Zune 2 is here!

[RandomFool]

Link

* Wireless syncing with a PC? Check.
* Software now supports podcasts? Check.
* Move TV shows automatically to the Zune? Check.
* Share whole playlists, albums, and podcasts (with no more silly time restrictions)? Check.
* Bring DRM-free music to the Zune Store? Check.
And in a welcome decision, all of the improvements will also be coming to the original, 30GB Zune that we reviewed last year via a firmware update

Kind of makes me wish I sprung for the $120 Zunes they had on woot not to long ago.

 

[intogamer]

MP3 players are teh meh now. Phones are in...

 

[bucwylde23]

I have a 30 GB zune right now, and I think it's great they are updating the 1st gen zunes as well.

But I need more space and that 80 GB Zune would be just enough space to meet my needs. I wish there was a 160 GB model, though

 

[Tarrant64]

THe Zune is still a little bit behind Apple, I do think it's great to finally have a decent competitor.

Some other competitors have great deals however are kind of on the lower end of the market. SanDisk has crazy sweet deals right now for great mp3 players.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
THe Zune is still a little bit behind Apple, I do think it's great to finally have a decent competitor.

How is the Zune behind Apple? It seems at this point the only advantages the iPod has is a wireless iTunes store and wireless web-surfing on the high-end touch devices. The Zune will soon have wireless syncing, wireless sharing, radio, easily syncable TV shows for those who are lucky enough to have a media center DVR system set up, and the promised ability to easily share playlists.

Just because Apple sells the most players by far doesn't mean they are at the top of the heap when it comes to the hardware and software they sell.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
THe Zune is still a little bit behind Apple, I do think it's great to finally have a decent competitor.

How is the Zune behind Apple? It seems at this point the only advantages the iPod has is a wireless iTunes store and wireless web-surfing on the high-end touch devices. The Zune will soon have wireless syncing, wireless sharing, radio, easily syncable TV shows for those who are lucky enough to have a media center DVR system set up, and the promised ability to easily share playlists.

Just because Apple sells the most players by far doesn't mean they are at the top of the heap when it comes to the hardware and software they sell.

Not to mention the Zune GUI is much better than it's main competitor the iPod classic.

 

[slayer202]

ok, so now, sansa view or zune 80?

16gigs vs 80 gigs for only $50 more and almost the same size/bigger screen
flash based vs. hd


My mind was made up to get the view until the new zunes came out

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: slayer202
ok, so now, sansa view or zune 80?

16gigs vs 80 gigs for only $50 more and almost the same size/bigger screen
flash based vs. hd


My mind was made up to get the view until the new zunes came out

I know, potentially yu could get up to 24gb with the View. Is the Zune going to have drag n drop file capability like the View without having to hack the Zune?

 

[maziwanka]

oh man. it is super hot that this update is available for older zune users.

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: alm99

Originally posted by: slayer202
ok, so now, sansa view or zune 80?

16gigs vs 80 gigs for only $50 more and almost the same size/bigger screen
flash based vs. hd


My mind was made up to get the view until the new zunes came out

I know, potentially yu could get up to 24gb with the View. Is the Zune going to have drag n drop file capability like the View without having to hack the Zune?

yeah, but buying an 8gig microsd would probably put the price above 250, more than the zune. Not sure if I rather have a slightly smaller player / flash based, or a bigger screen and about 4 times as much storage with more features

anyone know how much the zune 80 weighs vs. the view?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: slayer202
ok, so now, sansa view or zune 80?

16gigs vs 80 gigs for only $50 more and almost the same size/bigger screen
flash based vs. hd


My mind was made up to get the view until the new zunes came out

I think you're making a good comparison. If I was in your boat, I'd probably go for the Zune 80.

As for me, originally, I was saying I'd either get the View or flash Zune when they both came out. However, after looking at the dimensions, the View is almost as big as the Zune 80! I really like the storage and expandability of the View, but the physical size is a bit too bulky for running, whcih I currently use my e200 for. On the other hand, I like the wifi syncing, interface and Media Center/360 integration of the Zune 8...argh this is tough. It doesn't help that the Zune 8 is $200...maybe I'll wait for the first price drop. Or wait for a 16GB version. Oh yeah, and I hate hate HATE the border around the Zune 4/8's screen. So crappy looking.

 

[slayer202]

For some reason I was assuming the view would be smaller also. It is a decent amount thinner in width compared to the zune/ipods though. Still, the rest of the dimensions are pretty close. Does that mean that the view/zune 80 are pretty much the size of the ipod classics? are the ipod classics just the new name for the old ipods, or did they remodel them a bit?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: slayer202
For some reason I was assuming the view would be smaller also. It is a decent amount thinner in width compared to the zune/ipods I think. Still, the rest of the dimensions are pretty close. Does that mean that the view/zune 80 are pretty much the size of the ipod classics? are the ipod classics just the new name for the old ipods, or did they remodel them a bit?

I was just double checking the View dimensions I read this morning and comparing to the iPod Classic...I think Amazon may have the measurements from when the View was a bigger device. Let me see if I can find the real dimensions.

And yes, the iPod classic is a slightly touched up (a bit smaller, rounder edges, aluminum casing, new UI) version of the "old" iPod.

 

[loup garou]

Ok, here are the measurements of all the players we've been talking about:
sansa view 4.29 x 1.95 x 0.35, 2.9 oz
ipod classic 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches, 4.9 ounces
ipod nano 2.75 x 2.06 x 0.26 inches, 1.74 ounces
zune 80 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches, 4.5 ounces
zune 4/8 3.6 x 1.6 x 0.35 inches, 1.7 ounces

The View is super tall...I'd have to hold it to see if it felt bulky...

