Zune 4.0 software is out, ready to fulfill your dreams (update: kills "squirting")
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Sep 15th 2009 3:05AM
posted Sep 15th 2009 3:05AM
P.S. Looks like older Zunes are getting a version 3.2 update -- screengrab after the break.
Update: The new Zune software is fully Windows 7 optimized as you'd expect. That means it supports Windows 7 Jump Lists (for quick access to your music controls and playlists from the Taskbar), Previews letting you glimpse and control media by hovering your mouse over the Zune button on the Taskbar, and Aero Snap auto-resizing of the Zune software window. Here's a quick overview of what else is new:
- Quickplay menu: quick access from your Zune HD to your favorite media including those you most recently added or played
- Smart DJ: Like Apple's Genius, Smart DJ creates like-minded music mixes. It also adds music from the Zune Marketplace if you have a Zune Pass.
- Mini Player Mode: Keeps a mini version of the player on top of your PC apps
- Download to own: For the first time you can download-to-own or rent full movies and TV shows in SD or HD formats.
[Thanks to Mario H., Travis, and everyone who sent this in]
downloaded and installed :D. zune 30 getting 3.20 update
quick list looking good
Any changes to the Zune 30 UI?
Dammit not downloading the 64-bit version for some reason. Pretty cool that you can access everything in the store on Zune.net and don't need to even install the software.
no changes to 30 UI. i dont see any difference at all. but i see liiiittle lag on the device
I hear that the new software will add touch screen capability to the Zune 30,80 and 120. Is this true?!?! If so I will skip the HD and just get the touch enabled zune80 for a cheaper price! Can anyone verify this? Please!
/gullible
@sacapuntas: does it not seem strange to you that a software update could translate into a hardware update for older zunes?
@sacapuntas
Sadly, you really do need the "/gullible" tag because some people would actually buy into this. It should be pretty obvious that the older Zunes would not be getting the new 3D stuff, but it looks now like the only thing the firmware update does is allow syncing to the new software. I'm surprised they didn't change anything else... codec support, more settings, etc.
I think the Apple juggernaut with the huge app store and the equally large accessory ecosystem will be make competition very difficult for Microsoft to overcome. It has little to do with how technologically superior the Zune HD is. In addition, there is no denying that Apple has a huge fan support that continues to fanatically support it's products and push for their success. All these elements are really what determines the success that Apple has enjoyed. Apple needs the competition nonetheless for the benefit of all consumers. There's no denying that.
If only there was a zune app for my ipod touch... guess that "there's an app for that " dosen't apply here...wait, I still have that 2 year protection from best buy... * hurries skipping across meadows and fields to best buy*
" My ipod touch has given me too many problems, can i just get that zune hd instead?"
" Certainly, my young lad! But pardon, if I may ask, what brings you to such a hastened decision?"
"I have suffered from the wretchedness of those dreaded fart apps for many a time now, but the light hath shone today... plus, it's a great gaming machine."
If only there was a zune app for my ipod touch... guess that "there's an app for that " dosen't apply here...wait, I still have that 2 year protection from best buy... * hurries skipping across meadows and fields to best buy*
" My ipod touch has given me too many problems, can i just get that zune hd instead?"
" Certainly, my young lad! But pardon, if I may ask, what brings you to such a hastened decision?"
"I have suffered from the wretchedness of those dreaded fart apps for many a time now, but the light hath shone today... plus, it's a great gaming machine."
Did MS marketing kill "squirting" because the top Google (or Bing) result for that term is "female ejaculation"?
@Smartmouth
I was a hairpin away from downvoting you 'cause I thought the joke dragged on and was poorly executed, but then I saw the last line. I choked on my soda, sir. Good show.
I would update but unfortunately those two girls can no longer squirt
What's the desktop software called? iZunes.
@Jean
Could have something more to do with there just aren't a lot of squirters around. Even if you find one, its still a lot of work to make it happen.
sigh... if only Engadget's commenting system worked as well as the Zune software...
YES!!!!! So excited for this update!
playing with it now. This software is SLEEK
It looks EXCELLENT. Perfect font, everything nice and neat and tidy. There is also a Taskbar mode that you can enable in Settings (Toolbar Mode, they call it). It is slightly different from the Mini Mode that documented.
http://pakkei.tumblr.com/post/188400253/zune-4-0-software-taskbar-mode-you-can-hide-zune
That's one thing I loved about WMP 11. Toolbar integration. Now that Zune has it, I have no use for WMP12 on my future Win7 PC.
