Now that the dust has settled on Microsoft's impressive, if not quite revolutionary,
Zune 3.0 update, it's time for us all to do what we do best: start demanding a new version of desktop and player software -- and a hardware refresh, of course -- chock-full of features that we've been asking for since day one, and a few things we dreamed up along the way. Pick your top-priority from the poll below, or just go nuts in the comments -- the floor is yours.
Poll: What's your Zune 4.0 must-have?| Xbox integration. Yesterday. | 3619 (14.7%) |
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| Mac desktop application. | 2118 (8.6%) |
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| Zune Phone, WinMo optional. | 2696 (10.9%) |
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| Touchscreen player. | 4715 (19.1%) |
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| Better video selection. | 723 (2.9%) |
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| Another Zune owner to be friends with. | 3145 (12.7%) |
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| Something else / I don't care, just show me the results. | 7654 (31.0%) |
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posted September 18th 2008 4:05PM
Oh, and a web browser would be really rad, even if it's just WAP-style.
I only want the zune software to work in windows mobile, or the zune to get bluetooth and A2DP.
what about AM radio band??
- Worldwide release
- End the stupid tie with a music store
- Plain old USB mass storage
- >=160Gb as an option
Yeah, a release for Europe would be really great.. I've got a Zune but I can't use all those great features as I cant create a Zune-Account...
And though I'm really happy with this player, there are still a few important things (in the software) missing:
1. I want to be able to delete songs!
2. Playlists should be able do be edited on the player, not only on the pc (like quicklist)
3. more games ;-)
4. At least let Europeans register at the Zune-Homepage!
well, thats it for now...
I live in the UK and imported a Zune so I'd like MS to get in officially released in the UK so I can get an official UK mains charger that won't blow up when I try to plug it in, link my xbl gamercard with my Zune, use marketplace and some support for xvid/divx would be nice too.
ive been waiting for other language capability since the very first zune arrived
I just want them to fix the gapless playback. It skips frames at the gap, which you hear with dj mixes.
And hurry up with the damn Marketplace in Canada!
Bring back the doubleshot.
I am appaulled that there are NO left handed Zunes!
The Zune desktop software needs to be much, much better. I would only consider getting a Zune if it sync'd with iTunes as seamlessly as the iPod does.
+1
I need something less stupid than the Zune Software :( Even old M$ WMP can manage music library better.
What? Zune 3.0 is leaps and bounds better than iTunes. It's like the difference between Facebook and Excel. I happen to love Excel, but when I'm managing my music collection I don't want to feel like I'm working. Zune could admittedly have more advanced features under the hood (especially in the Auto Playlist area) but it's easily the best software I've used for music.
I just really wish the Zune and 360 could integrate better. The integration right now is just really glitchy. Microsoft really deserves kudos on the Zune software side for version 3.0. Great performance increase.
I just ordered a new 120 gb custom zune yesterday. 4 more business days... can't wait!
As for 4.0 must haves, the only ones I can think of are:
avi support
alarm
eq
auto tag support - put that wifi to good use. And it saves me time tagging songs ;)
mac support
opening up the marketplace to other countries, along with SELLING ZUNES WORLDWIDE!!!
RSS Feeds over the wi-fi
Alarm
Cross fade
The feature I would like to see added is a "video out + display" feature.
I have two Zune 30's. We used to use our Zunes when we go on road trips, one for each little monster in the back seat.
We recently purchased a vehicle with a built in DVD system and now plug in the Zune into the RCA's in the vehicle (note to parents- this beats the hell out of having dvd's that the kids scratch the hell out of- then have to re-buy again at the store- Zune's work great for this!!!)...
However, we have to practically get into the back seat and look at the monitor once we've activated the video out on the Zune, to get the movie started.
Not that big of a deal if you are parked or if you are a contortionist, but it'd be sooooo nice if you could choose to have the display on the Zune running at the same time as the video out. Being able to start a new show while sitting in the front seat while going down the road, very nice! (this is the kind of stuff you get excited about when you get a little older kids). It'd be appreciated by parents of monsters everywhere!
Mr Zune guy at Microsoft, pppppppplleasssseeee add this feature (can you say version 3.1?) soon!
How about customers?
I'd replace whatever proprietary port Zune has now with an ipod-compatible one, along with the firmware necessary for the Zune to work with most ipod accessories. I'd also ad a mini-USB port next to it so the Zune would also be compatible with those cables.
Longer term, I'd love to see some convergence between Zune and Windows Mobile, which ought not to be that difficult since both run on Windows CE.
Drag-and-drop software.
The only downside to the player is the PC-to-Zune software. Why can't you drag-and-drop music from your harddrive directly onto the Zune? I don't care about Wifi, I don't care about web browser, I don't care about touch. All I want is to be able to drag-and-drop music from a folder on my HDD to my Zune. (And, less importantly, be able to edit tags and album art on the device.)
