Third-gen Zune to hit in 2009, make it to Europe

Seeing how long it took the Zune to make it over the northern border and into Canada, it shouldn't be any surprise that it's going to take even longer to get to Europe -- not until late next year, according to the director of Microsoft France. The wait should be worth it, though: that's when the third generation of Zunes will be released, as well as a Europe-friendly version of the Zune Marketplace. There are also some sketchy rumors that Windows Mobile 7 devices will be able to take advantage of Zune content and services, but it doesn't look like Microsoft has anything to say about that yet -- but if that goes down you know a Zune phone is right around the corner.

[Via Anything But iPod]

[letuotter @ Mar 13th 2008 2:05PM]

Also right around the corner, the ZunePhone is delayed due to pending EU investigations... :rolls eyes:

[theblockbuster @ Mar 13th 2008 10:19PM]

Microsoft has already came out and said that it will not make a Zune phone. It makes perfect sense due to the fact that it would be competing with the devices that run windows mobile.

[Tony @ Mar 13th 2008 2:05PM]

*hugs his Brown Zune* my boy is gettin' old!

[ishism @ Mar 13th 2008 10:50PM]

Oh Yeah. I love my brown 30GB. Especially with the AV dock pack and remote. It's sooo bad. I hope this next version will be able to display HD with HDTV out.
Jerky Jerky

[AboveUnrefined @ Mar 13th 2008 2:06PM]

You failed this year, so better luck next year!

[mopo @ Mar 13th 2008 10:16PM]

more like you fail

[ishism @ Mar 13th 2008 10:53PM]

Failure. Takes one to know one. Although Zune is no failure.
your mom failed to teach you that.

[OneLove @ Mar 13th 2008 2:07PM]

Vista SP1 release next week tuesday!

[kal326 @ Mar 13th 2008 2:07PM]

And to think I was thinking about picking up a 2nd gen one for the improve directional pad interface for games and MS drops hints of a third generation. Oh well, I only spend $100 on my brown 1st gen one anyway.

[kal326 @ Mar 13th 2008 2:09PM]

Way off topic, but seriously its hardly news. I have had the offical final version of SP1 installed for weeks now in x86 and x64 flavors. Spend a little time searching Microsofts site and its amazing what you can find, specially in the OEM section.

[kal326 @ Mar 13th 2008 2:10PM]

Damn comment system and its inability to reliably match replys with intended post.

[NHAnimator @ Mar 13th 2008 2:35PM]

Yeah. I think the robuCAB looks silly too.

[Kris @ Mar 13th 2008 4:40PM]

How hard is it to click on the reply button?

[Stupidiot @ Mar 13th 2008 2:13PM]

Meh. I've already bought myself a Zune 80 that I got from some Zune imports website, and at only a £30 premium over the iPod Classic. I love the thing so far, but it does have its drawbacks and annoyances...

[Cagrino @ Mar 13th 2008 2:51PM]

Only £30?? That's about $3,000,000 across the pond!!

[Chebwa @ Mar 13th 2008 2:13PM]

This is actually very cool. The Zune gets better with each release, it'll be interesting to see where they take the next generation. I hope they offer up the engraving again...

[Jordan @ Mar 13th 2008 4:38PM]

Yes, the Zune has improved. However the newer Zune software, although it looks better, and has better navigation, lacks data editing. I believe that is a step down rather than up.

[Chebwa @ Mar 13th 2008 4:43PM]

@Jordan:

I HATE ID3 tags and whatnot. It seems like every program has its own way of handling names. I find the absolute best way to handle things is this...

1) Rename all your actual files in a consistent manner.
2) Use "EAGS ON!" to tag them (awesome program).
3) Update their album art in WMP11 (this seems to embed the art into the actual file, so it will carry over when copied, e-mailed, or used in another program).

This will keep the Zune software completely up to date with all the proper data (it won't actually have to do anything aside from play and transfer the songs). Those 3 steps actually take only a few seconds per chunk of MP3s.

But yeah, the Zune software isn't exactly bustling with features. It is, however, much nicer than iTunes to use, and way more aesthetically pleasing.

[Jordan @ Mar 14th 2008 3:18AM]

I love you for your suggestion. I'm doing that right now.

[nd @ Mar 13th 2008 2:17PM]

Good Lord, can you imagine how big that thing would be if you made it a phone too??

I have a 5G iPod and a brown 30gb Zune. I like some of the things on my Zune, but it's just huge! It seems like the new ones aren't much smaller...maybe I'm wrong?

[Josh @ Mar 13th 2008 2:43PM]

Yes, because they always take the same form factor and put in a cell antenna. *rolls eyes* The new ones are much slimmer and not as heavy. Yes, they are bigger than Ipods - but they do more than the Ipod classics and have a larger screen as well. Its like saying your 60" TV is thicker and heavier than your 50" TV. Of course it is. It has a bigger screen and does more stuff. Geez.

[nd @ Mar 13th 2008 2:59PM]

Calm down there cowboy...I was asking the question, and pointing out one of the reasons I like my iPod better than I like my Zune. I just think that one of the reasons that iPods and the iPhone have been so successful is their form factor- cram a lot of goodness into a small package and make it look good as well as function well and you've got a winner.

Some comparisons:
Zune 30:
4.4 x 2.4 x 0.58 in., Weight - 5.6 ounces
Zune 80:
4.26 x 2.41 x 0.51 in., Weight - 4.5 ounces
iPod classic (80gb):
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches in., Weight - 4.9 ounces
iPod 5G (60gb):
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.55 in., Weight - 5.5 ounces

It's an interesting comparison- my iPod feels MUCH smaller in my hand than my Zune, but its maximum dimensions are not that much less. I guess maybe Apple has just figured out the whole design thing and designed a player that feels smaller...huh..

