You've heard of
Chevrolet, right? You know -- that struggling automaker underneath the General Motors umbrella? For those who've long given up their ties to muscle cars in favor of the kid-friendly minivan or Earth-friendly hybrid, you may not even know that a revitalized Camaro is just around the bend. Based on some hands-on time with a production vehicle at an undisclosed dealer, Microsoft's
Zune integrates perfectly into the sound system, and said integration is supposedly a standard feature on the car. What's more is that we're told some 27 other GM models will also include Zune support from the factory as they launch in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia through 2011, though details beyond that are scant. Hope they cooked in support for the
Zune HD, ya dig?
[Via
Zune Insider]
posted May 11th 2009 11:33PM
And this is why Chevy is Bankrupt.
Go to Hell. Zune is awesome.
The Zune isn't making them go bankrupt, but this kind of "innovation" surely is. Not only are these cars increasingly ugly, but they are endorsing a brand that no one uses.
I've heard of the Chevrolet Camaro, but what's this Zune thing they're talking about.
The Camaro must be a limited edition model. Only ten to be produced. That should be equal to the amount of Zunes in use in the U.S. Zune support will be the final straw that sends GM into bankruptcy. I damn sure don't want the government giving any more bailout cash to GM if this is what GM is going to do with it. Backing some losing product like the Zune proves GM's incompetency.
When you have a nicer car than the new Camero I'll listen to you BK.
>> "but they are endorsing a brand that no one uses."
Exactly. How many sales is GM gonna close with this:
Salesman: "By the way... you can plug your Zune into this car!"
Car buyer: "Finally! Let's go sign the papers!"
In this day and age... NOT supporting the iPod is suicide. It's the #1 MP3 player AND phone. Let's hope GM supports both...
@Michael
Actually blackberry is the number one smart-phone company in the US (where the chevy will be mainly marketed) right now.
The Sopranos! Those were the days...
The only car maker so far that has MS software (which includes Zune integration) is Ford with SYNC.
SYNC has driven sales: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/03/surprise-fords-sync-sells-cars/
Ford selling more cars than Toyota: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/ford-sells-more-cars-in-april-than-toyota/
Other than Honda, Ford Corp's sales decrease the least in April: http://www.autoblog.com/category/by-the-numbers/
Ford does not need a bailout: www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/survey-fords-image-gets-a-boost-by-nixing-federal-aid/
But you are right, Ford not using only an Apple solution has been "suicide". (Snicker)
If Chevy were to use an AUX port then anything with a 3.5mm jack would be compatible. OTHERWISE, the Zune's connector ends in a USB 2.0 which is standard and integrated into the dash of the Chevy Camaro. So iPoo'd fanboys, Zune fans, and [insert media player here] fans will all be supported. The difference will come in if the Camaro's software recognizes your player. As others have stated not supporting the iPod is suicide but supporting the Zune as well in no way makes it a bad decision. What's the issue here if Chevy supports both? It's not going to make or break any sales. They just are trying to appeal to as many people as possible.
That was funny. For the desperate Zune users that will dismiss your post, you do have a valid point in tying in both subpar products.
What is lame is that cars, or any other audio equipment, shouldn't be catering to iPods, Zunes, or Walkmans. It should be agnostic.
But between Zunes and iPods the choice should be obvious from a popularity stand-point. Even though only pathetic tools use iPods.
@sacapuntas >> "Actually blackberry is the number one smart-phone company in the US right now."
So what was all that hoopla where the iPhone became the best selling phone beating the RAZR? In less than 2 years!
I wasn't talking about smartphones in general... just that there are a helluva lot of iPhones out there. Just another reason to include iPod/iPhone connections in cars.
Jubei, a Camaro of any kind >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ANY care you will EVER own. Just like the Zune > iPod. Very, very much the same idea.
@TheSuburbanWhiteBoy
you just said cars are getting increasingly uglier. that is dumb. especially saying that in an article about the 2010 Camaro.
"ANY care"
Review your post before you response. LOL... Again Zeus God aka Mr. Banned Clickerson = FAIL!!
@Jubei
"before you response."
Maybe you should read that again.
Jessie Burton,
Don't be silly. If GM/Chevy don't do this, the competition will. Then GM will lose even more market share to competition, all because Jessie said it was a bad idea. Bad Jessie bad.
Nobody drives it in HK.
Only the people in China got cheated by US car markers.
Crappy stuff. Obama agrees so.
I LOVE Cheburashka!!!
@Michael
The problem with your comments is that you're playing the fanboy role. What you should be saying, is that all devices should be supported via a usb port in the dash. That would be the common sense approach and not make you sound like a muppet.
