Joy Division-themed Zune gets pictured and priced

That 80GB Zune above looks mighty familiar, now doesn't it? At least it does if you checked out our totally wild guess mockup that we created upon hearing of this gem. The limited edition Joy Division-themed Zune has finally been pictured (officially) and priced, with just 500 of 'em to be offered up through the Zune Originals website. Of course, we have no idea how quickly these will (or won't) go, but if you're looking to grab one, we'd have that trigger finger ready to roll on June 17th.

[John @ Jun 4th 2008 1:42PM]

What's a Joy Division?

[Rich @ Jun 4th 2008 1:46PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_division

Kids these days...

[Todd @ Jun 4th 2008 1:59PM]

@John

Buy a couple early recordings. Listen to "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Go see 'Control'. Joy Division had a huge influence on so many bands. They also evolved into so many bands ( New Order, Electronic, Revenge, Monaco ).

[farfisa @ Jun 4th 2008 2:07PM]

or "24 Hour Party People"

...but you're joking, right?

[iEye @ Jun 4th 2008 2:25PM]

Check 'em out... The next best thing about the world's most popular brand MP3 player, is the associated store, where you can find such influential bands such as Joy Division, and great 80's sounds like The Doobie Brothers,Eurythmics, Men At Work and Hazel O'Conner... all for only 99 cents a song!

Hmm, I wonder if the ZUNE market place has Joy Division? and how much is it? 132.5 Microsoft points a song?

[Federico @ Jun 4th 2008 2:41PM]

Joy Division was a great group whose singer preferred to commit suicide rather than appearing on a Zune.

[telepheedian @ Jun 4th 2008 2:56PM]

@iEye:
Actually, I think I will just download their whole discography, as well as the complete discographies of every band you mentioned, using Zune Pass, then only pay $15 a month to download every other piece of music anyone else mentions. In the end, I might wind up with 10,000 songs, which would take the same amount of money as about 50 years of Zune pass to break even at 99 cents a song.

[o rly @ Jun 4th 2008 2:58PM]

John, see the movie "Control" : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/

iEye, if you're going to be a fanboy, at least be a somewhat informed one; you'll save yourself from looking like an idiot.

[Pochi @ Jun 4th 2008 3:04PM]

Forget Control.

See the movie Kontroll.

[Quikboy @ Jun 4th 2008 3:17PM]

@iEye : Actually, it's 79 points a song. I don't like the point system much, but at least half of the songs from Joy Division were available in MP3 format. Though one or two albums were completely unavailable (why?).

[Ian @ Jun 4th 2008 5:42PM]

John,

Joy DIvision were a band from Manchester, England who are credited with being the first "post-punk" band that pulled rock music forward from the punk (i.e Sex Pistols) phase. Bands like U2, The Cure, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, and Radiohead were greatly influenced by them, and just about all "alternative rock" bands post 1980 are at least indirectly influenced by them. After the lead singer, Ian Curtis killed himself in 1980, the remaining members formed New Order, with Joy Division's lead guitarist, Bernard Sumner, taking lead vocals.

[Pavan @ Jun 4th 2008 8:03PM]

Re: ZunePass @ $14.99 /month: You can share that ZunePass among 3 devices = $4.99/month if you get your friends involved! I've been converting a ton of friends to Zune and have 6 ZunePasses setup...not bad having them prepay 6 months at a time...basically an interest-free $540 loan :)!

[bob e @ Jun 4th 2008 1:43PM]

those should get snapped up pretty quick i'd say

[Philster @ Jun 4th 2008 2:25PM]

Really? Snapped up? I don't know anyone who owns or wants to own a Zune. I've only seen two people out in public with Zunes. (And I live in New York and San Francisco, so I see plenty of people.)

[jrb @ Jun 4th 2008 3:02PM]

really? everyone i've shown my zune to has instantly fallen in love with it. and yes, that includes ipod and ipod touch users.

it's almost as if you're lying, opinionated, uninformed, and being a complete dick at the same time.

[Pochi @ Jun 4th 2008 3:05PM]

"really? everyone i've shown my zune to has instantly fallen in love with it. and yes, that includes ipod and ipod touch users."

Same here. I often have mine on the subway and am often asked what it is and where to get one. I grabbed an "original" so the idea of the free engraving ropes people in hardcore. I think a lot of folks are just tired of the iTunes universe.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 4th 2008 3:51PM]

I know a girl who knew a guy who had a cousin who had a brother that said he had once seen a person carrying a Zune on the streets. I'm not certain the story has much credibility because that brother was known to tell some serious whoppers just to get attention. He said the guy carrying the Zune was overweight and acting a little strange with odd-looking tattoos. Hard to believe, if you ask me. Then again you never know.....:
http://www.pmptoday.com/2007/09/18/guy-has-three-zune-tattoos/

[jonnylightning @ Jun 4th 2008 1:45PM]

Joy Division rocks.

[r3loaded @ Jun 4th 2008 2:01PM]

So now we can dance to Joy Division on our Zune?

