Microsoft job posting hints at Zune-Xbox integration

It's an annual tradition, don't you know? Winter rolls around, the fires get going, the cocoa gets to cookin', and we get to thinking that the Zune and Xbox 360 just have to have some tighter integration in the not-too-distant future. This go 'round, we've got a suspicious job posting over at Microsoft that's stirring up a little speculation, and for good reason. In fact, the listing -- which seeks a particular User Experience Designer -- specifically mentions that the perfect candidate will be comfortable working closely with "creative directors to propose innovative designs and content solutions for the Zune Device UI, Zune Xbox and Zune PC Application." In case that wasn't definitive enough for you, it also mentions "embracing and extending" the Zune brand. Oh, and on another note, are any of you applying? Sounds like a pretty sweet gig.

[Via CNET]

[robochris Posted Dec 20th 2008 12:49PM]

I also forgot to add "and you can't surf on it".

I still wear a watch but only because I'm never ready to digest what time it is
until well into my morning shower.

Rob, I think pmp sales are down. The only thing that the zune wins on is its
capacity. You can hold like what 1500+ hours of music on the friggen thing??
Other than that I think it uses the same MP3 chips as an iphone or bb bold.

I've had an ipod and a zune and liked them both. But then I bought an iphone
and sold both pmps on ebay a week later. The only people that still like ipods
zunes haven't tried (or can't afford) a do it all phone.

I think it's the "swiss army phone" for the win.....

[Rob Conway Posted Dec 20th 2008 3:45PM]

@Chris
Don't tell anyone but i'm total iPhone fanboy! but i recognize many people still use and want strait up pmp's. the sales in general may be down, but down for a market that large isnt bad! and i don't wear a watch either, just like daprinz. once my last one broke, i said fuck it. it's on the iPhizzy anyway.

[WixosTrix Posted Dec 21st 2008 1:52AM]

@ Chris

I totally disagree with you about people only like iPods and Zunes because they can't afford an all in one device. I had a Cingular 8125, 8525 and AT&T Tilt, all of which are all in ones. They were good but they were nothing compared to the capabilities of my Zune. I never bought a PMP because I like the all in ones, but when I finally did i realized how much better they are. I would never buy an iPhone because I think iTunes is a lowsy excuse for a media library, its nothing but a store front. Plus, the price comparison is outrageous, I'd rather have all my music/videos/pictures then an irrelevent touchscreen and expensively limited flash memory.

[Kaijin Posted Dec 20th 2008 11:43AM]

I applied for this a while ago, surprised to see it on Engadget!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 2:15PM]

I JUST HOPE MS BRINGS DIVX XVID AVI SUPPORT. AND ALSO WIFI SYNCING VIA XBOX 360

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 8:59PM]

Ye must be joking...the 360's WiFi adapter is complete trash, why would you want incredibly slow syncing on the side of the Zune with a dodgy, piece-of-crap adapter on the 360 end?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 2:38PM]

This was bound to happen. The marriage of the two mediocre devices on the planet seems like a great idea for MS, the biggest "me too" company in the planet to come up with. Integrating some sort of service with the Zune, which is failing miserably in the market, will keep the Zune alive, barely. Its right out of MS playbook. If a product fails on its own, like the Zune, use the old IE vs Netscape M.O. to win market-share. Terrific idea. Two crappy hardware device working together.

[LMLYP Posted Dec 20th 2008 3:21PM]

came here to post this!
OMG Jubei is so CLEVAR!
HAI come spend christmas with me, im sure youre a blast.
" Great, another pair of socks, the biggest 'Me Too' gift in the planet"

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 22nd 2008 11:47AM]

@Jubei

Do you not like Microsoft or something?
I've seen almost all of your post on the Zune or Xbox, and you say, "Me too"
in every post, or flame it. Get a grip buddy.

Every product has it's strengths and weaknesses. It's okay if something about the Zune apparently makes you jealous or angry.

[thricedude72 Posted Dec 20th 2008 4:26PM]

Go Zune! Go Xbox! YAYYYYY!!!

[The angry pro consumer gaming ga Posted Dec 21st 2008 9:08AM]

psst. The zune sucks thats why it hasn't moved up against the ipod. On the other had the 360 is where the games are at so I'll give that one to MS.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 5:07PM]

OMG! That's a lot of white posts on top! :-P

Coming back to this topic:

I think that XBOX+Zune would be an awesome combination! The possibilities are endless!
* Use the Zune as the storage device for your games' saved states.
* Use the Zune as an authentication mechanism if you want to play the game on someone else's console.
* Media syncing via the XBOX - no need for a PC.
* Zune marketplace integration with the XBOX software.
* XBOX's Netflix integration extends to the Zune.
* Hopefully Microsoft adds Wifi to the XBOX as standard and allows Wifi syncing and also allows you to tether the XBOX and the Zune. This would mean that for all the above tasks, you wouldn't actually have to connect the Zune to the XBOX physically.


The possibilities are mind-boggling. This could become the de-facto one-stop entertainment solution.

Now, if only Microsoft added Blu-Ray support to the XBOX like the PS3, they'd be pulling in customers who are leaning towards the PS3 for it's Blu-Ray playback (ME, ME, ME!).

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 5:36PM]

The only reason I still own a regular iPod is for use in my car and for snowboarding where if it breaks I won't really care that much. The zune doesn't have NEARLY as many options for car integration unless you want to buy a piece of shit car (read: ford). Everything else is done with my iPhone.

[keyl10 Posted Dec 20th 2008 6:04PM]

I'm glad. The 3.0 update for Zune was hardly much. Since my gamertag is already linked to my Zune I would think that I could use it like a memory card and just plug it in to transfer my account instead of the time consuming Gamertag Recovery that takes like 10 minutes.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2008 8:58PM]

The Zune + XBOX360 integration are in dire need of some held. Have you tried to play your Zune musics while playing your 360 games? To load a single song, it takes far too long, much less if you select to play a whole artist, you can go take a nap while it loads up your playlist. Go, Microsoft, Go. Much room for improvement.

[Zapot8 Posted Dec 20th 2008 10:10PM]

so.....
we'll have the xune and the zbox! yay!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 21st 2008 3:30AM]

i visited with a MSFT manager a few months ago and he hinted at this, particularly with the Xbox Live on the zune

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 22nd 2008 8:57AM]

This makes me really happy :)
http://www.cheapclothing4u.com

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 6:07PM]

Totally agree that the Xbox is the only actual complete "Entertainment console" and zune is a totally awesome mp3 &4 player. The ipods all suck along with itunes(totally crap.) Although i'm not a big fan of consumer friendly software, including the zune program. It is helpful in converting though. I really wish they would allow you to just sync your zune player straight to the 360(transfer music and such.) Can't wait.

Also playing tunes off your player through your xbox while gaming takes absolutely no time on mine. Works unbelievably well.