Netbooks are too much of a compromise. They're not enough computer to be a ...{{http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3715326703_6d2ac78330.jpg}}
What's a Zune?
Something better than an iPod.
"Something better than an iPod."
The iPod classic, maybe. I mean it is a 2 year old design but it's nice to see Microsoft catch up (aside from hard drive capacities).
The iPod touch, however? Nope.
The iPod nano? Nope.
Call me when they make an 80+ Gb Touch. Until then youre comapring Apples and Zunes
This is a typical Zune user. http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/11/zune-tattoo-guy.html
I believe a Zune was Microsoft's answer to the old 5G iPod. It wasn't a very good answer, either. They say it has far more features than any iPod, but it never sold very well. However, the Zune sells very well in the Bizarro world.
There's some guy in this forum that always tells people to get Steve Job's dick out their mouth. The reason is that he also wants to get a suck for a taste of Steve Jobs lemon-colored Kool-Aid.
This "dick in the mouth" guy is a retard with very poor social habits by the way he personally attacks fellow forum members with nasty remarks for having a difference of opinion.
@Steffen Jobs
And yet his post is rated higher than yours. I mean, come on. Look at your name. You probably stayed up one long night rubbing your Apple Air until you figured out Steve and be Steffen.
Aw c'mon how is nxtiak highest ranked? We all know if that exchange was reversed, it would be lowest ranked. I'm just sayin, that would be called blind fanboyism if it was the other way.
@jere
Come on now, use your brain.
Did you expect him to use a real argument on a troll?
Steffen, honestly. First you call the typical Zune user a 'portly' guy who gets geeky tatoos of his favorite brand of MP3 PLAYER and considers changing his name to "Microsoft Zune", then you proceed to ask people to stop making personal attacks. Congratulations.
Although Zeus' post was a bit harsh, his point is clear enough. The Zune is not in the background. In its second generation it's gotten more popularity than most other iPod alternatives. It's got a great userbase. I know five people that have them, one that is going to buy one, and two that desperately desire one... PERSONALLY. The original sarcastic post was simply asking for it.
@MacVicta: umm I have to say with 5-10 times the storage for $50-$150 less(add in another $20 for the new firmware update) yes, it does beat the ipod touch. Especially since it can sync over wifi and we already know(from past experience) that ms won't charge us for new features in the future.
and @Steffen Jobs: Ya, cause we all know that the zune 80 doesn't compare at ALL to the current gen ipod classic. It's just the same storage, roughly the same size, much bigger screen, has wifi with wifi sync, is made with better materials, and a really smooth, quick ui(unlike the classic's horribly horribly slow ui and unuseable coverflow)
um... Wow, this Zeus guy sure liked to flawnt his sexual preferences on this forum. Please keep your wishful thinking to yourself. Now, what was the topic again.... Oh yeah , what is a zune?
My wishful thinking? No, no, no, you see, you got this all wrong. The guy is obviously obsessed with Steve Jobs, and its painfully apparent he wants some part of the man inside of him.
Whats a Zune? Well, if you don't know, then you should probably just crawl back under your bridge, because you're already too late for the party.
Sweet, hopefully this fixes the podcasts automatically being unsubscribed every other sync.
And you can bet your ass it doesn't cost $20.
Never had to pay 20$ for an update of iTunes either or did you mean the update for the iPod Touch? Free as well!
"Look at me! I'm using instances taken out of context to make me feel better about myself!"
lol @ you idiots
does it make it good?
No, not really. It is still only 3-4 times better than any Crapple iPod.
He got you there. Dude face facts, the Zune is better in every way than the iPod Classic. It looks much better, has a glass screen, it weighs less, it has Wifi Synching, and a much nicer UI on the desktop and the Zune itself.
Sorry, but FAIL.
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3204
I loved the old Zune software, but when the released the new Zunes I might as well have shoved it up mine. WORST SOFTWARE EVER making the product itself not that great. With the old software it WAS AMAZING.
