Zune HD 64 makes surprise appearance
By Thomas Ricker 
posted March 29th 2010 4:51AM
posted March 29th 2010 4:51AM
[Thanks, David H.]
posted March 29th 2010 4:51AM
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Instead of releasing more units we cant use how about releasing the Zune HD in the UK/Europe?
@Sheppard
Agreed, where's the love. I'd snap one up in a second
@weeandystheman
and Australia?
@(Unverified)
Ive got one and I live in Australia :D, just need to do some fiddling with location and whatnot apart from that works fine :P
@Sheppard I hope that a European Launch is imminent - at least I got the surprise of a german Zune Software waiting for me in Windows Update yesterday. Not sure if that's because I installed the WMP7S emulator the day before and it's been there for some time or something else, but last time I checked you weren't even allowed to install english Zune Software on a german Windows...
@Sheppard
Man, once they hit 80+ GB, It's goodbye to my current Zune80.
At least this gives the iPod crowd one less advantage.
@Sheppard
or Canada???
@Sheppard
Got one on eBay and it works fine for me in the UK, but you can't buy anything on marketplace.
@Sheppard
What a tease I just clicked on the link and nothing!
Honestly I was willing to pick one these up at launch if they would have had the 64 GB capacity. I somewhat gotten use to using my Iphone for all-in-one device. Even though the Iphone music player is not up to par with the Zune software, for me it's not enough to have a standalone player.
Then comes the announcement that Zune player software will be on Windows Mobile 7 which again is another reason not to buy this device. Honestly the lack of volume rocker kills it for me since I constantly use it at the gym.
@TehSilentWolf
I'm in Perth with the same success, it's such an awesome player and I always get asked what type of phone it is. Pity that...
@Sheppard It is going to page not found at least for now for me :(
@Sheppard
Idon't think there is a new product available, otherwise the site has to go down, doesn't it?
@Sheppard
Or how about Canada, eh Microsoft? You know, the polite guys to the south? The ones you're freaking 2 minutes away from! *sigh* Can't put the blame all on MS though, I imagine it's as much fault of our and US governments as theirs. You'd think after 200+ years of being good neighbors we'd work out a system that would allow products to flow smoothly between two countries.
@2late2die
to the north! damn momentary dyslexia! and damn the engadget edit-lacking comment system.
@Sheppard Like anyone cares about the Zune.
@r34p3r Yes,
I still have my 120GB Zune, while I just purchased the 32GB about a month ago. I thought it might be Sept before that 64GB came out, but I hope it's soon. This baby bout to go on eBay, and its time for an upgrade..
Also, iTunes will probably NEVER get the subscription service that is Zune Pass. That is KEY to great music discovery, along with the Social and Channel bits. Let's not forget Xbox integration and WP7S integration with Zune as well. ZUNE FTW!
@r34p3r
What advantage? The new Touch will have 128GB of storage, an Apple A3 processor and run about 200,000 apps. The Zune HD 64GB is about one year too late.
I'm not saying the Zune HD isn't a nice media player. I'm sure it is, but consumers and developers just don't seem to be interested in it.
@Fanman
Yeah you can, you just need to change some settings on your PC and browser and you can access Music in marketplace....
@MosesusedaniPad
are you some kind of psychic?
@pachi72 It's gone now. No more Zune HD 64 http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm#
@r34p3r not really you know the iPod touch comes in a 64 gb flavor don't you?
@Sheppard
i still can't believe MS hasn't released this in the europe yet. I mean, even as a yank (californian) i feel for you guys. But then again, maybe MS is just bitter about that whole EU browser ballot debacle, and unfortunately taking it out on you guys. Can't think of any other reason =P sorry, had to do it
@JohnMKeynes
I have a Zune HD 32. I think it's easier to change the volume on it while active than on my cell phone (HTC Touch Pro2 with v similar volume rocker to iPhone). you punch a big thumb-sized button on the side to bring up the on-screen controls then just swipe up or down on the screen to change volume. You can also swipe left or right for next track or back track.
@theaussiepunk exactly, its not that hard!!! its quite easy
@Sheppard Microsoft has got until september, if the Zune Hd is not released in Europe by then I will have to do with an iPod Touch. By then I'll have waited long enough, my first gen iPod Nano was a great friend but now he lasts only 3 hours on one charge. I need a new baby
@Sheppard
Ebay people
@Sheppard Better still, Quick DJ in Zune software gives 3 options. Select from only within collection, mix between collection and Marketplace, or only items from Marketplace. The latter is what I do every time, it's about the best way to discover new music that I've found... I like this song, recommend similar songs to me that I don't already have in my collection. I just wish there was an option to set that as default for every new Quick DJ, now I have to create Quick DJ list and then click the option to re-generate it using only Marketplace content.
Opinions. http://bit.ly/zunehd-64-series
I hope there'll be some WP7 phone with 64GB.
@JRKScope with the identical design. it would be gorgeous
@davepermen Heres to 64GB WP7S OS on the Zune HD 2
@JRKScope: Mark my words, expect a fully wireless Zune Pass capable, expandable memory, WP7S derived phone on the market by May as Project Pink, (Danger).
