Microsoft job posting hints at Zune-Xbox integration
By Darren Murph 
posted December 20th 2008 5:29AM
posted December 20th 2008 5:29AM
[Via CNET]
posted December 20th 2008 5:29AM
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I'd apply, but I'd just end up taking the job from someone else who needs it more... I just couldn't do that.
Viva la Sony!
(starts timer to see how long it takes to be whited out)
Crap, sorry. I replied to the wrong post, now I deserve to be whited out.
iPhone!
...i'm disappearing
I wish I could get this job.
Frankly, I feel that alot of the concept work has already been done. This new Zune would benefit from
-Touchscreen with touch keypad
-the ability to send/recieve friend messages/invites from Xbox Live
-game downloads from xbox Live
- the ability to TRASPORT GAME SAVES FROM ONE 360 to the next
I'm not applying, still they should hire me if they want to win.
But I'll quit when they tell me they wanna stick with QVGAinstead of going with dual touchscreens with swappable overlay keyboard/gamepads..
@the other Aaron: Don't worry about your up/down rankings.
Dear Microsoft,
I would like to develop your XBOX360/Zune integration. I have a Masters in Computer Science, have been programming since 1978, and stay in touch with modern programming languages.
I only have one question, though: How do I port the RROD to the Zune?
Thanks,
Aaron
They probably don't even know you exist.
Awesome two crap product integrated together, surely that will make even crappier...
Oh real original, you tool.
And what would be your ideal combination of a gaming console and mp3 player?
iphone and ipod classic?
Of course not. iPods also suck badly. The sound quality is abysmal, the build quality is questionable, and the itunes lockin is bad.
Console has to be PS3, it's reliable, classy and has great games (more quality games than the 360 according to IGN stats).
Portable player. The latest Walkmans are fantastic too. But then so is the Samsung P2.
Either way you spin it. The 360 is a huge white turd, and the Zune is a small turd.
Completely agree ddd, bang on correct!
@ DDD
I agree with everything you say, except for the "the Zune is a small turd". I've owned an 80gb Zune for about 6 months now and I can say that it's a fantastic MP3 player. The large screen is nice for viewing videos from farther away, and the sound quality is much better than that of an iPod. I also like the premium headphones that come bundled with the 80. I've been thinking about upgrading to the 120 here soon, but I am not sure if I am keen on a shiny front; the matte black of my 80 is nice because it doesn't attract a ton of fingerprints and dirt.
I have also dropped my Zune (accidentally, of course) from about waist high about 3 times, with one drop because I hit my hand on my desk when I went to place the player on it for charging. It went flying a few feet away and came away with no damage. It has pretty reliable hardware design for a hard disk player, which is good.
i think that all consoles fail . But creating a ecosystem would help the zune so go for it.
ill stick to PC games however.
Why the hell did my post get downranked? I said nothing negative!
"Why the hell did my post get downranked? I said nothing negative!" - Aaron
Aaron, this is Engadget Comments. Imply anything negative about Microsoft and the Redmond Horde will vote you down to the abyss. In fact, don't even *think* anything negative about Microsoft if you want to stay above the red line. Where have you been?
Next time, try saying something negative about Apple for an instant boost.
The pungent aroma of astroturf is thick in the air around here.
I hope someone gets you a Zune for christmas.
Troll
Now if only they would tell us what is going with marketplace and zunepass in Canada?!?!?!!?! Anubody here got any news.
In windows, set your location to somewhere in the US. And then you can access and buy stuff from the marketplace.
well i got the job,so this is official,,,ita going to be mini super computer the new zune will be called john henry,have a dodgy battery,helecopter blades,some type of weapon for connecting ppl together,but no internet browser'ooo and blink gort style eye that follows you,even if u go to the bathroom,and also it can run crysis
Some cocoa sounds good right about now.
and eggnog...mmmmmmm
Yuck!... eggnog
I always thought that a handheld device would be a perfect companion device for the Xbox in gaming - some sort of PDA. It could be a real legitimate challenge to the iPod, because it could double up as a secondary controller on an Xbox. You can use the screen for an inventory list, a map, a stats counter - it could change the gaming experience.
But they need to get the damn things into international markets to make it successful - right now unless you live in the US you can't get one through traditional stores. So to make it worthwhile, they need to get the Zune international - then we could really see some interesting games come out.
Yes, that's what Nintendo thought when they paired the GBA with the Gamecube. And what Sony thought when they paired the PSP and PS3.
The secondary screen thing didn't work well for Nintendo, and Sony just scrapped that idea from the PSP-PS3 system (remember the F1 game with the PSP as a rear mirror?). If you've got some really good ideas about how this sort of system can not suck, apply for the job.