Check ZuneBoards.com, under the "Completed" section of "Hacks and Mods". There is an in-depth guide to downgrading to 1.4 firmware and 1.3 software.
No offense Jordan, but the old software reminded me too much of WMP 11. I definitely like the new software. Much easier to use, I can customize the background, and everything in general is just much smoother in transitions (I kinda already said this, oh well).
Yes but it doesn't have an editor so I can't change track numbers, album release years, and other things. I might downgrade or just use a different software with this new program I heard about that allows you to use other programs.
Here are the changes/fixes:
Thanks for the intro, lil! Here's the list of fixes in this update-
* Fixed top crashing bugs submitted by users
* Fixed bug where Zune software thinks the device memory is full (but isn’t)
Key Marketplace fixes
* Allow users to view top music videos in marketplace
* Misc improved error messaging including splitting sign-in issues into 4 separate errors for customer and support benefit
* Retrieval of subscription download history no longer stalls if the content is revoked
* Better handling of accounts that have expired credit cards
* Podcasts with spaces in their name can now be subscribed to
* Marketplace no longer blocks explicit content purchases when parental controls are set to allow
* Points balance label is now updated when user purchases new points
Key Player UI fixes
* Allow zooming in/out (2x, 4x, fullscreen) during video playback to prevent stretched playback
* Ability to switch Zune to GDI mode through command-line parameter
Key Podcast fixes
* Allow subscriptions to podcasts larger than 10MB
* Fixed some parsing errors that prevented some podcasts from syncing to the device
* Fixed bug where podcasts were unsubscribing themselves
Key Setup fixes
* Fixed numerous bugs affecting build to build upgrades
* Improved installation for users accessing from corporate networks
* Fixed driver uninstall failures
* Included device 2.3 firmware in client download
* Failure in creating system restore point no longer blocks client installation
Key Sync fixes
* Fixed issues with reverse sync
* Fixes issues with sync meter UI showing incorrect information as to what is on the device
* Fixed issues using wireless sync with multiple devices to the same PC
* Fixed a few different issues setting up wireless sync
* Device is no longer being reported as full even after deleting large file from device
* Device content is no longer being turned into guest content when it shouldn’t be
* Content with bad metadata now shows properly so it can be removed from device
* Turning off “autolaunch when a Zune device is connected” no longer prevents “Sync Now” from working from a wirelessly connected device
* Podcast bookmarking is now transferred/saved to the device
* Wireless sync connection continues to work after rebooting host computer
* Unsubscribe podcast from device now works properly
* Changing album art in the client now updates the device as well
* Duplicate tracks are no longer synced to the device twice
Key Xbox Streaming bug fixes
* Xbox Streaming now monitors the rip folder if user changes default location
* No need to reinstall client to fix Xbox Streaming when upgrading from XP to Vista
Key Infrastructure fixes
* Vista x64 customers can now get to web help from error messages
* Client no longer crashes if database is corrupted
Key Library fixes
* Changes in pictures or video metadata made outside client will now get updated in the library
* UI is now smoother during file groveling
* When a track is added to an album we will now always update the track on disc
* User can now update album art for marketplace tracks
* 'Unknown Artist' metadata is no longer written to files when writing out user edit of album name
* Renaming an artist now more reliably keeps the change
* Two different copies of the same album no longer get duplicated down to one when it shouldn’t
* Access violation no longer occurs when checking song properties in the burn list
* Multi-disc albums imported from iTunes no longer show in the client as a single disc album
* Thumbnails for video content now extract on XP properly
wow ! zune had so many bugs! who bought them at first place with all these bugs ?
Same people who bought OSX Leopard with it's 100 bugs that have yet to be fixed as Apple hasn't released the update yet.
no more duplicate tracks has me jumping for joy on the inside
will the software automatically update or do you have to go to the website and download it?
When you open the software, it should show that there is a new version out, automatically, and confirm the update with you.
Manual Download. Just go to Settings/Software/General then click Check for updates. It's pretty quick.
thanks guys. i will check it out as soon as i get home.
