Microsoft job ads hints at Zune services in the living room
By Nilay Patel 
posted Apr 2nd 2009 3:35PM
posted Apr 2nd 2009 3:35PM
Well, what's this? A recent Zune job posting says the boys down Redmond-town are looking for someone to come up with "innovative user interfaces for delivering a rich, deep interactive media consumption experience in a living room environment." That sounds to us like integration of the Zune software team into the ConnectedTV division is starting to kick into gear -- the listing also specifically mentions on-demand audio and video content, which seem like a natural direction for ZunePass. We're not sure how any of this is going to pan out, but at least Microsoft is making moves to keep the struggling Zune platform alive -- whether or not that involves actual Zune hardware in the future is still up for debate.[Via Slashgear]
Lets hope so, Zune needs a kick in the butt it has been dormant too long.
They need Zune support on the 360 with access to Zune store from 360 as well.
uh jake b they already do
Wow, guys this is a great improvement. Seeing that this is the Zune and editors choice for Worst Gadget II was expecting the usual Brown Zune with photoshop of a BSOD in it or better yet a goofy picture of Ballmer shouting out this announcement.
Don't take my word for it, but from what I've heard, there's suppose to be a software update 3.5 in April (this month), and a touchscreen-based Zune by the fall.
Let's see....
√ Zune with Zune Pass
√ XBOX with LIVE / internet connection (2)
√ nice quality audio system
Yeah, I've got all the pieces to make this an awesome service. The value of a ZunePass connection on my sound system without having to leapfrog through my Zune would be fantastic. This is a welcome bit of news.
Love my Zune, but you better get divx support.
no kidding....with Divx Ultra support so I can use the subtitles I've encoded into my rips.
Microsoft will likely never officially support Divx considering it is just a hacked .MP4 codec (which Microsoft owns/created). Divx profits off of a hacked Microsoft codec so I'm sure they hold a bit of a grudge. Xvid is better anyway.
What I want is Matroska support!
MP4 being MPEG-4 obviously.
I feel like I am taking crazy pills. MICROSOFT SUPPORTS DIVX ON XBOX 360!!
[puts down megaphone]
DivX is supported on the 360.
I heard from a somewhat reputable source microsoft is working on a media center/windows home server collab. this may be the juicy beginings.
Didn't Obama give one of these things to the Queen of England as a gift?
*Another* living room push by Microsoft?
Why don't they give it up? How many attempts will this be now?
Microsoft are never going to unseat companies like Samsung, Sony, LG, Sharp, Toshiba in the living room.
I dunno, my Media Center PC and Xbox beg to differ.
Zune>ipod
Let's see. Microsoft does not make TVs so there goes competition with those companies in the living room in that area. Those companies do not make OS software for HTPCs, so they are not competing with Microsoft in the living room in that area. The only livingroom overlap is with Sony in video game consoles and the 360 is selling better than the PS3.
So I guess you are correct, Microsoft will never unseat those companies in the living room. Of course, if you are not trying to unseat those companies, it makes it tough.
OK... Surface as the coffee table, Zune as the couch... what next?
Zune as the remote! Come home listening to your music, point to Zune at the Xbox and have it seamlessly take over the track and sync my shared tracks.
(Shared tracks don't actually happen IRL)
About time!!!
Ahh the poor Zune platform. Microsoft's, the biggest "me too" company on the planet, monopoly allows them to continue funding this failed platform. What company in their right mind continue to pour in millions and millions of dollars on a product that has clearly failed in the market. None, unless your a company with guaranteed revenues quarter after quarter after quarter. The Zune is a failure, its only kept alive and continue to exist because of monopolized funding. Perhaps the long term strategy of Microsoft is to eventually wear down the competition. You can only innovate so far, for so long. Eventually Microsoft will catch up after losing billions and billions and will be poised to strike when the competition has run out of funding.
I agree, I suggest people seriously consider Apple's ecosystem: iPod, iPhone, AppleTV... they are the experts. Others follow.
@Frank: Sorry, most of us aren't made of money. iTunes is nothing more than a glorified shopping cart. iPod is very popular but hardly the only good player. AppleTV? Where's the DVR? Tuner? Sorry, my HTPC is a media server, gaming machine, DVR, guide, Netflix streaming device, and web browser and it cost me about $800. Find me an Apple product that can do all of that and give me as much control over my hardware and software for under $2-3k.
Jubei, you've found your first delusional follower! Congratulations! However- I wouldn't be surprised if it was just you with a different email account.
Jubei and Zeus, get a room.
Microsoft WebTV 4 Life!
Sounds like it also might mean better Zune integration with both Xbox and Windows Media Center to me.
Wow, talking about who should be laid off.
all the "connectedTV" that the Zune needs is the ability to retrieve subscription content off the Xbox and play it on the Zune. That's it. Microsoft already has the pieces in place. This isn't rocket science folks. On the content side they've GOT to get video into the zune pass. If I could tie together a zune pass with XBL Gold for say $150 a year I'd be all over that. It would be HELL of a lot cheaper than cable.
anyone else want to punch all the people that use the "me too" phrase?
I just punched my co worker for agreeing with Jubei. 1 down so so many to go...
You want to punch them? Me too!
Everytime MS execs get in a meeting room, they need to ask themselves:
"What would Apple do"
1. They need to integrate Zune Market and XBOX Live to subscribe, rent and buy Media. (Much like Apple)
2. Better integrate the software / hardware such as ZUNE Media to ZUNE Player to XBOX 360. (Much Like Apple)
3. Allow Zunes on MACS. (Much Like Apple)
Till then it will be a "Swing and a Miss"
/not a Apple FAN BOY
//Love my XBOX360
Agree 100% on points 1 & 2, but I don't see how much money MS stands to make off of that teeny tiny sliver of Mac users who would buy a Zune. Would not be worth the resources invested in creating a Mac interface IMO.
