It's Official: Zune is Here

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zunethoughts.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.zunethoughts.com/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2006/wey-20060914-zune.jpg" /><br /><br />Today was the official launch day of Microsoft's <a href="http://www.zune.net/">Zune</a> digital media player and music service. It all went off with a bang - concerts were held in major US cities, Bill Gates gave his Zune to an audience member as a gift, and our own Jason Dunn made the trek over to Seattle to pick up five Zunes and a couple of accessories. Head over to <a href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/">Zune Thoughts</a> for all the latest news, and also be on the lookout for Jason's detailed review, which is set to appear later tonight. In a few days time, we'll be giving away a Zune and a few other goodies, so be sure to register a Zune Thoughts account and post once to be authenticated, so that you'll be ready for the contest.

[mgartner]

Who really needs this DRM crippled device???

[IpaqMan2]

I want to like this device, I really do, but I can't. This device will get attention and even create some sales because of Microsoft's marketing power, but it will not see success in it's current set up.

I just don't understand why microsoft went this avenue. It worked for Apple with iTunes since there really wasn't any others as large as Apple pushing a Client depended MP3 players with as much "libral" rights to the audio file after it has been purchased, but now... with the negative attention some people have brought against Apple and locking yourself to the client software iTunes as well as people's entire collections of aufio files being in AAC, i don't see Microsoft duplicating it.

If anything, I really thought microsoft would of kept on pushing windows mediaplayer and would of really put it's weight behind devices like the Toshiba Gigabeat S MES30VW - you can see a video of the device here : http://reviews.cnet.com/Toshiba_Gigabeat_S_MES30VW_30GB_white/4505-6499_7-31660763.html

At least Toshiba's device continued to build upon the success of Media Player.

[juni]

I read an article about it. Is it true that you can wirelessly send songs between zune players (which will expire in three days and then transform into a text file with info on how to buy the tune) but not wirelessly sync music to your device from your pc? Seems like a waste of wireless capabilities.

Is it also true that you actually have to install another program to sync the files to your device? You can't use windows media player for it? Seems strange.

Also, the "playforsure" bought tunes will not work with the zune player?

[Golfer]

Logically I'm finding it hard to justify buying a Zune, but emotioanlly I want one. I guess it's the gadget factor :lol:

At the moment I download podcasts through a wireless connection onto my ipaq using PocketRSS.

I've heard of the Zunes wireless capability to transfer content between Zunes. But does the Zune enable you to download and manage podcasts via a wireless connection?

Thanks in advance.

[Darius Wey]

I just don't understand why microsoft went this avenue. It worked for Apple with iTunes since there really wasn't any others as large as Apple pushing a Client depended MP3 players with as much "libral" rights to the audio file after it has been purchased, but now... with the negative attention some people have brought against Apple and locking yourself to the client software iTunes as well as people's entire collections of aufio files being in AAC, i don't see Microsoft duplicating it.

To be honest, the number of people in favour of this model far outweigh the number of people who oppose it. Microsoft has realised that a closed ecosystem, such as this, can be successful. It's less confusing for the consumer, and it's easier to stamp out bugs, add new features, and maintain a reasonable level of quality across the board - all without direct third-party intervention. Zune isn't Microsoft's first closed ecosystem. Take a look at the Xbox 360, Xbox Live and Xbox Live Marketplace. It's doing outstandingly in the gaming and digital entertainment market. Watch as its relationship with Zune matures over the coming years.

Many of the people downplaying Zune's success appear to be quite fixated on the current. There's going to be a lot more from Zune over the coming years, though I do admit that it'll take some time before it takes a considerable chunk out of Apple's market share.

If anything, I really thought microsoft would of kept on pushing windows mediaplayer and would of really put it's weight behind devices like the Toshiba Gigabeat S MES30VW - you can see a video of the device here : http://reviews.cnet.com/Toshiba_Gigabeat_S_MES30VW_30GB_white/4505-6499_7-31660763.html

The PlaysForSure system was (and still is) riddled with bugs and an excess of third-party disparities. It wasn't in Microsoft's interest to continue developing it.

[Darius Wey]

I read an article about it. Is it true that you can wirelessly send songs between zune players (which will expire in three days and then transform into a text file with info on how to buy the tune) but not wirelessly sync music to your device from your pc? Seems like a waste of wireless capabilities.

Correct. However, the Zune is firmware-upgradeable. If Microsoft wishes to add wireless syncing functionality, all it takes is a firmware update. The Zune is designed by the same people who designed the Xbox 360, and they've done plenty to add new features over the past year, so there's hope they'll do the same with the Zune.

