Microsoft got it right with Zune 2.0

[Code Monkey]

what do you mean "hello kitty" interface..? the interface on the new zunes are fine my zune just got upgraded to the new firmware

He was referring to the Zune software, which is now some sort of pink-coral-orange abomination with the majority of the interface out and out removed, leaving such brilliance as hearts and broken hearts for the sum total of possible song ratings.

I was sooo ready to embrace the new Zune if the software had moved the decent but still lagging behind iTunes program forward instead of way, way, way back into the distant past.

 

[studogvetmed]

A feature in the Zune software that sounds cool is an icon that says if the song is on the device or not. That would be a neat addition to iTunes.

 

[kendrid]

There is a black theme that isn't too bad.

They have stated in the official forums that the new software was written from the ground up while 1.0 was WMP11 with a skin. They are adding back smart playlists/tag editing/etc. They just couldn't get it in before release.

 

[Dumb Monkey]

Yeah, seems like releasing unfinished products is the norm as long as software's involved.

 

[Code Monkey]

They have stated in the official forums that the new software was written from the ground up while 1.0 was WMP11 with a skin. They are adding back smart playlists/tag editing/etc. They just couldn't get it in before release.

I'm reasonably certain this is what we would call "revisionist history". Some of this stuff was being touted as an improved feature in Zune blogs with "insider interviews" just a couple of weeks ago.

The cockup here is that you HAD to install the new software if you want to access the Zune marketplace (or use the new Zunes) and that means all your playlists, ratings, etc. have been converted and you get to have the joy of recreating them if/when they're "finished".

Oh well, I'll keep following the software as they release patches and see who finishes their products for 2007 first, Apple or Microsoft; the race is on

 

[JYoung]

what do you mean "hello kitty" interface..? the interface on the new zunes are fine my zune just got upgraded to the new firmware

I'm sorry.
I thought that the linked article made it clear I was talking about the new Zune 2.0 PC software.
At least the interface is skinnable.

I'm reasonably certain this is what we would call "revisionist history". Some of this stuff was being touted as an improved feature in Zune blogs with "insider interviews" just a couple of weeks ago.

The cockup here is that you HAD to install the new software if you want to access the Zune marketplace (or use the new Zunes) and that means all your playlists, ratings, etc. have been converted and you get to have the joy of recreating them if/when they're "finished".

Oh well, I'll keep following the software as they release patches and see who finishes their products for 2007 first, Apple or Microsoft; the race is on

As it turns out,
if you upgrade your pc from Zune 1.0 to Zune 2.0, you might run into some meta data issues.

 

[splooshie]

I'm sorry.
I thought that the linked article made it clear I was talking about the new Zune 2.0 PC software.
At least the interface is skinnable.



As it turns out,
if you upgrade your pc from Zune 1.0 to Zune 2.0, you might run into some meta data issues.

lol sorry, i thought you were talking about the GUI of the zune itself =\

 

[CocheseUGA]

I'm a little late to the conversation, but I must both agree and disagree with the OP.

I wouldn't say they got it right. They did, however, take a big step forward. Their goal was to try and gain some attention in the marketplace, and they are doing that. I'll agree that the 30GB versions weren't much to look at, but the 80GB versions are pretty nice. Are they a Touch? Of course not, nothing is. However, they are carrying around 5-10x more than your Touch user is.

Personally, I don't care about the WiFi features in the Touch. The only thing I find really nice is the iTunes feature. I say I don't really care about WiFi because a)I don't hang out in Starbucks all day, and if I did, I'd b) be working on a real computer. I also have a phone that is wifi capable, not everything I own has to be able to do the same things.

For someone who isn't an Apple fanboy, these players are a nice alternative. I know the 80GB version is tempting, because it offers the same capacity as what I would spend for a Classic, and gives me a bigger screen for video playback. The battery may be an issue to some, but I'm not planning on staying glued in front of a DAP for a whole day. Even at a miserable 22 hours, that's plenty of time for your average user.

I will agree the PC software isn't as streamlined as iTunes. They'll need to contine working on that. The playlists, etc don't really concern me on the PC side. I'm not one to listen to music on the computer anyways, I'd much rather it be played through my entertainment center, car speakers, or headphones.

