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Microsoft Attempting to Recruit App Store Developers for Zune HD?

MacMonster1985 said:
Adding media centre capability in a PMP IS innovation. Just watch the video I posted previously. The Zune is not only a competitor to the iPod but also the Apple TV. OLED screen in a PMP is innovation. HD Radio is a PMP is innovation. HD output IS innovation. Had it been Apple who did it first, everyone here would be creaming about the innovation.

It's funny how people dismiss whatever MS does and call whatever Apple does as innovation. I remember people raving about copy paste as innovation.

Imagine Netflix integration in the zune, imagine downloading XBLA games, playing on the move and then coming home and docking it to play it on the big screen with the Xbox controller. Apple doesn't have much room to manoeuvre in terms integration.

Everyone dismissed MS against Sony in the console war, but when it comes to it, they DO provide innovation. Why do you think so many people are willing to pay for Xbox LIVE when PSN is free? Why do you think so many people keep going back to the Xbox even though they have had multiple failures? That's right, they've innovated the social aspect of gaming.
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I was surprised how well it did plugged into the dock and on the LCD TV.

The Tegra has the power for that resolution but it might be slight hindrance for mobility. I'd just like to know how well it integrates with Windows Media Center.
 
Eidorian said:
I was surprised how well it did plugged into the dock and on the LCD TV.

The Tegra has the power for that resolution but it might be slight hindrance for mobility. I'd just like to know how well it integrates with Windows Media Center.
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Having to drag around the dock kills the portability of the TV interconnect.
 
The dock is very small, It's no different than carrying around an HDMI cable,and it's also a charger that lets you sync the player and send HD radio to your home audio equipment. I think it's conveniant since it will most likely spend most of the time plugged into a TV. Just place the Zune in the dock and go.
 
That plug-in media centre function looks great!

I'm trying to figure something out like that for a party I'm planning. XBox Media Centre keeps hanging for some reason, is rather laggy over the network. And plugging my MacBook into some speakers isn't ideal. Plus I'm not going to drop lots of $$ for a Sonos system or an Apple TV or similar. It seemed really snappy, elegant, stylish and very functional on the TV. I'm only interested in playing music with song info on the big screen, but if it can even output HD video, that's fantastic! It's a simple, cheap way for people to watch digital content on their TV that's originally from their computer. No fuss, no muss!

[Edit]: You can also see an interface video here
http://vimeo.com/6102017

Personally, I like the UI. Much more interesting than any iPod UI out there. I was so sick of the glossy/aqua look that I modded my iPhone to have a matte look, but what I really want is more of the simple, white-on-black or black-on-white UI that's more about animations, shapes and typography than glossy looking icons and bars.
 
KnightWRX said:
Or maybe they just don't want to help Microsoft. There's this thing called principals and sometimes, they don't make sens to the outside observer.
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What principLEs are you talking about? It's making a Zune HD version of your app...
 
TheMBC said:
What principLEs are you talking about? It's making a Zune HD version of your app...
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Erm.. you even quoted it. Not helping Microsoft. Some people don't like that company's business practices, it's anti-competitive measures and its blocking of innovation in the home computer world for so long.
 
RetepNamenots said:
You were a full-time computer user from the age of 5?
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I'm not getting in this argument but I had to say this. Just to show nerd I was LOL I was a full-time computer user at the age of 5. Using the Apple ][,Atari 800/400, and the Vic-20. I was programing in basic by the age of 6 (Apple ][).

So it is possible for someone to be a full time computer user at 5? Was he, I don't know.

Hugh
 
Macminiintel said:
I've tried windows 7, it hung after installation, do you honestly think I'm going to try it again. I just can't be bothered with Windows anymore, the hassle is too great when there is a much better, nicer & greater alternative the mac.
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that's your opinion man, and I respect it. but remember Windows 7 was still in development, so thats to be expected.

This is a mac forum for mac fans, go on a windows/linux forum instead. I shouldn't have to be explaining why I hate windows to someone on a mac forum, since this is suppose to be a place to get away from the haters
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then why are you? Let alone in a thread about the Zune? I'm not a mac fan, but i'm not a windows fan. I like both. There are others who are like my self, they like both.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone has a right to like what they like and everyone has a right to be here, no matter what OS you use.


I've used macs since 1998, when my parents bought the 233Mhz iMac G3, in that time we've had both PC's and Macs and I will defiantly say I favour the mac. We've had anti-viruses on the PC's nothing stopped them really. Finally i gave up owning PC's in January 2007.
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I got in computers back in 1999 when I was 9, My favorite was the G3 iMac. Good machine back in the day.... Today, I own a late 2008 Macbook and a HP HDX 18" laptop maxed out on the specs. I love them both and use both every day.

So you gave up on the PC back in 2007, and yet you wanted to test Windows 7? Tested on a mac? i tested windows 7 on a mac and it worked out a lot better then the PC system I also tested it on.
 
Windows 7 beta, RC, and RTM all ran/run beautifully on all machines I tried it on. All my hardware worked out of the box and I couldn't've been happier.

Maybe I'm just lucky :]
 
Ballmer and the iPhone

*LTD* said:
MS added a media player three years too late, in a s,owly dying media player market?

Duplicating the iPod Touch after the fact and adding in some sort of HD functionality and a radio doesn't add up to jack. MS pulled the same crap with the original Zune. the sad part is that this time, they're expecting a different result!

We had these same conversations back in 2007 with the debut of the Zune. And look what happened. As long as Apple exists and keeps up the pace of developement, the competition's chances are slim to none. And as long as MS is weighed down with its current management team (i.e., Ballmer), they'll always be a day late and a dollar short.

