Zune MVP Conference Call Notes: Assorted Bits and Bobs

[Jason Dunn]

I just got out of a Zune MVP conference call with some of the Zune team members, and have discovered a few interesting things about the new Zune devices and software that are worth sharing. Here's the last collection of bits of info I gleaned from the conference call.<br /><ul> <li>Wireless sharing is still just photos and music - no video.</li> <li>Music that has been shared with you can be played three times, and there's no time-out of three days like there was before. Also, music shared with you can be shared with others.</li> <li>The screen is now glass, and it's just as scratch resistant (if not more so) than the V1 Zune.</li> <li>The case on the Zune is now a brushed metal, and it's quite scratch resistant.</li> <li>Why no brown? Green is the new brown is seems. The Zune team's market research told them that the shade of green they picked is the &quot;hot new colour&quot; for this season. <br /> </li> <li>In November the video content that will be launched will be music videos that you can purchase, and there will be video podcasts. That's it - no TV shows, no connection to the Xbox Live Marketplace, etc.</li></ul>And here's the worst news I heard out of the whole conference call: international markets are &quot;still under consideration&quot;. As in you won't see Zunes outside the USA any time soon. Being in Canada I personally find this very disappointing, and while I know it's all about the licensing agreements, they've had almost two years to work on it now. So it seems like the Zune will remain a USA-only device, and the rest of the world will continue buying iPods. That's not good news...

[enemes]

I'm puzzled why they don't just merge Xbox Live Marketplace with Zune Marketplace. Both sell media. Both are part of the same ecosystem. Why separate?

[Rocco Augusto]

still usa only?! i figured they would want to stretch their legs a little and check out what the rest of the world is willing to spend there money on :)

[Jason Dunn]

I'm puzzled why they don't just merge Xbox Live Marketplace with Zune Marketplace. Both sell media. Both are part of the same ecosystem. Why separate?

I'm 100% sure that's coming, but I suspect they're still aligning the pieces.

[Jason Dunn]

still usa only?!

Indeed, indeed. I was sure that they'd expand into Canada next because it's the next logical market, but nope, not yet...:confused:

[enemes]

I have a feeling, this is still an experiment. The version that will be destined to take over the world (and see the international release) is still in the future. Why do I think this is still their expensive experiment with introducing social elements into media player? Well, first it's not integrated tightly with their XBOX Live Marketplace. Social aspects of Zune and Xbox are not integrated likewise. Second, relatively few social features in the device itself. Somehow it seems that they just should do more there. But hey, who knows.

[Sage]

And here's the worst news I heard out of the whole conference call: international markets are "still under consideration". As in you won't see Zunes outside the USA any time soon. Being in Canada I personally find this very disappointing, and while I know it's all about the licensing agreements, they've had almost two years to work on it now.

I remember the first iPod I bought. No iTunes, no iTunes store. Just MusicMatch for Windows.

Why do we need a marketplace to release the Zune everywhere? Even if they wanted a marketplace, surely they could partner an existing store for now?

It's a big disappoint and shows a lack of ambition.

[Rocco Augusto]

I remember the first iPod I bought. No iTunes, no iTunes store. Just MusicMatch for Windows.

Why do we need a marketplace to release the Zune everywhere? Even if they wanted a marketplace, surely they could partner an existing store for now?

It's a big disappoint and shows a lack of ambition.

Agreed. They should just release the Zune hardware in other countries. I personally don't, and I do not know many people who do, use the hardwares store (iTunes or Marketplace) for purchasing music. I'm not a huge fan of paying about a $1 for subpar quality music.

While I like the idea of paying a little more to get better quality music, if I'm going to listen to an MP3 I would rather it be 320kbps instead of 128 or 256.

Just release the hardware and let others get their own music :)

[Jason Dunn]

While I like the idea of paying a little more to get better quality music, if I'm going to listen to an MP3 I would rather it be 320kbps instead of 128 or 256.

You can actually hear the difference between a 256 kbps track and a 320 kbps track? :confused: