A thought about the Zune

[Duddy]

The Zune's OS is built using CE code. That means a firmware update can further extend the capabilities on the Zune.

-Streaming media from online or your PC
-Being able to buy and download songs directly from the device
-Xbox Live mobile stat tracking
-Wireless syncing with your library
-Adding a headphone/mic set that turns it into a VOIP device
-Automatic album art downloads for your tracks
-Easy mapping software (think Google Maps To-Go)

Also, imagine hacked firmwares, where the 3x3 law is cracked and the Zune can play nearly every media format and being able to read RSS feeds on the Zune. Sounds perfect. Like a little Xbox Media Center.

The big deal for me with these next-gen DAPs is video. That's mostly all I care about. If the Zune didn't have such a wicked awesome unscratchable casing and a nice 3" screen, I would have bought a Creative Zen.

I do think that a big thing that Microsoft should have done is add Bluetooth 2.0 to the Zune. They could have bundled a Zune with a pair of bluetooth headphones for $299. That would have won the hearts of iPod fans. Perhaps the next-gen Zune will get it.

The device has ALOT of potential and that's why I'm buying one, so I can watch it mature. Waiting for each firmware update will be more and more exciting. iPod has had it's run. I'm not an Apple hater, I have had a few iPods, it's just that I don't see the 5th Gen iPod getting any better at handling video and music. If it weren't for iTunes, the iPod would be an expensive basic mp3 player with limited video functionality.

 

[CarlKillerMiller]

Do you think it's wise to wait for the first generation to pass/wait a while so that bugs and such are fairly trimmed down?

 

[oogabooga]

potential is high, i'm sure most people are willing to acknowledge that.

The question I think is will it really acheive any of it? How agressively quickly will microsoft impliment it. I'm almost more inclined to wait for the next generation of Zune and see how things progress, or for the illusive full screen touch ipod.

 

[Duddy]

I am an early adopter, no matter how buggy a device is. That's what makes technology fun! When you get in early, you get to appreciate the breakthroughs that will be made in the future. I best experienced this with the Casio BE-300. HORRIBLE DEVICE! But there was a huge community that helped turn it into a Windows CE workhorse and helped create amazing features.

And I forgot to mention, how long before a community of hackers gets together and makes a custom firmware for the Zune? That would be a BLAST to be a part of!

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: DuddyiPod has had it's run. I'm not an Apple hater, I have had a few iPods, it's just that I don't see the iPod getting any better video and music. If it weren't for iTunes, the iPod would be an expensive basic mp3 player.

Quoted for ownage within the year.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
potential is high, i'm sure most people are willing to acknowledge that.

The question I think is will it really acheive any of it? How agressively quickly will microsoft impliment it. I'm almost more inclined to wait for the next generation of Zune and see how things progress, or for the illusive full screen touch ipod.

That's another reason I'm switching to the Zune, I'm not sure a touch screen mp3 player is the greatest of ideas. I have owned COUNTLESS touch screen devices and putting one on an iPod would be problematic.

And you can bet Microsoft will pursue further updates ASAP. They are trying to kill the iPod and if they want to do that they have to be quick to the draw on firmware updates.

Hopefully they don't pull a Sony and cripple the Zune like Sony did the PSP.

 

[SoulAssassin]

A recent f/w update lets me play Zuma and Bejeweled on my ipod. What else is there in life?

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: Duddy
The Zune's OS is built using CE code. That means a firmware update can further extend the capabilities on the Zune.

-Streaming media from online or your PC
-Being able to buy and download songs directly from the device
-Xbox Live mobile stat tracking
-Wireless syncing with your library
-Adding a headphone/mic set that turns it into a VOIP device
-Automatic album art downloads for your tracks
-Easy mapping software (think Google Maps To-Go)

The device has ALOT of potential and that's why I'm buying one, so I can watch it mature. Waiting for each firmware update will be more and more exciting. iPod has had it's run. I'm not an Apple hater, I have had a few iPods, it's just that I don't see the iPod getting any better video and music. If it weren't for iTunes, the iPod would be an expensive basic mp3 player.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

 

[Duddy]

Imaging hacked firmwares, where the 3x3 law is cracked and the Zune can play nearly every media format and being able to read RSS feeds on the Zune. Sounds perfect. Like a little Xbox Media Center.

I do think that a big thing that Microsoft should have done is add Bluetooth 2.0 to the Zune. They could have bundled a Zune with a pair of bluetooth headphones for $299. That would have won the hearts of iPod fans. Perhaps the next-gen Zune will get it.

 

[Paul R Nelson]

Sounds great!

iPods suck!!!

 

[Mucho]

As usual M$ is way behind Apple and is trying to catch up, too little too late imho.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: Mucho
As usual M$ is way behind Apple and is trying to catch up, too little too late imho.

I seem to recall the same thing was said when MS got into the console biz. Last I checked they werent doing that bad. MS has the money to stick it out.