The "innovator" was Apple in 2007 with the multitouch UI on on an iPod. I redefined the whole sgement. 2001 all over again. Adding another bell or whistle to what Apple churned out three years ago (which is being killed off by the iPhone) isn't innovation. It's just lame. And late.




Watch the first 10 seconds. There's your answer. It's really that simple. That pretty much sums up the corporate culture at MS. It's as true now as it was years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR8SAFRBmcU
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You should added this one too. LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5oGaZIKYvo&NR=1 It just shows how he didn't do his homework.

Hugh
 
How does the zune handle zooming?

The reason the iphone browses so well is because it makes this process deceptively simple.
 
*LTD* said:
ZuneHD = too little, too late.

Once the new iPods arrive this thing'll be dead in the water. No apps, no phone functionality (we're already moving away from iPods and toward iPhones - a convergence of devices. MS is way too late.) Yet another "me too" attempt by MS that's about 3 years overdue. It's rather hard to care about the Zune HD at this point.

This isn't even competition. It's just sad. You can't arrive with an "adequate competitor" to the iPod. Just like with the iPhone, it can't be on par or adequate. It has to be vastly superior from the get-go and offer an entirely new experience. It's the original Zune all over again. It mirrors the Zune scenario exactly: a late attempt (years late) to duplicate the features of the iPod with one or two distinguishing features that simply aren't enough to turn the situation around. Total yawnfest. MS going into this with ZERO mindshare doesn't help, either.

Ms can't design. MS can't market. MS can't do any meaningful R&D in the consumer sector that someone hasn't been already done for them. This point, of course, won't affect sales. The existence of the iPod and Apple's abilities in this area, however, will.
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After MSNBC, Live Search, Windows Mobile (pre-iPhone stats: Symbian 75%; Linux 14%; Microsoft 5%; Palm 5%.), Myspace, AdCenter, WebTV, Ultimate TV, MSN TV, MSN TV2, Microsoft TV Foundation Edition, Microsoft Mediaroom, WMA + all Windows Media crap, PlaysForSure, MapPoint, Encarta, Microsoft Automotive, Microsoft Networking Hardware, ActiMates, Microsoft Home, LifeChat, Microsoft Cordless Phone System...

I was about to put on others, but these are the ones that more or less "directly imitate" competitors...
 
Journojulz said:
How does the zune handle zooming?

The reason the iphone browses so well is because it makes this process deceptively simple.
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I'm not sure that "deceptively" was the right choice of words since it almost makes that sound like a bad thing... and while I'm pretty much sold on not leaving the iPod line as my choice in the future, I'm still willing to give the Zune HD's browser a try before knocking it (is it really IE-based? eh). granted I won't be going into the experience expecting much, but who knows, maybe I'll end up being impressed... *resists urge to put down the browser based solely on the fact that it's been designed by Microsoft*
 
Journojulz said:
How does the zune handle zooming?
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We won't know until it comes out. However, other recent IE mobile versions allow both double-click and a visible slider zoom control that pops up when you hold your finger down.

If the Zune allows third party browsers, then of course it's up to them how to zoom.

(Personally I like the new phones that have a physical zoom touch slide area beneath the screen. That way, the user doesn't have to cover the display with their finger.)

The reason the iphone browses so well is because it makes this process deceptively simple.
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The iPhone browser is terrific.

However, like any touch application with hidden controls, a person has to have preknowledge of its usage. (Almost no one on their own would figure out two-finger zooming, or especially two-finger textarea panning. Once shown, however, it's easy.)
 
AidenShaw said:
By the way, "Pinch" was first shown in 1983. Multi-touch has a long history.
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Your source, please?

The first true GUI computer, PARC's Alto computer, was introduced in 1973; the industry didn't latch on until late 1970s and early 80s— and multitouch is still "on paper" in Bell Labs in 1983... So I hope you wouldn't mind if I ask for the source, please?
 
TH3D4RKKN1GH7 said:
The Zune uses the same pinch and expand system the iPhone does.
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Isn't it covered by the same patent restrictions as the palm pre?

Do agree the iPhone browser is brilliant and a massive source of customer satisfaction - it really does feel effortless to browse like this. I am constantly surprised how accurately it hits the link I was wanting on a minimised page.

Not sure a zoom slider would work as well for me, where would it centre?
 
AidenShaw said:
By the way, "Pinch" was first shown in 1983. Multi-touch has a long history.
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So?

Do you honestly think that without the existence of the iPhone, without Apple as an example for the rest of the industry, Microsoft would have come up with the Zune HD (in typical late fashion) all on their own and within the next five years?

The corporate culture at MS doesn't exactly allow for that kind of thinking.

Once again, MS' management needs a complete overhaul. Getting rid of Ballmer would be a start.
 
Wikinerd said:
Your source, please?

The first true GUI computer, PARC's Alto computer, was introduced in 1973; the industry didn't latch on until late 1970s and early 80s— and multitouch is still "on paper" in Bell Labs in 1983... So I hope you wouldn't mind if I ask for the source, please?
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http://www.billbuxton.com/multitouchOverview.html

"Multi-touch technologies have a long history. To put it in perspective, the original work undertaken by my team [at Microsoft] was done in 1984, the same year that the first Macintosh computer was released, and we were not the first.

Furthermore, during the development of the iPhone, Apple was very much aware of the history of multi-touch, dating at least back to 1982, and the use of the pinch gesture, dating back to 1983."

1999 reference http://www.ee.udel.edu/~westerma/main.pdf


PLATO%20IV%20Touch.jpg
 
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