FYI: There are more than 50 million current blackberry users....yeah 50 MILLION!!! I doubt that there are that many current iPod users, although undoubtably there have been more than that many iPods sold.
i just saw one of these cars sitting in the chevy dealership in town and WOW it is gorgeous. best of all it had the yellow coat of paint akin to the transformers movie. stunning
@ Nohone:
the sync feature in fords has very little to do with the zune, and much more to do with voice command and integrated functions. and they work spotty at best. i bought an 08 edge last year with it, and could only stomach the constant issues for about two months before i ripped all of their crap out of it, and installed a pioneer avic d3 with a bluetooth module. admittedly, it doesnt have quite as many features as sync offers, but i have yet to have a single issue with it.
@ skant >> "The problem with your comments is that you're playing the fanboy role."
The Blackberry doesn't have a dock connector that connects to a car... only a 1/8" jack. There's no Blackberry integration in cars.
More iPod and iPhone user will benefit from car integration.
Ya, it also supports a USB memory stick... just pick up a 16gb from tiger for about $20 and you're laughing -- it's easy to bring inside and update, and you won't feel bad about leaving it in the center console (where the usb connection is).
@ Michael - Actually, as long as your blacberry/iPhone/whatever phone has blutooth, you can sync it to the stereo and stream music from your phone :-D
LOL!
Jubei gets owned, yet again.
As if they needed help selling these things. I don't care what your views are on GM or American cars in general, the Camaro is sexy.
Also, they help you hit it off with Megan Fox and protect you from evil robots.
So who uses this Zune thing they're talking about...?
your mother.
Can it, it's 2009.
Yeah, it's 2009. The Zune has gone from being unloved brown brick, to just being unloved. Where do you live? Redmond?
"Can it, it's 2009."
I'm sure that's what Chevy told critics with each new model year. If it ain't broke...doh!
We have five Zunes in my family. We like them better than the iPods we have.
I love my Zune, 2 years ago I had to choose between an iPod and the Zune 80. I went with the Zune 80 because of the Zune Pass, it just better fits my needs than the iTunes store does. And now that I get to keep 10 songs a month and get to put them on other devices it'll be very hard to get me to leave the Zune camp. While I won't hold of on buying a Palm Pre as my Zune does what it needs to do, I'll gladly listen to what Microsoft is going to announce as well as what the next iPhone has in store.
And the rest of GM with them.
about time the zune gets some love. it deserves it
Right... the Zune people will be happy... what is that, like 10% ?
But do you think it's a good idea for GM to avoid the defacto iPod standard in a new car today?
Or is this a USB connection that you can plug anything into... and the car can understand both iPods and Zunes?
What does love from the dead feel like?
correct Michael. USB port, and the car's stereo handles the rest...just search for the press release in google and you'l see it supports both...
kind of makes your earlier comments...well it rather reminds me of a chicken with it's head cut off
@ skant >> "kind of makes your earlier comments...well it rather reminds me of a chicken with it's head cut off"
Why? because more people have iPods and more cars have iPod integration? Is that not true?
One of the reasons iPods took off is the fact that cars would work with it... years ago. Will the Zune take over as the MP3 player of choice now that GM is on board?
BTW, I have a Blackberry... and I don't even use my iPod Nano anymore because I use my Blackberry to play music and podcasts. But you know there are millions of iPod users still out there... who will be happy to have an iPod connection in their new car.
Wow, more crappy GM "innovation". That display is a joke. Hello GM...It's 2009. That display is sooooo 2001. Lame, really, really lame. And ZUNE Support. Who the F even owns a Zune? All the cool kids use an iPod ;) I hope that people have an option because all GM is going to do is piss people off if Zune support is the only option besides an AUX input.
Hey douchebag, I own a Zune 120, and people think I'm pretty cool. Where I'm from, if you're showing off your iPod, then you're 90% of the time a tool. Damn Coto de Caza kids...
I'm the F who owns a Zune. And guess what? It's not the piece of crap you imagine it to be.
Ok, guys, relax, obviously you did not see the ";)" in my post. So who's the douche bag now? ;)
Still you.
Actually, nobody. I hate that insult, and it hasn't been funny for the last... when was Digg.com founded? Since then.
@ Lando Calrissian
Where I come from, people don't judge whether you are cool or not based on a god damn MP3 player. So, your answer alone confirms that you are indeed a douchebag.
Actually, that display isn't that bad. While it's not the flashiest, it easily looks better than the one in my 2008 Honda Civic (which just uses an AUX input). It's not just GM (or US car makers in general) who can make crappy displays....
Nice to see some companies start recognizing the Zune. I hope others will follow suit.
