Microsoft job posting hints at cross-platform Zune environment?

We've heard Microsoft make vague references for some time about a Zune-like experience involving non-Zune devices (Windows Mobile phones, Xboxen), and it looks like they may be making real moves in that direction. A recent job posting from Redmond for a "Software Development Engineer in Test" calls on someone who "dream[s] about having a mobile phone based entertainment experience powered by a unified entertainment service across devices such as Zune, Xbox and PC." Someone, the ad reads, who will, "create a 'Connected Entertainment' experience, realized through the Zune service, that spans multiple devices such as Zune, Xbox, PC and Mobile phones." Sure, it's not exactly a bold-faced advertisement for a cross-platform Zune environment -- but it's pretty damn close.

[Thanks, Ryan]

[Beau @ Sep 6th 2008 6:05AM]

So where's OSX support eh Microsoft?!

[Major4Play @ Sep 6th 2008 7:02AM]

Yes you evil monopoly having swines invest your profits in a system with 4% market share dammit !
Or just run boot camp.

[Xtopher Robin @ Sep 6th 2008 11:53AM]

I'm right there with you. I run VMWare Fusion almost exclusively for my Zune 80. And before people jump all over me, I've had iPods (a Mini and a touch); I simply prefer the interface of the Zune over the iPod. :P

[PynkFloydd @ Sep 6th 2008 12:12PM]

It used to be officially printed on Microsoft's Zune site. If you have a Mac, you dual boot. The only reason that Apple supported Windows is because Windows has the majority. They weren't doing anyone a favor.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Sep 6th 2008 1:00PM]

What's with the Yahoo! answers avatar.

[phanbouy @ Sep 7th 2008 12:36AM]

i run dual boot, but don't want to have two different media libraries to sync with the same MP3 and AACs

[Kit @ Sep 6th 2008 6:11AM]

it pretty make sense, what Apple did was linking different devices to itunes for 1 stop shoping.

Really make sense for them to do that...

Talk of Zune Pass.... hahaha, I really want it on different platform. Imagine that 1 subscription can take you from xbox, pc, zune, wm and different devices. Life would be good.

[Endejas @ Sep 6th 2008 6:19AM]

Thinking about that made me happy.

Then it made me sad that it'll never happen.

[Bryan @ Sep 6th 2008 6:13AM]

Sounds like they're aiming for an iphone-like experience on their upcoming mobile phone platform... I was wondering when we'd see some fruits from that Danger acquisition...

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 6th 2008 6:17AM]

I have to admit that my Zune experience has been one of the smoothest experiences in tech world from Microsoft ever. Their product is great, the software is innovative as well as clean; at some point it all felt like a dream come true from Microsoft. Kudos must be given to the Zune team for such great job! I believe they are the best team in Microsoft since the Windows 98 developer team.

Respect Microsoft Zune team. :)

Why can't all Windows run as smooth as the Zune software?! 60 fps, useful and responsive all the time!

[Major4Play @ Sep 6th 2008 7:04AM]

Quite tempted myself since all my music is on my Vista Media Center, wifi syncing sounds the business !

But did you really think windows 98 was a good system ? I thought is crashed ALOT froze ALOT and generally sucked.

[Christian Walters @ Sep 6th 2008 9:28AM]

Windows 98 was a powerhouse OS..hell, ive still got some PCs around here that run it! Put Second Edition on it and its almost as stable as 2000 or XP(and a helluva lot more than VEESTA!).

[mrpoo @ Sep 6th 2008 9:52AM]

Agreed, the Zune software is a fantastic example of usability. I also find myself surprised that it came from Microsoft.

[Irwin @ Sep 6th 2008 10:24AM]

Seriously?

I love everything about the Zune except the software..it's really pretty and all, but that's about it
I don't see a need to make another piece of media software when they could have just added a plug-in or something to Windows Media Player, or even make it compatible like all the other PMPs that work with it. There might be the issues of technologies of how these players get their music on the devices or whatever, but come on. Why would poeple want to have Zune software AND Windows Media Player.
Why should I have to manage 2 libraries. It would have been cool if they at least used the same library..

Oh yea..I miss the search feature from Windows Media Player..wish the Zune software had something similar..