I've got to admit it was always sleek and awesome, I use it even without a zune (hint release it in Asutralia)
Mini mode! Beautiful! You just drag the window smaller and it changes mode.
Very delicate improvements to the animations throughout...
That should be read as "S (pause 200 milisecs) L (pause 200 milisecs) E (pause 200 milisecs) E (pause 200 milisecs) K".
The point is you should pause for at least a 100 milisecs between each letters.
please someone tell me that there is star rating on this version instead of just the "heart"
that's pretty much my deal breaker...
@willy:
Do you have a problem remembering which songs you like? Seriously, how is the rating system a dealbreaker?
well, according to the extensive study done by the zune team, you're one of very few that fairs better with stars rather than hearts.
think of it as a three star system. :)
DAMN IT, I hate you microsoft. My live account always throws errors when I try to sign in under it.
I've already called Microsoft multiple times. First time they told me there's nothing they could do. Second time the chick said that the harddrives were corrupted on Microsoft server, she was either _ or trying to take me for an _. Third time the guy said my entire account was deleted then he hung up on me. Fourth time yet again nothing they could do.
Evidently there's a censor on non curse words. reh - tard or id - iot
Lol.
Well, at least you fixed it. Thank you, but I'd still really appreciate it if you''d just say "Hey no curse words." instead of saying "HEY YOU DID IT, COMMENT POSTED!" and it not posting.
The account servers aren't online yet..........
you don't have to sign in to download the software. it asks for one, but just use the download now button. itunes does the same thing. after a while i figured out i don't have to keep giving them my email address.
you only have to sign up to get the Zune pass trial.
Ack. Error Server 500 when logging into live account. Fix it Microsoft.
wait for few mins.. its just back online
Displays this message:
page unavailable
Sorry, this page is unavailable. Try searching for the info you need in the upper-right corner of the page, or try one of the links below.
I'm guessing the zune site is getting hammered.
yes.. not all parts are up yet
Currentlly installing.
It's odd that the 3.1 software wouldn't let me log in, and zune.net just gave me the "something is coming" page, but the zune software let me check for updates and install.
HOLY SH*T YES! :D
omfggggg it's installing
Yay it's finally here! The day that apple will forever crap their pants and go crying home to daddy Jobs.
there is an app part of the marketplace btw
hi, anyone know what laptop/netbook is featured in the above press shot?
I also want to know what netbook that is, anyone know?
Me? Obsessive of Zune? naw
*downloading*
Well I didn't get an early lucky buy, I showed up to Wal Mart 2 hours ago to buy it (central time midnight) and I've been refreshing my Zune every 10 minutes waiting for this update. Finally! I can go to bed and play with this thing all day tomorrow!
thats what she said
it's beautiful, i'm crying
lol niiice......... wait why am i even up? i dnt have a zune hd yet.
oh and btw, different colors are not available on the zune hd 16gb. whats up with that?
Did someone say Colours?! xD
Well here, have all the Zune HD colours in the software ^_^ (uhhh... I'll add names to them in a minute >_
Oh great, it cut off my message. Well here:
thezoone.com/news.php/2009/09/taste-the-rainbow/
i was quite upset about that too, but if you add a zune original to the cart there is a little banner at the top that reads " Coming soon: all colors in both 16GB and 32GB capacities "
good, cause i want me a black 32GB :D
Lol, I stayed up late for the last update. Silly me, I thought it was going to be at midnight EST.
Downloading now. I'm kinda pissed though that the Zune Store lets you have a 32 GB in every color but black. I really am not a fan of the platinum color. I'll probably break down and just buy a 32GB anyway at a store tomorrow.
Someone remind me again why i would want a Zune which only has a 480 x 272 display?
If they had put a WVGA or sharper display on it. I'll be first in line for it.
even if you display HD resolution on that size screen, you will not notice any difference. fact!
and considering it's OLED... pixels won't be an issue
@rakesh
You are wrong... have a look at HTC touch pro and you'll see u can actually web browsing without having to zoom in .. sure u have to hold the display a little closer to eyes.
try comparing a hd image and a normal image not webpages. pages are rendered locally so that may cause the issue but i was taught by udine that my comment is correct
Because it's a great gaming device.
