Zune responses
Thanks all for the kind words. I'm really proud of the new offering end-to-end.
That said, I also realize there's work yet to be done. Please keep up a running line of comments as you find out more so I can feed them back into the dev teams. Top Questions so far:
Do the new zunes play 640x480 without transcoding?
Yes, if you’ve got such content the new zunes will play them, and will show them at full resolution on video out. I'll especially enjoy this one.
Do the new Zunes play the “advanced” content in aac podcasts
They will show the advanced information in the RSS feed – e.g., the cover art for the podcast. They don’t (yet) support the apple extensions in the file itself – chapters and synchronized bitmaps. We do support bookmarking your listening/viewing location in a podcast.
Can I mention that adding podcasting is huge for me? Huge. And it's an awesome feature - really well designed.
Does wifi sync work for podcasts?
Yes, in the sense that if you walk into the house and the podcasts have been downloaded onto your PC, they'll sync over. The Zunes don't (yet) have a full podcast client on them, so they won't get the content directly from the cloud.
Still, walking into the house and having your Zune sync syndicated content over is really nice.
29 Comments:
David, I think the team has alot to be proud of. Thinking things out seems to have paid off. I'm looking foward to the V1 update for me and buying my 12 year old daughter the new 8Gig Pink. Great job!
320x240 resolution? :(
and are divx/xvid supported/a possibility?
Heres another question: Have yall uped the quality of the album art on marketplace in the new version? Having to find high quality album art to replace the stuff from marketplace is a pain. The new Zunes look great!
I got questions:
1. There is some confusion out there if the Zune plays the WMA Lossless or converts it to WMA to play it?
2. Music Videos in the marketplace will need to be purchased...right? If so any info about the pricing?
3. Will you be guys coming up with feature update next year before holiday or are you going to fall in pattern with the xBox?
4. Does the Red Zune have different texture and feel to other Zunes. I heard that its got glossy finish unlike other Zune?
Oh and I forgot to add that it has been a very good update. Now that you guys have written the code ground up I cannot wait to see what is coming out next year.
Hopefully you guys can carry the message to mass market now more effectively.
1) Why no WinXP MCE Support for MCE content?
2) Audible?
3) Easter Eggs?
My questions...
The new Zune GUI:
Will there be a 10ft interface for MCE or XBOX?
How does the Podcast stuff work, does it integrate with the feed database in IE7?
For the DRM free downloads - will you be offering upgrades from previously purchased tracks like Apple? What's the price differential?
Will Zune become a platform? Will it support Siliverlight (for games and content) in the future?
Will there be any support for HomeServer for synchronization?
Maybe contacting your PC at home via the internet using HomeServer?
I read somewhere that due to hardware limitations, Zune 30s will not support certain features like some of the new native video support. Is that true? What specifically won't the 30 be able to do?
ahd child, the Zune 30GB will not be able to natively play MPEG-4/H.264 content. It will still be transcoded by the Zune software at sync.
The original Zune 30GB also won't have 640 x 480 video out support. Even post firmware update, it'll be limited to 320 x 240 like it was before.
David, do you have an offical statement on "gapless" track transition support? Since it hasn't been mentioned, can I assume it didn't make it to this release? If it didn't, is it still a possibility in the near future? That's one thing the iPod does right.
I didn't mention it before... but the new offerings look great. The entire team definitely has a lot to be proud of. Great work!
only thing which keeps me from using zune as prime mp3 players is the integration with my car stereo made by pioneer. do you have any aftermarket car stereo vendor in the pipeline to start to integrate zune with their products?
Hi David,
Is Audible support coming sometime soon (I'll give you the advantage, and let you define "soon"!)? I was VERY hopeful that it might arrive with the gen 2 Zune, but it looks like it's not here yet.
(rolling up responses)
correct, no gapless playback. Didn't make it this time. It is however a software issue - not a hardware limitation.