Are you sure? I'm pretty sure thats what my Zune software did when the version 2 software came out...
*sigh*
No word on the Canadian launch yet, eh?
I would call that good news for canadian consumers!
Did you miss this?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/06/finally-zune-headed-to-canada/
I got a Zune shipped up from the states, and I used a proxy server to sign myself up for Zune account, but songs I play don't show on my Zune card, and my xbox account says I live in the states, cause my Zune card has to. It will be nice when it comes here and I can fix all that.
Does the fix warp space time so they actually released this ten years ago and therefore did something original? Because then I'd be impressed. Otherwise not.
Does the fix make your Apple fanboyism any less apparent? No.
Apple's not the king of originality. I'll give you a hint about who is: Nobody. Every company copies something from other companies.
Well, I know for a fact that the iPod doesn't include that feature...
No, it doesn't, because it doesn't need it.
ERIK: WORD.
Yeah, you guys are right. Microsoft is a totally amazing company that comes out with totally revolutionary products. Like, you know, iPods that look like the scroll wheel has melted. There's a big difference between being influenced by products and saying "Oh, hey, make one of those but, um, fuck up the circle thing in the middle so we don't look like hacks. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go see how the 'Leopardization' of Vista is going." Even the people at Microsoft would never dare pretend the Zune was anything but a knockoff so just stop.
Just keep drinking that koolaid squirgle....
Nah, I'll wait for Microsoft to come out with their version "KulAyde Extreme" a year and a half from now. By the way, the ranking thing is killing me.
lol I love the "leapardization of vista" part which would be pretty hard to do since leapard was essentially a vista-ization of Tiger with a bit of linux thrown in for flavor. Or saying that the squircle copied the scroll wheel because it's kind of like a circle which is the general shape of the scroll wheel. By that same genius logic the ipod copied about 80-90% of things ever made since it's roughly a rectangle. Never mind that ms came up with a totally revolutionary ui that beats the pants off of anything else out there or put in a nice big screen so you can actually see videos without a microscope or threw wifi into its music player. Good job squircle, now go back into that hole you crawled out of.
Fanboy comments are frowned upon arounf here, fool.
Damn iBunnies.
Shoo!
@Mark: I so agree! I've looked at Leopard before, and to me, it seemed like a rehash of several OS's.
Things most prominent are:
Vista : The translucent glass effect in the menu bar (but done awfully!)
Linux : Spaces, when virtual desktops have been in Linux for such a while already.
Sun Microsystems - the 3D dock. Though it's nothing at all like the Project Looking Glass that Sun did.
And there's other minor updates to other products within OS X that I've seen in other places for quite a while.
In that case, Apple also seems to have been 'copying' lately.
Nah, I'll just go back to watching guys put together Zune ads on Mac Pros while listening to iPods and taking calls on iPhones. Oh, wait, that was a few months ago. Guess I'll have to wait for the next round.
Squirgle, do you think you're being clever or witty? Well, if you do, then you're the biggest fool known to man.
The Zune is a great product, and the Apple iPod is not original in the least. By your logic the iPod touch is a carbon copy of the Archos 604 WiFi or some shit.
Stop being such a dumb ass, and grow up.
I wouldn't worry about Squirgle. He's just an Apple obsessed troll. He posted the same inane rubbish in a story about a Samsun phone with touch screen. because we all know that every touch screen phone is an iPhone rip off because the iPhone was the first touch screen phone. Oh damn, no it wasn't.
And we all know the Zune is a rip off of the iPod because the iPooed (not a typo) was the first digital audio player. Oh wait that's right, Creative had been making them for years before the iPlop came out as had Samsung. In fact the concept of a digital music player was patented by an English man back in the 80's but he couldn't afford to renew the patents and couldn't do anything with his concept because the technology wasn't up to it. Memory was just to damn expensive back then.
My advice is just to mark down the silly little troll and not reply to him. Let him live in his Apple world where he has to buy a new iPod and iPhone when the battery gives up. Where he has to pay to get the 100+ bug fixes for Leopard. While those of us in the real world know that the only thing Apple can do well is marketing.
