Zune 16GB and 120GB boxed in the wild?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Aug 30th 2008 1:54AM
posted Aug 30th 2008 1:54AM
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Ugh. News? Yes. Important? No.
Ugh. Comment? Yes. Important? No.
Here's a great comment for me to get a nice low rank - not that I care.
MICROSOFT HAS NO IDEA HOW TO MAKE A GOOD DAP.
Apple has beaten them so badly, its incredible.
I wrote a review praising the ZUNE a long time ago. I criticised the lack of a good wifi component for it.
http://www.epinions.com/content_279002975876
Apple comes right back around and releases the IPod touch and the Iphone. BAMMM Microsoft...your DEAD.
How is it that the largest, most powerful company in computing could go so wrong in so many ways? How could they let Apple get this far, this fast when they clearly have market manipulation on their side?
I am getting so sick and tired of Microsoft's stupidity that I can see them declining in the future just like America's has declined over time in the face of renewed threats from Russia, China and the world stage. POOR LEADERSHIP = POOR STRATEGY = FAIL
You'd be shitting your pants if there was a in the wild shot of a 240GB (or whatever) ipod classic.
Come on Microsoft! I don't want crippled wi-fi! Let me do more! Not just share songs! That was a waste!
You can tell there's a lull in regular news when the Zune starts making appearances. But don't worry, new iPods are coming on Sept 9th.
@ Flashpoint
Poor Commentary = Poor Intelligence = EPIC Fail !
@heshmati4 - and those who high-ranked the comment:
see, i want to rage at people like you, so i will.
ZUNE'S WI-FI DOES NOT JUST SHARE SONGS!!! FOOL!
you can sync wirelessly with your PC and play multiplayer games. HOW THE HELL IS THAT CRIPPLED WI-FI???
ok. finished.
@heshmati4 - and those who high-ranked the comment:
see, i want to rage at people like you, so i will.
ZUNE'S WI-FI DOES NOT JUST SHARE SONGS!!! FOOL!
you can sync wirelessly with your PC and play multiplayer games. HOW THE HELL IS THAT CRIPPLED WI-FI???
ok. finished.
the engadget commenting system makes me want to kill myself.
the engadget commenting system makes me want to kill small children. this may be a double post too.
is it so hard to add a delete button?
nicko.dvz
Sorry it doesn't share songs, it's worst! You can only listen to them three times.
True, the Zune allows to you sync via wi-fi. (I will give you that one)
Other than those too, wi-fi is completely useless. No internet and no wi-fi music store (like the Touch and Sanza Connect)
Anyone see the jpeg distortion around the 16GB/16GO black/Noir text?
Pity, i liked this news.
its been said time and time why there is only a 3 play rule...it would be against the law to do it any other way without permission, which is pretty hard to get it seems like.
and doesnt "crippled", in this case, usually mean that something is actually capable of features but someone disabled said features. to my knowledge the zune has never had internet capability...so how could it be crippled? correct me if im wrong.
It always pisses me off when people go "OH ZOMG THIS NON APPLE HAS NO TOUCH SCREEN/WIFI!" as though it is in anyway connected whatsoever. This is a rival to the iPod nano, and as such should not be expected to have touch screen and wifi as standard. The fact that it has any wifi at all is a bonus point.
What are you going to criticize it for next, not having as much memory as the classic? Not having the form factor of the shuffle? Not having as quick a 0 to 60 time as your car?
@Flashpoint
Say wha? Not only do you bring up a review for an old device (it would be like me comparing the Creative Zen Touch with the iPod Classic), but you assume that the Zune is designed as a competitor to the iPod Touch and iPhone, which is obviously not the case as evidenced by the huge price differences between them. The Zune is a competitor to the iPod Classic, and beats it quite handily in every area except battery life and menu clarity.
