Zune updater
Scoble has posted about Zune. I will comment on the overall post in more detail in a bit (and Robert and I come at things from somewhat different angles in general), but he does rightly note one key asset - the Zune updater. A great deal of effort has gone into making periodic firmware updates reliable, seamless, and automatic.
This is definitely a nice, tactical feature - we couldn't get everything we wanted into the box right out of the gate. But more importantly, it's a strategic feature. We plan to be very nimble going forward, and there are a lot of great ideas for things to do with a small portable media box with wifi (many mentioned on this blog's comments). Must...be...nimble.
xbox 360 owners have experienced this - every now and then a new software update automagically appears on their box, bringing new features and improvements.
13 Comments:
Sounds very interesting. To some extend iPods are also updateable but I am guessing it’s not to the extend Zune is. Update also works wonders when you need to keep the excitement up. Each update will bring about media coverage and keep Zune at forefront.
I am building up my home entertainment system and have researched this a lot. Settled with MS because no other company is present in all the aspect of media delivery like MS is.
This is what I am hoping to see by next year.
1. I will have Zune, Xbox, Vista and Windows Mobile.
2. Each can access Zune marketplace
3. The media on each can SEAMLESSLY and EASILY be sent to my A/V receiver or TV
4. Media can SEAMLESSLY and EASILY be transfers for one device to another.
5. Some great experience around these devices. Something which I am not expecting. Surprise me!!!
Rohit
Playing multiplayer games would be another great use for that wifi. I hope games are going to be part of the Zune. What would be cool is an add-on game controller as an accessory that attatches to the Zune, rather than using the pad on the Zune for games (which would just make games a gimmick like on cell phones.) That could easily turn the Zune into a true portable game machine. A perfect match for those Plays Anywhere arcade games on my Xbox 360!
These updates may be the best thing that happened to zune. I like the nimble part. I hope they stay ahead of the game, especially with Apple filing for patents left and right. They've already filed for a patent on a wifi accessible itunes store. I just hope that doesn't prevent a similar feature from appearing in the zune in the future.
Games would be cool if they came later on. But how often will the Zune Software on the PC need updating? Will it comes as automatic updates or will I need to download a big install file and manually update it?
The Scoble Video mentioned that I would be able to play Zune Videos on my Xbox360 while it is plugged in and charging.
Also, everyone seems bound to the "Apple Way" and assume that they will only be able to get new features next year when the new Zunes come out. I think I will be laughing in a few months when their Pods have become old hat, and I am happily enjoying a new feature.
Am I understanding the update and Xbox features correctly or am I crazy...Let me know!
Yes, you can plug your Zune into Xbox and get music, photos, and video from it. Very cool.
With the iPod 5G there is no need of an xBox to watch movies, pictures, video podcasts, & music on the TV.
I'm sure the iPod and the Zune, both have the same degree of update-ability. Better battery management, games, scroll letters, etc came with the last update.
@rohit
I would suggest to check out Apple next year. Leopard, the new iPods, iTV & the iTunes Store, will work seamlessly and easily just like iTunes + iPod works.
I would buy a couple of Zunes if it were able to function as a "Portable" Media Extender for XP/Vista MCE. Although local storage is cool and powerful. I think streaming is the killer application.
1. Watch Live TV or Recorded Shows arounded the house on your Zune screen. The important thing here is not having to sync or transfer.
2. Play Music off your MCE without transferring
3. Multi_Room Audio (ex. Sonos).
4. Zune Remote - Zune able to act as the ultimate MCE remote.
Here's my prediction:
Zune will be like a Kia or Daewoo.
iPod will be like Bentley or Maybach.
They will both get the job done. But, the Zune will behave like the rickety pile of nuts and bolts that it is, while the iPod performs gracefully, with style and panache.
The end result? Just like the difference between Windows and Macintosh.
Everyone who "gets it" will have an iPod; the clueless remainder? A zune.
Will Apple lose some market share? Probably. Will it be significant? I doubt it. More and more people "get it" these days, and are more critical of their experiences with technology. The better platform will come out on top.
This is why I stand by my belief that anonymous posters rarely, if ever, make sense... No offense to the few who post anonymously and make sensible comments. But, I wish Major and all of the Zune team sites would turn anonymous posting off. It keeps the Ipod and Sony Lemmings at bay.
@Chris,
You need a cord, big dog, that cord is more than the price of using my already purchased (you know for games, that hobby myself and 4 million other people have) Xbox 360. This is called a perk, and you saying that the IPOD 5g doesn't need an Xbox is dull considering the functionality about which you are speaking is exactly the same on the Zune. An Ipod or Zune can both be watched on the TV with a cord accessory that will cost the consumer extra money (apple's version is $19). Extra money I don't need to spend because I own an Xbox.
Also, Apple users are notorious for getting overly excited about the newest devices because of the new features they will get to experience. I am not lucky enough to be a live at home parent expense-account vampire, so buying a Zune with Microsoft's focus on making sure I don't need to buy a new one every year just makes a bit more sense than dropping $250 plus every time some corporate stiff decides he wants a little more of my money.
I really hope you still enjoy your 5g, I know I love my Nano, but please understand that you don't have to hate the Zune to prove to your Ipod that you love it...I hate to break it to you, but it's not alive. Let the social know if you need a hug BTW, we will be wearing the black ear phones and enjoying each other's favorite music. Maybe you can too with Apple's "NEW" Ipod next year.
Chris said “I would suggest to check out Apple next year. Leopard, the new iPods, iTV & the iTunes Store, will work seamlessly and easily just like iTunes + iPod works.”
So Chris you want me to buy a new Mac, iPod and iTV???? Why the hell will I do that. Mac costs more than PC, iPod does not have FM or subscription and iTV does not play game. And this whole solution will cost much more than MS solution.
Thanks but no thanks. I am not buying into Apple. Right now MS gives the best value for money.
@Rohit
No, I only suggested you to check out, completely free, the new products that Apple will introduce soon.'
@DrBlam
I do not hate the Zune. But I certainly find ironic that MS constantly criticized the iPod for its closed system, and talked about options for consumers and partnerships, when they are doing the exact thing.
Neither of us knows yet if how long a Zune will last, but I do know that my old iPod mini 4GB is still working perfectly after more than 2 1/2 years.
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