3. Sell Zune internationally.
All your points are valid, they just arent what Apple would do. For one, Apple has nothing to integrate. Yes, they have AppleTV, but thats the extent of it, and that has no market share. Millions of people have 360s.
They really do need to move the Zune onto the Mac, simply because it opens things up more. International sales would probably help considerably as well.
Zune does work on the Mac. Via Boot Camp or Parallels.
If you're looking for direct OS X support (which I think you guys mean), I really doubt it. Trying to appease a very small minority of Mac users, where many Mac users are devout Apple lovers who'd probably buy iPods anyhow, wouldn't make much sense. It would just put extra work on creating a client to work for OS X and providing support for not so many people.
@ Quickboy
I bet there are more Mac users willing to try/buy the Zune than there are Zune users right now. But they can't because its not supported natively.
With ignoring Mac users, Microsoft is also ignoring
-The millions of DJ's that prefer Macs. The millions of Music producers, singers, song writters, rappers, video producers etc. that users Macs. Microsoft is taking there names out of the equation by not offering the Zune for Macs. Guess which player they will continue to buy?
-When someone buys an iPod, they do so knowing it will also work on Macs if they choose to purchase on in the future. Can't say the same for the Zune.
Stop hating on media center, it's really easy to set up nowadays, and is awesome at streaming stuff. I couldn't get my local media to stream well at all with Boxee, but it worked perfectly with VMC. Still leaves out the online content though, I'm hoping this is what they're looking to patch up. Imagine a Zune Pass with Adless VOD added on for an additional $5-10, with device portability, and perhaps some streaming (you might even be able to stream to the devices directly, I imagine they'll open up video downloads/purchases through the built-in wifi). Essentially, all the TV/(movies?)/Music you could want, where you want it for $20-$25 for a month. That is something.
@Frank:
I have a VMCE with 4 HD tuners (Aver A180s), and 2 SD tuners (Hauppauge USB2). If I should consider the Apple ecosystem for my livingroom, and specifically the AppleTV portion of the Apple ecosystem, how can I transfer my 6 tuners to the AppleTV? Where do I cut open the AppleTV to insert the 4 PCI tuner cards? Does AppleTV (or for that matter, the Mac Mini, or iMac) even have 4 PCI slots open? The USB port on the AppleTV does not work with general devices, so how do I add a workable USB hub so I can plug in my 2 SD tuners? How do I upgrade my AppleTV to 2TB of recording storage? The specs on the Apple store do not give any details about SATA ports. Of course, if I am using these tuners and have all this recording space, how do I activate the DVR software on the AppleTV? They do not have all my favorite shows on iTunes, and some that they do have are not in HD. So should I stop watching those shows because Great Leader Jobs does not support them on iTunes? Where can I download 3rd party applications, such as Netflix plugins, Weather programs, home automation programs, etc. and easily install them on an AppleTV? What software do I need to connect my Sony 200 disk DVD changer to an AppleTV? And finally, which port can I use to plug my HD DVD Blu-Ray combo player into and playback those disks in 1080p with 5.1 audio on an AppleTV?
Since you say the Apple ecosystem can solve all my media needs, then you must have all the answers, so please educate me how I can do these things.
Damn Engadget comment system. That was in response to Frank Rossi.
If they unified Marketplace so content was transferable bewteen my 360, Zune, and PC they would win so very, very hard. Buy something on Live, beam it over the network to the comuter, sync to the Zune.....or even go one better and allow syncing between the Xbox and Zune (great for things like TV shows).
Half the time my Zune Marketplace Subscriptions will just randomly NOT PLAY on my Xbox 360. That aint cool man. They should get on top of that.
I agree, I suggest people seriously consider Apple's ecosystem: iPod, iPhone, AppleTV... they are the experts. Others follow.
@ Frank Rossi
Bullshit! The only thing ipod, or anything apple, has on anybody is 3rd party accessories. You apple fanboys crack me up.
HOW ABOUT ZUNE IN MY F-ING 360?????!!!??!?
now thats a good idea microsoft does not want to make a reality because of....IT MAKING TOO MUCH SENSE?
Zune for life.
I will never buy an iPod.
I love how people are bashing AppleTV because it has no market share, then talking up Zune. Classic.
I have an AppleTV and love it, but I use it less for watching movies, since I got the PS3, a better media streamer. It is a pretty slick little device though, considering the $300 I paid for it way back when. The photo screensaver alone is worth $100 to me.
Let's see what Microsoft comes up with. The 360 is pretty great. Why they didn't build Zune off of that franchise I don't get. Seems to me people would pay for xbox mobile with games, music, etc.
Apple zigged and are now building portable multipurpose computers (iPhone, iPod touch) that used to be music players, and left Microsoft offering a single-purpose media device. Of course MS will get back in the game soon, but not until Palm or RIM or someone else has made them less relevant.
Spot on!
I've also wondered myself why MS did not base the Zune of that XBox 360 instead. Apple is so far ahead right now with the iPod Touch it is not even funny; while MS is left in with standalone Zune player. Apple is doing with the Touch what MS should have done originally with the Zune. They are pushing the Touch as a portable media player and game platform. If Microsoft did not 'follow' as much as it does, it would have been ahead of Apple here. Maybe even Nintendo DS who knows.
Nice!