Both the Zune and iPod are terrible on the software front, and for that I have always preferred Creative. It's just a shame they've been lagging so far behind with hardware lately.
there are so many better daps than this player
@stupidiot
I'm not defending Flashpoint for his rant but I think you miss a point or at least one way his comment could be taken. What he seems to be talking about is Zune as a brand as opposed to iPod as a brand. If it's true that Zune is targeting the iPod classic and not the rest of the line then I think Microsoft may be making a few mistakes. I like what I've seen of the Zunes other than the original brown which I hated. I have yet to try one though.
If you stop viewing Flashpoint's comment as a rant and look at some of the points he is making I think you might see that he has some good constructive criticisms in there. I committed to iPod years ago but I want to see Zune as serious competition for iPod because only serious competition forces companies to do their best.
120GB of Flash?
WOW. it just dawned on me...
Flashpoint = Zune tattoo guy!! I KNEW IT!
Wait, they made the Zune 16's front plate glossy now ?
The leaks for the 120 earlier this month showed a glossy Zune.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/18/120gb-zune-slips-past-the-fcc/
I hope it's not true. All it looks like is a storage upgrade.... One year for this??? Sigh....
There's always next year....
I only wish that it was 160 GB instead of 120 GB. Also that glossy finish is not all that bad, until your eyes bleed from the bright lights reflected of both the screen and body.
Microsoft... Microsoft, what's wrong man? you were heading to the right way, what's going on now?
Yes, 120GB seems a very odd choice in drive capacity given that its primary competitor has had a 160GB version available for a year. Why Microsoft voluntarily ceded a competitive advantage to Apple is quite beyond me.
I don't know if this is true but it could have everything to do with cost of a larger drive and a desired price point. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to projecting sales.
The 120gb hard drive might have something to do with contracts and their suppliers. I was looking for replacement 1.8" drives and you'd be surprised how little is out there (especially in mini-SATA). Hard drive speed, interface, etc. could have also been a consideration when they picked the drive.
I'm with you on the glossy part. Not good... The matte finish on my 80gb Zune is still perfect and I've dropped it a lot. It's also a perfect match to my Thinkpad.
It's easier than that. 160GB disks with the form factor of the 80GB disk of the Zune doesn't exist, the 120GB is the larger drive that fits in the case of the zune... The 160GB iPod is larger for that reason.
what's a "zune"?
Some MP3 player from North America apparaently.
A Zune is a media player that has more features than a "Classic", has a better UI, has easier to use software that does not try to backdoor install trojans such as Bonjour, Mobile Me or Safari, does not catch on fire, has better sounding audio, has a bigger screen, does not require you to be an attention whore to own one, does not have a restrictive EULA keeping you from developing programs for it, allows developing programs for it for free, does not require a ass-backward programming language to create programs for it, does not need to have the device manufacturer approve your program to distribute it, the device manufacturer will not arbitrarily pull your program because they don't like it, has better sounding headphones, does not require non-standard headphones, supports more audio formats, supports more video formats, does not arbitrarily block competing formats (even if the hardware supports it), offers automatic syncing with recorded TV shows and movies, offers music sharing, offers wireless syncing, has FM radio, does not have a cumbersome "click wheel", doesn't break the day after the warranty expires, does not have that fat ugly guy as the #1 fan, offers firmware updates for earlier versions of hardware to give it new features.
And those are just a few things I can think of in just a couple minutes, and there are many more...
Get a life nohone
It's a fair question. Why, in 2-years, is this device not available outside the US? Does Microsoft really not want our money that much? I mean, it's not like there aren't competing devices available throughout the world that we could buy instead. It's rather immaterial at present discussing whether the Zune is better or worse than Product X since you can't buy one anyway.
nohone, that is false. You obviously forgot about Zune Guy.
Kelmon, it's available in Canada.
Konrad, Zune guy isn't Zune guy anymore. He's gotten the tattoos removed (I believe) and has ended his obsession.
I can't wait for Zune Guy's reaction to these photos!
Oh wait.
OK they have the hardware. How about a good update. Starting off with going to an actual rating system instead of that Heart thing which is a complete joke.
people actually use rating systems?
