Microsoft Announces 2nd Generation Zune Music Player

MacRumors · Oct 3, 2007, 12:46 AM

Microsoft announced three new models of its Zune music player on Tuesday. The new models mirror Apple's iPod Nano and iPod lines by introducing a flash-based 4GB/8GB at $149 and $199 along with a larger 80GB hard-drive based model at $249. The previous 30GB Zune will continue to be sold at $199.99, and receive a software update bringing it up to par with the new Zune features.

All Zunes feature Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing songs as well as automatic wireless syncing to PCs. Over the air purchasing, however, is not presently available on the new Zunes. Other features include a touch-sensitive navigation button allowing users to slide their finger up/down/left/right to navigate around the screen.

In addition, Microsoft also announced that they would be selling more than 1 million songs in DRM-free MP3 format. They've also introduced podcasts and music videos selections. Wired's hands on with the units also describe a new social networking site called Zune Social which compiles a list songs you play on your PC or Zune so friends can see what you are listening to.

Microsoft has reportedly sold 1.2 million Zunes since its launch in November 2006.

Article Link

Eidorian · Oct 3, 2007, 12:47 AM

No OS X support.

aaronh3 · Oct 3, 2007, 12:51 AM

Yuck!
this is what should happen with Zunes:

http://hideapod.com/

kuebby · Oct 3, 2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronh3

Yuck!
this is what should happen with Zunes:

http://hideapod.com/

I would probably get one of those if they were real.

flopticalcube · Oct 3, 2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eidorian

No OS X support.

Yeah, that sux. But WiFi syncing and a DRM-free store (or rather a store with some DRM-free songs). Apple will have to up the ante on the next gen.

haiggy · Oct 3, 2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuebby

I would probably get one of those if they were real.

That is the funniest product EVER

kissmyaxe · Oct 3, 2007, 12:55 AM

Hahahaha, gotta love good ol' Micro$oft...

bamisey · Oct 3, 2007, 12:56 AM

Wow. A free update for old Zunes.

Wouldn't it be nice if Apple could emulate this. The inner workings of the 5.5G iPod and the 6G iPod are the same. Why can't apple send an update so 5.5G iPod owners could also get the new interface?

This is a plus for Zune.

Sayer · Oct 3, 2007, 12:58 AM

On the one hand, the features/specs are still lackluster compared to even 4G iPods. On the other hand, with Apple locking up a lot of UI/design patents in the iPod (scroll wheel, menu system, et al.) there really isn't much wiggle room to compete head on with the iPod.

And what is with the green colored Zunes? It kinda looks like a Halo-edition Zune, but, not.

And the dock/pad thing is HUGE. WTF?

Evangelion · Oct 3, 2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamisey

Wow. A free update for old Zunes.

Wouldn't it be nice if Apple could emulate this. The inner workings of the 5.5G iPod and the 6G iPod are the same.

How do you know? And Apple has already done this before: 5G iPods got many of the features that were introduced in 5.5G.

Mylstar · Oct 3, 2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronh3

Yuck!
this is what should happen with Zunes:

http://hideapod.com/

Awesome site. Try and order one......lol.

thejadedmonkey · Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM

Give me OS X support and I'm there!

villanova329 · Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM

Is it just me or does the new Zune remind you of "The Chocolate" by Verizon? Especially the black and pink ones.

wakerider017 · Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM

Direct competitor with iPod Touch?

I DON"T THINK SO!

DMann · Oct 3, 2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamisey

Wow. A free update for old Zunes.

Wouldn't it be nice if Apple could emulate this. The inner workings of the 5.5G iPod and the 6G iPod are the same. Why can't apple send an update so 5.5G iPod owners could also get the new interface?

This is a plus for Zune.

Yes, that they admit their BETA release was just that.......... and less.

nagromme · 01:10 AM

Wireless sync? Sounds vaguely cool... and pretty minor in practice.

You have to plug in to charge anyway. Synching then happens automatically, in seconds, long before charging is done. No buttons to press or user intervention needed. Charge and forget.

Wireless sync might or might not need user intervention to trigger it... but it won't do much for your battery. You're still going to have to plug in to charge.