Correct, no audio books as of launch. Can't comment on when/if they migth appear, which you shouldn't interpret either pro or con future prospects. ;)
Will music videos be a part of the zune pass?
you mention
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We do support bookmarking your listening/viewing location in a podcast.
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does that mean I can bookmark an audio file i put on there myself like an audio book I ripped from a CD?
The 640x480 video format and video output support is just awesome. I was asking for that since day one.
Does Zune support PhotoHD and/or JPEG images larger than 640x480? I know that there is a limit on the output resolution but I'm trying to figure out how its possible to eliminate the need to keep duplicate image files on my PC (one large, one for portable devices). That is kind of a nightmare to manage and too easy to get out of sync with all the photos I have.
johncz, the Zune software will scale JPG pictures to Zune friendly sizes automatically at sync. So, you don't need to keep multiple copies around. (The same is true for iPod & iTunes.)
is the zune pass music video question still up in the air or something because everyone seems to be jumping around it....????
From the post:
"Does wifi sync work for podcasts?
Yes, in the sense that if you walk into the house and the podcasts have been downloaded onto your PC, they'll sync over."
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This is not the way it has been described by any other Zune team member...
According to Cesar, et al, the user is required to initiate a manual wireless sync, even if the WiFi is turned on.
The only way an automatic wireless sync occurs is if the user plugs the Zune into a powered (aka wired) dock.
Who's correct?
Also, once we are plugged into the wired dock for a wireless sync, Cesar says the sync will start after 1 minute of inactivity. Is this a one time sync or will the Zune continue to sync at set intervals. If not, so much for waking up in the morning to a Zune with fresh content added overnight.
Also, what if my computer is in sleep mode when I try to start the wireless sync? Will the sync still work? I have a laptop that suspends when the cover is closed, will the laptop now have to stay opened for the sync to work?
@palmer deville -- David's answer focused on podcasts, not the WiFi sync process. When David said, "if you walk into the house," I'm sure he meant "if you initiate a WiFi sync."
He's telling you that you can't walk into your house (with a WiFi connection) and download an up-to-the-minute podcast that isn't already on your host computer. When a WiFi sync is enabled (either manually or automatically in a dock), a Zune *will* sync all the latest podcasts that have already been downloaded to the host computer. But it will *not* initiate the computer to download the most up-to-the-minute podcasts.
A few people have requested the ability to download the latest podcasts directly to the Zune over WiFi, with no need for their host computer (with the Zune Marketplace software). The Zune does *not* support that. (And neither do the iPhone or the iPod Touch, for that matter.)
I have no information on the other scenarios you mentioned (sleeping host computer and repeated auto-syncs).
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David's answer focused on podcasts, not the WiFi sync process. When David said, "if you walk into the house," I'm sure he meant "if you initiate a WiFi sync."
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yeah, what he said.
If there's anyway you can channel feedback to the Zune team responsible for licensing music content, could you please ask them to include music from the Vineyard Music Group ( http://www.vmg.com/ )
Bookmarking Question: This is important to many. You say that we can bookmark your location in a podcast. I assume that means in any audio media. Is that true? I listen to audio books myself, and with my kids in the car. My Zen has 10 bookmarks, which is great for jumping between our content. Does the Zune have one or many? Can I bookmark any media?
I also, need to know about the bookmarking. Will the 2.0 play overdrive books or drm-wma? If not, microsoft has lost my purchase.
David,
I, too, would like to know about bookmarks. I have a lot of audio books that I have downloaded to MP3 and I'd like to have a Zune that had that bookmark function.
If this is not going to be in the current Zune software update, I'd like an idea of when it is going to be available.
