Chevy Camaro evidently nabs Microsoft Zune support

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]

[JesseBurton @ May 11th 2009 11:39PM]

And this is why Chevy is Bankrupt.

[CH3BURASHKA @ May 11th 2009 11:57PM]

Go to Hell. Zune is awesome.

[TheSuburbanWhiteBoy @ May 12th 2009 12:05AM]

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.

[iphonerulez @ May 12th 2009 12:09AM]

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.

[Chris @ May 12th 2009 12:11AM]

When you have a nicer car than the new Camero I'll listen to you BK.

[Michael Scrip @ May 12th 2009 12:12AM]

>> "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...

[sacapuntas @ May 12th 2009 12:30AM]

@Michael

Actually blackberry is the number one smart-phone company in the US (where the chevy will be mainly marketed) right now.

[Will @ May 12th 2009 12:42AM]

The Sopranos! Those were the days...

[Nohone @ May 12th 2009 12:32AM]

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)

[CygnusOmega @ May 12th 2009 12:43AM]

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.

[Jubei @ May 12th 2009 1:00AM]

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.

[Boudu @ May 12th 2009 1:17AM]

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.

[Michael Scrip @ May 12th 2009 1:31AM]

@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.

[Mr Clickerson @ May 12th 2009 1:45AM]

Jubei, a Camaro of any kind >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ANY care you will EVER own. Just like the Zune > iPod. Very, very much the same idea.

[garrenteed @ May 12th 2009 1:57AM]

@TheSuburbanWhiteBoy
you just said cars are getting increasingly uglier. that is dumb. especially saying that in an article about the 2010 Camaro.

[Jubei @ May 12th 2009 2:07AM]

"ANY care"

Review your post before you response. LOL... Again Zeus God aka Mr. Banned Clickerson = FAIL!!

[insky @ May 12th 2009 2:14AM]

@Jubei
"before you response."

Maybe you should read that again.

[IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (BarCODE) @ May 12th 2009 2:27AM]

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.

[霽月瀛台 @ May 12th 2009 4:10AM]

Nobody drives it in HK.

Only the people in China got cheated by US car markers.
Crappy stuff. Obama agrees so.

[JesseBurton @ May 12th 2009 7:10AM]

I LOVE Cheburashka!!!

[skant @ May 12th 2009 10:10AM]

@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.

[pete @ May 12th 2009 10:17AM]

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

[Microdot @ May 12th 2009 10:42AM]

@ 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.

[Michael Scrip @ May 12th 2009 2:50PM]

@ 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.

[Chad @ May 12th 2009 2:51PM]

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).

[Aaron @ May 12th 2009 6:22PM]

@ 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

[Mr Clickerson @ May 12th 2009 8:58PM]

LOL!

Jubei gets owned, yet again.

[Sam H @ May 11th 2009 11:40PM]

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.

[chispito @ May 12th 2009 12:04AM]

Also, they help you hit it off with Megan Fox and protect you from evil robots.

[Luis @ May 11th 2009 11:39PM]

So who uses this Zune thing they're talking about...?

[eltoro2827 @ May 12th 2009 2:52PM]

your mother.

[TomTom2007 @ May 11th 2009 11:44PM]

Can it, it's 2009.

[underwhelmed @ May 12th 2009 12:02AM]

Yeah, it's 2009. The Zune has gone from being unloved brown brick, to just being unloved. Where do you live? Redmond?

[BK @ May 12th 2009 12:03AM]

"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!

[Doug @ May 12th 2009 1:29AM]

We have five Zunes in my family. We like them better than the iPods we have.

[Kyle Omphroy @ May 12th 2009 9:33AM]

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.

[JesseBurton @ May 11th 2009 11:40PM]

And the rest of GM with them.

[aenima4386 @ May 11th 2009 11:41PM]

about time the zune gets some love. it deserves it

[Michael Scrip @ May 12th 2009 12:01AM]

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?

[BK @ May 12th 2009 12:04AM]

What does love from the dead feel like?

[skant @ May 12th 2009 10:31AM]

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

[Michael Scrip @ May 12th 2009 2:54PM]

@ 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.

[Bill @ May 11th 2009 11:41PM]

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.

[Lando Calrissian @ May 11th 2009 11:54PM]

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...

[CH3BURASHKA @ May 11th 2009 11:58PM]

I'm the F who owns a Zune. And guess what? It's not the piece of crap you imagine it to be.

[Bill @ May 12th 2009 12:41AM]

Ok, guys, relax, obviously you did not see the ";)" in my post. So who's the douche bag now? ;)

[chispito @ May 12th 2009 1:02AM]

Still you.

[chispito @ May 12th 2009 1:06AM]

Actually, nobody. I hate that insult, and it hasn't been funny for the last... when was Digg.com founded? Since then.

[Jon Graft @ May 12th 2009 11:59AM]

@ 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.

[Nick @ May 12th 2009 2:15PM]

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....