Games downloaded from xbox live and synced via USB connected to Xbox360 and not the software or integrate Xbox Live into Zune Marketplace
Custom Playlists!!!
DivX/XviD support
Calculator
Calendar
This is more For of a hardware request.
Digital TV ready. We're all switching to it anyways. Hell I can catch the news while going home on the train.
HD Radio
AM Radio (all the best talk shows are on there)
Wireless N support
Bluetooth for wireless headsets
I really would like to be able mark mp3 files as Audio Books and have them show in my Audio Books section. Also, add Audio Books to the Zune software so it can be managed along with all other collection files. It really is a pain to have to deal with multiple applications to control a single device.
I would like to have .wtv (2008 Vista TV Pack) ATSC High Def TV recordings fully supported. It seems to be the case that AC3 audio, which all OTA HD content is broadcasted in is not support by the zune software. The Result? A beautiful conversion of HD content to the zune without the abilty to hear it (ANYTHING)!!!!! Why even support wtv conversion if you cant hear it too? The current state is conpletely useless!
I would want more uses for wi-fi, an accelerometer, more format support/high quality converter in the PC software, Mac support, more colors (Zune-o-chromatic), movies, and a gaming controller attachment.
Give me a Sync to Zune button in Media Center Already!
Ubuntu/Linux desktop application
+ whatever the count is for
- WiFi Browser
- DivX/XVid support
- ability to use it as an external hard disk (i really don't have 80gb of music)
- And yes, the mac software would be useful.
i wouldnt really like to see a touch zune i mean what would they be doing besides copying the iTouch. i am happy with my zune 80 with 3.0 but they do need some more features like in the video section i would like to be able set the picture in the movie scroller
UNICODE support. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but this device doesn't support the 3rd most spoken language in the US (Chinese) even after TWO YEARS. $10 Cowan players do.
On-device playlist management ala the Rio Karma...
* Remove all occurances of a song, album, artist or genre from an active playlist.
* Reorder an active playlist.
* Insert or append a song, album, artist or genre to an active playlist.
* Save an active playlist as a new playlist.
* Permanently randomize a playlist, not just shuffle.
* Create automatic playlists on the device, such as "not played in x days" and "favorites (based on actual play data, not ratings)" etc.
The lack of competent playlist support has been the worst part of moving from my Karma to a Zune from day one.
BETTER FREAKIN BATTERY LIFE!!!
Lets get the basics down first....lol
One thing I'm still amazed they didn't think of - an audio "low battery" alert. It flashes on the screen if you're watching videos, but a lot of good that does if I'm in the middle of an unabridged audiobook with my Zune in my pocket.
While a touchscreen would be nice, what I'd be most interested in is actual file storage, without having to resort to registry hacks or file renaming tricks.
A small "wishlist" item... a numeric battery life indicator. Unfortunately, the current picto-indicator is sadly inaccurate. =(
Here's what I would like to see:
*Try to make better conservation of the battery life
*Improve the album viewing experience, maybe like the one that the Zune marketplace has with the new update ( or like the Ipod has the cover flow)
* If you can connect to the Marketplace wirelessly, then why not make it to where you can connect to the Internet like the Touch. (even though they aren't rivals)
*More applications and games
*Maybe work a little on the touch pad (NO TOUCH SCREEN, GLASS SHOWS TOO MANY FINGERPRINTS)
I would like to see the ability to control the playback speed, particularly on the podcasts but it would also be nice on videos as well.
Zune needs to start stealing some ideas from Ipod. Ipod practically robbed Zune when it released its 4th gen nano. I used to think that the zune menus were more fun and easier to use but now I like the nano. Zune needs some kind of album scrolling ability as well as just some upgraded menus. And most people go for the smaller, more attractive device.
hopefully microsoft takes this stuff seriously... cuz i really want that touchscreen zune.
The number one thing they need to add is one that benefits them financially....and thus is most important :) I want a Zune Pass Unlimited which includes music videos in the "unlimited rental" deal. What I would do to throw a party where I get to play the music videos of the songs that I love. come on microsoft? I'm sure you can make this profitable to you and the artists.
OH, FIX THE DRIVER ISSUES WITH THE ZUNE its absolutely insane that even after completely uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers and zune software people still can't get their zunes to be detected. Apple doesnt have this problem so how the hell did you guys manage to have it?
What would be awesome would be a GLASS touch screen like the one on the new Blackberry Storm. I've used the Storm, and that screen is frigging AWESOME! I think that it should be bigger than the one on the Storm, something like 3.5 inches. AND the Zune should have a wireless web browser, side controls for volume, next/previous song navigation, and a power on/off button. That would ALL make the Zune even better than it is!!!