Zune updates, more than just capacity?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted September 2nd 2008 8:03AM
posted September 2nd 2008 8:03AM
"I can't say much, but I've seen what Microsoft's planning, and befitting its status as a software plus services company, the real advances aren't going to be in the Zune hardware, but in the Zune software and associated services."Sooner, rather than later though Microsoft, your target isn't standing still.
Shoot, I can DEFINATELY take that Zune off you hands mate!
My main annoyance with the Zune is that it isn't recognised by WMP or by explorer, something which I really miss from my Zen.
My other complaints include poor battery life and difficult navigation under direct sunlight.
There's a registry hack that will let explorer see the Zune, and you can open it up in My Computer.
If you're talking about the zAlternator app, I already tried it to no avail.
Yea, Zalternater -- I used that when I had a Zune 80 for about a week. It's a great device, but it pissed me off that you could not use it as a external hard drive like the other iPods. The only way information could be stored on the device with the registery hack was when things (songs/videos) were already syncing to the Zune. If not, it would be impossible to transfer any kind of file to the Zune's HDD. Talk about a pain in the rear. Version 2.0 is much better than ver. 1, but there's still a few kinks in the system. Beautiful interface though, much much better than the iPod classic.
2 things I'd love to see on the Zune software. One is landscape mode and controls when listening to music. I keep the player on my arm at the gym.
Second would be at least a clock as a screensaver.
Screensaver would really run the battery down... Better to just make it a clock in the corner.
I'm not sure why people are down on Zunes cause of lacks of updates.
Apple refreshes their lines once a year. Microsoft released updates twice a year so essentially updates the Zune twice as much as Apple does and the Zune sucks?
As well, MS keeps this quiet cause they believe they have a cool feature that the iPods don't have and they want the leg up on Apple on the market for this feature. It's competitive secrecy and Apple does this better than anyone else.
If MS is working on something that everyone else has(aka Audible support), they tell everyone straight away.
And hey, at least my 4GB Zune will get the new Zune 3.0 update and it won't cost me any more money to upgrade(hello iPod Touch V2.0 software) or I won't have to buy a new unit until this one actually fails.
I think the Zunes are perfectly fine players, realistically not too much separates the entire crop by now (Sansa, Creative, Samsung, Apple, etc.)
But Microsoft (Allard in particular) has a habit of overpromising with the Zune in order to generate hype and publicity, thus the disappointment and negative reaction when little in the way of new features is added. Take the wifi for example. No other player has wifi, so no big deal IMO if you never 'squirt'. But they seemed to promise the moon, new functionality, 'Welcome to the Social', etc., but the wifi hardware has basically died on the vine. Again, no big deal since I don't think you buy the Zune for wifi, you buy it for the overall feature set.
I think they've toned down the hype though, and the current players are better IMO than the original Zune.
Cant wait for the 16GB version!
and major upgrade at that: All new Zunes will now come with 2, count
them 2 rolls of toilet paper! Imagine that! wow. There goes that
famous Microsoft innovation...
(shaking his head...)
I am diggin that font.
Yes the shoddy software is certainly in need of improvement. Fix the media center support for one. Its one of the things Zune has that ipod doesnt. They need to make it work better.
Cross connecting Live marketplace with the zune store would be great too. There a lot of movies and shows there - why not consolidate and offer to both customer bases?
The game playing function they announced long ago should be part of this update.
Well you can already play games on all Zunes... so yeah.
Because Microsoft is a SOFTWARE company.
The funny thing about the Zune game is, you have to write your own games - or get a source code from other.
On the other hand, you'll have an App Store for your iPod - for easily purchasing or get free apps.
And Zune let you update your firmware for new functionality for free, but if you have an iPod touch, you'll be paying 9.99$ for "January Update" and another 9.99$ for the 2.0 update
But the iPod come with a glamorous iTunes with wonderful iTunes Store, unless you have a Zune,
you'll have to learn the newly design sophisticated Zune Software, and learn how to get a Microsoft Points in the Marketplace - or get a Zune pass and download whatever you like as long as your pass don't expire.
These were suppose to play music, but who cares now?
People choose Features over Sound Quality.
"The funny thing about the Zune game is, you have to write your own games - or get a source code from other.
On the other hand, you'll have an App Store for your iPod - for easily purchasing or get free apps."
No you dont. You have to do that now because its in beta. Its the only way to load a game, via the source code and VC#. When its officially released around christmas time, there will be a marketplace for pre-compiled games, some of which are free and some are paid for (depending on what the developer wants from it).
