Scheduled Zune maintenance could last for up to 24 hours
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 24th 2010 4:20PM
posted January 24th 2010 4:20PM
Regular Zune users may have already noticed the alert warning of some impending downtime, but those that haven't should know that Microsoft is advising folks that some maintenance scheduled for tomorrow could last for as long as 24 hours. That will begin at 10PM PST on January 25th, and will affect all Zune services, including Zune Pass, Zune Marketplace, Zune.net streaming and Zune video on Xbox Live. Once the service is back up, users will also have to update their PC software, and users of Zunes other than the Zune HD will also have to update their device's firmware. This scheduled maintenance is also apparently just that, maintenance -- although Microsoft is promising that things like Smart DJ and other features announced at CES, as well some as "unannounced features," will be rolling out in another update sometime this Spring.
Microsoft ('Dave Mac') said on anythingbutipod.com to "enjoy Xvid/AVI support, enjoy on-device SmartDJ, and enjoy the Facebook app when it officially launches". Other sources say that is all coming this month (others this spring, but all say fb this month), so I wouldn't be surprised if most/all of this launches tomorrow.
http://anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51368
finally a firmware update for the older zune models.
They better get it right, i was forced to downgrade my 120's firmware from 3.20 to 3.1 since it caused an "infinite time" issue on my device and would occasionally cause it to freeze.
if you get a zune hd and once u use the software for a week i guarantee you will be hooked
If the maintenance is anything like the maintenance for Xbox LIVE, the service won't quite be working correctly for a few days afterward.
The zune has a major following. iTunes is tops but zune has a huge following as well
@Tarusdg Mmmm really? That's news to me, in what country exactly? Heck, I see more people using PSPs as MP3 players around my area than Zune HD users. I have yet to see one person using a Zune HD in public (So Cal here).
@winbsodos Not just the HD. You got the 30 80 120 4 and 8. Not saying that there are hordes of subscribers but there are a lot.
@winbsodos
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/12/two-million-zunes-have-been-sold/
and that was in 2008. Like I said, it's not like sales, but 2 million means they have a following. It's 2010 now so they have sold a least 2 million and 1
Will they announce Mac support? Pretty please?
Good for them, they need to make sure that all 100 people who bought a Zune are taken care of. I almost bought one, since they are priced so cheap, for my son but after using it for about an hour I decided that this pos isn't worth even the 40% off the store was offering.
@Lancelot9201
Just as well, the store probably didn't take food stamps anyway.
One of these days, we should get Live integration. I've been expecting to see some achivements to go with the (too few) games on the HD. The accounts are already linked for a lot of us so I wouldn't think that would be insanely difficult to implement.
More games please. Come on Microsoft. You're a software company! Flex that massive code monkey staff, put the whip on their ass and give Zune HD owners some content.
@Anticrawl Whooo - how about Flash and Adobe Air support? Think about the types of applications we could put on the Zune HD with that kind of compatibility?
Yeah, I know, I know - it's all about the silverlight with MS. But a guy can dream, can't he?
Recently having my Zune 80 stolen by a spiteful ex-girlfriend, I was forced to use my Iphone as an MP3 player and have heard of the horror stories of Itunes. There were certain things that it did better than my Zune sync software. However overall it was really no comparison in terms of simplicity of managing music.
I was close in picking up Zune HD but the lack of volume buttons, huge downgrade in capacity from Zune 80 and finally lack of touch input other than the touch screen was enough to put me off from making a purchase.
I mostly use my MP3 player for the gym and having the ease of squircle to switch tracks and control volume without having to take it off my hip was perfect. Also was great when driving since didn't have to look down to switch tracks and toggle volume needs no argument why its functional.
I know they are trying to make the Zune HD look appealing but maybe having squircle was great even though probably would not look aestheticically pleasing slapped on the sleek Zune HD. Maybe just functionality of a squircle without the need of it being raised out like the Zune hard drive version.