It helps me sort through my 9,000 tracks. I have a few hundred 5's. A few thousand 4's. Another few thousand 3's. My FG's stuff is 2's. And 1's are relegated for tracks I find corrupted for some reason or another. Mark it as a 1, to into iTunes go to my 1's list find the track. Restore from my DLT backup and hopefully the track is fine.
Meanwhile Zune has what? 2 options? Go to any site on the net that does ratings. TV.com, IMDB.com, hulu.com, etc and show me where they have a rating system with 2 options. Life isn't black and white.
Nice, i hope that makes the 8 gb or at least places the 16gb at a decent price range now. GF's birthday is coming up and a nice 16gb zune would be jawsome
I wonder if this will prompt Apple to release a 16GB nano...
wow thats a good idea, now apple can copy microsoft...
Let's be honest, capacity increases aren't the most original of ideas.
Everyone does storage upgrades.
I'm disappointed that the Zune is only getting a increase storage and it looks it has a glossy front now! YIKES!
Maybe something will surprise me on Sept. 9th...
To be honest people can bitch and moan about how it hasn't been redesigned or whatever, but I'm just happy that theres so much memory compared to other devices on the market.
Hmm no mr blurry cam to take the pic.....
You forgot this is more than likely a fan of the zune, most zune fans know how to buy good hardware, including camera hardware.
BFD.
ya know, if this was some shitty random DAP no one would flame it. forget apple or microsoft, what would the reaction be if this was a 16 and 120gb sony walkman, or sandisk, or creative? it would get a posted on engadget, and no one would talk about how it was crap and how sony/sandisk/creative were the worst thing since original sin was invented. so the way i see it, people don't flame the zune because it's as shitty and worthless as they claim in said flames (i have one. it's not bad. it's not awesome, but not bad), but because it's made by microsoft. which in my book makes you as stupid as people who love shit just cos it's microsoft or apple.
sorry, just a bit cranky.
Why gloss, why!?
matte is so much cooler & less fingerprinty
Or Aluminum (like the ipods)! It's scratch resistance and environmentally friendly! :)
WHY GLOSS MICROSOFT! Gloss is so 90's!
@Hesh
What iPod do you have that's scratch resistant?
@Hesh
Jesus, the back of an iPod is the easiest to scratch surface in the world. You can put it on a velvet pillow for 10secs, and when you pick it up, it'll be scratched.
I can't believe you used that argument lol.
The 2nd gen Nano. It's aluminum on both the front and back... Remember???
Hesh, have you ever owned an iPod? They are VERY vulnerable to scratches- even the aluminum.
TIP: For those wanting engravings on your iPod, but don't want to spend the dough, put your iPod in your pocket without it's little pouch. No need for any change, keys, or anything- the fabric is more than enough to give you permanent, custom designs on the back and face of your iPod. :D
Hesh, you're right, why didn't Microsoft take Apple's cue when it comes to design. After all, gloss is SO nineties. You'd never catch Apple putting gloss on THEIR produc- wait...
Who actually uses all 120/160gb? I can't see anyone having 100k songs, or anyone who wants to watch a movie on it, considering the battery life will last long enough for what, 2 movies tops?
well if u want full quality videos, with u all the time, in order for displaying onto a tv with an xbox or video-out cable, 120GB is great.
My 80GB Zune is practically full (mostly because of TV shows I've added on there), so a 120GB wouldn't be at all "too much" for me. As it stands right now, I need to delete episodes of Boston Legal before I can add more.
I'm so tired of glossy. =\
Every single electronic that I've had that is a matte color had this essence of survivability (save my 360). They still look relatively new a few years later. I love gloss on laptop screens but something that is almost always in my pocket shouldn't be so.. prone to scratching.
Yes, I'm lazy. And I buy my electronics with that fact in my mind.
I don't even care any more. Zunes are so different from what I fell in love with. I still love my Zune 30, and I'll do my damnedest to keep it alive as long as possible, but the updates to both software and hardware have all been one big disappointment.