I wonder how the flash Zune's screen size (and overall device volume/thinness) compares to the new video Nanos.

As for sliding up/down/left/right... I don't see that allowing intuitive uninterrupted scrolling of LONG content lists, the way a wheel (or multitouch) does.

EDIT - Wasn't Microsoft trying to get some other term to catch on in place of "podcast"?

mrkramer · Oct 3, 2007, 01:04 AM

I still prefer the iPod touch to these, but I would definitally consider one over a different iPod if they had OS X support. I think that these are the best competition to the iPods currently out there.

p0intblank · Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM

I have to say, this looks like a nice solid update for the Zune. However, the navigation on the bottom looks somewhat off in the picture. Perhaps it looks better in person. But still, it doesn't matter... because iPod FTW!

Edit: Just checked them out at Zune.net. I actually like the old design more. The buttons on the bottom look like oversized bubbles.

Cinematographer · Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM

I must admit, I'm a little bit impressed. The new zunes are much much less complet crap compared to the first generation ones.

Ja Di ksw · Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM

Do they really call is squirting? Honestly, if a brown Zune squirts . . . . . .

Somedays I really wish I had photoshop

irun5k · Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM

It is becoming obvious that if the iTMS continues to be primarily a DRM shop, the iTMS is doomed.

First Amazon goes MP3 and now Microsoft.

I'm not really sure Apple cares a whole lot. I don't think they need the iTMS at all. Still, it would be a shame if they aren't able to negotiate the same agreement with the record companies that Amazon and M$ were able to put into place.

DMann · Oct 3, 2007, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronh3

Yuck!
this is what should happen with Zunes:

http://hideapod.com/

Very practical..... I'd order one.

The Bad Guy · Oct 3, 2007, 01:07 AM

As crap as I know they are...I can't help but think the black one on the left, looks kinda pimp.

arn · Oct 3, 2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

I wonder how the flash Zune's screen size (and overall device volume/thinness) compares to the new video Nanos.

Flash: 1.8" (Zune) vs 2.0" (nano)
HD: 3.2 inches (Zune) vs 2.5" (iPod Classic)

arn

ivi7 · Oct 3, 2007, 01:10 AM

Even Version 10 of Zune won't be able compete with iPods

Oct 3, 2007, 12:46 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Microsoft Announces 2nd Generation Zune Music Player Microsoft announced three new models of its Zune music player on Tuesday. The new models mirror Apple's iPod Nano and iPod lines by introducing a flash-based 4GB/8GB at $149 and $199 along with a larger 80GB hard-drive based model at $249. The previous 30GB Zune will continue to be sold at $199.99, and receive a software update bringing it up to par with the new Zune features. All Zunes feature Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing songs as well as automatic wireless syncing to PCs. Over the air purchasing, however, is not presently available on the new Zunes. Other features include a touch-sensitive navigation button allowing users to slide their finger up/down/left/right to navigate around the screen. In addition, Microsoft also announced that they would be selling more than 1 million songs in DRM-free MP3 format. They've also introduced podcasts and music videos selections. Wired's hands on with the units also describe a new social networking site called Zune Social which compiles a list songs you play on your PC or Zune so friends can see what you are listening to. Microsoft has reportedly sold 1.2 million Zunes since its launch in November 2006. Article Link

Oct 3, 2007, 12:47 AM	#2
Eidorian macrumors G3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	No OS X support. __________________ MRoogle it! hikari T7500 2.2 GHz / 4 GB / 320 GB / GMA X3100 / 10.5.8 chobimaru Core i5 750 2.66 GHz / 4 GB / 640 GB / 4830 / Windows 7

Oct 3, 2007, 12:51 AM	#3
aaronh3 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	Eeeeeew Yuck! this is what should happen with Zunes: http://hideapod.com/

Oct 3, 2007, 12:56 AM	#8
bamisey macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2007	I gotta say Nice customer service Wow. A free update for old Zunes. Wouldn't it be nice if Apple could emulate this. The inner workings of the 5.5G iPod and the 6G iPod are the same. Why can't apple send an update so 5.5G iPod owners could also get the new interface? This is a plus for Zune.