Oh my god, I just figured it out. You guys all work for Microsoft. It's the only explanation. As one of the world's largest companies they've paid a bunch of dungeon crawlers to patrol these forums and bash anybody who dares speak ill of their mighty empire. It all makes sense now, 'cause, you know, actually being passionate about Microsoft would be like being passionate about a Beatles cover band or something. You guys should make it a little less obvious though, I mean, the Zune not a knockoff? Pffft. Like anybody's going to buy that. Lowest rated! Lowest rated! Lowest rated! Hahahahhahahahahahah! Hilarious.
"Turning off “autolaunch when a Zune device is connected” no longer prevents “Sync Now” from working from a wirelessly connected device"
Thank you! I've been having trouble wirelessly syncing, and I guess that was it. Glad I don't have to worry about that anymore.
The only thing stopping me from buying a new Zune is the lack of Linux support.
I had a 1st Gen 30GB Zune, and it was a great player, but it was way too much of a hassle having to use a Windows installation in VMware just to sync my music.
Well what music player does have official support for Linux?
Seriously, are there any major ones that do?
Yes, Linux, in fact, is gay, because you totally witnessed two (or more) Eee PCs getting it on--they were the pink ones, no less.
And from that picture, how could you tell there's a thumb up Eto's ass?
....better yet, please don't answer that.
What no 20 dollar cost! Microsoft the new apple!
I'm a big fan of HD Video PodCast. Why even bother with this wannabe device. Plus giving a dollar to the music industry for every Zune sold, sounds like another form a payola to me.
You'e right. It sure is important to have HD on your 3 inch screen.
The Zune 80gb supports 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second)
http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zune80gb/specs.htm
The iPod Classic and iPod Touch only does 640x480!
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html
AHHAHAHAHA LOOK WHO'S LOW RES NOW!
@Marc
iPhone and iPod Touch. Plus ATV on a 42 HDTV looks great. Unlike the low res Zune.
You think the iPhone or the iPod touch have HD screens? They don't even display in VGA. The rez of your iPod or iPhone is pathetic compared to my n800 anyway.
I agree, a 1080p picture looks great on the iPhone/iPod Touch.
Idiot.
zune can play 640x480 videos. what are you talking about? or are you just assuming its an inferior product because it's not made by apple?
and how the hell do you compare Apple TV to a Zune? OH YEA? MY XBOX CAN PLAY BETTER GAMES THAN YOUR MAC PRO!!! I WIN!!!!!!!!!!
@sinai: Actually the Zune 80 supports 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). And also component output
I laughed out loud when he tried to compare ATV to Zune.
"
and how the hell do you compare Apple TV to a Zune? OH YEA? MY XBOX CAN PLAY BETTER GAMES THAN YOUR MAC PRO!!! I WIN!!!!!!!!!!"
o ya well mai mac pro cn dool boot 2 windowez and den youze a 360 emulat0r! i win u lose haha n00b
On a more serious note.. Comparing ATV to a Zune is like me comparing Windows Media Center to one of those original iPods. Yeah, who wins now beey0tch?!
apple tv? you mean that really bad attempt at copying the xbox 360's media capabilities? Well my 360 in 1080p beats the pants off of the 480i non-widescreen output of your ipods and 720p of your apple tv combined, so take that!
Guess I'll have to get this when I get home.
But the only bug I've ever experienced with the Zune software was that it synced duplicates of some songs to my Zune.
I still continue to marvel at your bias....
the zune software gets an update and you write: "Among the problems getting ironed out..."
Leopard gets an update and you write: "Apple seems to have found plenty more room for improvement..."
No sh**t!
I'm so darn sick of this Apple VS PC garbage!
/agree
can't the frumpy PC and slim and eccentric Mac just get along?
Never. Apple fans are fanatics:
http://gizmodo.com/347588/macheads-the-movie-trailer-shocks-revolts-intrigues-us
As long as they keep on trying to convert us PC users like we are Satan worshipers, there will be no peace.