@Karlw
Actually Sony HASNT Scrapped anything........GT5 Will have use of the PSP as a rear view(allegedly) and Resistance: Retribution(PSP) and Resistance 2(PS3) both have connectivity........
learn the fact first dude.......
not to mention I can access various Videos, Music, Games, etc. on PS3 via my PSP thru remote connect........anywhere there is a WiFi Connection.......
Maybe they should integrate it with Europe instead.
If i ever put down my dualshock 3 and find a reason to use my old zune over my nano, and if i learn how to program... I am totally applying!
This makes me really happy :)
Not too surprised here.
I signed into Zune.net for the first time today and the friends it showed me were my Xbox Live friends.. and no others.
To think about it, it's true. Zune and Xbox are like Microsoft's two only consumer entertainment brands..
From the wording it sounds more like you are getting a Zune look and interface on the Xbox than much of any Xbox on your Zune.
Xbox live and Zune ID's have been one in the same for ages now, I thought this that it was obvious that this was the direction being gone.
I'd apply. Actually, no, I wouldn't.
Myspace Band Player Generator
Hey Microsoft, I got an integration for ya right here.
*turns around and unzips pants*
So which of the wigs at MS would you like to "integrate" you.
If I had more experience I would apply instantly. Microsoft development tools are really great to work with, and it would be pretty fun to integrate these two devices more closely. But alas, I probably need to get my degree before they'd even consider me.
I too thought about working for Microsoft. They have a whole new university recruitment campaign, with silly graphics in handouts and emails, trying to lure younger, hipper people in by not capitalizing letters and by drawing little cartoon characters (http://www.microsoft.com/college/default.mspx).
I had a final interview scheduled with Microsoft...but one of their hip recruiters couldn't even get my first name right--let alone write an email without a dozen typos. I canceled the interview, and now I'm working for a competitor.
With XNA eco-system cranking up and a Zune hardware revision expected next year this could be really interesting w.r.t to Games. My old 30giger which I got for $70 last Christmas has been a great bet. All the improvements and features update across the generations which is more than I ever expected. Getting games, audible, f/w that actually has new features and all for free unlike the competition is quite refreshing.
Also bring xvid/divx codec support on the next Zune hardware revision please.
i've been waiting for a better zune-xbox interface. i was a dissapointed and it didnt change at all from the big update.
- Zune has WiFi, it can sync wirelessly with computer.
- Xbox 360 is networked.
- Xbox 360 is hooked up to my TV and stereo system.
SO THEN TELL ME WHY I CAN STREAM MY ZUNE TO MY XBOX WIRELESSLY? This would allow for a Logitech-type sqeezebox functionality that would be AWESOME! Think a super-zune remote, but where the music, videos, podcasts are streamed to my speakers.
This is the intergration i hope MS is hinting at.
You mean why can't? Because you crazy caps lock sentence just doesn't have the same effect if you say the opposite of what the context is implying...
lol... you say "CAN" instead of "CAN'T," and I mistype "you" instead of "your." epic fail for me!
Levi -- Thanks for being the butthole. We all need one, but only one. Post corrected, and would welcome meaningful feedback, buttholes excluded. But thanks for exposing your own typing failing. We both FAIL.
- Zune has WiFi, it can sync wirelessly with computer.
- Xbox 360 is networked.
- Xbox 360 is hooked up to my TV and stereo system.
SO THEN TELL ME WHY I CAN'T STREAM MY ZUNE TO MY XBOX WIRELESSLY? This would allow for a Logitech-type sqeezebox functionality that would be AWESOME! Think of a super-zune remote, but where the music, videos, podcasts are streamed to my speakers (via xbox).
This is the intergration i hope MS is hinting at.
This would only work if you spent the 99 USD on the wireless adapter.
Although seeing that it is going to be integrated with the 360 they could offer some limited web streaming. Otherwise you could just use the Zune software to stream music and video (WMV only) to the 360.
Tell your Zune software to share your media with your 360 and your entire library will be accessible over the network. You can leave your Zune out of the equation completely and end up saving your Zune from using power.
If I had a zune I would apply. NO not really.
The zune it dead technology.
Why would I want a zune? I can't text with it, make calls with it or get driving
directions on it. All PMPs are dead and have a DO NOT RESUSCITATE order.
are you friggin kidding me
You really should be kidding me.
I agree with Chris. But it will not only affect the Zune in the long run. I also think that mp3/pda/phone will be in the near future one product only. When the devices become more affordable everybody will go for a all-in-one gadget, I don't know about you guys but I stopped wearing a watch a long time ago! The only difference here is that you can wear a watch as a body accessory, it's not really longer necessary to tell you the time.
Hey Chris, while I understand you, as I too don't want a PMP unless there's a phone jammed in it, plenty of people just want a phone to make calls and text, and prefer another item to handle their music loving whims. There's still an enormous market for them, otherwise no one would sell them.