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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@willowtwf
actually, scratch that. if i've waited this long for a 64GB model i might as well wait for the Zune HD v.2 that will allegedly support all the WP7 apps.
@willowtwf I'm in the same boat
Anybody else noticed they've added a lot of additional video to the Zune. Maybe they'll be adding more apps before the HD2 comes out? Would be nice, microsoft. Yes, I bought it as a music player first and foremost - but the current app selection count is weaaaaaaaaaaaak.
I just bought a zune hd 16 gb. so that I need to get some practice for Windows phone 7 series. Zune HD is killerrrrrrrrr
It's about time, but seriously MS go global with this bad boy.
I'm tired of importing zunes to Canada,UPS and Canada customs is making a killing off me. 30/80/ and now this. :(
i just bought a 32gb from dell two days ago...oh well it was $200 anyway.
@Liselotte
some people say junk comes cheap. But in this case, well zune is insanely original and you got a great deal.
hey there microsoft, whatcha workin on? is that uh, new model zune there? got a little uh, upgrade there huh? little uh, 64gb expansion eh? little uh, storage action going on eh?
@acme64
My credentials: 45 gbs of music and 300 gbs of movies. Ive had
iPod 30, 80 and 160
iPod Touch 8gb
zune 80 and 120
The Verdict:
Computer Software:
Its all about software and zune does a better job recognizing music. itunes might have trouble sometimes.
However, im all about organization and itunes does a better job at it. itunes has a much better marketplace than zunes. Its just so much cleaner than zune. its like google and bing: bing makes me crosseyed with too many links. Zune takes longer to sync.
The PMP itself:
battery life on zunes suck. they get really bad within a year. ipods ive had better experiences with battery. the main thing is finding what i want to listen to and fast. the ipod wins hands down with the circle; its speed sensitive and i get to what i want fast. the search is also great. zunes squircle was alittle off and is just a tad harder to use than an ipods, like not as intuitive.
I have yet to use a zune hd but i bet the experience isnt bad.
@leemahi
I had many friends tell me to get a zune and it wasnt bad. took alot of work to get my purchased music working on my zune. I also always uploaded files and cds with itunes and zune just reads it.
@leemahi
I assume you're talking about the music you bought on the iTunes store taking some tweaking to get it working on your Zune... in which case I'm forced to reply, "Duh." And I gotta say, I have owned an iPod shuffle, nano, and 120GB classic (or was it 80? I duno, not really important), as well as an 80GB Zune, and I always found it much easier to find and play what I wanted on the Zune. The Squircle is speed-sensitive as well, and when you really start zooming through (I have my 80GB Zune filled to capacity with music alone, I have to take stuff off when I want to put videos on =\ ) it will switch to browsing alphabetically.
@Kinte Kunta
Ive owned most of the 30-160 gb ipods, a touch and several zunes. having 45 gbs of music i didnt have much of a choice but to get an ipod. i think both are great but the ease of itunes will win me over. im sorry zune. ull probably be too expensive anyways.
i also want a 64gb cowon s9!
Are you happy now, naysayers?
Just seems weird that they would put a link for it before it's formally announced.
BAD WEBMASTER! BAD WEBMASTER! No soup for you!
@Kinte Kunta Why does it say Page Not Found when click on Zune HD 64?
I've owned a Zune before myself (Gen 1 modified to 80gb with bluetooth) so I'm not saying I don't like the Zune offering. What I will say however is that they will not see another purchase from me until they incorporate bluetooth natively within the player and allow me to sync directly with Windows Media Player or other music managing software. I hate (and I do mean hate) the Zune software.
I find it slow, cumbersome, and overall crappy. It reminds me of why I detest using iTunes to manage my iPhone and it's playlists. I know there are hacks (I've used them myself) that allow third party music player sync, but I don't want to install the Zune software at all. While we're at it, how about the ability to access the player as an external hard drive without a stupid registry hack MS? Really, this should be a no-brainer.
Another thing that is a problem, though it's not a deal-breaker, is the overall lack of peripheral support. Granted, iPods had a much earlier start, but the fact that we're in the third generation and there's still only the tiniest ecosystem out there for Zunes is very disheartening.