Actually, I love the zune...... but why? I say this and question why do cars support Ipods also? Why cant cars just have an audio port standard and let us just plug what ever in.
A lot of cars are doing that as in having the aux input standard, but being able to run the music through the USB will have increased audio quality on top of keeping it charged.
That's really the only reasons.
I'm not sure iPods and Zunes can transfer Song Info over AUX jacks if that's what you mean...
Because a couple major DAP manufacturers (*cough*apple microsoft*cough*) insist in stupid proprietary connectors where MiniUSB, or something like HTC's Ext USB that's backwards compatible, would work.
Hmm...I read that as "Audio Port Standard" instead of audio port[,] standard [option]. My general gripe still remains though :-)
ummmm guys...how about doing a little research...looks like the Camaro will support both the iPod AND the Zune
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10238085-48.html
makes all the comments above seem rather juvenile in retrospect
that come with a free pair of white levis and a mullet too?
good to see MS is targeting the trailer parks! perfect target market!
does anybody really own a Zune...? Why would a struggling car company risk having a low use feature?
Maybe Microsoft offered them some much-needed $$$.
I saw a Zune once. At least I think I did.
I have a Zune 120gb and 4 of my friends have them as well & I also have an iPhone 16gb. I'm not trying to sh*t on anyone, but my Zune works for me & it is nice if you have SYNC in your Ford. Maybe Chevy is trying something like this since Ford didn't need to get TARP funds or maybe they are just trying to get as many customers as they can right now.
Dumb move. You can't buy a Zune in Australia so why add Zune support? Waste of time. Stick to the ubiquitous and favourite - Sony Walkman...
Just kidding, I mean the iPod.
You can get a Zune to Australia much easier than a Camaro.
Ipod, Greater than symbol.
Whats the difference between an ipod & A Zune? steve swallowed & Bill spit.
Zune's a nice PMP.
While you are sitting on the side of the road broke down you will have some tunes to listen while you wait.n Unless you've been hit by the first recall with a dead battery.
For future posts: We all know that Zune is a much smaller piece of the MP3 player market in relation to Apple. The "Who owns a Zune" joke is getting incredibly old.
I'm sorry, but legitimate points never get old.
Yeah... but does it make sense for GM to add support for a device with far fewer users?
My only hope is that the Camaro has a USB port, and can use both iPods and Zunes.
I'd be pissed if I bought a car today that did NOT support the iPod... but supported a Zune instead. But that's just me... and 70% of the MP3 player market. I'd hope it at least has an AUX jack.
@ cr
Pointing out the blatantly obvious does get old. The fact that Apple has more market share.was the very first thing that EVERYONE who read this post thought about.
I think it's kind of funny/ironic. As a home Mac user I see enough of the "why support 10% of the market" comments when it comes to hardware/software/service support on the Mac.
I've had a few Zunes and I think they're pretty decent little devices with a good client and a rather nice service. I'm happy to see more support for it out in the industry.
I'd rather not have a Microsoft product in my car..I would be too afraid to crash. Linux FTW.
Microsoft SYNC says hi.
That's soooooo original of a thing to say, man! Phew, I'm glad I haven't heard that one before.
I think this is a start. there are so many aftermarket stereos with ipod integration, i just want one that works with my zune. My new car doesn't have an aux line and my fm transmitter only works when i hold it by my crotch. its not gonna sell me on the car, but i'd appreciate the option.
the strange thing here is that this evening I was reading a comparison between the chevy camaro and ford mustang, and I read that the mustang had SYNC, so is kinda strange that the competition has somehow the same ability.
Does it really matter? Standard Stereos by and large suck and are over priced.
I think it does considering that fewer and fewer cars have head units that can be replaced in the aftermarket. I know that my Pontiac can have a 3rd party head unit installed, but he original has to be mounted in the trunk or under the seat because most everything in the cabin is wired through it. If we have to use the factory head units give us all the options possible. And in case you haven't been to a car dealership lately, factory stereo systems have improved greatly in the last 5 years or so.
Interesting point.
Um, the Zune isnt even offered in Australia, and if it is i havent seen one in any major retailer. So why they would integrate Zune support into a market where zunes arent sold is just plain dumb.
Does it make sense to you to produce different versions of every component for each market? Weather you can buy a Zune or not, using a single component in all markets allows them to save money. The small variations in options inflate the cost of production.
AUX-in...the ultimate in universal mp3 player support. I really don't need actual player integration, regardless of player model/manufacturer. I hate looking down at the console to skip tracks, etc. I just make a playlist of favorites and let it play through AUX.
Wow, adding support for an MP3 player that has 4% of marketshare. They'd have been better off to add SanDisk Sansa support, they'd at least have 11% of the market. I wonder if I can get a brown Camaro to go with my brown Zune...
