http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
One thing Microsoft needs to work on is getting the Zune software working on Mac computers. iTunes works in Windows, but Zune doesn't work on OSX? Nice logic there, MS...]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
*you can under some circumstances]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Fixed.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/

Massive Win for you, good sir]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
I have never had a problem... ]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
@Mark

Yes, good show indeed. You don't have to install OSX on a PC, just wait a couple years and MS will just rip off the whole thing. (or maybe that's what you were saying already?)]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
No, I was saying that Windows is the more versatile OS. Just so we're clear here.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Also, m3tric is 100% correct, iTunes is horrible for Windows.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/you're not paying for the subscription and buying songs. you're just paying for the subscription and with that subscription, you get a bonus 10 songs to keep. other songs you get are available to you as long as you have the subscription.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/10/17/BUG2N2D81H1.DTL&type=printable

This is the same software that show duplicates of every single MP3 I own, and (upon rebuilding the catalog) decided to delete my entire music collection. Thankfully, I had a backup.

Just one instance in a long line of false claims by Mr. Jobs. Don't drink the Kool-Aid.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Personally, I would like Microsoft to just go to a drag and drop setup. I like the Zune software, but drag and drop is significantly better overall. It's less of a hastle than syncing with any piece of software.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 7:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 7:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Mac owners only buy Apple media players.

It's a waste of Microsoft's time.]]>Jun 5th 2009 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
It would be nice if all media players had optional drag and drop interfaces. Syncing is easier for the masses.
If you want to drag and drop files to your zune you can do a quick registry change and have the that option available.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
OS X on regular PC Hardware is still a mess. You have to modify the BIOS and hope the drivers work with your hardware. You're always afraid of Updates since they might break stuff. You're 100% right, PC users don't have to install OS X for an experience like that.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Truth wins

But anyway, it would be nice to have a sort of clip on gamepad that allows you to play games on the zune like it was an xbox, because it could do so much more with it. But as it stands i already see the Zune HD as the new standard PMP on the market. If they price it right, i can see the same thing that happened to sony and playstation, happen to apple and the ipod.]]>Jun 6th 2009 9:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
In order for Apple to port iTunes to Windows they just had to port iTunes to Windows Quicktime. Microsoft has no Windows Media Player APIs for OSX. A Zune OSX Port isn't going to happen.]]>Jun 7th 2009 4:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
That's about all I can figure out in this article.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 7:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Thank you, come again.]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 7th 2009 9:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 6th 2009 10:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 7:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/Jun 5th 2009 7:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Maybe they should put them in the middle of the screen???

If you're going to make that logical assumption, than please mention how apple ripped GUIs from windows way back when they made that bet and lost, and how everything apple does from that point forward is a "me too" product.]]>Jun 5th 2009 11:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
I have an iPhone and reading this article made this person sound so biased. If the Zune was a phone, I would ditch my iPhone in a second. Apple's layout blows compared to the new Zune. I will buy the next iPhone coming out, but Zune has way better features and design hands down.]]>Jun 6th 2009 12:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
2. Zune HD is NOT a gaming device/platform and is not targeted for gamers. It is an HD video/music player with touch and is thin enough to carry around. Period. Music lovers will still buy the Zune 120 and /or other market options.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Subscriptions for Music is just something that people aren't going to accept, no matter how you repackage it. If Microsoft was doing to great with it, why the heck aren't they even in second place? SanDisk is still taking them to the cleaners for God's sake.


]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
In theory, to fill 10 GB of your iPod with legal songs you have to pay the same amount of money that will get you over 20 years of Zune Pass, that is more than what you will ever need.

Also Zune is still new, give it a little time and you'll see how people will go for it, just like how people love Netflix now.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
That's why most sane people won't use Zune Pass. It doesn't make much sense to pay for music every month, when you're just buying songs too.

]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
When I want some variety, I just stream last.fm.

But what do I know, I'm still using an ancient iPaq 1935 as my PMP.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
As a Rhapsody subscriber/Zune owner, I've gotta disagree. I'm fine renting my music, since there ends up being not a ton of new material I'm really interested in anyway. I do, however, think that the marketing campaign was deceiving and flat out irritating. Also, your right, subscriptions probably will never catch on (unless Apple does one).

That being said, I don't plan on getting a Zune pass.

Also, I'm pretty sure SanDisk is in second because you can pick up one of their players for $20.]]>Jun 5th 2009 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
I had a conversation with a Zunebot and he brought up the same point. He was like, "Man, with Zune Pass I can test drive songs before I buy them" and I was like, "Why don't you just listen to the radio?"

He looked at me dumbfounded for a moment and then said, "F*ck you!"

I mean, really, isn't that what the radio is for? Why else does the Zune have a radio? Subscription models don't work because people are cheapskates. They don't like monthly fees for something unless it's vital, like electricity or water. But whenever I hear someone say they want to "test drive" their music, I think of Pandora on an iPod touch or the radio on the Zune. It's totally unnecessary to "test drive" your music and pay for it.

]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
So I can listen to entire albums on the radio now? Awesome! Please let me know what station to dial in for that capability. I'd love to check it out!

Seriously, now -- unless all you care about are the current Top 40 hits, then the radio *alone* is just fine. For the rest of us, though, we enjoy these things called "albums" -- you know... 10 songs, 12 songs, etc... all recorded and packaged together! They're great!

You either "get" the subscription music thing, or you don't. You are a Mac-lovin'-knob, Paul, and thus I'm not surprised that you don't get it. It appears to be your lot in life. Many of us, however, have moved on and realize that subcription-based music is actually cheaper (in the long run) and likely the way things are going.]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
1. You say "But if you're paying a subscription every month AND buying songs, what good is the subscription?":

A subscription is there to listen to music that you don't want to spend a full dollar on, For example, I downloaded Eminem's new album from Zune and listened to the whole album, not just a 30 seconds cut but the full songs, then bought one song that I like. Now, anytime I feel like listening to some other songs of the same album that I almost like I could easily go back and listen to the song from my Zune through my PC or WiFi whenever I like. Can't you see how that is awesome?! Maybe it is not what you like: Don't subscribe, just buy the music!