There is a formula for this that deals with the relationship between viewing distance, screen size and resolution. It's called the Lechner Distance.
http://hdguru.com/?p=21
I think a 4" diagonal screen at 720p has a maximum viewing distance of less than 10" before you can't make out the pixels anyway, so at 3-3.5" or thereabouts you would need to be about 7" from the screen. So maybe these Zune/iDevice/HTC or whatever handheld could display 720p but unless you wanted to hold it up to your face... all wasted; with viewing at normal handheld distance (relaxed arm length), lo and behold, you can probably see only half the res, actually even a bit less, which not surprisingly is about the res they offer.
As for the HTC, well yeah sure, it has a slightly bigger screen AND go into any "TV Shop" you will be sure to find HDTV's that are too small to display their claimed viewable resolution at the likely "lounge room" viewing distance.
Are there still people who believe tech companies selling on specs offer specs that are useable?
God, I wish this was a phone, I would dump my iPhone 3GS in a heartbeat. SEXY. O_o
Amen to that (except for the iphone part, I don't own one)
We have a winner. The Zune software is so slick, I just want to use it, and the player is fantastic without being overly trendy. Plus, I could sell all my black mock turtlenecks...
downloaded and been at 100% downloading components for 15 minutes...whats the deal?
I'm stuck at the same place.
Same here. Are there any who have experienced this, and got through ?
Fixed it.
Cancel installation,
go into ( old ) Zune -> Settings -> General -> Check for updates. That worked for me :)
I had the same problem. I quit the installation and picked the update option from the Zune Software and it worked right away. It didn't have to redownload either.
I love the internet.
Thanks guys, I was sitting at this too, and I wanted to update before I head to work.
I also ran into this issue, which is rather annoying as it directed me out to the page to download from the damn Zune software when trying to sign into the marketplace. However it was wanting me to agree to the updated terms of service, not download the newest version of the software. Updating directly from the 3.0 software however worked like a charm.
Hasn't worked for me after eight (8) tries - keep getting error messages. Have downloaded recommended fixes from MS - still no luck. What am I doing wrong?
I'd have to have a Live account just to use my Zune? WTF?
You can use any email address for a Live account... not a big deal.
MS Wants to know how many people use the Zune and maintain stats so it can get advertisers. I think it's fair as they need to see some market share improvements otherwise, they'll need to make some hard choices. If I were MS, I would sell the Zune line to Amazon and concentrate on improving the XBOX which has become rather stale. Throwing money at the Zune just to compete with Apple is silly.
@topspeed
Yea but then it'd be called the Amazune and nobody wants that. ;)
only need a live account to get zune pass or be part of the social. use the device and the software with no account as much as you want.
You think my girl would be mad if I woke her for a nice trip to Walmart? (Zune HD is my birthday gift)
64 bit link on the right side of the page was giving me the save version as the 32 bit link. clicking the pink "64 Bit Version" link under system requirements worked.
Thanks I was having that problem
pardon my bad english there.. its a little late
it was doing the exact same thing for me, but then it mysteriously fixed itself.
now it's stuck [seriously] on the "downloading components" section of the install process.
it's been at 100% for about 15 minutes now....
i have to wait until 10am to get my zune hd cant wait .
What is the laptop in the picture? It's really chunky.
Zune Store not loading up for anyone else?
Grr.. They cut off the trick where you could change the location to US to access the marketplace.
When you sign-in, it now checks the location of your account against your windows region and if they mis-match, it doesn't sign you in.
Hey Microsoft - PODCASTS ARE FREE ya know!!
so now if i bought it i m in india i wont be able to access the marketplace?
we can change the time in our pc too rite??
to us timing thn we could access marketplace
You can easily change your windwos region by going to regional and language settings and setting the location to united states, I am in the UK and this setting has worked to get me the marketplace and social on both of my computers (x86 and x64).
DaJMeister, is it still working for the 4.0 software?
That sucks. I guess non-USers will have to add podcasts manually.
@warriormaxx.
So did ya finally get your hands on a Zune HD.Please tell me how.I wanna get one too
xbox 360 still down
What games/apps are in the marketplace?
i guess live section is not live yet
I just went to walmart and bought the two zune hds they managed to get in stock. I must say, it is a lot smaller then I thought and the screen is amazing. Software is downloading now. 3d transitions are amazing.
Anyone else having issues with getting the 64-bit? I can't get it...I AM VERY VERY SAD (READ : ANGRY) ABOUT THIS.
i upgraded my old zune s/w and got 64 bit. smooth. no issues
If you already have the zune 3 software, check settings->software->general->check for updates. That should download the 64 bit installer.
My Win 7 64bit upgrade failed. I uninstalled the old software and did it from scratch off a new download. Worked then.
Woot NEW SOFTWARE
Anti-Apple
Go Windows