Microsoft sez next-gen Zune hardware / software is still "on track"

Given just how shaky the economy as a whole has been of late, Microsoft's sour news in relation to the Zune isn't quite as shocking as it might be otherwise. That said, plenty of outlets publicly voiced their concern for the future of the line, but now Microsoft has hit back with assurance that everything's still moving ahead according to plan. In a recent interview, Adam Sohn, the Zune's director of marketing, said rather defensively that "every time anything comes up, there is a set of people who pull a Chicken Little and say, 'The Sky is Falling. Zune is dead.' " He continued by stating rather outrightly that Microsoft was "still on track to deliver the next generation of Zune innovation in software and hardware," noting that the planning was "fast and furious" and that "progress" would be delivered this calendar year. Welp, that settles that, huh?

[Thanks, Roger]

[LordZEro Posted Jan 28th 2009 2:09PM]

Just release this in Europe and Asia, it's all i ask.

[Kiamat Posted Jan 28th 2009 6:53PM]

I love my Zune120. I *need* all that space. And for all the other touch screen appy goodness there's my iPhone. :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 28th 2009 7:58PM]

Im sorry, but while the Zune software was a dream and miles ahead of iTunes, the quality of the hardware is trash. It would not connect to the computer, (Code 10), after multiple restarts, pc bios changes, and even a factory reset. I just threw it on ebay and got an iPod again.

Sorry, Microsoft, but you had your chance to change a hardcore iPod user, but you blew it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 28th 2009 8:48PM]

I live in Australia and I bought a Zune 120GB at Christmas while I was in New York and have signed up for a $14.95 per month Zune Pass and haven't looked back. Awesome! It was going to cost me more than $400 to upgrade my iTunes library to iTunes Plus even thought I had already supposedly bought the friggin music.

The Zune software is 100% better than crappy iTunes. Try a Zune and the Zune software before you write an opinion.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:36AM]

I love my Zune 8GB. I sounds cleaner than an iPod (and I have tested them all, kudos to the Shuffle though, a great device), has a better interface (up and down click, or swipe is brilliant imho), and the BEST is that I can sync it with more than one computer. That is really important to me. And also the fact that buying music from Zune Marketplace is better quality! (192 vs.128) Good times.

For me improvements should be concentrated on music and audio, it should always be about the music. Screw phone service, some people just want a great portable music player, and the Zune is that. I would love to play FLAC files though, such a great Lossless format. I would love to rip my CD's to FLAC or WAV from the Zune software. An edge to edge screen would be very cool and certainly possible now. AM radio would also be a good addition.

Less is more.
If the audio is the best, all else is trivial :)