What MS will have to start improving immediately is their partnerships with third parties, especially concerning their dock connection. Part of what appeals to people buying a new iPod every or every other year is the compatibility with the older accessories, within reason. That alarm clock you bought for your Mini works great with your Classic, for example. I've only owned one iPod, but even for me that's huge.

The 80GB Zune really does hit a sweet spot for a lot of buyers I think. Bigger screen than the Classic, more capacity than the Touch. I know it's grabbed my attention.

 

[Code Monkey]

For someone who isn't an Apple fanboy, these players are a nice alternative.

I take offense at that. I pretty much despise Apple as a company, but I don't find these to be a nice alternative precisely because of the software you blithely brush off a few lines later. Strictly as a player, the iPod ain't all that. It winds up being a bit smaller and generally has better battery life, but they aren't very feature laden compared to other players. However, paired with iTunes and the gapless, universal bookmarking, and smartlists that result, you've got a player that is without a doubt a much more flexible player for anyone not looking to just simply play albums or static playlists, and if that's your thing, I think Creative is much better than the Zune.

 

[CocheseUGA]

I take offense at that.

If you weren't, why would you?

Creative is in trouble. Sales across the board are down 24% from last year, and their DAP program isn't the part of the company keeping things going. They only had around 3% of the market in April, the last numbers I can find. While the Zune at the same time had less of a marketshare, it had only been around for six months.

MS has made a pretty worth competitor to the iPod, something that very few people have done thus far. Microsoft also has the money and patience to work through hardware and sofware revisions until they get it right - things that the other competitors aren't going to be able to withstand.

Apple has had 7-8 years to work on the computer software part, I'd expect them to have the edge in that department. What they don't have is a 6-7 year lead on it. The smart playlists feature is lacking, but so? To be honest, I've never used that feature. You could rate that as having a smaller collection than most 'power users' (20GB), or you could attribute it to the fact that my thoughts on a particular song from day to day, and I don't need to keep it logged on the computer how many times I want to hear it. I'm sure smart playlists will be added in the future, but I personally don't care.

I like the fact that is shows if it is on the device - something that I will have to try out when I get one(?) I like the fact I can browse by album cover. Cover Flow is nice, but doesn't work as well. I think a couple of tweaks for the next version would make it really nice - something I'm willing to sit down and write out so they can have my input.

I also REALLY love the fact that movies that I have for my (future?) Zune I can C/P straight over to my phone. While there are a lot of iPhone users out there, there are much more that run the Windows Mobile family. The same resolution and size I would play on my Zune I could also play on my Blackjack or Hermes.

I'd recommend to people who have used neither to give both sets of software a try. We all may be biased from using iTunes all this time.

As for the hardware, my only complaint is the lack of a drive feature. Everything else looks excellent.

 

[bdb]

It probably depends on what features you find important. If gapless and smart playlists are really important, one will find the Zune seriously lacking. And one of the most prominent answers for why the iPod is "the best" is the iTunes+iPod integration (I'm not arguing it, I'm just saying its a common response and something with which Microsoft must compete).

Since the Zune software was completely re-written, it is essentially version 1.0 (again). I'm really amazed they went with such a feminine color scheme, BTW. It could get better over time, but who knows? So far improvements are coming at a slow pace, just once a year.

It looks like this is the only thing trying to compete with the Classic right now. Creative has apparently given up on the Vision:M (you can't buy one from Buy.com, Amazon or even Creative). Cowon and Archos are only shipping flash players or big expensive video PMPs. I'm glad to see the Zune selling well; I don't want this to be a single-vendor market.

 

[CocheseUGA]

Actually, one of today's deals on Buy.com is a recertified Vision: M 30GB for $100.

As far as the color scheme goes, it's just a skin. I have it set on Meridian right now and it's grey and black. It does have the orange to pink bar on the bottom, but that's the Zune logo colors. No big deal to me.

I do appreciate the Zune card, though. For those of us who are used to the 360 (or PS3 now) and the gamercards, you have something similar for the Zune. You don't have to go to last.fm or scrobble to show your playlist.

I'm frankly surprised Microsoft made another one. I figured this would be a one and done deal, but they proved me wrong. It really is like the way the Xbox came about. The first one was nice, but it was ugly as hell, going against very stiff competition and virtually unknown. With 360, they got a whole lot better and it's now the console manufacturer of choice.

Let's hope the Zune doesn't have the same hardware flaws, though.