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: slayer202
Does that mean that the view/zune 80 are pretty much the size of the ipod classics? are the ipod classics just the new name for the old ipods, or did they remodel them a bit?

iPod Classic is the new name for the regular iPod. Whereas they usually would an iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, then just the iPod, now every iPod has a name to distinguish itself, since there are now 4 different versions of the iPod.

Zune 80 - 2.4? x 4.25? x 0.5?
160GB iPod classic - 2.4" x 4.1" x 0.53"
80GB iPod classic - 2.4" x 4.1" x 0.41"
Sansa View - 1.95" x 4.29" x 0.35"

EDIT: Looks like loup beat me to the punch earlier today. I spent too long looking up sizes, posted, and went on my way . Incase anyone was wondering why I posted sizes 10 minutes after him.

 

[slayer202]

awesome loup

hmm, well the view is decently smaller than the zune 80/classic. and 16 gigs + a 2gig microsd card is probably enough storage for me, but 80 gigs is a lot, and it would be nice to be able to just throw a bunch of movies on there and leave em

I guess I have to wait until I can see them both in person. I wish I didn't have to since the view should be out before the zune, but I guess I can wait a few weeks :/

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: slayer202
awesome loup

hmm, well the view is decently smaller than the zune 80/classic. and 16 gigs + a 2gig microsd card is probably enough storage for me, but 80 gigs is a lot, and it would be nice to be able to just throw a bunch of movies on there and leave em

I guess I have to wait until I can see them both in person. I wish I didn't have to since the view should be out before the zune, but I guess I can wait a few weeks :/

The View is also SDHC compatible, which means up to 8GB MicroSDHC cards... 24GB! Very tempting.

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: loup garou

Originally posted by: slayer202
awesome loup

hmm, well the view is decently smaller than the zune 80/classic. and 16 gigs + a 2gig microsd card is probably enough storage for me, but 80 gigs is a lot, and it would be nice to be able to just throw a bunch of movies on there and leave em

I guess I have to wait until I can see them both in person. I wish I didn't have to since the view should be out before the zune, but I guess I can wait a few weeks :/

The View is also SDHC compatible, which means up to 8GB MicroSDHC cards... 24GB! Very tempting.

yeah, but those are expensive, and 24gb is still nowhere near 80. I did already buy a 2 gb microSD card for cheap in anticipation of the view, and because I can use it with my phone.

Wish these were out already :/

 

[MDE]

I was ready to let my bank account bleed some more until I saw that the 1G Zune will get the new software. IMO, the Zune is an extremely underrated device and I'm even happier with my decision to buy mine around the launch.

 

[BabaBooey]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
I have a 30 GB zune right now, and I think it's great they are updating the 1st gen zunes as well.

But I need more space and that 80 GB Zune would be just enough space to meet my needs. I wish there was a 160 GB model, though

There is a 100GB hdd that will work in the 30gb zune...check ipodmods or whatever it is now,they have the model #



I guess I will keep my current zune or better yet I have a 2 yr warranty....I have a feeling something is going to go wrong with it..




I wonder if they fixed the software also ??

The album art issues and breaking albums in to 2 different folders ...that drove me nuts..

 

[tatteredpotato]

So am I correct in my understanding that I can sync my .dvr-ms files from Media Center to my 30 gig Zune after the firmware update? Hopefully it transcodes because the .dvr-ms file sizes are horrendous.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Sweet. I got a Toshiba Gigabeat s60 for my wife because the original Zune didn't have enough space. The Toshiba has been great, but now we'll be able to get a better Zune, and have the comfort of being able to look forward to support and updates (which the Toshiba never really got).

If only the Zune would work with Windows Media Player...How is the Zune software anyway? I remember reading horror stories of its early versions.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/1...lling-the-zune-sucked/

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
So am I correct in my understanding that I can sync my .dvr-ms files from Media Center to my 30 gig Zune after the firmware update? Hopefully it transcodes because the .dvr-ms file sizes are horrendous.

Google ZuneTvWatcher, it'll transcode your .DVR-MS files to Zune-compatible .WMV files. Not the most elegant solution but it'll do until the new firmware is out.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If only the Zune would work with Windows Media Player...How is the Zune software anyway? I remember reading horror stories of its early versions.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/1...lling-the-zune-sucked/

The Zune software is perfectly fine, and is actually a direct clone of WMP11. Everything down to the layout and the options in the settings boxes are the exact same.

However, with this new update will come a new Marketplace software. They've apparently redone it from the ground up to accomodate the new videos and podcasts that they are adding. Should be pretty awesome, I can't wait until they show more of it.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
If only the Zune would work with Windows Media Player...How is the Zune software anyway? I remember reading horror stories of its early versions.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/1...lling-the-zune-sucked/

The Zune software is perfectly fine, and is actually a direct clone of WMP11. Everything down to the layout and the options in the settings boxes are the exact same.

However, with this new update will come a new Marketplace software. They've apparently redone it from the ground up to accomodate the new videos and podcasts that they are adding. Should be pretty awesome, I can't wait until they show more of it.

I'm glad to hear it's fine. I never did understand, however, exactly WHY they didn't just use WMP11 instead of cloning it and forcing everyone to use a 2nd, redundant program. *shrug*