[Flashpoint @ Jun 4th 2008 1:47PM]

I am absolutely not a Mac Fanboy...

but the truth of the matter is Microsoft has left loyal buyers with absolutely NO REASON TO BUY A ZUNE because they have made several critical missteps introducing it to the market.

Its lack of a web browser
Its lack of Wifi song downloading from Windows Media Player or REAL
Its lack of A2DP
Its lack of OBEX
and its thick, unimpressive size ...

have me wondering exactly why anyone at all would go for a ZUNE over an iPOD touch.



I would have NEVER Bought an iPod years ago, but apple captured me with their iPhone even when I rallied for Microsoft to release a powerful product in the ZUNE.

http://www.epinions.com/content_279002975876

Song sharing is A STUPID GIMMICK compared to what the iPod Touch offers.

[doubter @ Jun 4th 2008 2:00PM]

Mr. Flashpoint, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Billy Gun @ Jun 4th 2008 1:59PM]

I didn't new that iPOD touch had 80gb... But I'm waiting for an 320gb Zune anyway... I own a 60gb Ipod Photo.. but for no reason I'll buy a iPOD touch.. for now, I'm waiting for new zune models.

[chrisjkowalski @ Jun 4th 2008 2:00PM]

Well, I use it for both movies and music. With the dock the Zune will output at 480P (DVD resolution), IPod can't do that. I simply plug mine into the hotel TV when I travel. Also, 80GB ($250) is a lot better than 16GB ($299) when your movies are 2GB each.

You're right, wireless sharing is useless. But I use wireless sync all the time. A browser would be nice, but I have never had an occasion when I would use one on my PMP.

But most importantly, NO ITUNES. That means I am not locked into Apples DRM and IPods for the rest of my life. Also, I do not want Apple to start downloading crappy, flawed, unsecure software to my computer (Safari).

[Timothy Sottek @ Jun 4th 2008 2:01PM]

Clearly you don't know what you're talking about.

1) The Zune model pictured is smaller than the iPod touch. It is .5mm thicker, but has a smaller length and width.

2) The Zune 8GB starts at $179.99, the iPod touch $299.99. CLEARLY not even in the same price point ballpark.

Must these facts be put out there EVERY TIME the Zune is mentioned?

I really don't care which one is better, I'm just tired of seeing this trash thrown around continuously. Do your own homework!

[Ace b @ Jun 4th 2008 2:03PM]

Ok...Your right.Your not a Mac fanboy.

Your just an idiot.

This is what the Zune should be correctly compared to :

The IPOD CLASSIC !!!!!!!!!!!

And in case you don't know what that is,it's that little white(or black) device that has this spiffy thing called a "Click Wheel" and it stores all of it's media on a "Hard Drive".

And in case your 2mb sized brain can't handle that information or just simply don't believe me,here's a link.

http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/

Knowledge is power,bitch.

[peshue @ Jun 4th 2008 2:19PM]

Because a 80 gb zune is $250 and a 8gb touch is $300.

[Jubei @ Jun 4th 2008 2:23PM]

Of course the Zune should be compared to the iPod Classic. The older generation, older technology models from Apple. It would be ridiculous to compare the Zune with the iPod Touch or iPhone. When it comes to cutting edge new technologies applied to the Zune. It's best to stick "drawings" on the back of the device. The more "drawings" MS applies the more cutting edge the Zune will be. Then compare it to the old and tired iPod Classic. It's good to know there are still a few fans who's into antiquity when it comes to electronic devices. The Zune fits perfectly in that category.

[Adam @ Jun 4th 2008 7:25PM]

Did anyone else see what this chrisjkowalski guy wrote. "Also, 80GB ($250) is a lot better than 16GB ($299) when your movies are 2GB each" I don't care how big your movies are. Its doubling your hard drive for $50. I wouldn't know anything about zunes since I don't know anyone who owns one but ipods last a long time, so you can basically plan two or three years into the future and figure that your library is going to grow.

The being able to transfer music from one to another would be cool if there was a snowballs chance in hell that you would ever come across another person with one.

Its really pitiful how unknown these things are... I was just having a dinner conversation about ipods and how its going to be a long time before they are replaced as the industry leading player... my brother chimed in and mentioned the zune and how much of a failure it is and everyone else in the room (including 3 people between the age 12 and 20) said "whats a zune". We cracked up laughing because it just proved our point. Some marketing campaign right? Its launch was and continues to be a complete failure.

[telepheedian @ Jun 4th 2008 3:03PM]

I am absolutely not a Microsoft Fanboy...

but the truth of the matter is Apple has left loyal buyers with absolutely NO REASON TO BUY AN IPOD CLASSIC because they have made several critical missteps introducing it to the market.

Its lack of wifi
Its lack of a large screen
Its lack of software that works on the windows platform
Its lack of a non-scratchable finish
Its lack of a slick, responsive interface

have me wondering exactly why anyone at all would go for an iPod Classic over an Zune 80.



I would have NEVER Bought an Zune years ago, but Microsoft captured me with their Zune 80 even when I rallied for Apple to release a powerful product in the iPod Classic.

[Clark @ Jun 4th 2008 3:05PM]

Never used a Zune, have you?

[patriotsn1 @ Jun 4th 2008 3:23PM]

@adam...
Hey there buddy... you might want to whip out that ole ti-82 but 16 is hardly 80x2... just incase you left it in your lunch box... doubling the hard drive of an 80 GB unit would make it 160 GB... not 16 GB... 16 is in fact a smaller number than 80...

[Raitei @ Jun 4th 2008 3:28PM]

Adam Says
[Did anyone else see what this chrisjkowalski guy wrote. "Also, 80GB ($250) is a lot better than 16GB ($299) when your movies are 2GB each" I don't care how big your movies are. Its doubling your hard drive for $50.]

Since when, in what demented form of mathematics, was 16GB double 80GB?

And everyone else is right. The Zune 80 is comparable to the IPod classic, in the same way the 8 is comparable to the Nano. Neither of which, the nano nor the classic have;

Its lack of a web browser
Its lack of Wifi song downloading from Windows Media Player or REAL
Its lack of A2DP

I have no clue what OBEX is though, so I'll refrain from commenting on that. And also, as you've seen mentioned, the zune is only thicker than the iPod, but thinner and shorter

[bjsguess @ Jun 4th 2008 3:45PM]

Everyone should stop piling on Adam. Mac users aren't expected to know how to do basic arithmetic. And they certainly are not expected to care about pricing. Understanding these two basic principles will help explain Adam's mixup.

For what it's worth I have a 30gb Zune. It runs the same v2 software as the Zune 80 and has the same capabilies (sans 480p TV out). I paid $100 for mine.

To save Adam the trouble that would be 1/3rd the cost of his prized Touch for almost twice the hard drive size.

Love my Zune. Will NEVER buy any iPod/Apple DRM music device.

[DG @ Jun 4th 2008 4:53PM]

@Ace b: You told him he has a "2mb size" brain.

That might be the nerdiest put-down I've ever heard.

[spock3 @ Jun 4th 2008 5:08PM]

Um, last I checked blue A2DP isn't found on the iPod and downloading music on iTunes directly to the touch is flawed (doesn't work for me, anyway).

I have the original 30 gig Zune and like the tactile buttons and the fact that an FM radio is included. I also have an 8 gig touch. There are qualities that I appreciate on both devices and they both have their fair share of shortcomings.

[Pavan @ Jun 4th 2008 7:59PM]

jubei....uh...the iPod classic came out around roughly the same time as the Zune 80...

[fanman @ Jun 5th 2008 5:28AM]

Hey Flashpoint! Just popped in to say hight from the web browser on my iPod classic!

[fanman @ Jun 5th 2008 5:28AM]

Hey Flashpoint! Just popped in to say hi from the web browser on my iPod classic!

[Ace b @ Jun 5th 2008 6:35PM]

@DG

Eh,It served it's purpose regardless.

[Mike @ Jun 4th 2008 1:47PM]

Microsoft and Joy Division together do not compute...

[Todd @ Jun 4th 2008 1:53PM]

Ian Curtis is rolling over in his grave.

Also, Anyone see the Joy Division movie, 'Control'?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/

[ZeroCorpse @ Jun 4th 2008 9:28PM]

If Ian saw this, he'd kill himself again.

[Skeezle @ Jun 4th 2008 1:54PM]

Appropriate lyrics when it comes to the Zune

"Someone take these dreams away,
That point me to another day,
A duel of personalities,
That stretch all true realities."

the dreams; that Zune will be an iPod killer, and one day will surpass it in sales.
the duel of personalities; Zunesters & Podpeople
The stretched reality, Zune sales thus far (see first verse).

OK, so I am reachin'

[Richard @ Jun 4th 2008 1:59PM]

You tried WAAYYY too hard.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 4th 2008 2:02PM]

Ok I am confused on something.
You have the Zune and the Zune2. Every time I read about Microsoft MP3 player, I read about the Zune and not the Zune 2. Is the Zune 2 out?
Is it just Zune 1 but thinner?

[jon @ Sep 20th 2008 1:01AM]

There is no official "Zune 2". However it is software version 2 (which is on all zunes, even 30). The Zune versions are : Zune 4, Zune 8, Zune 30 (last version), and zune 80.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 4th 2008 2:03PM]

Finally. This is just what I have been waiting for. Now I can finally sell my iPod and get a real, fully featured music player.

[Argot @ Jun 4th 2008 2:09PM]

Make me wonder why you bought an iPod from crapple in the first place?

[Homeboy @ Jun 4th 2008 2:07PM]

How about the Zune team stop special edition-whoring and devote their energy to giving my Zune 80 some added features like a note reader, clock, RSS reader and Divx support. That is bound to make me happy while increasing sales as well.

[kitron @ Jun 4th 2008 2:42PM]

with xna 3.0 available there are a couple of apps that are poping out like games, clock , etc