Zune 3.0 update now available

The Zune 3.0 software update is now available, go get it! Unlike some vendors who shall not be named, 3.0 brings all the new features to generation one devices -- brown Zune, you never looked so good. We'll be back later with our first look. Until then, why not shout out your experience in the comments.

[Thanks, Adam H.]

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 16th 2008 5:38AM]

Yes Babbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. :)

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 16th 2008 5:46AM]

Thomas, I love how you are using a Mac! I wish MS would bring out a Zune software for Mac. :)

[Thomas Ricker @ Sep 16th 2008 5:56AM]

Saad, I use Mac and PC. Besides Mac software, it would also be nice of Microsoft to release the Zune outside of North America!

Thomas

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 16th 2008 6:11AM]

Mac & PC. Same here.

Totally, they should release the Zune worldwide, it will seriously be a hit.

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 16th 2008 6:23AM]

THEY ADDED A CLOCK ON THE DEVICE..... AHHHHHHHH FINALLY. :)

[Sisyphus @ Sep 16th 2008 8:48AM]

P.S. Engadget,

When you say something akin to "Unlike some vendors who shall not be named" in EVERY Zune post, you're doing a pretty shitty job of not naming them.

But you already know that.

[Patriks7 @ Sep 16th 2008 10:30AM]

I can't agree more with you guys
These things look really nice and from what I'm hearing are better than an iPod but the problem I have is that I live in Europe and have a Mac :\

[King Mook Mook @ Sep 16th 2008 5:41AM]

Z, Z, Zune??? Words I thought would never be mentioned on Engadget. Oh, wait sorry that's its old name, I mean Macrumors.

[Adderz @ Sep 16th 2008 6:05AM]

I know your trying to be funny and get high ranked, but the same "Engadget loves Apple" comment is done on nearly every thread. Its old. We all know they love Apple, so do alot of other people, they are catering to what people want. Just get over it.

[stealth658 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:07AM]

You're fucking hilarious.

No, seriously, you are.

[Jash Sayani @ Sep 16th 2008 5:47AM]

Finally something for non-iPod users.....

[ishism @ Sep 16th 2008 5:47AM]

YAY! I got the browney zune too. I love my zune.

[Adam @ Sep 16th 2008 5:47AM]

I'm the Adam that sent the tip. Zune software is looking good, but the marketplace is down and the terms of service page is fubar so I can't sign in to my account.

Have to go to work! ARG!

Al least the new firmware in on my Zune.

[Peppie @ Sep 16th 2008 7:16AM]

Same here. I tried to login and it gave me a page unavailable screen. Guess I can't accept the new Terms of Services agreement MUAHAHAHA!!!!

[MacFan @ Sep 16th 2008 9:10AM]

OMG!!11 The marketplace is down!!!21!2!1 Updatez are coming, post more Endgadget!!!!!11

[StrangeBum @ Sep 16th 2008 10:43AM]

Marketplace is now back up!

However I also ran into the Terms of Service update and had to locate the same page in a browser. It was in or around the profile settings page. Here is what I can tell is new so far though.

Games - Hexic and Texas Hold 'Em [free]
WiFi Marketplace - yet to check it out, no hotspots near me
Clock - Not a big update, but something kinda cool
MixView - The new Zune 3.0 software has a new feature similar to the new iTunes Genius, but displayed more intuitively [like liveplasma]

[Alijah Green @ Sep 16th 2008 10:57AM]

YOU HAVE TO SIGN THE NEW TERMS OF USE TO SIGN IN ON ZUNE DESKTOP

[ishism @ Sep 16th 2008 5:50AM]

I just saw the size of the DL. YOWSER!

[Ben @ Sep 16th 2008 5:51AM]

wow! big update 165MB!

[Brandon @ Sep 16th 2008 5:51AM]

Yeahhhhhhhhh!

[Ben @ Sep 16th 2008 5:52AM]

I am a apple iPhone fan but i must say i am glad for this! Zune 3.0
looks awesome, i still not going to use it but i hope this puts more
pressure on Apple to do more than what they can and stop stuffing us
around.

[Malweran @ Sep 16th 2008 6:43AM]

Rrrriiight, thats exactly what i've been thinking all along! I hate apple fanboys that try to justify what apple is giving them. Apple needs a hard kick up the ass and get right with their line-up of products and stop ripping off customers. I mean comon, €2500 for a MBP that has the same configurations on a cheaper brand which the other company sells for only €1200. You pay €1300 for the apple logo if you will.

Besides all this, i do like apple for their products(obviously not pricing).

[Mike @ Sep 16th 2008 9:11AM]

@Malweran

very interesting, id like to see which of the two runs vista the best, the MBP or your bargain 1200 lappie. Notice i said VISTA.... hmm, i think it is the MBP that won that honor a while back!

[Malweran @ Sep 16th 2008 7:13PM]

Yes, i DID say i liked their products and it can probably run vista or mac osx very well. But thats not really the point(at least to me). It's more that i don't like the pricing especially since i live in europe where they don't match the american price. I mean $230 isn't the same as €220.. that's $310.. for an 8gig version.