[aaron @ Sep 6th 2008 11:42AM]

The zune software couldnt do a number of things it can do if it was shoehorned into windows media player..... things like syncing play points on podcasts (and i was quite surprised it transfers both ways from player to software and software to player), the whole social stuff, the marketplace, etc. I for one find the zune software very very good and by far the best media management software Ive used.

Actually if anything I would hope windows media player just goes away and they put zune as the defacto media player in windows.... its the one getting serious improvement regularly where wmp is making the same mistake media center does and forcing its updates to only happed with major windows releases.

[iofthestorm @ Sep 6th 2008 2:25PM]

Windows 98, even 98SE, was still pretty buggy, compared to the NT line (2k/XP/Vista). Still had plenty of crashes and BSODs, although not nearly as much as 95. Just the idea of having Windows on top of DOS should not have lasted for as long as it did.

[mrpoo @ Sep 6th 2008 8:53PM]

I vote for replacing Windows Media Player with Zune, too. WMP is bloated and confusing. Tell me again, which Media Player tab do I have to be in now to edit metadata? It's effortless in Zune. I don't know what search capability WMP has that Zune software does not, but if there is something, it's clearly not a feature I miss. Podcast support, the aforementioned tag editing, adding album art editing, sync lists (does WMP even do that? does iTunes?), etc., are all superior. More important for the Zune brand, somebody's grandma could navigate the Zune software, I don't see that happening with Windows Media Player. I always preferred drag and drop external drive capability on a player rather than use any media management software (iTunes, Rhapsody, whatever), now Zune is the first piece of software I prefer over drag and drop. It's easy, clean and intuitive.

[loosely_coupled @ Sep 6th 2008 9:54PM]

interesting.. I've heard the Zune software is a total drag, actually.

[WixosTrix @ Sep 6th 2008 11:48PM]

if you have a low end processor (like a single-core) and running vista i noticed the zune software to be laggy. anything else is super smooth. and they could have just revamped the whole WMP and intergrated it with the zune software. OMG they call can call it Windows Live Player!!! lol and make it super easy to access our media over the internet! now im sad cuz i want that.

[bartoron @ Sep 6th 2008 6:24AM]

Where can I buy one of these "Xboxen"?

[eddy @ Sep 6th 2008 11:38AM]

I just figured the staff at Engadget might have been Brian Regan fans.

[Alastair @ Sep 6th 2008 7:26AM]

It sounds closer to Mesh...

[Evan @ Sep 6th 2008 7:51AM]

I hope they don't force developers to use XNA/.NET on the Zune - all that overhead will bog down Zune games.

[Steven @ Sep 6th 2008 9:25AM]

"cross-platform" to Microsoft is Windows 2000/XP/Vista. Just wanted to make sure we have no unrealistic expectations here.

[mrpoo @ Sep 6th 2008 9:53AM]

Yeah, we'll never see them port one of their flagship products like Office to anything that's not Windows-based.

[AndrewAmazed @ Sep 6th 2008 9:32AM]

Zunited.net !

[Rubbinz @ Sep 6th 2008 10:03AM]

When I read the headline I thought MS was going to give me a reason to actually try a Zune with some big upstage on Sept 9th with OS X support. Then I realized the people at MS aren't THAT smart or creative.

Oh well, at least Sandisk supports drag-n-drop in OS X. Not a full on iTunes competitor, but at least it works.

[bolomkxxviii @ Sep 6th 2008 10:27AM]

Remember "play for sure"? Go ahead and put this DRMed stuff on your phone.

[Brandon @ Sep 6th 2008 10:47AM]

Windows Mobile. Called it. If they were to put Zune software into Windows Mobile, say in place of Media Player, then suddenly everyone using a new WinMo phone with said software counts as a Zune user. Instant rise in Zune market share, ability to push the Zune pass to a greater audience as well as standalone devices for the "Full Zune Experience".

[brandon @ Sep 6th 2008 12:03PM]

I loved my Zune when I first bought it. Now I'm not much of a fan (I'm thinking about defecting to apple, despite hating them). The Zune software is the worst part. If they would just let me use whatever media player I want to sync then all would be well. If they would let me use it in mass storage mode, even better. The Zune background services have known issues with many games. I can't use 5 star ratings. I can't use my own metatags (It overwrites them BY DEFAULT and you have to turn that setting off). Granted, the software could be worse, but it could be much, much better.)