Buying songs is not what the subscription service is all about. This service is something like the Xbox Live Gold account, it is not the music that I only get but I also get along: Social interaction where I can find and set to automatically download music based on some of my friends' taste, I find detailed information about each artist, I get one of the hundreds of free professionally developed playlists that update every week with great music that I would pay or waste so much time doing it myself. I get to use the same account on three different Zunes on three different PCs. I learn more about an artist all in one place within one software.

Do you not see some value to all of that?

2. Then you talk about "That's like having sex with your wife every month for free, while paying to sleep with prostitutes"

To keep it simple, your wife is not a subscription material. Your example is too missed up.

3. Then later you bring up a fake story about some Zune user, comparing the "Radio" to the "Zune Pass".....!

That's comparing Apples to Oranges; At least in a radio station you don't have the choice of downloading your song and playing on any speaker of your choice at the time of your choice, and I can go on with the reasons, but, it isn't even worth it.

Man, why can't you accept things and face the facts? Why do you always have to fake your way or create some nonsense arguments into proving a point?]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
"to get 30,000 songs using Zune Pass's 10 song credit, it would run you $45,000 in Zune Pass subscription fees over 250 years. And that's if you remember to use your 10 song credits every month, because they expire a month later."

Is this a serious statement?

You're not comparing what matters: access to music, not ownership.

"30,000 songs using iTunes: $30,000."

Lifetime (50 years) of unlimited songs, plus 6,000 songs to "keep" (if you really need to): $9,000.

It should be obvious that a subscription service is not a method to buying individual songs to keep -- the 250 year metric is pointless. The 10 songs a month to keep are a bonus (and are merely there as an insurance/incentive), so if you cancel your subscription down the line you're not left with nothing.

In reality, you wouldn't be left with nothing, since you got value each month from your music (you wouldn't say 10 years after buying a gallon of milk that it was all for nothing). Keeping the extra songs is sort of just a psychological extra to get people who are attached to the concept of music ownership to rationalize the subscription service as less risky.

]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
"All I'm saying is that people who want to own their music are going to just buy it anyway. People who rent music, are just going to rent it, but it's rare that you're going to see people who do both."

Not really, this isn't what you stated first. The problem with your arguments isn't bad words or wrong grammar but it is the fake stuff that you claim or conclude which boggles the mind. You seem like a guy who likes to talk, but you sometimes over think or really just not think at all before talking.

You always start by denying facts, then disapproving them, followed by fake backing and then a weak outro as if you didn't mean it.

Think man, think a little, share your opinion with at least some real facts after giving it some thought, is that really hard for you?!]]>Jun 5th 2009 7:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Look at it this way, $15.00 a month to download and keep any song you want, on top of that, while you are paying $15.00 a month you can download and listen to an unlimited amount of songs.

Downloading the "Hottest" songs on itunes at 10 songs a month would cost $13.00. I realize im using the most expensive songs as an example, but the "Hottest" songs are generally the ones played on the radio, which are apparently the only songs worth listening to with your logic. An extra $2.00 a month to have access to any song seems pretty good to me.

The following statement is really not true at all. I can't believe you actually said "Any song worth listening to on an album is going to be played on the radio" First of all, no. Second, you can't arrange a radio stations playlist, and if you want to hear a certain song, chances are, it wont be played for a while. Third, the quality on the radio isn't so great.]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
You said that you never met anybody with a Zune, but you have had conversations with Zune owners about ZunePass. Which is it, you did or did not meet somebody with a Zune? You should really write these things down so you can keep your lies in order.

As for the "Zunebot" comment - no, you are not a Apple loving, Microsoft hating person, you just report things fairly and with "facts".]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
A side note, I applaud Microsoft for taking an edge with the OLED screen, further advancing the screen's market. Though, I don't see the marketing sense at the moment. Are most users going to care? No.

Apple made a smart move not differentiating the software from iPhone and the iPod Touch. The problem I foresee with Microsoft's applications market is that they are for a myriad of devices running two different operating systems. Thus is Microsoft must sell the new Zune off-the-shelves to save the application store that has yet to see fruition. ]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
Civil discussions usually involve facts, and usually do not involve prostitutes and the chauvinist belief of owning ones wife.

@ Saad

I felt you were right on with the benefits of a subscription service, really hitting one of the lesser known points of community interaction. I had iMesh (the name was around way before iTunes), which allowed you to look at different users profiles, and music they listen to. This was great for finding new music from users with similar tastes.

]]>Jun 5th 2009 8:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/switched-on-dark-side-of-the-zune/
"Any song worth listening to on an album is going to be played on the radio, so why waste $15.00 a month listening to something that you can get for free anyway? That sounds stupid to me."

are you fucking kidding me? there's so many things wrong with this sentence I can't let it go by:


1) so if any song worth listening to on an album is going to be played on the radio, then that means all non-singles in the history of music are not worth listening to.
2) there's commercials on radio
3) on-demand...being able to listen anything you want whenever you want. you can pick exactly what you want to listen to on the radio now? i had no idea! thanks paul!
4) older stuff...most radio stations play recent music, within the last 2 months or so.

there's really just no comparison between the two at all. your "argument" is almost like comparing black & white broadcast tv to netflix...but makes even less sense.

i feel dumber after having read what you said and we are all a little bit worse off in our lives after you decided to type in this thread. may god have mercy on your soul.]]>Jun 5th 2009 9:29PM