When Zune got the software update I was as happy as every other Zune owner and I updated... then I actually used the Software. Slow and "simple" (IE dumbed-down); exactlly what I hate. I like the new firmware, but the software is just crap. The hardware? Got rid of the double-shot that I love, added the stupid touch controls, and changed the casing itself. After the hype dyed down, I wasn't impressed with the new Zunes.
I'm going to keep my Zune 30, and hope it lasts for a few more years, though I have no reason to think it won't. I'll probably upgrade the hard drive and battery some time soon and I'll be perfectly happy.
I want one.
Dude, you can get one now. It's practically the same thing as the latest Zunes
@ hesh
Yes, it's exactly the same as the latest Zunes, because 8GB = 16GB and 80GB = 120GB.
I said practically.... (Only a storage upgrade)
You would have figured that out if you read my other complaining post above :) :)
What is the point of this update? This device and it's supporting services has nothing compelling for users nor does it have anything innovative about it. It's a device born out of arrogance. A device designed to stab MS own partners. A device so ugly and uncool, carrying one in public will mark you as the village idiot for actually buying one under your own free will.
The only thing born out of arrogance around here is your comment.
..."village idiot"? We live in the 21st century my friend... tis not the time for villages and pillagers and all those old timey words.
(A 16 gig model makes me really wanna get one, lack of storage on the flash Zunes was the only thing stopping me!)
The reason Jubei is sad is because he knows that MS can release this hardware now and then release software updates for it at a later time unlike his iPod/Apple
Guys, just ignore him. He trolls any article that has to do with Microsoft and posts stupid, ignorant bullshit all the time, and on the same note, goes and praises Apple any chance he gets. Just low rank any comment from him and move on. It's not worth the time arguing with him, as I have learned.
As expected. The news generated by the new (questionable word) Zune has generated little or no interest anywhere on the planet period.
It's quite safe to say that the Zune, born out of arrogance as a "me too" device, has failed to dominate the industry as MS and their underlings have hoped for.
The official Zune mascot who recently vacated that spot saw the future and moved on to a superior platform. But no worries, there are plenty of candidates here to fill his spot.
oh my god i hate the engadget comment system.
I will never understand what it is that so many people have against the Zune and especially it's software, I am on a Mac right now, it's brand new and still has that new toy allure to it that makes me bias towards a lot of what it does.
BUT... iTunes is not great software, the iTunes store has one of the worst interfaces I can possibly imagine, it feels cluttered when I browse and the ways for getting information for podcasts (or finding their categories) seems to be quite poor indeed when compared to the Zune. I can see that many people will have gotten used to the iTunes look and feel but having used both I can still honestly say the Zune software seems better thought out to me (although iTunes is finally zippy when used on OSX).
The Zune 120 isn't a big deal, I may get one and start running parallels but MS has something "FRESH and new" in the pipe from what I've been told.
I don't think it works in parallel. But if you do decide to get one, well it's great. I'm not going to make any comparisons to other devices, but it's just a really nice player. Nice looks, nice UI, and pretty snappy.
I can't say I agree with your view of the iTunes Store. Regardless, one of the great advantages that the iTunes Store has over the Zune Store is that everything is priced in real money rather than the silly Monopoly money that Microsoft seems to think is a good idea. I mean, every other shop (physical or virtual) lets you pay with your local currency but apparently Microsoft doesn't. Why?
Interestingly enough, Zunes (according to this photo, if true) *may* be keeping their same form factor. You know what that means? You Zune users won't have to purchase all new accessories to go with your all-new DAP... should you choose to buy a new one, that is.
On the other hand, folks who upgrade iPods every year (I do know a few of those folks), are forced to re-purchase 1/3 of their accessories because the form factor changes so much. One year the Nanos are skinny; the next they're fat; then they're skinny again. Sigh... I'll stick with mine until it dies.
@Hesh, or Hesmati4, or whatever the hell your name is now:
So somebody has to repeat the same tired old "joke" about the Zunes, and you yourself (someone who has professed his love for Macs in a different post) make 8 comments in a post about a Zune, I and I am the one that needs to get a life?