The same goes for the MBP:
$2500 versus €2200($3100) etc. etc. etc.

Let me say it again, they do make good products, but their pricing sucks ass.

[mike @ Sep 16th 2008 5:55AM]

The 164 is if you do the full update. If you go in the software and update, you get the changed files and not the whole encilada. Also, Marketplace is still down so features that rely on it still aren't working.

[stjohnob @ Sep 16th 2008 6:00AM]

I got my brown Zune 30 in hand downloading and installing as I type! Whooo Hoooo!!!!

[jeff @ Sep 16th 2008 6:01AM]

i cant get onto the zunes website. YOU LIE I CANNOT GET THE UPDATE !!!!!

[alfatreze @ Sep 16th 2008 6:09AM]

Just update through the software or download it at microsoft downloads, don't just come here flaming and insulting people, use your brain a little.

If you're feeling lazy, here's a download link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6136349f-2b32-4946-83b5-a09775531ef4&DisplayLang=en

Now go away and go play with it.

[sd @ Sep 16th 2008 6:10AM]

its not on the zune site, it is on microsoft site. Click on the image to go there :)

[William @ Sep 16th 2008 6:04AM]

manual sync for devices added!

[ftr @ Sep 16th 2008 6:15AM]

3.0 is all well and good, but when are they going to release the Zune in the UK?

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 16th 2008 9:10AM]

Dude, it's been a really long time. Can't you just get one online? You are online right now. I know you've at least figured that part out.

[stjohnob @ Sep 16th 2008 6:22AM]

If you can't get to the MS site, go to the settings screen in current Zune software, go to general, then click on check for updates.
Just updated my software and Zune. SWEET! Playing hexic right now. Turned on the clock. Tired the new views while playing songs- pretty cool. Just wish I could sign in and accept TOS to start playing with the Marketplace. Soon I hope!

[shamrock593 @ Sep 16th 2008 6:23AM]

What a good idea, releasing new firmware for old tech without charging your loyal customers.

[iraya @ Sep 16th 2008 6:27AM]

installed it on my PC. :D wow. the new software rocks. im hoping for a mac version please. i use my PC for games and for productivity stuff, But i have a mac for other stuff...

[tdolan @ Sep 16th 2008 12:35PM]

Use remote desktop on your Mac to connect to your PC and use the Zune software. Once you get the resolution on the connection right, maximize the Zune software, and auto-hide the task bar it's almost just like having a Mac version of the software.

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx

[alfatreze @ Sep 16th 2008 6:33AM]

Games are great, the old CTP made ones don't work with it anymore, it just restarts. oh well we'll just need for them to be updated :D.
Go hexic go.

[LJKelley @ Sep 16th 2008 6:36AM]

Updated my 30GB White Zune. Works great, the games are awesome. Already tagged a song from radio :). But since Zune.net is down can't log in and buy things yet.

Overall I'm impressed. Thanks Microsoft from us 1G adoptors.

[Philip Stevens @ Sep 16th 2008 6:41AM]

FINALLY A CLOCK IN THE ZUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Billy Gun @ Sep 16th 2008 7:42AM]

Is there a clock? Does it have a Sleep and wake-up mode?

[Jonathan @ Sep 16th 2008 6:43AM]

I woke up early for this. My apple fangirl girlfriend thinks I'm nuts.

[Jonathan @ Sep 16th 2008 8:06AM]

I lost the default wallpaper. :(

Also, I prefer the larger fonts in the first menu, but I guess you've got to fit "marketplace" on there.

[Aleksander Rus @ Sep 16th 2008 6:44AM]

Does this add an Equaliser?

[stjohnob @ Sep 16th 2008 6:48AM]

There is an equalizer. Go to settings, music then the third option. It only has preset options, but it can help if you just use headphones and don't hook up to external system (stereo receiver, speakers, etc).

[Aleksander Rus @ Sep 16th 2008 6:55AM]

Even on the 120GB/80GB models?

[stjohnob @ Sep 16th 2008 6:57AM]

sorry using classic Zune 30. not sure about 80/120

[John @ Sep 16th 2008 7:30AM]

didn't they cut out the equalizer in order to increase battery life in the last upgrade?

[Tokume @ Sep 16th 2008 9:06AM]

Yeah, there's only an equalizer on the old 30gb models...
Unless of course they just slipped it into the new 120, but I highly doubt that...
Random MS employee:
"In the name of Battery Life, I KILL you Equalizer!"

It would have been nice if they had added custom EQ before taking it away because that's one thing that my iPod touch (and all other iPods) don't have....

[fieldcar @ Sep 16th 2008 9:41AM]

I think the EQ was mainly cut on the newer zunes 2's to enhance the audio quality. Some say batt life too, but I doubt it makes any difference for something so minuscule.
http://www.zuneboards.com/zune-news/no-eq-good-or-bad.html

[Martin @ Sep 16th 2008 1:23PM]

@ Tokume

There is an EQ in the ipod touch and every other ipod, or at least the ones I've used. You can only chose from presets, but if you have any custom preset in your itunes it will sync with the ipod and you can use it. You can find it in the music settings in the touch and I think it's the same for other ipods.