@JohnMKeynes I use the Zune while driving and since I don't have Sync (I really want Sync in my car) I have to use the controls on the device. I was a little concerned when upgrading from an old 30 to the HD about the lack of physical buttons but it only took a day or two to get used to where they pop up on screen and they give you plenty of room for error. Also, you can use gestures for volume / changing tracks so you don't even have to be close to the softbuttons. The HD is 100% worth the upgrade.
@JohnMKeynes: Like hysonmb said:
Simple gestures when playing music:
Up/Down - Changes volume
Left/Right - Change between different tracks.
You don't have to see, to perform a touch gesture across the screen when you're playing music at the gym. There's also a handy VOLUME ROCKER on the up left side of the Zune HD, so you can change volumes tactilely.
I too kinda wish Microsoft would have continued to sell non-touch based Zune players, that used it's innovative squircle trackpad, but maybe they'll bring it back someday if the Zune HD can pick up marketshare (which I think has mostly been an issue with MS not advertising enough!)
What is with these bulls**t comments for and against the Zune can't any of yall stick to the truth and facts is that so f**king hard to do.
*Yawn*
When are they patching the excitement for this thing? Oh wait they need to patch in actual sales first lol
2 more days!
This is all fine and dandy, but what about ENTERPRISE NETWORK SUPPORT?
I mean it feels like my zuneHD is half of a device because I cannot do simple things like connect to my university's network, with just that one thing it could replace my entire netbook.
Woot can't wait I love my Zune HD
Anti-Apple
Go Zunes :-)
bring on the flash!!! if they gave the zune flash support, it would be great. and faster web browser wouldn't hurt either. since microsoft didn't announce either, it may be a possibility. if not, halo zune wouldn't be bad. >_
You know what I think is hilarious?
If this were an iPod, there would be no Email sent to users..
Rather, a million dollar unveiling by steve jobs, with months of rumours and weeks of followups by the various tech blogs.
Zune.
What can be said.
It sucks.
Lacks 120,000 apps etc
@logic thinker
How does the Zune HD suck exactly?
Still waiting on a 64GB Zune HD.
Swagger - So long have you hated your mother? Seriously - these attacks with no real data to back them up really make you look pretty juvenile. You need to quit while you're behind.
I had a 5th Gen iPod. It was a good device but dang the iTunes really bogged down my system and I had a dual core Intel chip desktop with 4GB ram. I hated having to go through that to load up my ipod everytime and convert all of those music files. I was only too happy to uninstall that monster from my machine.
Loading up my Zune HD is so much smoother, so much quicker and the sound quality is so much better.And the OLED screen? WOW. Be-yoo-ti-ful.
Did I mention I have apps on my blackberry which I can freaking multi-task on. Yeah, can you say that? Say it with me - mul-ti-task. Can the iphone do that? No? Didn't think so.
Do I have all the apps that an iTouch does? No. But do I really need a fart-making app? No. I can do that on my own. All kidding aside - the iphones are really slick, but I haven't heard many people have good things to say about the network down here Dallas. Also, I also like how I can customize the look of my blackberry and change the icons and the like so it looks like a totally different phone if I want it to. And my phone calls on the same network down here on my BB are fantastic.
I am really interested in seeing the Zune phone when it comes out this year though. That would be the only thing that would possibly sway me from my blackberry considering how much I love my Zune HD.
So let's be civil from here on out and "...let's all try and get along." Apple makes some cool products. They finally got around to cut and paste with the last iteration of the iphone I'm sure they'll get around to multi-tasking. :] I am curious to see how the tablet pans out this Wednesday.
Take it easy dude.
Why so much vitriol for a tech product? More competition forces everyone to jump that much higher to beat one another, and that certainly can't be bad.
I doubt that there would be much coming from this update, but it's nice that Microsoft actually bothers to update the original Zune 30. They didn't have to, and in a market pumped full of essentially disposable devices it's a nice touch.
Thank goodness, the PC software was starting to act up...