Zune 3.0 Now Available!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zune.net:80/en-US/setup' target='_blank'>http://www.zune.net:80/en-US/setup</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1221564071.usr2.jpg" border="1" /></p><p>Zune 3.0 has arrived! You <a href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90533/zune-takes-music-discovery-to-the-next-level-with-new-ways-to-find-and-access-digital-music.html" target="_blank">should already know what's new and improved</a>, but in case you don't, here's the lowdown. On the desktop side, there's Mixview, Just for You, Now Playing, rich search functionality, and enhanced social features. On the device side, you can now access the Zune Marketplace wirelessly, plus enjoy Buy from FM, Zune Channels, games (Texas Hold 'Em and Hexic), audiobooks, and a clock. To download the Zune 3.0 software, simply visit <a href="http://www.zune.net:80/en-US/setup" target="_blank">Zune.net</a>, or if you already have the Zune software installed, run it and wait for the update prompt. Once you have the Zune 3.0 software up and running, connect your Zune to download and install the 3.0 firmware.</p><p>We'll be covering all that's new in 3.0 as well as some other significant announcements later today. Stay tuned!</p>

[inteller]

You also get free wi-fi access at Mcdonald's. While not Starbucks....it is a good start.

[Jason Dunn]

I've installed 3.0 on two of my computers, and the installs have gone smoothly - but I can't get the new Now Playing mode to turn on...it's supposed to happen after a few seconds, but it never seems to. Anyone else gotten this to work? :confused:

And wow does the Zune.net site ever break badly in Firefox - it's like they didn't test it with any browser but IE7. :(

[Darius Wey]

I've installed 3.0 on two of my computers, and the installs have gone smoothly - but I can't get the new Now Playing mode to turn on...it's supposed to happen after a few seconds, but it never seems to. Anyone else gotten this to work? :confused:

You may need to tick the box in Settings > Software > Display.

[Jason Dunn]

You may need to tick the box in Settings > Software > Display.

Yeah, that was already checked, but it has started working - since it's based off back-end server stuff, I suspect it just can't triggering due to overloaded servers.

[Darius Wey]

Ah, yet another region restriction in place. If you're outside the US, good luck accessing the Marketplace on your device. :rolleyes:

[Jason Dunn]

Ah, yet another region restriction in place. If you're outside the US, good luck accessing the Marketplace on your device. :rolleyes:

Nooooooooooooo.........!! Are you serious? They're IP blocking on the DEVICE??? :confused:

[Darius Wey]

Nooooooooooooo.........!! Are you serious? They're IP blocking on the DEVICE??? :confused:

Phew, thankfully not. I worked out how to enable it.

"Marketplace" won't appear on the Zune's home screen unless you link the Zune with your Zune Tag, and presumably, set your desktop's region to the US. So, it's something to keep in mind, if you've just erased the contents of the device, deleted your existing sync partnership, or are starting with a device that's fresh out of the box.

[Darius Wey]

That said, is it really necessary for Microsoft to impose such restrictions on Marketplace access? The US-only restriction on the desktop is still present in 3.0, and now we have this Zune Tag restriction on the device.

I do understand that it's a step taken to prevent folks outside the US from purchasing Marketplace content or purchasing a Zune Pass subscription, but surely there should still be a way to browse the store? What ever happened to good ol' window-shopping? If Apple can offer this on the iPhone and iPod touch, I see no reason why Microsoft can't offer the same, or more.

Bit of a rant there, but hey, it was long overdue. ;)

[d_trade]

maybe its just something with my computer, but the new zune software is the biggest memory hog ever! im talking 6-figure memory usage here! it even knocked out my internet connection! i really hope there's an explanation for this because i like to listen to music while on the internet, but with this new development, i might not be able to anymore...

[Jason Dunn]

maybe its just something with my computer, but the new zune software is the biggest memory hog ever!

I think it's something with your computer. The 2.5 version of the software with my music collection of 1303 albums uses up 64 MB of RAM. The 3.0 software with the same collection is taking up 72 MB of RAM...so very close to each other.

I'd uninstall the software, use the Unzoone tool (http://remove-it.org/tools/unzoone), reboot, then install the 3.0 version off Zune.net.

[Jason Dunn]

That said, is it really necessary for Microsoft to impose such restrictions on Marketplace access?

I've ranted about this on the front page before, but maybe you should take your turn. :)

[smileyguy]

How deep does an PMP app need to be rooted in my system? Do I really need to be able to install as an admin to get a few new features (as cool as they are)? I don't have the capability to install admin only software on this computer and it drives me bonkers because it is the only computer that I have that has net access.

