Rumor Roundup (and DRM-Free too?)

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://techdigest.tv/2007/10/rumour_zune_2_t.html' target='_blank'>http://techdigest.tv/2007/10/rumour_zune_2_t.html</a><br /><br /></div>Zunescene is <a href="http://www.zunescene.com/zune-announcement/" target="_blank">reporting</a> the gen2 Zunes will feature the following:<br /><ul> <li><em>&quot;Wireless sync will be included in all models including 30gb version</em></li> <li><em>Zune Marketplace will have an expanded library including videos</em></li> <li><em>Zune Marketplace will feature podcasts (zunecasts?) for the first time.</em></li> <li><em>The new &quot;squircle&quot; button is called Zune Pad</em></li> <li><em>Prices are $149 (4gb) $199 (8gb) $249 (80gb)</em></li> <li><em>80gb Zune is slimmer and features a 3.2 inch screen.&quot;</em></li></ul>Additionally, <a target="_blank" href="http://techdigest.tv/2007/10/rumour_zune_2_t.html">Tech Digest</a> tells us the Zune Marketplace is going DRM-free on us:<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>&quot;Apparently Microsoft plans to use DRM-free music as a big selling point for the new Zunes. As the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/10/microsoft-yep-n.html">blog </a>points out, this doesn't exactly fit well with the existing Zune sharing system, which by definition requires DRM to ensure people pay for the tunes they've shared.&quot;</em><br /><br />People often talk of MP3 sales and subscription services being mutually exclusive, as if people will not want one if they can have the other. I find the opposite true; I prefer subscription services for their value to me as a consumer, and I prefer MP3s for the freedom to port them across anything I want. It's asinine to charge for a track that doesn't give me full freedom to modify as I please and is locked with DRM. DRM should be for subscriptions only. I hope Zune steps up to become the first to offer subscription in addition to MP3s for the whole library, but I'm not holding my breath.<br /><br />The improvements look good in their own way. We've been crying out for an updated Zune Software (where is the rule written that all PMP-tied software has to suck?) and Marketplace for a while--to say nothing of the wireless sync, which should be very cool. These updates seem to have at the very least leveled the playing field with the iTunes Store and the new iPods, in addition to throwing in some cool extra fluff like the true Social stuff. If all this holds true, we're in for quite a night.

[Rocco Augusto]

there is so much opportunity for what the zune could have done, and still can via firmware update, that the anticipation of sitting around and waiting until midnight is killing me!

i do know that even though i am excited now, there is a huge opportunity for disappointment tomorrow if microsoft doesn't pull through with the coolness.

I'm mostly excited about the fact that they might give all of us early adopters at least a few of the basics that we asked for like a clock, divx/xvid support, media center interactions, dvr-ms palyback, etc. i'm also really nervous as the last couple firmware updates haven't really been anything to write home about. :)

[Adam Krebs]

I'm mostly excited about the fact that they might give all of us early adopters at least a few of the basics that we asked for like a clock, divx/xvid support, media center interactions, dvr-ms palyback, etc. i'm also really nervous as the last couple firmware updates haven't really been anything to write home about. :)

I've been hoping for a while that they were holding off on the cool firmware updates and focusing on a large, Super Cool update, which seems to be what's going on tonight. I just hope they'll be more frequent with smaller updates in the future (I think it's more about them being a new team more than anything else).

As for the requests: To be honest, I think the only one they'll be willing to and actually will add to the firmware and software is the dvr-ms/MC syncing. DivX/xvid undercuts their goal of shoving wmv down everyone's throat, but I wouldn't rule out better encoding within the software. The clock is the most contentious issue. Personally, I'd like to use my Zune as an alarm clock (I was seriously considering Samsung's K5 before the Zune came along, if for nothing else but the alarm function), but I'm not sure the hardware can natively support it. I've seen a number of different discussions with no obvious answer.

Interesting note: Right now, WMP11 is featured prominently on the MS homepage. I can't wait to see what they'll be doing with it re:Zune vs WMP.

[enemes]

Adam -- they seemed to have completely revamped the software stack:

http://www.zuneluv.com/2007/10/02/zune-2-details-from-a-real-source-its-a-rebuild/

So, this might explain why there were no true major firmware upgrades and no face-lifts to the zunemarketplace.

[Macguy59]

No direct download/purchase from the Zune Marketplace via Wi-Fi ?