[dan.fuchs @ Mar 26th 2008 12:59PM]

The real difference in size between Zunes and Ipods is the thickness. Even though .51" and .41" doesn't seem like a big difference, it actually is. Ipods are about 20% slimmer, which is why they appear to be so much smaller than the zunes.

[Zeus.:God @ Mar 13th 2008 4:43PM]

Wow... It really isn't that much bigger both in measurements and appearance.

Oh- but wait, the iPod Classic weighs more than the Zune 80! THATS SUCH A BURDEN!!!

The Zune is not that big, and it's rather annoying hearing people complain about it, when it is so minuscule.

[twall @ Mar 16th 2008 7:28PM]

the zune is fat for all the americans who are fat and lazy, europe points and laughs, who wants to have a fat pmp? only FAT people with baggy pants so it can be crammed in them!

[Dan @ Mar 13th 2008 2:47PM]

Damn, that's ages away. Hope it's worth the wait. Stupidiot, can you post some links to where you bought it, thinking of importing myself.

[DG @ Mar 13th 2008 2:27PM]

I have a first-gen black Zune, and I love it. What I don't love, however, is the Zune software. I use ZAlternator and WMP to make it functional, but I hate the energy involved in doing that every time. I hope that the next version either opens Zune up to WMP, or brings functionality back to the software.

[ijyt @ Mar 13th 2008 2:22PM]

I can buy one off amazon if I really want to.

But hurry up, or I might buy the other fad, the iPod.

[Andrew @ Mar 13th 2008 2:24PM]

Zune's a fad?

[ijyt @ Mar 13th 2008 2:25PM]

Sure, why not.

[CraigJ @ Mar 13th 2008 4:31PM]

Do fads usually last longer than 6 years? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fad based on this definition Zune is much more a fad than the iPod...

[jhaks @ Mar 13th 2008 4:59PM]

Well, iPods might be a trend then but this doesn't mean the root causes for this trend isn't similar to those of a fad. If you ask most people why they bought an iPod instead of some other device they will most likely say the iPod is the best despite never having seen, used or research any other device.

[CMtest @ Mar 13th 2008 2:26PM]

test12

[Todd @ Mar 13th 2008 2:28PM]

"There will never EVER be a Zune phone! NEVER!!!" - Steve Ballmer July 2007

[kal326 @ Mar 13th 2008 2:33PM]

@Todd
Microsoft may never make a Zune phone, but if WM7 supports the Zune DRM and syncing features there isn't anyone stopping a Vendor from making one. Remember Windows Mobile is not a locked platform like the iPhone. SDK or not, you are still bowing before the big blue apple with the iPhone.

[jere @ Mar 13th 2008 6:08PM]

Apple is blue?

[Dave Sousa @ Mar 13th 2008 2:52PM]

the zune still isn't official here, still no add campaighn and still no zunes, although they've announced its coming still no news as to when....

[Joe @ Mar 14th 2008 7:34AM]

I love the iPhone, I love it because it has kicked started some real competition in the smart phone space, Blackberry is rumored to have their own touch interface in the works and of course something is comming in the windows Mobile space as well as Zune.

[Lt. Col. Kojak Slaphead the Third @ Mar 14th 2008 3:37AM]

I am in no hurry to see this product. Don't think I would even consider it given that I admittedly don't have a great liking for Micro$oft.

[Jon Graft @ Mar 13th 2008 2:40PM]

Anyone honestly really care...anybody...didn't think so...

**Now that I've said that, whoever replies to this will call me a Apple Fanboy**

[iPriest @ Mar 13th 2008 2:53PM]

Like someone in Europe is interested to buy a mp3 player that doesn't make calls??? It's as stupid as releasing an iPhone in Europe without 3G. We are not interested in yesteryear products!

[Tony @ Mar 13th 2008 6:12PM]

You're an Apple Fanboy aren't you?

[Kspraydad @ Mar 13th 2008 2:43PM]

I'm sure Canucks can't wait to get hold of Bill's genitals.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=15876

[Neebs @ Mar 13th 2008 2:54PM]

You can trust MacWorld for all your Zune news.

[Kspraydad @ Mar 13th 2008 4:31PM]

Hi Neebs...

Seems like you think the story about Zune being a slang word in Quebec is false...here is another link...

http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/story.html?id=af9a57dd-576d-4bf8-8b76-82a0e3fe080e

That is one of Canada's largest news organinzations and not an Apple site.
(BTW I can't stand Apple products)

[Neebs @ Mar 13th 2008 5:13PM]

It's still very silly you linked to MacWorld.

[Zeus.:God @ Mar 13th 2008 11:32PM]

Zune and "zoune"- apparently only a Canadian-French word, which you claim is slang and the fact that it is spelled differently makes your point moot.

"Zune" is not a slang term in any language, it's an MP3 player. I don't know if you missed that "o" in there.

[Josh @ Mar 13th 2008 2:44PM]

I guess people lie or change their minds....

Mossberg: Do you have plans for movies on the iPod?
Jobs: I'm not convinced people want to watch movies on a tiny little screen. To paraphrase Bill Clinton, "It's the music, stupid, it's the music!" Music's been around for a long time, will continue to be, it's huge. Not speculative, a real tangible market.

-May 30, 2003

[Steffen Jobbs @ Mar 13th 2008 4:20PM]

Don't you think that people ever change their minds or can be convinced by an external force. Human minds should be somewhat flexible. Especially when it comes to making money.

[Mark P @ Mar 13th 2008 7:18PM]

"I'm not convinced"

Not a very strong statement..