[Jason Dunn]

How deep does an PMP app need to be rooted in my system? Do I really need to be able to install as an admin to get a few new features (as cool as they are)?

That's an interesting point - I know there's a move in the PC industry in general to try and get away from forcing admin-level access for applications, so I'm unsure as to why Microsoft requires admin powers with the Zune software.

This sounds like your personal computer though, so why can't you install it with admin rights?

[d_trade]

don't get me wrong, i love my zune. it's about to become a year old in december (yay!) and i haven't had any problems with it so far, but the software... not so much. besides my aforementioned memory problem, not 5 minutes ago i tried to simply change the name of a song in my collection and the software just decided to not only delete it from my zune itself, but from my collection, also! idk, maybe i just have a glitchy 3.0 software download and just need to uninstall and install it again... oh well, i'll update with what happens.

update: reinstalled and everything, but it's just the same. maybe it was just a little glitch with my computer but oh well, it's not doing it anymore. i still have the songs on my pc, but i don't know how to get previously deleted songs back to my collection. Off to google!

[zamish]

Setup:
Zune 3 software runs fine on XP (work PC), downloads podcasts fine, and software updated on my 30 fine (from home PC).
Problem:
When I attempt to sync a podcast on my work PC the software crashes, although it does appear to be perfectly happy until I attempt the sync. Not only does it crash once, but it will continue to crash as long as the device is connected and each time the device is reconnected. Logging off the system and back in seems to reset whatever error has happened until I try to sync again.

I have not tried to sync a podcast from my home PC yet.

Any ideas?

[Jason Dunn]

...although it does appear to be perfectly happy until I attempt the sync. Not only does it crash once, but it will continue to crash as long as the device is connected and each time the device is reconnected.

Sounds like it's related to a USB driver, or maybe even a USB port. Can you try a different port? Are you connecting via a USB hub? Try direct.

[Chula]

Recently my zune software updated with newest version... I loved the new options until I started playin music.... it slowed everything to a crawl. I shut down everything except zune player and it was still the same. I have a fairly new system and tons of memory so I know thats not the problem. Music is an all day nessesity for me.. so not being able to use it is not an option.. is there a way to fix this and if not does anyone know where I cant get my old zune software back. I can due without bells and whistles I just wanna play music!!!!! plz let me know asap here or email [email protected] any and all help is much appriciated. ty:(

[Jason Dunn]

Recently my zune software updated with newest version... I loved the new options until I started playin music.... it slowed everything to a crawl.

Something's definitely screwed up with your install...uninstall the software, run Unzoone:

http://remove-it.org/tools/unzoone

Reboot, then download and install the 3.0 software again.

[grantpet]

is there more info on 3.0 around and i'm just missing it??

still no eq with this version correct?
did we get otg file deletion? it was unclear to me


i'd prolly would have already ordered a 120 from zune originals, but i have some lingering questions.

how bad is the sync software really? is it just occasionally a problem if you never tweaked your pc, or is the software run amuck in properly tuned efficient tweaked machine?

lost the premium ear buds? loose anything else?

did the audiobooks management get fixed? what about podcasts and internet radio?

we got the clock, but its not an alarm?

thanks in advance!

[David Tucker]

There is no EQ or OTG file deletion, correct. The premium earbuds are gone but honestly they're not that great so its not really a loss. Audiobooks are support now from Audible.

As far as the desktop software I think it works fine. Oh, no internet radio or alarm (afaik)

[Jason Dunn]

Wow...lots of questions! :eek:

is there more info on 3.0 around and i'm just missing it??

I guess that depends if you read this or not:

http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90574

:D

still no eq with this version correct?
did we get otg file deletion? it was unclear to me

No EQ, correct. No ability to delete files directly on the device.


how bad is the sync software really? is it just occasionally a problem if you never tweaked your pc, or is the software run amuck in properly tuned efficient tweaked machine?

I think the Zune software is quite good, and for me it runs very well on every computer I have. I suspect that the people that have loads of trouble with it have messed up installs of Windows.

lost the premium ear buds? loose anything else?

Nope, nothing else about the hardware changed.

did the audiobooks management get fixed? what about podcasts and internet radio?

Well, there was no support for audiobooks before, so there was nothing to fix. Now it has official audiobook support, but only via the third-party Audible (and that other one) software. Internet radio? Not supported. What about podcasts?

we got the clock, but its not an alarm?

Correct. There's a clock, but no alarm, no sleep timer, etc.

[grantpet]

thank you, at least now i feel like i'm not going to have to dedicate an entire pc just to handle the zune sync processes.

sorry, internet radio was a feature on a different unit i was reading about.

thanks jason, never saw that link, i'll be reading it tonight!