Zune: T minus 12 days
Sorry to not be posting more; it's a tad insane here.
The last few days have been a real hive of activity; finalizing the software and service, getting devices. We had a small milestone celebration last night; chinese food, beers, and a big poster of a Zune for everyone on the team to sign. Also, we found out what our "ship gift" is going to be ;)
I'm starting to meet about strategy and the product to a more partners, and we're starting to ramp up on next year's strategy.
Oh, and I got a new iPod Shuffle in the mail. It's an interesting little device. I'm not really the target for a small device with no screen, but I can see the appeal of the little guy for some users with small, focussed music collections. Actually, it feels like more of an iPod accessory than an iPod.
The Zune kimono is a bit more open now, so folks should feel free to post technical questions; I will try to answer, if not today than in a couple of weeks ;)
21 Comments:
Why not run a contest and give the winner that punky little iPod Shuffle?
That would really show up Cesar, who awarded us some Zune stickers for composing haiku. (Not that we're not appreciative, Cesar!).
- Harvey
I am curious if anyone has thought about the possibility of enabling the Zune, in conjunction with the home a/v pack, to act as a media center extender? Being able to stream music/movies that I don't have on my Zune from my media center would definitely be the killer app!
Will I be able to convert music from within the Zune software? In iTunes there's an option to "Convert Selection to ACC"
And also, will the Zune software consolidate my library for me - Basically I drag a song into the Zune program from my desktop, can it move it to a folder based on Artist, then a subfolder based on Album
If you give me an open invite to ask questions, you're in for it :)
Will the Zune ever allow us to transfter TV content from Media Cente? You guys know I'm on here all the time, and this is still the most puzzling piece of the puzzle to me. Why lock out DVR-MS files? You would think Microsoft would promote getting a Zune, and a Media Center, and a Windows Mobile Phone, a 360...etc. It would really be cool if I could put my TV files onto the Zune. Besides being cool, it just makes sense.
I know making sense and business strategies don't always go hand in hand, but at least a definitive NO would make me stop asking about it(even if I'll remain confused about the reasoning behind it).
Also, will the 360 integration get a bit deeper than library streaming over USB anytime soon?
It says on the site that you can import from WMP. Does that mean it doesn't use WMP library and uses its own database?
If so, how does it work with MCE? Do you have to keep both libraries synchronized?
Will there be a MCE plugin to play and browse from the Zune Marketplace?
What will the "Ship Gift" be? Stop teasing us!
1. what is a ship gift? did I miss something?
2. (maybe this is for the xbox team?) Will we eventually be able to purchase and TRANSFER music/videos etc. from xbox live marketplace to zune? ex. being the Artist of the Month videos.
3. Can you give a timeline for podcast support/aggregator? have you considered using Podcast Ready?
4. Will Zune marketplace software be available for download before Zune goes for sale or will it just come packaged with the Zune?
5. When does microsoft plan to/ be able to sell videos, tv shows, movies on Zune Marketplace.
also.... why is there a xbox live marketplace card and a zune marketplace card? instead of an orange or brown card you should make a blue card with the MS points symbol and have it say " Marketplace points" with zune and xbox live logos on it in the left corner and the amount in the top right, with an explanation on the card. " for use in the xbox live and zune marketplace "
then when you add another service Live mobile? you can just add another symbol rather than another new card.
Is there even a ball park figure for realeases outside of U.S. becaus ei have heard 2008 for UK. How stupid!
Hi David,
Simple question and since you are the accessories guy you would know.
Does the car dock advertised on zune.net have a AMPS Compatible hole pattern so that it can be used with cell phone mounts?
If not, please try to make this happen ASAP. It will help simplify a clean, professional looking car install.
Thanks.
Error on zune.net's speck armband page. Won't display pictures. Just giving you the heads up. Also, Belkin just announced some new accessories and they look REALLY cool. The coolest I've seen yet, especially the tunepower (zune stand, battery backup).
Darn...it seems like you can't save quicklists on the device as playlists. That's unfortunate. So, basically, no saving of playlists on the go. I was hoping they would get that right.
Ok, I'm not spamming even though it looks like it, but...lol, I saw something very disturbing today. On the Gizmodo review, it says that you can only have 2 zunes hooked up to 1 subscription account. So, this means if you want to have 3 zunes in your household, you need TWO subscriptions at 14.99 a month. Please clarify this. I don't get this limitation. If I want one for myself, one for the wife, and one for my son, am I going to have to pay $30 a month? May be a deal breaker for me.
sportsunit,
I check the Zune terms of service (http://www.zune.net/en-us/legal/tosPage.htm) and it confirms what Gizmodo said: Up to 2 Zunes per Zune Pass subscription.
"14.2 Zune Pass Subscription Content Usage Rules. With a ZunePass, you can stream or download content on a subscription basis on up to three (3) authorized computers or Xbox 360 consoles. You can also synch your library onto up to two (2) Zune devices."
Harvey
http://www.zunerama.com
ok so this is getting even better...lol. I have 4 media center extenders in my house. Does this mean that I can now only have 3 xbox media center extenders streaming music. Can't be...why would they go backwards. I'm streaming aol music now subscription content all over my house using a media center 2005 machine and xbox 1's and my 360 as extenders. I seriously hope they don't prevent me from continuing this setup in my home, or I'll have to ditch subscription music altogether.
Any chance of getting the software a few days earlier so I can start transcoding video?
I have a question about tagging songs.
If you are listening to the radio and you really like a song that is currently playing (and the radio station is sending out the artist and song title), can you tag radio songs to download later? Or can you only tag songs that came from other Zunes?
Hello David,
I have a question though I am not sure you will be able to answer. One feature which is most important to me (and probably to most audiophiles) is support for a lossless format. I have a xBox so I would be streaming my music to my home theater speakers through xBox. Now MP3s on those speakers will not cut it.
So can you tell me if you guys have plans to include a lossless format for Zune. No support for a lossless format is my only complain.
Rohit
How do podcasts work on the Zune? I don't see anything on the menu to access podcasts. On my Zen Vision M there is a section for "Zencasts".
Yeah, I think I just realized that you cant put podcasts on a Zune. That just killed it for me. I was so sure of getting one when it came out, but I listen to quite a few podcasts. How could they not include that on the Zune? It doesnt make any sense to me, I think pretty much all of the competitors have podcast capabilities.
anounymous, podcasts ARE included.
I posted something like this in the codecs post, but the comments here seem more active.
I agree with Rohit; audiophiles will want lossless codec support. The obvious one being Windows Media Audio Lossless.
The Toshiba Gigabeat S not only supports WMAL, but is also the same price as the Zune with twice the capacity (60 GB).
I'd still probably lean towards the Zune because of it's ability to be upgraded, but I'd like some kind of assurance that WMAL support is planned. I don't care about the impact to battery life, I'll just turn off the wifi when I don't need it!
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