@JRKScope I remember when the zune hd first came out and I was really interested by it, everyone kept saying, "this would be an awesome phone." I agree. I hope microsoft is just waiting to release it later this year around when WP7S comes.
wow, can't wait. Will it work with iTunes?
@tongueincheek
...no, but the zune software is better anyways imo.
anyways, im not sure to be upset about this lol as i just got my 32gb a month ago. luckily i still have some space yet so i dont need more yet but still. i like to have the best option.
@tongueincheek
Hangover? take a glass of iced water doc
@Kinte Kunta Let me preface this by saying I haven't used iTunes in about 2 years, but I've found everything with the Zune software to be much easier and more suited to my preferences. Syncing is way easier and moving my music and movies is easier as well. Plus having all the music on the Zune network at my immediate disposal to browse, download or purchase (if I am feeling generous) is an amazing bonus. It's basically like renting an entire record store.
I think the purchase prices (non-DRM) are about 20-30 cents cheaper too.
@reuterrat How is the podcast feeder? (I cant remember the name I'm supposed to use). Essentially 99% of what iTunes has plus some exclusives? Windows version less bloatware than iTunes?
@Kinte Kunta
Hence what Tristan said, "IMO". Stop with the knee jerk fanboy reactions and take a second to read what ppl post. For me, it's a tie between Songbird and J. River Media Center, which runs like iTunes runs on OSX, not on Windows.
@tongueincheek
GUI. worlds ahead by far.
@Kinte Kunta: It's certainly better than iTunes if you have a laptop and use an external drive for storing your media. Personally, I would never do that, but I helped a client switch over, because iTunes kept losing the external drive...
If she launched iTunes to play something on the internal drive, and shuffle was on, as soon as it hit an external drive file, "Not found" fix your library blah blah blah.
In the Zune software, if the drive isn't there, the software doesn't have a conniption fit. Once it's back, it's back. No big deal. Similarly, it handles networked devices more easily.
Plus, the player just looks nicer, with the artist info screen saver, and it runs a hellalot smoother on low-mid range hardware, from my experience.
@tongueincheek LOL iTunes is terrible. The zune mediaplayer software blows away iTunes. Trust me, I've used both an iPod and now the Zune HD. There is no comparison.
@kstagg
I have an ipod touch so I'm a bit stuck with itunes right now. However, what I really like about itunes is that the smart playlist options are pretty great.
Are they as good on the Zune software?
Also, the one thing that really irks me about the Zune is the song rating system. I'm one of those OCD freaks that rates every song with my smart playlists build on those ratings. Even if the Zune had a scale of 1 to 3, it would be infinitely more useful to me, as opposed to it's love/hate rating.
@LeeBongSmith There is a similar feature, and its called "Quick DJ". You just pick an artist and it will automatically generate a playlist of similar music.
The thing that makes it better than what iTunes offers is Zune Pass integration. Quick DJ will throw in a few songs that you don't own into the playlist via Zune Pass. If you like them, use one of you 10 downloads a month and keep the song in your collection.
@Kinte Kunta
You do realize that him saying the zune software better than iTunes is no different than you saying that iTunes is better...
@MrArmageddon
Better still, Quick DJ in Zune software gives 3 options. Select from only within collection, mix between collection and Marketplace, or only items from Marketplace. The latter is what I do every time, it's about the best way to discover new music that I've found... I like this song, recommend similar songs to me that I don't already have in my collection. I just wish there was an option to set that as default for every new Quick DJ, now I have to create Quick DJ list and then click the option to re-generate it using only Marketplace content.
@Tristan88888888
There is a "Zune software"? And it's not Windows Media Player? Or is it?
@LeeBongSmith
The heart system is essentially a 1-3 rating system. Broken heart is 1, empty heart is 2, full heart is 3.
@rapier1
Thanks for the tips. But as for the ratings, I've read that when I import my itunes library, the Zune will automatically love 3-5 Star songs and hate 1-2 star songs. So essentially, an unranked heart is not a "like" rating, it is a "no" rating, just as a no star song in Itunes is not the same as a 1 star song. I know it's just semantics at this point, but psychologically for me, it really makes a difference. Like I said, I'm a bit OCD.
Also, in turns of "Smart Playlists", I don't mean the Genius playlists (pick a song and itunes will make a playlist based on that song). What I mean is that I have certain criteria for playlists so when I rank a song, it is automatically added to the smart playlists (depending on genre, rating, etc.)
Anyways, thanks for all the info. I'm thinking of getting a Zune HD 64 now, selling my ipod touch, and then buying the new Zune HD 2 later on. I want to get out of apple's grip, just don't know how.
1. unconfirmed
2. still not available in UK
now im starting to think that my 30 gig classic is the best zune to have. Also, i have tried playing songs off my mobile using the touchscreen. the phone itself is nice and the interface is great but i think i will stick to physical keys for my mp3 player.
@rakeshin
Are you serious? It's right there on the Zune Marketplace page. Yes, it's not officially announced but when it's off Microsoft's site and is obviously demonstrated to the world before an official announcement, it's definitely going to be confirmed.