Actually, I believe the Sansa is also supported. The thing has a USB cord. Sansa does not hide its files or apply DRM so the system can scan the device for media and play it with full integration. On the Zune and iPod, however, in order to play through USB you need a partnership with the company for the use of protected files on the device. So, since this stereo supports both Zune AND iPod along with other players who do not hide or DRM their files, it supports nearly the entire market of Mp3 players.
Well I gotta say, at least somebody involved in this ad campaign has good taste in music.
I don't know how we survived before MP3 player integration in cars.
Of course, the DICE adapter in my car blows goats. So when it pukes, I think "how quaint... 12 tracks on this CD I left in my player"
To tell the truth i see people using ZUNEs more then i see ipods, it may not be the best idea they came up with but at least their trying to target a new crowd a crowd that might actually have money, in time things change zune could hit it big and the ipod could crash. Me personally wouldn't buy a ZUNE or IPOD they don't interest me. Chevy is making a step towards something they at least deserve a hand.
That's because they can't fit the Zune in their pocket.
Nice, listening to the Sopranos theme song while riding in your new Camaro... The guy at this "undisclosed dealer" is a BAMF.
Wow, the Zune hate is strong in here.
Former iPod owner turned Zune owner after I sent back the damn iPod 4 times to be repaired for continued faulty and shoddy hardware.
Picked up the Zune 30GB a week after launch and fell in love. All you can eat music and NOW I get to own 10 songs I download a month. I sent it back only once for HDD failure. Unfortunately it was stolen and I picked up a 4GB to hold me over, and this device has been leaked on, stepped and dragged against the ground and STILL works. Can't say that for my old iPod.
I'm feeling the hate in here too. It's like hanging out with all my friends. I picked up my Zune 80GB after a friend dropped my ipod and killed it. I fell in love with it. The software had some issues in the beginning but I've been problem free for a while now. Not knocking on my ipod, its good, but I prefer the zune way more. Just wish people would start making some accessories for it (decent alarm clocks, car stereos, ect)
>> "All you can eat music and NOW I get to own 10 songs I download a month."
Yeah... after you pay $15 a month.
What if you are busy and don't have time to go searching for *new* music? What if you just wanna listen to your *old* music? You still have to pay the fee.
Unless you are constantly getting new music... you're just paying a service fee to use your Zune. Yeah... the 10 "free" tracks a month are nice... but sometimes I can go 2 or 3 months without buying new songs. The cost for that? $0 a month.
I don't mind paying for a cell phone because I talk and text every day. I don't mind paying for cable... because it's my TV, Internet and phone.
I don't wanna pay for music that way... because I just wouldn't get the same use out of it. But that's just me. I'm glad you like it. You get 120 songs a year for $180. I wouldn't know what to do with that many... not to mention the thousands I could listen to during the year. It would be a little overwhelming... :)
Yes if you don't download enough music to make use of the Zune pass then it would be increadibly stupid to use it. You can still buy music from the Zune marketplace and keep it forever...it's even higher quality than the new iTunes DRM free music. You also can re-download that music that you bought an unlimited number of times if your hard drive crashes. And it's all still only $0.99 a song.
For people that do like listening to new music the Zune pass can't be beat. I download tons of music a month...way more than the $15 a month I would spend with iTunes, or buying the CD.
Any way you look at it the Zune Marketplace and Zune pass is a better deal than iTunes.
Keep with it, Microsoft. I support.
I do have a zune, and with this new deal, Microsoft must've showed them a pretty bad ass zune HD prototype to strike this exclusive deal... kinda makes me pumped
It probably integrates as nicely with the iPod, seeing as all new Black Tie [and beyond] radio units now support USB connectivity.
This is a great Onion article..
oh wait..
ouch
Hell yeah!
It's about time the five of us who own Zunes got some love from car audio manufacturers!
If more 3rd-party accessory manufactuers (including car stereos) started supporting the Zune in place of (or more realistically....alongside) the iPod, it will definately improve the brand image.
I actually know alot of people with Zunes and we all agree on one thing....if more people put a little thought into their purchases, the iPod wouldn't have nearly the marketshare it does (it wouldn't be dead and gone, but it would be a more level field). Most people hear music player and immediately think iPod. People see anything else as an inferior brand even if they know nothing about it (I could make a similar argument about Intel v AMD) and just buy the ipod because it's the one they know about or it's the "cool" option (although frankly...me and my fellow zune-owning friends would beg to differ on that)
I've had several people ask me about music players and while I didn't say "OMG ZUNE IPOD IS TEH SUX" I did tell them to look at all the options, and that they might be pleasantly surprised......most of them ended up with zunes.