If you'd like a checklist of things that would make audiobook lovers happy here goes:
1) Audible support
2) Overdrive support
3) Bookmark support
4) File speed adjustment (A DSP functions which increases or decreases the speed the file is played at without affecting the pitch. Sometimes called pitch A function of some of the Creative units)
I'd love to say that this is in order of importance but the order of importance is dependent upon what kind of books you tend to listen to. Those that tend to listen to Audible will obviously put it number one. Those that listen to Overdrive will put it to number one. Those that buy their books as MP3s or burn them from CDs and move them over to the player will think bookmark support important. However most audiobook lovers would like to have the option of not being locked into one of these three paths and having books in all three. Also most audiobook lovers who are users of either Audible or Overdrive usually have a few books of their own that are non-DRM and would like bookmarking support for them. Also users of Overdrive like bookmarking support because Overdrive service does not come with a separate bookmark function unlike Audible.
Speed adjustment is beloved by all but implementation tends to be a bid inconvenient since you usually have to go deep into a series of menus to adjust it every time you want to change it.
Because the term bookmark is bandied around but is implemented differently among different manufactures here is a quick intro to the different types of bookmarks:
1) Resume file type support (similar to Apple uses in which certain files (mb4) the unit remembers where it was last in the file). Think of this as a file specific resume feature.
2) Single file bookmarking - user initiates a bookmark and if you invoke the later bookmark later the unit reloads the file at the same place as the bookmark. Creative uses this scheme usually giving you up to 10 of these bookmarks
3) State bookmarking - When user saves the bookmark the unit into the bookmark not only the physical position and filename but also the volume setting, playlist, whether the unit was playing files in random or sequential order and any graphical equalization settings. This was implemented in the Rio series and is currently used by the Trekstor Vibez. State bookmarking is also loved by many music lovers because it allows them to save their playlists with all the settings (graphic equalization, volume, cross-fading on/off, random on/off) that they like.
File type bookmarking is ideal for those who mainly listen to podcasts.
Single file bookmarking is good for those who tend to have listen to short stories or like to bookmark specific sections of podcasts to go back to them. You can get single file bookmarking to resemble state bookmarking by manually loading all the settings and playlist before invoking the single file bookmarking function. I did this when I owned a Creative Zen Jukebox.
Probably the optimal bookmarking solution would be a unit that would
1) allow to turn file type bookmarking/resume on or off
2) Allow the user to change the bookmark function from file position only or the entire state of the machine (equalization, volume level, file play speed, etc.)
I think in order for the Zune to beat the iPod, it really has to start separating the market for the users into various segments and trying to make Zune the best unit for hardcore users but at the same time creating simplified menus for casual users. This can be accomplished by allowing power user menus be enabled and disabled by the user. The average user may just use the simplified menu but his buying decision will be influenced by the power user, who also influences mainstream columnists who often (but do not acknowlege publicly) would use the power menu.
Here are the types of users of iPods as I see them.
1) Audio nuts - want a great sounding unit with lots of visual album art. Casual users like the ability to buy songs from a centralized store with great selection. Power users like additional features like graphic equalization, gapless playback, and support for mutiple codecs (MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG and FLAC) and like stores to offer music in high quality options (VBR and lossless).
2) Video nuts - those who want their Tivos, movies and home videos with them all the time. Like casual audio users the casual video user wants to be able to download their TV program from an online store. Power users want mutiple codec support (Divx, etc.), ways to integrate with other video services (like Tivo) and video out jacks.
3) Radio/broadcasting nuts - these are people who listen to radio, digital radio or TV most of the time but like to use the other features when they can't find the other services available. A specialized Zune would be a great idea for them, perhaps one with tuner cards that they could plug in. Having a separate tuner card would also be advantage for selling the Zune in countries where they get a lower price due to taxes imposed on products with tuners. Advanced users would like the ability to turn stereo on and off and depending upon the Zune would be able design the abilities the tuner card could activate.
4) Audiobook nuts - I posted on this in a previous post. Needless to say this tends to be forgotten part market but tends to have a disproportionate amount of the high income users (business executives, etc) who try to multitask their time
5) Podcast nuts - I think that Zune is now addressing this market and I think it as long as it seems pretty seamless things will go well here. Obviously you have stated that the Zune will have some sort of resume function for podcasts. Podcasts power users also like the ability to determine if a podcast will be saved or deleted with next sync and speed adjustment features during playback as I described in the audiobook post.