No crap, "the sort of update you probably want, and no doubt wish you never needed." This is seriously getting out of control. What happened to this site man? It used to be whole hell of a lot better.
@mvan
Yep, more than glad to pay 20 bucks for "real" functionality. Instead of giving money to the Music Cartels for every Zune sold. Now why would you be happy give money for that rather than real tangible functionalities?
W00t!! Installing the update as I type! Can't wait for the damn podcasts to stop unsubscribing themselves randomly!! Now all they need to fix is the issue where it automatically syncs wirelessly when you pause your music for 1 minute, it should have the option to extend the timer to 5 minutes or to just have it autosync wirelessly at certain times in the day.
agreed on the autosync part, it's a bit annoying. the autosync has virtually no options, i wish i could choose what podcast to update and when, so when i'm in a hurry i can just do the audio, and not wait for those videos to crawl in
Nice!
i didn't say it couldn't! ;)
i own a zune 80, and despite its little flaws, i like it a lot better than any ipod i've owned.
i don't have to look like every other douchebag here in San Francisco.
i don't have to get locked into iTunes (and they say MS builds bloatware?).
i don't have to buy a new one every 6 months to get new features.
and i don't have to take it to a "genius bar" to get it replaced (ten times!), having to deal with their snooty geniuses who gave me a different solution depending on their menstrual cycles.
i don't have to look like every other douchebag here in San Francisco.
-Wtf...you bought a zune just to be different?
i don't have to get locked into iTunes (and they say MS builds bloatware?).
-We're stuck with the zune software, which I fucking hate with a passion
i don't have to buy a new one every 6 months to get new features.
-Just every 1.5 years.
and i don't have to take it to a "genius bar" to get it replaced (ten times!), having to deal with their snooty geniuses who gave me a different solution depending on their menstrual cycles.
-Or not go?
God, what a M$ fanboy in disguise. I like my Gen1 Zune, but god damn, I don't wanna suck off Gates.
"i don't have to buy a new one every 6 months to get new features.
-Just every 1.5 years."
Well that retort was rather lame. His point was that the 1st Gen Zunes could be loaded with 2nd Gen firmware. I'm sure since you have one, you should know!
@ Smarted Panda
Dude, I've seen your posts a lot. You are too busy sucking Stevie boy to have time for Gates.
P.S. Don't forget to brush your teeth tonight.
sure makes me wish I had a few Zune tattoos. Maybe a whole sleeve with the fixes?
How about the ability to drag albums around like the previous 1.x version of the zune software? Because I have about 2-3 Gbs worth of nothing but singles.
How about fixing your ID3 tags, then all your music will be fine filed and organized correctly.
Seriously people, 99% of the problems people have with their music and the Zune software is the ID3 tags.
Actually, 99.5% of my ID3 tags are correct. Used MediaMonkey along with MP3Tags.
Used ID3 tags, along with a few ID2.
The other .5 percent the (2-3Gbs) takes FOREVER! And some errors with the software.
...The percentage is made up....by the way....
Umm... where is the device support for Windows Mobile Smartphones????????????
Wrong thread buddy.
Well you're right about one thing anyways. Microsoft almost seems like they are copying Apple in everyway. :roll: Like their number of fixes in this patch for instance. Its so long... you might as well call this 'Patch 2.3 'the Leopard edition'. Except its not as long.
"In other words, the sort of update you probably want, and no doubt wish you never needed."
Cheap shot.
I didn't notice this kind of comment when Apple announced 450+MB update fixing over 100 bugs...
"Leper - the OS so diseased if needed a 450MB patch (almost 1/4 of the OS) to fix over 100 bugs."
I see they haven't fixed "The Suck"
@smartedpanda: every 1.5 years? I have no idea what that means. When they came out with the new line the old 30 gig got all of those new features except for the touch sensativity so what are you talking about? Oh and when he talked about itunes he meant because it's really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really slow
@ Robert
Good idea. Call it Leopard. Oh wait, this update is FREE. :-)