 

[50cent1228]

Originally posted by: Mucho
As usual M$ is way behind Apple and is trying to catch up, too little too late imho.

nooo reallyyyy

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: Wreckem

Originally posted by: Mucho
As usual M$ is way behind Apple and is trying to catch up, too little too late imho.

I seem to recall the same thing was said when MS got into the console biz. Last I checked they werent doing that bad. MS has the money to stick it out.

That's right, here are Microsoft's biggest investments:

-Windows
-Office [EDIT]
-Xbox/Live
-Zune


They will throw as much money into the Zune as they possibly can to get it to atleast take a quarter of the market share from the iPod.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: Wreckem

Originally posted by: Mucho
As usual M$ is way behind Apple and is trying to catch up, too little too late imho.

I seem to recall the same thing was said when MS got into the console biz. Last I checked they werent doing that bad. MS has the money to stick it out.

That's right, here are Microsoft's biggest investments:

-Windows
-Xbox/Live
-Zune


They will throw as much money into the Zune as they possibly can to get it to atleast take a quarter of the market share from the iPod.

You mean

-Windows
-Office
-Xbox
-Zune

 

[Duddy]

Oops, sorry about that.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Duddy
The Zune's OS is built using CE code. That means a firmware update can further extend the capabilities on the Zune.

-Streaming media from online or your PC
-Being able to buy and download songs directly from the device
-Xbox Live mobile stat tracking
-Wireless syncing with your library
-Adding a headphone/mic set that turns it into a VOIP device
-Automatic album art downloads for your tracks
-Easy mapping software (think Google Maps To-Go)

The device has ALOT of potential and that's why I'm buying one, so I can watch it mature. Waiting for each firmware update will be more and more exciting. iPod has had it's run. I'm not an Apple hater, I have had a few iPods, it's just that I don't see the iPod getting any better video and music. If it weren't for iTunes, the iPod would be an expensive basic mp3 player.

While you have some interesting ideas, I think you are missing a few points.

Apple consistently releases incremental improvements to iPods as entirely new versions. and people still by them, despite already owning a previous model. Many of these "new" features are dreamed up years before a product is actually released to market. Call it product evolution, planned obsolescence, whatever. It's the same with virtually all consumer electronics.

Once you buy this Zune device, what incentive does Microsoft have to add functionality to your existing device? Granted, it may be their prerogative to update a device to maintain stability, but why should they grant you added functionality when they will be releasing a next generation product in the near future that has a new "killer" application? None. Their is no incentive. They will release a new, upgraded model when their sales figures dictate that it's the right time. As far as keeping the customer happy, their advertising and marketing machine are off-the-scale huge relative to your potential word of mouth criticisms if they don't deliver what you want.

I'm all for adopting new technologies, but I don't kid myself that any manufacturer will guarantee future features and to be retrofitted into an existing model. I learned this lesson years ago as a kid. I bought a Casio watch that had a compass, thermometer, barometer, altimeter, etc. Every bloody bell and whistle imaginable for $200 or so. Totally useless in retrospect, but it was cool at the time. The one feature it lacked was an Indiglo-like back-light. Casio already had watches with the good backlight, and I knew for sure that they would eventually release it with the enhancement. And they did... Barely 6 months after I bought my watch. I didn't actually buy the new model, but I can't tell you how close I was - even though I had a perfectly working machine. Companies exploit this phenomenon - and rightfully so. It's how they make money year after year.

As for third-party firmware and hacks, when has Microsoft ever been amenable to that? As time goes by, don't they attempt to lock down their products more and more? Unless Zune has been advertised as somehow "open", I doubt this product will be any different.

 

[montypythizzle]

only features i want in my mp3 player
ability to play mp3s DUH
a browser
maybe a game or 2 with capabilities for more...
and thats about it....

 

[sygyzy]

The more I read about the Zune, the more excited I get about it. I still use my Gen 1 Microsoft X-Box on nearly a daily basis.

 

[her209]

Does this mean they are vulnerable to viruses/trojans/etc. too?

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: her209
Does this mean they are vulnerable to viruses/trojans/etc. too?

Yes, but don't count on one being developed. There have been hundreds of devices released based on Windows CE and only one virus came about. It was a bluetooth-to-bluetooth virus.

 

[blurredvision]

Purchased my Zune today, and in the short time I've messed around the Zune Marketplace, it's fantastic. Just showing what songs you already have in your library while browsing through the marketplace is the trump card over iTunes. Add to that integrated Billboard charts, and I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[Duddy]

What color did you get? I want white but I'm afraid of it pulling a DS lite and looking dirty and smudged after awhile.

 

[Duddy]

No response? Anyone buy the white one?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Duddy
What color did you get? I want white but I'm afraid of it pulling a DS lite and looking dirty and smudged after awhile.

I purchased the black one. However, all Zune's have a rubberish type feel and look to them, so you'll not have to worry about fingerprints, but general hand grease and the like will most likely be harder to clean off than with the iPod's slick finish over time.