[Brandon @ Sep 7th 2008 11:25PM]

"Now I'm not much of a fan (I'm thinking about defecting to apple, despite hating them). The Zune software is the worst part."
I could just leave it at this and not even reply any further.. how do you figure Apple is any different in that sense? Apple is the king of the locked to software design.

As for the meta tags, I have never had a single problem with them, I mean, if you want to set them yourself. The reason you use the Zune data is so that it can track your musical tastes in the Social.

[Sam Zebian @ Sep 6th 2008 12:14PM]

Well hey Microsoft I am perfect for the job, as I have that dream too and I would love to work for the Zune team... Only problem is I'm still 16 and barely know any programming... I'lll give you a call after college!

[iofthestorm @ Sep 6th 2008 2:43PM]

Well damnit then, what are you sitting around posting on engadget for. If you want to do stuff like this go learn to program. I learned to program when I was 13 and it's been one of the most enjoyable activities I've ever learned.

[Backlin @ Sep 6th 2008 4:22PM]

You think the job will still be available in five years? ;)

[Reader @ Sep 6th 2008 4:51PM]

You're waiting for college to learn? Not the best approach...

[loosely_coupled @ Sep 6th 2008 9:55PM]

If you really want to become a developer, college is optional. It is true that a computer science degree will bring you up to speed, but you can do it a lot faster on your own..

[denton_eric @ Sep 6th 2008 12:19PM]

I really hope MS is able to force hardware vendors and Cell providers from throwing all the "Value added" crapware on a cross platform Zune device. I can; help but marvel how Apple is able to leverage AT&T not to but all their garbage on iPhone. But Microsoft gets pushed around by AT&T and you get tons of craplets on every WinMo phone.

[Quikboy @ Sep 6th 2008 8:03PM]

Exactly. That's why WinMo isn't a popular OS for general consumers - Microsoft lets the hardware guys and carriers trash it up with whatever they want. Sometimes it's helpful, but many times it's not.

MS needs to raise the bar, and get more stricter with what goes on every WinMo phone. Like specific hardware features (Bluetooth, WiFi, accelerometors, GPS, 3G, etc.) has to happen for ALL WinMo phones. The more standardized WinMo is, the more easier it is for developers to make applications that work for all phones. Carriers shouldn't be allowed to put worthless crap, and just simply go behind the scenes and do their job and just transmit the data.

And of course, WinMo needs to be redesigned with consumers in mind, instead of just business and "the basics". Having a Zune-like experience would be wonderful, but there has to be more built-in storage than what's currently available on phones out there.

[loosely_coupled @ Sep 6th 2008 10:04PM]

"Exactly. That's why WinMo isn't a popular OS for general consumers - Microsoft lets the hardware guys and carriers trash it up with whatever they want. "

What? You have to be kidding... Windows Mobile isn't popular because it's crap. First of all, it has a horrendous interface that was conceived by idiots a decade ago, and is a complete pain in the ass to use. It's slow, buggy, and crashes all the time, and it's very complex for an average person to use. Please go try an iPhone, and then come back and tell me that Windows Mobile should be popular.

Microsoft's only real option for windows mobile is to start completely over. They should take an existing kernel and lower-level system libraries from Linux and then build a brand new modern mobile OS on top of it, perhaps all in managed C# like singularity, or at least include native support for .NET 3.0. that is what is so crazy about MS. The .NET platform was the best thing they ever came up with. They need to make a break with the past, and create a new system for both mobile and desktop based on an efficient micro-kernel and developed from the ground up with the CLR.

[Dave @ Sep 6th 2008 4:02PM]

I kept saying, "...make it work with the XBox and call it the MBox," but nooooooo, we got "Zune."

[wearemany @ Sep 6th 2008 7:22PM]

Dear M$,

Please oh Please make a Cydia installable Zune Client for the Ifone. Please please please. Kick apple in the fruit basket. or even make a Iphone MSN live/zune client in the apple store. I would love to be able to use my Zune software from a ifone/iphone

I would love to use my Zune Serivce over apple any day of the week.

I would also love to use my Zune soft ware from the X360 I don't have any idea why its taken this long to have that released.
that or finish WM7

[Robert Gunther @ Sep 6th 2008 10:01PM]

Well you dont have to have a zune to try out the zune software it is free. Anyways I have a Zune 80 Gb and it works great, sleek interface, large screen, FM raido with great reception, and if you want unlimited music for 15 bucks a month. And they are going to be making it even better this fall with software updates.