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I'd like to share a few things myself on the Zune software, the Zune 8, and the Zune Social web service.
First off, yesterday I created a video demo of the Zune software designed to give you a quick overview of what the Zune software offers. I shot the video yesterday hoping to get it up yesterday so when I say "today" I really mean yesterday. Take a look at the video:
That was just a quick overview. The Zune software is about you and your collection of music, videos, and photos. The new software also now supports the ability to subscribe to podcasts as well. For folks who record TV shows with Windows Media Center on Windows Vista (such as myself), the Zune software is able to take those videos and put them on your Zune device. One thing I'd like to stress is that even if you don't own a Zune device, you can still download the Zune software to use with your music collection. You really need to check out the Now Playing screen ;-)
In conjunction with the release of the new software, I went out and bought myself a Zune 8. The Zune 8 is the 8GB flash memory model. I was originally intending to buy a Zune 80 (the 80GB harddrive model) but I already own a brown Zune 30 and really wanted to try a smaller flash device.
I was amazed at how small the device is. And the new Zune Pad makes a huge different in navigating the device - by the touch of my finger. And the new glass screen makes watching videos and looking at pictures crystal clear on the device. Yes - the Zune 8 supports video (including my recorded Windows Media Center TV shows!).
To go with my Zune 8, I also picked up the Zune Dock. The new Zune Dock supports the new Zune devices (the Zune 4, 8, and 80) as well as the Zune 30. It comes with interchangeable "seats" for the devices. The Zune Dock also has video out capabilities.
It also comes with a power adapter. If my Zune 8 is plugged in to the wall to charge - if I've set up wireless syncing, my Zune 8 will automatically sync to my PC as I add music throughout the day.
The next thing I'd like to talk about is the new Zune Social features on Zune.net. When you login to Zune.net with your Windows Live ID that is your Zune/Xbox account - you now have a Zune Profile on Zune.net. This Zune Profile consists of your played music as well as your Friends List (same Friends you have from Xbox Live). You can also browse the Zune music catalog via Zune.net and send songs to your friends which will then show up under the "social" of the Zune software. This is becoming one of my most favorite features of the new Zune releases as not only can I share my music tastes with my friends, I can also see what my friends are listening. Because of this - I've discovered many new artists I've never heard before as well as rediscovered a few I've not heard in ages.
Feel free to check out my Zune Profile and my Zune Card here.
Music is very important to me and being able to play my music and mange my digital media in such a unique way, sync to a really cool device and then share my music listening habits with friends makes for an incredible experience.
Photos of the Zune and Zune Dock uploaded to Flickr using Windows Live Photo Gallery.
Brandon, any idea when will Zune be released to other countries ? I want to buy one, but no one sell here in NZ and also amazon doesnt provide overseas services
Nice review, Brandon.
I have to wait until Christmas to get my new Z80!
My upgrade of our current Zunes (Zune Classics)to the new software and functionality went effortlessly.
Have you upgraded your Classic, and was your experience as easy as mine (and Jason's)?
John, my upgrade experience can't really be compared to anything as I essentially am starting my music collection over. I am reburning my CD's at a higher bitrate and switched to Zune Pass instead of buying music by the track. I'm in the process of getting my music collection just right :-) So far its looking good.
chakkaradeep, I do not know of future plans for the Zune Team in entering any other markets other than the U.S. at this time but you may want to keep your eye on Cesar Menendez's blog Zune Insider at www.zuneinsider.com.
- Brandon
Thanks for the link Brandon
I really must congratulate Microsoft for their Zune 2, it really sounds promising.
I can't wait for reviews. If reviews are good, I'll trow away my crappy iPod Nano, and get that.
Is it possible to use Zune Software to sync with non-Zune devices such as Windows Mobile 6 devices?
let me know when the z160 or z200 are going to be released
Unfortunately I can only categorize this update as disastrous. All you have to do is go around the zune.net forum, software subforum to see how many people are complaining about all the features that WE liked from the first version and were removed on this one. From the 5 stars rating system that was replaced by the Roman Thumb up Thumb down System to the Auto/Smart Lists. In my count there are 4 important features that were removed in this version.
The software is a little bit faster in some PCs with powerful video cards but it works badly in mobile computers with 915 Intel cards. I love the wireless sync. That was very well done. I love my Zune, but I managed all my songs (more than 4000s) using smart lists. Removing just this feature has left me speachless.
ctitanic, the Zune Team redesigned the software from scratch so some features didn't make it in this release. But I wouldn't doubt we'll be seeing more updates to the Zune software than we had last year (aka no more waiting a year etc). I would hardly call missing a few features over V1 "disastrous" rather perhaps "disappointing" to some. Admittedly, I miss smart playlists just like you.
I'm sorry the update has left you in a lurch.
jakedeg, no the Zune software only allows you to sync music with Zune devices.
When MS decide that the USA is not the only place in the world I would have a look at the zune. However seeing as the Zune lacks an equalizer, a proper grown up rating system, Auto playlists and Audible support I would give it a miss at this stage. I would love to be rid of itunes and ipod but it this stage they can provide what I need and MS cant and dont seem to want to and getting a straight answer from anyone at MS is like getting a straight answer from a politician.
Brandon, I'm getting old and I have been in the programing business for a while. Year have shown me one thing, second versions are expected to be better than the first ones. That one things, and the other things is "never remove from second versions the most used options from the first one".
Taking in consideration just these two points I would call this second release anything but a smart move. To me this release was rushed to the market unfinished and under the pressure of a hardware release that probably could change the mp3 market supremacy.
While the Zune firmware is GOOD, the Zune software is just an unfinished product. Costumers do not deserve that. Excuse me.
I love Zune as much as you do and if I'm here saying all this is because I believe in the Zune as one of the best MP3 players in the market. And because I see the potential behind the software.
But again, I can't say this release was "disappointing to some" when it's hard for me to find people not relative to Microsoft happy with it.
I'm sure in the deep of my heart that Zune team is at this moment as disappointed as I'm with the fact that their software was released on this stage.
Oh dear, Microsoft did it again.
Why, oh, why do Microsoft have do rip off every product they think is nice. Look at that "Zune", a crappy total rip off from iPod! That scroll is a REAL rip off from iPod. I can say this, right from my heart:
My next computer will be a Mac!
Microsoft rips the widgets, the search fuction, the photo gallery, the aqua style. My rather new pc is running Windows XP, and in a few years I will throw it away and go to a Apple store.
From now I'm calling "Zune" "a ripped player that soon will go to hell and burn, so Bill Gates can come with something new!
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Ooops! I forgot to say:
Microsoft can't come with any new products, only a bundle of ripped software and hardware.
And hey, I've read this today:
"The Zune player is developed by Toshiba, and Microsoft bought their ideas."
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