09-14-2006, 05:42 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Folks, It's Z Day!
That's right. Today's Z Day - when all things Zune come out of the Microsoft offices and into the hands of the public. We've got official press information, pictures of the device (none of that blurry FCC stuff), and words straight from the mouths of folks on the Zune team.
First, what is the Zune project all about? Today, we start to realise that Microsoft's vision of "community" could not be any clearer. It struck gold with Xbox Live by connecting gamers worldwide. It plans to do the same with the Zune by connecting music fans worldwide, from the average music lover to the audiophile. All in all, these visions form this global picture of "connected entertainment". Quoting the words of Cesar over at the Zune Insider blog, "Take MySpace, YouTube, Xbox Live, and every cool record store on the planet. Then add 1000 of your closest friends, and make it all accessible though a little device in your pocket. That’s what we’re doing with Zune."
Moving on, what's in the Zune? Yes, it's confirmed. The Zune, available in three colours (white, black, and brown), is a 30GB media player with a bright 3" LCD - that's enough storage for up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. You can create playlists and you can create slideshows, but more importantly, package all of your different media into different recommendations and experiences that you can share with your friends. Directly related, the Zune features wireless connectivity, so you can share your media (yes, for the doubters among us - that's media in its entirety from start to finish) and play it back with limitations (up to three times in three days). Like what you see/hear? Flag it. Find it later. Buy it later. Sounds simple! And keeping with tradition, we all know of Xbox Live's download central as the Xbox Live Marketplace. The Zune's service will be called the Zune Marketplace, and it supports individual track or album downloads, and all-you-can-eat Zune Pass subscriptions (take that, Apple). The fun doesn't stop there. An integrated FM tuner is included, and it supports RDS, so not only can you pull audio from stations, you can view track information too.
Enough rambling, though. Jason has posted the press information in the previous post. There's oodles at Zune Insider to absorb. Head over to Coming Zune and check out the updated clip (be prepared for a raging bird). And of course, we'll be keeping you updated throughout the day, so keep your eyes and ears (it's all about the audio, right?) locked on Zune Thoughts.
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09-14-2006, 05:47 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 398
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 Shame the battery isn't user replaceable, but it looks like a seriously nice device, maybe even a contender to Apple if it is well integrated with the subscription system.
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09-14-2006, 05:59 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 607
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im a little worried here. will zune marketplace and urge go hand in hand? i like the wireless sharing....what if i flag a song from my friend...when i get home to download it will i have to "buy" it from zune marketplace or can i just download it using my urge unlimited subscrition? whats the release date on this zune???
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09-14-2006, 06:31 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rzanology
im a little worried here. will zune marketplace and urge go hand in hand? i like the wireless sharing....what if i flag a song from my friend...when i get home to download it will i have to "buy" it from zune marketplace or can i just download it using my urge unlimited subscrition?
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That's still a question mark. Did you sign a year-long subscription with URGE? If you only went for the monthly, and you're set on getting the Zune, why not let your URGE subscription expire and sign up for a Zune Pass?
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whats the release date on this zune???
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This holiday season (exact date is still unknown) in the US.
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09-15-2006, 07:12 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 607
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Yes i have the monthly urge. i have no problem switching was just wondering. i kinda like the idea that everything was all mixed togeather in wp11. oh well...BRING ON THE ZUNE!!!!!
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09-15-2006, 08:04 AM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rzanology
Yes i have the monthly urge. i have no problem switching was just wondering. i kinda like the idea that everything was all mixed togeather in wp11. oh well...BRING ON THE ZUNE!!!!!
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I'm going to bet that everything will be mixed together tighter with Zune than WMP11 and URGE. If the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live/Live Marketplace is anything to go by, the Zune Marketplace will work well.
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