Disclaimer: I'm a Mac guy and own an iPhone.
I have to say, I was really impressed with the first software upgrade. Especially since it was offered across the entire (or at least, previous generation) product line. My friend has a first generation Zune (couldn't tell you the capacity, sorry) and I remember playing with it when he bought it. The interface seemed kludgy to me, akin to every other PMP trying to imitate the iPod at the time.
The software upgrade was a huge step forward. The interface made sense and, to boot, had some style to it. The standard iPods (read: iPod classic, nano) even with their Cover Flow upgrades aren't as nice to use as a newer Zune. I'll be just excited for the new Zune upgrade as the next guy, because that division of Microsoft is pushing on Apple quite hard.
Very nice, and civilized Apple fanboy comment. And note, I do not say fanboy as to be derogitory in this particular comment. All fanboys(including myself) should take notes, and realize that this is the way that it should be done.
I agree. Zune needs to be serious competition for iTunes/iPod otherwise Apple will allow that business model to stagnate. Competition breeds excellence. Bring it.
What a beautiful comment; you make Mac owners proud.
This comment is on the "nice" extreme of the spectrum while clak's comments are on the other side.
Another cryptic leaked message to entice the last few Zune users for what would be just another copy of what Apple is doing. There really is nothing to glean from that message. Other than a desperate ploy to keep the last dozen users in the US. Oh I apologize. I need to include Canada. That would make it 16 users.
These bashes get so old and annoying. You can be loyal to your iLife and respect the competition all at once. Go to time-out now.
at least my zune won't blow up and start a fire.
Jubei, your comments continue to become even more and more hostile toward Microsoft and the Zune... It would almost seem as though you're getting jealous! Don't worry, I would be jealous, too.
*Zune 80 owner FROM THE UK*
I hope these developments are moving towards opening up the Zune internationally online. I picked mine up when I was in the USA and have been extreamly happy with it except all the hate Microsoft puts on us international users and the lack of a proper ecosystem. Seriously... In-line remote..... I am sure anyone who commutes like I do would wax lyrical about how useful a remote is. Makes me miss my Sony MD!
Divx/Xvid support, FLAC support, clock, ability to make more focused playlists on the go would be great too. Oh and being able to hook it up to the Wii but that wont happen till Hell freezes over I guess...
@dennis: What method did you use to determine the sound quality of the above mentioned DAPs?
I've met a lot of people who claim to be audio elitists just because they bought some expensive headphones that very clearly sound better than an iPod earbud. Not saying this is the case with you, but an unquantifiable "This DAP sounds better than that one" with only "I'm an audio elitist" to back up your claim doesn't lend itself to credibility.
As an audio engineer, I've personally measured the audio performance of both the Zune and the iPod Nano. Both devices have a basically flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Both can drive a load up to 32 ohms with no effect on frequency response (the Zune cannot drive any lower-impedance load; otherwise, bass rolls off). However, the iPod does have higher levels of harmonic distortion. I played a swept sine wave tone from 20 Hz to 20 kHz while observing a spectrum analyzer. From about 1k and higher, the iPod had louder harmonic tones than the Zune did. Further, with the iPod at full volume, it is possible to overdrive the DAC which increases distortion dramatically. Any content that is mastered to 0 dBFS (decibels realtive to digital full-scale), and any music published on CD in the last 15 years is, will be severely distorted at the highest two clicks of the volume on iPod. The Zune does not allow the DAC to be overdriven, and so regardless of content, the device's harmonic distortion will not increase.
Good insightful comments, man!
P.S., you didn't post it as a reply, though. ;)
4 features Zune has that I wish iPods would adopt/borrow/steal:
1. Song sharing - Even if it is only for 3 times like Zune, it's still a freaking good feature. After listening to something for 3 times, one would guess that you know whether you want to buy it or not. This would lead to...
2. All iPods having wifi - There's a lot more that you can do with it other than what Zune is doing, but if the majority of your product line doesn't have it, then you've still got a lot of catching up to do in terms of features.
3. Reverse sync - Yes, you can take songs OFF of a Zune without having to use 3rd party software. Your hard drive dies or your laptop's stolen? No need to worry about your music as long as you have it all on your Zune.
4. PVR integration. Once Mac OS X gives us a PVR (a la Windows Media Center and other good 3rd party software), then the ability to transfer movies you record to your computer to your iPod would be amazing. I'm wondering how many Zune-users do this instead of buying shows from Zune Marketplace. And I wonder if that' why Apple hasn't put such an effort forth yet: They don't want to cannibalize their TV show sales? Regardless, the feature is cool!