Wi-fi nuts - Since the Zune has limited wi-fi music sharing its about time that it implmement wi-fi browsing as Apple has done in the iPod touch. Since Apple is so wedded to its iTunes store it would also be a good idea to implement some sort of Internet radio station streaming at least with those radio stations that use windows media, AAC and MP3 files.
Game nuts and program nuts - As the PDA market is turning to smaller units with cellphone integration larger screen models should have a game and program functionality. Power users would like the ability not only to download from a customer store but to program their own games/programs. Apple has already announced that that they will be implementing a SDK for people to program their own programs/games for the iPod Touch/iPhone available in February.
I can't stress the difference between a unit where programs are available and a unit where programs are not available has with the consumer. If Apple has this feature and the Zune doesn't, the Zune will be seen as a crippled model even if the average user never downloads a single game or program.
GPS nuts - increasingly GPS units are adding music audio music capability to their units. In the same way the Zune should have specialized Zune models that have GPS features. I think cellphone GPS systems have a major flaw in that the average GPS user fears that they will be someplace that they can get neither a map NOR cellphone coverage.
Rockbox users - strictly a power user group but it has the great ability of deflating some pressure to implement power functions in the short-term. By assisting funding the Rockbox implementation of Zune (just like Sansa is doing on its E series) you could tell power users who want some feature that you don't have time to implement (gapless, OGG, FLAC, bookmarks, games) that if you really need to do so you could so (at the users own risk) by flashing the Rockbox OS onto their Zune. You could also make Apple look like the defender of closed OS units by actually selling pre-flashed Rockboxed Zune's and offering a token amount of the proceedings to the Rockbox effort. Remember Apple is so constantly changing their iPods that it is extremely difficult to program a Rockbox implementation for any model of iPod.
So in order to implement this Zune model version 3. This is what I would do.
Have a basic flash Zune as the basic model. Make it as small as possible. Just have it have the simplified menu-only. This would be the store model.
Next make a version of the flash Zune with a bigger screen but make it so that it can be customizable. Memory would either be internal or the user could ask for SDHC based (at additional cost) so users could expand the memory accordingly. But the setup should be very Dell-ish allowing users to add fuctionality in the buying stage (GPS, Wi-Fi, SD card expandabilty).
Finally a similar unit could be made but with hard-drive instead of flash memory. It should always be pegged to be more memory than Apple does (remember once flash memory becomes cheap enough it is quite possible Apple will abandon hard drive units because Apple always likes to have the smallest units possible). Allow for even larger capacity units with slightly larger cases. This, too, should be very Dell-ish allowing users to customize (and reducing inventory pressure on Microsoft).
Let's see if this possible encounter in the future
Apple user: Hey look at my new iPod Nano Touch II. Isn't it small and cute. It has the best albumns of my music collection and the latest CSI episode. I can also surf the internet on my tiny screen. What's that big thing you have over there.
Zune user: That's great. My Zune maybe a little more expensive and slightly bigger but I have the ALL the CSI episodes ever made, my entire music collection, all my family home videos as well as pictures, GPS and Wi-Fi functionality. With my larger screen I can actually see what is on the internet rather than squinting. I could have bought a unit as small as yours but I like to be able to read letters on my unit.
Apple user: Did I mention that my Nano is really cute?
Zune user: I think you already did.
Dave, you nailed it on the head. If your ideas were implemented the Zune brand would be the best in the world. It would take market share, and dominate.
David Hart, your thesis on bookmarking was beautiful *sniff* . While it'd be wonderful to see that I suspect it'll be quite sometime before the existing podcast bookmarks will be carried forward. In the meantime, has anyone got an easy way to get your MP3s to register as podcasts in the desktop software? Upon initial install one of my books was selected as a podcast, but 30 others weren't... I've tried dozens of things to get another book to register as a podcast with no joy.
I might be getting desperate enough to try to figure out how to create a podcast server and serve them to myself!!
Anyone figured this out?
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