Is it also true that you actually have to install another program to sync the files to your device? You can't use windows media player for it? Seems strange.

Yes, you need to install the Zune software to sync with the Zune player. It is indeed a strange requirement, even more so as you discover that it's essentially Windows Media Player 11, plus and minus a few features, packaged into a Zune skin.

IAlso, the "playforsure" bought tunes will not work with the zune player?

No, the Zune is not PlaysForSure-compatible. You have two options: (a) burn the tracks and rip them (there'll be a slight decrease in quality, but nothing the average Joe would notice), or (b) use a DRM stripping tool like FairUse4WM, but in most countries, this is an illegal practice.

[Darius Wey]

I've heard of the Zunes wireless capability to transfer content between Zunes. But does the Zune enable you to download and manage podcasts via a wireless connection?

Using Wi-Fi to download podcasts directly on to the Zune device itself? No, you can't do that yet.

The Zune, however, can play back podcasts fine (as long as they're in the right format). Unfortunately, the companion Zune software does not have a podcast catcher like iTunes, so for now, any podcasts you put on to your device has to be performed manually.

[pivaska]

After seeing the Toshiba video and then the info on the Zune I would most certainly take the Gigabeat over the Zune hands down. Talk about simple and a sleek design. I imagine that the Zune is built for upgrading in the next few weeks, months, and years. You want a little more...you can upgrade...for a price. How about a comparison between the Gigabeat and Zune?

[PPCRules]

I think it's sad that this is such a big step for Microsoft. It speaks volumes about how poor the media player experience is on a PocketPC. I think it works "good enough" for most of us, but the average person wouldn't put up with it.

It's too bad that Microsoft couldn't have built a worthy DAP/MMP experience on top of Windows Mobile. HP is only now trying to do that (Mobile Media Companion), and the first attempt doesn't seem like the winner that someone should be able to produce.

But, as stated earlier, having a closed "ecosystem" is a plus in making things go "it just works" for the user. I think Microsoft at this point has it's sights on something a lot bigger than a WM-based system would provide. A better WM-based experience could have sold a whole lot more WM devices (which would be in the best interests of most of us here), but wouldn't have dented Apple at all.

[ADBrown]

Watch as its relationship with Zune matures over the coming years.

That's assuming that Microsoft doesn't follow their standard proceedure and kill the thing in six months in favor of something else. Remember PlaysForSure? And the half dozen systems before that?

And I disagree with the idea that a closed ecosystem increases the ease of use for the device. DRM never "just works."

[Darius Wey]

And I disagree with the idea that a closed ecosystem increases the ease of use for the device. DRM never "just works."

Sure, DRM doesn't "just work". I don't deny that, but where issues arise, it's far easier to rectify when you have a single line of hardware, software, and online service to target - that is, a closed ecosystem. You're suggesting that an open ecosystem can offer the same benefits, yet we look at PlaysForSure and what do we see? A royal flop.

The Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. iPod and iTunes. They're all closed ecosystems and they're doing tremendously well thus far. And from the end-user perspective, as long as updates flow and support issues can be directed to the company that controls the ecosystem, people continue smiling.

[Janak Parekh]

I think it's sad that this is such a big step for Microsoft. It speaks volumes about how poor the media player experience is on a PocketPC. I think it works "good enough" for most of us, but the average person wouldn't put up with it.
Heck, even I stopped putting up with it and got an iPod. Microsoft has done a terrible disservice to Windows Mobile owners by doing such a poor job with WMP, over and over and over again. I can hope that some of the lessons learned from Zune can filter down to Pocket PCs, but I doubt it -- it's a different group at Microsoft.

--janak

[ADBrown]

Sure, DRM doesn't "just work". I don't deny that, but where issues arise, it's far easier to rectify when you have a single line of hardware, software, and online service to target - that is, a closed ecosystem. You're suggesting that an open ecosystem can offer the same benefits, yet we look at PlaysForSure and what do we see? A royal flop

Actually, I'm suggesting that having a REAL open ecosystem can have more benefits. When was the last time that someone had technical difficulties playing an MP3 file? From where I'm sitting, there is very little reason from a customer perspective to move to a closed system, and many reasons not to.

[cold123]

Even I stopped putting up with it and got an iPod. Microsoft has done a terrible disservice to Windows Mobile owners by doing such a poor job with WMP, over and over and over again
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