I think the Zune (especially the HD) is a superior player in terms of quality and sound, but the fact that they still have not integrated a wireless headphone capability, they leave out basic features that should be obvious, and the requirement of running a management application that is inferior to one they already have on virtually every desktop out there (WMP), I just don't see it ever beating Apple in the game.
Wake up MS and get some actual users involved in your product development. The Apple methodology of "accepting what we develop for you as the best way" practice does not work for you. I thought Microsoft was about allowing users to do what they want with the product.
And for the umpteenth time, Copy/Paste is not useless functionality!!!!!! Get with the program or relegate you to forever being an Apple clone. (note: I don't care for most Apple products, though I do understand they fit for some, it's just not for me.)
@xanatos451
I don't have much of a need to copy/paste on my Zune HD :P
Also, doesn't Bluetooth drain batteries real fast?
@xanatos451
Frankly, I would agree with you had you mentioned the limitations of the Zune HD memory sizes of only 16 and 32 GB flavors, but I won't discount the Zune over the fact that one simple feature (Bluetooth) makes it an inferior product.
I haven't invested in a Zune HD due to the lack of memory capacities. I prefer, and I'm still waiting for, a 64 GB version (despite being teased yesterday on Zune's official website) - dang it!
That being said, the only few flaws I've seen with the Zune HD are: not a larger screen size and not enough memory other than what's currently available.
I'm not aware of WMP not being able to populate your music or video files from/within Zune HD. Since I currently have a Zune 80 GB (2nd generation), I can only attest that I haven't had any sync issues between Zune, WMP, or WMC.
There are few things you would probably need to consider for your WMP to sync as I have posted on Zune:
1. On your computer, open Windows Media Player
2. If you don’t see the classic menu tabs in WMP (File, View, Play, Tools and Help), right-click on the menu bar and click on Show Classic Menus
3. Click on Tools, Options, and Library
4. Click on Monitor Folders
5. Click on Add
6. An “Add Folder” window will appear
7. Click on the user name. (For example, if the name of the computer name is Henry, “Henry” will show as the computer name.)
8. Click on Music
9. Click on Zune
10. Click on Playlists
11. Then click on OK.
Please note that the term “click” is different from double-click. Please insure that you follow this instruction carefully.
If you have your Xbox connected to your network, open WMC on the Xbox and insure that Zune Playlist is one of the Add Folder to watch on your watch list. Depending on your network, it will take several moments for your Zune Playlists to be detected.
Every time you make any changes in Zune’s Playlist, this is mirrored in WMP and WMC. Before, I had to manually create a separate playlist in WMP and manually add those songs to duplicate what I have in my Zune Playlist.
Hope this helps!
@Duke Several things...
Firstly, I've been downing a fair amount of java today so please forgive if any of this comes off as testy or me just being an ass. Not the intention. Now, that warning out of the way, let me expound.
Bluetooth is consistently downplayed by those who haven't used it regularly or from a decent headset as useless or not important. I've been running BT stereo since the S9 and other decent headsets came out. (FYI, I'm running S9-HDs now as well as my old S9's and some other generic ones) Though the audio quality in buds full cans is better, there are places and purposes for all of the above.
As I don't have to tell anyone here, cans are obviously the best for a great bass response and better overall fidelity while buds can replicate a lot of great sound but are more discrete when in public and just plain easier to carry around.
Bluetooth stereo (on the right headset mind you) is great for working at the office (great for when you have to move around during the day), walking around a store, or just plain anywhere when cords can be a bother, especially the obvious "when working out" scenario.
Frankly, the difference in audio quality is not big enough that I'm thoroughly satisfied with being able to constantly have them with me and enjoy my music without having to deal with cords. It's even nicer when I'm listening to music off my phone and can immediately switch to a call. S9's in particular are great because of the stiff band that connects them. I regularly will drop them down around my neck when I need to hear or have a discussion with someone, then I'm able to easily pop them back on without accidentally getting tangled in cord, unplugging from my player, or dropping the buds to the floor therefor dragging them behind me. That being said, there's a lot of problems that still need to be worked out most of which is more along the bluetooth profile issues from one device to another. Still, it's convenience makes it worth it. I highly suggest it to any naysayers who haven't really given it a chance. Just make sure you try with a device that fully supports AVRCP and A2DP. (iPhone/iPod Touch are ok but again, you have to skip tracks from the device)
Yes, battery life can be affected, but honestly, I've run into that so little, it's not a concern. It only significantly affects battery life when you're using it and I plugged in so often (at least once or twice a day) that I rarely ran out of juice. I hacked my first gen Zune to contain a BT module switched on/off by the hold button and it performed great. Battery life was fine as I regularly got 4-5 hours of straight play time which was about the battery capacity of my headset. In fact, I'd say I usually had to charge my headset before my Zune if/when I had a rather long play session. Granted, all my play controls were tied to the device, however with physical buttons, I could easily do this while in a pocket by feel that it was less annoying than my iPhone's implementation. I do miss it so. (Was stolen from my car and I just didn't feel like redoing it when I had trouble finding a small enough board to replicate my success.)
I'm still very disappointed in the iPhone's implementation of BT stereo (no play controls aside from play/pause) but at least it's a start. With a wifi module built into the Zune, it'd be very easy for them to get a dual-purpose chip that supported bluetooth and integrated it accordingly, so I just don't see why it hasn't happened. If you don't want to use it, don't. If you're concerned about battery life, switch it off. People do this for the wifi that's built in after all.
And in closing (I know, rather lengthy post but I'm verbose), my copy/paste comment was directed toward the new WinMo7 design decisions as it appears the Zune is either going to be sharing code (much in the same way iPhone OS is shared with the touch), or it is at least integrating with it in some way. I realize copy/paste has little (if any) significance in the Zune OS. I just get the feeling that engineering decisions don't have to be completely opposite from user needs. I work in software development and deal with this on a daily basis so I understand the compromises that must be made and the difficulty there is in some code/architecture that might seem like a small feature. Honestly, copy/paste has never seemed like a feature to me but a given but then again, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
@Blue On Blue
Same caution I made to Duke, I will restate here. Lot's of coffee today so please forgive me if this comes off as terse. I'm simply trying to accurately state my disappointment in the platform as well as I can. I am no expert in the design of the Zune (especially the last two models) or it's software design limitations (both OS and sync platform). Also, to clarify my comments below, Zune OS is referring to the PMP itself whereas Zune UI is referring to the Player software installed to your PC.
That said, let me say a few things. Firstly, I'm not an idiot. I am very well aware that WMP can sync the device if the Zune software is installed and running it's process in the background (not saying the UI has to be open). This is a well known ability. I'm referring to the fact that one cannot sync without said software installed and running processes in the background. This is ludicrous on a platform designed by the same company, especially when they already have a decent, functioning and well supported player. It would be like Apple creating a separate player from iTunes when the iPod first came out.
Depending on how well you manage your library and where you create playlists, there's some differences (rather significant IMHO) between the two. WMP has a nice ability to write tags back to the file on a regular basis. As I've been frustrated with the Zune UI since pretty much the first version. I tried to give it a chance, and in fact ran it almost exclusively for a long time as my sole media management on my system. As my library has grown and my need for cross platform and machine support has as well, the differences between WMP, Zune UI and standard MP3 support became too great.
I run a Media Center system for my entire house. I manage my music on my laptop (easier since I have it with me at work and am able to constantly update my prefs and playlists) and sync back to the network regularly. Zune preferences like artwork and ratings are not the same in WMP. WMP, though not the best out there, does also have a better music database look-up ability as well. There are numerous plug-ins available, it's faster, and it's consistent between my home network, laptop and other PMP devices (I have several depending on my needs). Honestly Microsoft! You spend so much effort developing this great ecosystem of WMP and Media Center that works fairly well then you go this route? Everything works great between my Media Center, Extenders, Xbox360 and WMP. Why mess up a good thing?
I'm just frustrated with the lack of consistency across the media platforms. I understand there will be growing pains when new tech is introduced but I don't see any value in how Zune is better than WMP in any way. If there's a DRM requirement in Zune for specific services, why not add it to the major release of WMP? It would make cross platform and international support easier when it eventually is supported. (If ever) You can buy music, rip music, sync music, heck, I don't see anything Zune UI can do that WMP can't but perhaps I'm missing something about the back-end architecture. I guess it wouldn't be so bad to give people the ability to use a dumbed-down interface (which is what the Zune UI really is) but forcing them to use non-standard ratings and a slow interface is ludicrous.