Will I buy one? Maybe. This might replace the 80 GB Zune at the $250 price point, and the 80 GB might go down. It'd be nice to pick up a Zune80, or I might just replace the HD in my Zune30.
But, being the good Apple user, I'll wait to see what comes out Sept. 9th.
I still love my Zune30.
The good thing about the Zunes is that if these ship with the Zune 3.0 software, all the past Zune will most likely get the new software upgrade as well.
I love my Zune 4GB.
Zune blows away Ipods in every aspect.
Bigger glass screen that never scratches.
FM Radio
Better software
Better audio quality
Wireless sync
Wireless sync with XBOX coming next year and rumor has it Zune will sync with Windows Home Server in a future release.
Why the hell do you want an FM radio in your DAP? I bought a DAP because my local radio stations suck, So why the hell do i care if it has an FM radio? I have like 20 other things with an FM radio if i really need to hear something on it...
The glass on my iPhone is not scratched at all, and I admit i've dropped it a few times..
Better software...I cant counter that..I've not actually -used- a Zune, but I dislike the interface of Windows Media Player, and I'm going to take a stab that Microsoft probubly based it off of it..
Havnt heard the audio quality, cant comment
Wireless Sync...eh...I think it might be useful..oh wait, it does it over Wi-Fi? I dont have Wi-Fi, So again, I dont give a toss [Why the hell cant they use Bluetooth, Thats what Bluetooth is for, not Wi-Fi] Even still, When i plug whatever it is in to sync, I usually am also in need of charging whatever it is, which you cannot do over Wi-Fi, so again, moot point
Wireless Sync with the Xbox 360, do you mean using the Xbox 360's Controller's Wireless protocol or over Wi-Fi?
Kenji, you're so clueless, it's not even funny.
kenji, do us a favor and don't "take a stab" at anything when you have no idea what you're talking about, especially after admitting said ignorance.
They can't kill you or do anything else.
I'd buy one but i have an iphone, Which I actually love except for the fact the new software slowing it down quite a lot [Or perhaps thats the fact that its full, Which in all truth, I dont complain about really, I knew itd be full when i bought it]
Except for the colors the original Zunes came in I actually thought they looked like a decent DAP
However, I have an investment in music from the ITMS and a good chunk of tracks that are AAC[Which I forget wheather or not the Zune will play, which I (1. do not feel like converting over to mp3 [Because thats a bitch] and (2. See no reason to convert over to mp3 because I like iTunes and I do not like WMP [I just dislike the interface] and I've never heard a WMA file that sounded as nice as my AACs or MP3s
Now then, I will also point out my copy of iTunes on my pc is broken to the point that fully uninstalling it [Including rummaging through my registry and removing everything apple] and then reinstalling it did not work, or rather it works to 85% capacity, taking away my ability to burn discs and also sync my iPhone... So I'd say Apple just royally sucks at making programs for the PC given I'm not the only one out there with a completely bricked iTunes after updating it [I've owned and used both a Mac and a PC, and used OS X 10.5 very heavily, never experiencing an issue such as that]
Now then for my piece of Zune criticism, is Microsoft stuck in the 80s here? That Zune 120 case reminds me of a 80s-vintage VHS cassette
You do realize that WMP and the Zune Media player are really different, right?
Kenji, it would be quicker to simply write "I don't know anything about this, and I don't like it".
Sweet, I can't wait!
the one on the right is a VHS tape box.
Apple will blow this out of the water with the next generation iPods.
Just wish they could get there fucking software to work on their OWN fucking 64-bit OS
Look their just playing this out. Zune touch is on its way running windows mobile 7 with a camera!! and Skymart zune online market place!
Well, that's great and all guys. but lets get to the real issue.
*patronising English accent*
"When the bloody 'ell is is comin' 'ere?"
Well now that the apple event is over where are the smartass fanboys? C,mon guys lets here all about how great the new ipod stuff is, wow you can have a nano in 9 colors of course you have to buy new cases and what not but you don't mind being ripped off do you? The Zune update goes to every Zune with all functionality and to the unbiased is filled with real features not just a color and new playlist.