Oct 3, 2007, 12:58 AM	#9
Sayer macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Austin, TX	On the one hand, the features/specs are still lackluster compared to even 4G iPods. On the other hand, with Apple locking up a lot of UI/design patents in the iPod (scroll wheel, menu system, et al.) there really isn't much wiggle room to compete head on with the iPod. And what is with the green colored Zunes? It kinda looks like a Halo-edition Zune, but, not. And the dock/pad thing is HUGE. WTF? __________________ Obama Joker = RACIST :: Bush Joker = Political Commentary Obama Bows to world leaders that violate 200+ years of protocol: 2

Oct 3, 2007, 12:55 AM	#7
kissmyaxe macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2006	Hahahaha, gotta love good ol' Micro$oft...

Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM	#12
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	Give me OS X support and I'm there! __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement. - Mark Twain

Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM	#13
villanova329 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California	Is it just me or does the new Zune remind you of "The Chocolate" by Verizon? Especially the black and pink ones. __________________ Unibody MacBook \| Blackberry Tour

Oct 3, 2007, 01:00 AM	#14
wakerider017 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: US of A	Direct competitor with iPod Touch? I DON"T THINK SO! __________________ -AL 24" 2.93GHz iMac -4GB RAM, 1TB HDD, GT 120 -3G iPhone -flickr

Oct 3, 2007, 01:04 AM	#16
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	Wireless sync? Sounds vaguely cool... and pretty minor in practice. You have to plug in to charge anyway. Synching then happens automatically, in seconds, long before charging is done. No buttons to press or user intervention needed. Charge and forget. Wireless sync might or might not need user intervention to trigger it... but it won't do much for your battery. You're still going to have to plug in to charge. I wonder how the flash Zune's screen size (and overall device volume/thinness) compares to the new video Nanos. As for sliding up/down/left/right... I don't see that allowing intuitive uninterrupted scrolling of LONG content lists, the way a wheel (or multitouch) does. EDIT - Wasn't Microsoft trying to get some other term to catch on in place of "podcast"? __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment? Last edited by nagromme : Oct 3, 2007 at 01:10 AM.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:04 AM	#17
mrkramer macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2006	I still prefer the iPod touch to these, but I would definitally consider one over a different iPod if they had OS X support. I think that these are the best competition to the iPods currently out there.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM	#18
p0intblank macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA	I have to say, this looks like a nice solid update for the Zune. However, the navigation on the bottom looks somewhat off in the picture. Perhaps it looks better in person. But still, it doesn't matter... because iPod FTW! Edit: Just checked them out at Zune.net. I actually like the old design more. The buttons on the bottom look like oversized bubbles.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM	#19
Cinematographer macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: far away	I must admit, I'm a little bit impressed. The new zunes are much much less complet crap compared to the first generation ones. __________________ iMac Alu 24", Pod 40 GB, Touch 16 GB, Shuffle 1GB

Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM	#20
Ja Di ksw macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2003	Do they really call is squirting? Honestly, if a brown Zune squirts . . . . . . Somedays I really wish I had photoshop __________________ Fetch Daddy's blue fright wig! I must be handsome when I unleash my rage.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:05 AM	#21
irun5k macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2005	It is becoming obvious that if the iTMS continues to be primarily a DRM shop, the iTMS is doomed. First Amazon goes MP3 and now Microsoft. I'm not really sure Apple cares a whole lot. I don't think they need the iTMS at all. Still, it would be a shame if they aren't able to negotiate the same agreement with the record companies that Amazon and M$ were able to put into place.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:07 AM	#23
The Bad Guy macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	As crap as I know they are...I can't help but think the black one on the left, looks kinda pimp. __________________ Choo need people like me.

Oct 3, 2007, 01:10 AM	#25
ivi7 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2007	Even Version 10 of Zune won't be able compete with iPods __________________ Macbook Pro 2.16 GHz Core Duo 2 GB DDR2 Macmini 1.83 GHz Core Duo 2 GB DDR2 8 GB Iphone

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