Partial V3 Feature List Leaked. Thanks Fry's!

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5046488/blue-8gb-zune-confirmed-along-with-a-ton-of-new-features' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5046488/blue-8gb...of-new-features</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1220831682.usr495.jpg" width="135" height="350" /></p><p>"<em>A cool new <a href="http://www.zunerama.com/2008/09/first-pic-of-blue-zune-8gb/" target="_blank">"Buy From FM"</a> feature lets you listen to FM radio stations and tag the songs purchase when you sync with a PC.</em>"</p><p>So much for a surprise. Fry's has let us in on a few of the cool features we can expect to be announced <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/04/microsoft-planning-new-zunes-and-webcams-on-september-9th/" target="_blank">this Tuesday</a>, including "Device to Cloud", "<a href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/23100/zune-patent-app-promises-recommendations-via-wifi.html" target="_blank">Channels</a>", and one I've been hoping for for a while, "Buy from FM." It also looks like Games are coming out of beta, and maybe we'll see more details soon. Buy from FM sounds a bit like the deal between HD-Radio and iTunes, which should be a good competing feature for Zune.</p><p>It looks like the long-awaited "Marketplace Anywhere" will be coming too, allowing you to buy songs, sync your collection, and download media on-the-go at any wireless hotspot. And if all that wasn't enough, Microsoft's throwing in a blue Zune8 for good measure. Of course, none of this official, and this Tuesday might prove to offer something that will put all these other features to shame. But for now, bravo Zune team, bravo.</p>

[USArcher]

I'm thrilled with the "Device to Cloud" feature. Its sounds much like a request many, including myself, have made two years ago. Till now, Zune had been steadily progressing but behind iPod. If this works as advertised..it may be just the ticket to steer more next generation buyers to Zune!

[Darius Wey]

Great set of features. Look forward to seeing them in the flesh.

On another note, Fry's listing for the 8GB Zune is intriguing. Quote: "Digital Storage Media: Hard disk drive - built-in". Seriously? :confused:

[ManMythLegend]

wow...this really sounds great. Tempting enough to make me consider booting back into xp for good instead of the virtual way that i've been using.

[inteller]

doesn't look like I'll be getting my UNICODE support so trashcan here I come. Buy from FM? I haven't heard anything on the radio in 10 years that I'd want to buy, that's why I have a Zune.

[David Tucker]

You seriously want font support more than wireless music purchases, FM tagging (I listen to plenty of music myself) and the ability for the Zune to 'live in the clouds'? Er...ok.

This is finally everything that MS promised 2 years ago.

[inteller]

This is finally everything that MS promised 2 years ago.


well right there sums up everything wrong with Zune.

and yes, I want font support before useless things like downloading crappy songs I heard on the radio. asking for proper font support is like asking for headlights on my car.

[LegendDJ]

uh. Sorry if I'm missing it some where but what is "Device to Cloud". Also I wonder if they are going to kill support for the Zune 30. I hope they don't.

[egads]

All of the new features seem to revolve around Zunepass. I'm 46 and like someone else said, I've not heard anything new on the radio in years that is worth listening to or worth buying. The only way I would ever join Zunepass is if it only cost 10$ a month and my WHOLE family could use it. I have 4 Zunes in the family and to have Zunepass on all four would cost me $60 a month. No way...

The new features this guy would like to see is:
1) Ability to delete a file off Zune via the Zune.
2) Zune shows up as harddisk when plugged into PC.
3) A B&W screened Zune that gets a least double the battery life than the current Zunes.
4) Family priced subscription service.

I know most if not all of my requested features will never make it, but it is nice to see the Zune hardare and software getting worked on and updated atleast one or twich a year...

[inteller]

apparently you can use 3 zune's on one zune pass. So I guess your zune could opt out and the rest of the family could use the pass.

and to the other person.....thety won't kill zune 30 support for now. There is simply no reason to since the hardware is in some ways better than the newer flash based zunes.

When they come out with a major hardware update I could see some phasing out, but I bet firmware support in some fashion goes on for a while.