Just realized I got off track slightly about WMP/Zune UI differences that are not acceptable. I prefer to use MP3 encoding even though I know there are more efficient ones out there. I have zero compatibility problems going from one device to another, I use a high bit-rate and decent encoder that quality is not an issue. Standardized tags that are recognized from one device to another is a biggie for me. Especially with a 60GB+ sized library that is rated and sorted to easily find what I'm looking for. Playlists are different between Zune UI and WMP. Yes, you can read one in the other, but it duplicates them when you try managing them in the other. Hell, I sync to an iPhone from the same library and have less issues. Granted I have a great app (thanks James Willis!) that keeps my iTunes library in check with my WMP library, but that's exactly what I'm talking about.
WMP has way more users utilizing it than Zune ever will and trying to paint people into a corner to use a proprietary (and inferior) interface is not the way to win hearts. I for one detest iTunes, however I don't do anything other than use it to keep my iPhone up to date and backed up/synced.
Yes, I know a lot of people talk about lack of memory in a device as being a negative but as I've matured in my thinking in such things, it's less of an issue (to me at least). Heck, I upgraded my first gen to an 80gb so I understand. If you manage your library well, it's not imperative to carry the whole thing with you. I've found that since I started maintaining my library properly over the last couple years, I probably listed to only about 15-20gb with regularity. Yes, I know movies also take more space, but again, how many movies will you really need to keep on there? How many times are you going to watch them? It's a cool idea, heck, I regularly kept about a dozen movies on my Zune that I liked to watch over and over again but after the novelty wears off, the number of movies you'll probably carry will most likely diminish in favor of a larger music library. Again, just my opinion and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who will disagree with that statement.
My whole point with all of this is that Microsoft is trying to beat Apple at their game by copying the worst parts of what Apple does. It just doesn't make sense. Do it better or go home. I'm not a fan of Apple, I have a product or two of theirs, but I find that it's just another device and has plenty of flaws that will never be addressed by them.
My complaint will most likely fall on deaf ears as I know everyone has their preferences and predispositions to one product or another but I feel that if one doesn't voice their opinion, one cannot be disappointed in what is offered. I'm not a fanboy of any particular camp, but I do enjoy technology and I expect innovation from its leaders. There will always be room for improvement, no matter how good a device is or all-inclusive its feature-set. But why not try to aim for the top if possible?
Being in software development, I understand that you can't please all of the people or have a bugless release/product. Listening to what your customers state as wants/needs will help ensure that they keep coming to you though. Change is good as far as I'm concerned, but only when the focus is for improvement or actual innovation. Change for change's sake? Not so much.
I love all inclusive devices so I understand your desire for larger screens and more memory, even faster processors when necessary. My point is that Microsoft is trying to compete with Apple in a specific market segment (which is a good thing). Granted, they have superior audio quality and with the latest offering, a rather stylish product. I just feel there's nothing that truly gives me a desire to spend money on it without giving me something I either don't have and want/need or doing it better in many ways.
Zune doesn't have the ecosystem (huge point loss there) but I do understand it's also a Catch 22. They won't get the ecosystem if they don't have a device that is not considered a threat to iPod's majority and a market segment of consumers that will buy said attachments/accessories.
Zune HD is primarily competing with the iPod Touch which has bluetooth already. With the number of people who were disappointed that the touted "wireless" option for the first gen Zune was not in regards to a bluetooth stereo headphone option, I would have thought they would have learned from their mistake and at least included it with their latest revision.
The implementation of a half-baked and frankly crappy eye-candy of a management platform in Zune UI takes the worst of iTunes and does it even more so! It's not compatible with other operating systems which further hurts the market segment thus causing lack of support as mentioned before further hurting its brand. I have nothing negative to say about the Zune's OS itself as it certainly has gotten better over the last few revisions which is a good thing. That said, you can't simply have a great device if managing it regularly is a horrid experience.
Don't even get me started on the inability to utilize the device's storage without changing registry settings and installing the Zune software. This is something the iPod has been capable of from the start and I know many people who use this feature regularly.
Perhaps I'm just jaded as an advanced user with a system that uses the same media in multiple ways to give me a rich experience, but shouldn't that be as much a part as making a simple experience for novices? My point is that the Zune has promise but is continually left lacking and will never be top dog without thinking about such things. Perhaps they're happy with being relegated to a minor market share in that category, though I don't see why they would want that.
All I know is that neither Apple nor Microsoft are going down the path that will satisfy my needs as a user in this device segment and I only hope that another company will and gain the market share to make them attractive to would-be hardware/software integrators/developers and accessory makers. In the meantime, I'm shopping around for my next new gadget so I'm happy to hear of any pointers from other users who find utter bliss in their device....anybody....hello....anyone out there?
/rant
P.S. I do realize I may not be coherent in the above statements/opinions/ramblings. It's been a long day and the above post (or novel as it were) was written in little breaks throughout the day.
Not a big fan of the Zune myself. I have one but only use it when I go jogging...which is never these days. smi.sh
Nobody cares about a memory upgrade. Where the hell are the apps? It's just a glorified MP3 player without apps.
@defaultuser1
It's not a glorified MP3 player... it IS an mp3 player... just like the iPods. There are a serious of apps available in the marketplace and there are websites out there that you can download other ones.
After teasing for a while the zune HD 64 is taken off the page
Sadly it has been taken off all the areas of the site I saw it on earlier.
Global love would definitely have helped to bolster Zune sales and an even greater anticipation and desire for Windows Phone 7 Series. Won't complain too much as MS have recently been showing why they are the top dog, albeit one despised by many. If not for the huge negative PR that was the revelation of the absence of copy and paste on WP7S, MS has been in superb business form.
Well, wait---is this the Zune HD 2 version that will be compatible with Windows Phone 7 applications?
I'm not saying the Zune HD isn't nice, but why would I buy into an end-of-life software platform?
Plus, I'll wait to see if the 128gb iPod Touch rumors are true...
zune hd is a taste of what wp7 will be. i won a zunehd 32gb that im selling on ebay. Id rather wait for wp7.
@(Unverified)
What's your ebay name and how much are you selling it for?
@barbtx look for a picture of 32gb platinum with 3 month zune service and skullcandy headphones. selling it for same as market price but mine comes with 3 month zune service. the headphone is not included.
@ZachZ Like the article says - the link is dead.
As far as the Zune's death - I have the HD and love the thing. I don't think it is as near to death as many ipod lovers hope. (Zune pass FTW!)
No more Zune 64 on the page...
They are probably going to launch it at the same time of the release of the "spring firmware update".
Frankly, I have used the iPod Touch and the Zune HD extensevely and I like a hell lot more the Zune HD, the interface is better, smoother, Zune Software is much better than iTunes. I don't care about apps, after owning an iPod Touch you realize most of them (if not all) are useless, and that 95% of the time you just use the stock apple applications.
The only thing I miss on the HD is the browser (because of the tabs).
@augustofretes i feel the exact same way. people dont realize how nice the browser is on the zunehd. i dont need tabs so i could care less about that.
i will always have a sperate mp3 player bc if you use your phone to listen to music and talk and web browse your batter will be shot. you will always have to have a power cord near you
Does it play Wave Race?
How about OS X support? I like you Zune, but your not worth buying Boot Camp and Windows 7...
It has been removed from the site. I was about to call up a friend to see if he wanted a 32GB. :D
Not on the website anymore.
Bigger screen! Larger memory! "Size" does matters! O-o-o-oh, baby!!!
I just checked the site and the 64 is no longer listed...? It was yesterday though....
so i was just thinking about this, and decided to take a shot and see if i could find it on taobao (similar to ebay, for china).
http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-6e87707c9f8c3ab236488dd117da322a.jhtml?cm_cat=0
my chinese is not good enough to figure everything out, but this guy claims to have a pre-release 64gb zune hd, which is not yet out. possible that it's a hoax, but the seller has a lot of feedback.