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05/10/2007, 11:40am, EDT

Thursday, May 10th

Zune to get direct music downloads, more?

Microsoft is devising both a more video-friendly Zune as well as major updates to the original's software, according to sources within the company. While the company has reportedly demonstrated a flash-based Zune to developers with little impact, the main hard drive based jukebox will also receive a significant makeover. It should have a larger display better suited to watching movies and should see the first capacity upgrade since the 30GB version introduced in November.

All versions will get software that makes much stronger use of the internal Wi-Fi adapter, a source with access to beta software says. A test version of the Zune's interface now allows more than just the Zune-to-Zune temporary sharing and will let owners download songs directly from the Zune Marketplace through most nearby accessible Wi-Fi points, potentially beating Apple to the feature. Zune owners would still need to load their systems using Microsoft points bought through the Xbox Live or Zune stores, the contact indicates.

No release dates for either the software upgrade or the new players has been revealed. However, Microsoft Zune marketer Chris Stephenson has already suggested that his company would expand the Zune line in time for the holiday season. [via iLounge and Engadget]

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jarod
Loser
0
05/10, 12:08pm, EDT
This piece of shit will always be a piece of shit simply because its made by the kings of garbageware. Microcrap = where filth is thy name.
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Joined Apr 2005
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zac4mac
yup
0
05/10, 1:41pm, EDT
Y'all keep polishing that turd, maybe it'll shine someday.

Z
Senior User
Joined Oct 1999
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climacs
Perpetually several
0
05/10, 2:15pm, EDT
steps behind iPod. Any feature which Microshit comes up with (that's useful), iPod will have too and better implemented.

iPod is several laps ahead - no one can catch up to them. Nice to see Microshit wasting their money on Zune.
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ebeyer
They still don't get it.
0
05/10, 2:59pm, EDT
What I want WiFi for is not to spend money on DRM-locked tunes. I want to be able to pull down my podcasts from hotspots while I'm traveling.

I admit there's less money in it to be made for the hardware maker, but it would extend the usefulness of a wifi-enabled digital music device enormously. Another argument for open source perhaps?

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suhail
update
0
05/10, 3:31pm, EDT
iTunes is up for a major update too, it desperately need an overhaul.
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Joined Nov 1999
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jasong
blurry pictures
0
05/11, 5:51am, EDT
I like how nothing on the screen is readable except for 2.1.4 Beta. However the screen shot does appear to be a song list for an album (American Idol?) which begs the "fake screen shot" question, why does the beta firmware notification appear on a song list?
Mac Elite
Joined Mar 2000
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timewind
Points not so stupid now
0
05/11, 9:50am, EDT
In the the "load the Zune from your computer " model the points were nothing but a foolish extra layer, making it more of a nuisance to buy songs. Now with the potential to buy songs directly from the Zune they make lots more sense. Buying music directly from the iPod, with the current system/model, would be very dangerous. Immaigne, someone steals your iPod, doesn't like your music, and then maxes out your credit card buying new tunes, not so good. Presumably with the MS points system any person crazy enough to steal a Zune(wait a minute, I should say immoral enough, crazy would be paying for one) could only clean out your supply of "points."
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hayesk
Re: points not so stupid
0
05/11, 9:54am, EDT
It's still stupid. You don't think that if you could buy from an iPod, it wouldn't require a password or key? When I buy from the iTMS I have to enter a password (even to download the weekly free song), why wouldn't I have to do the same thing on an iPod. Or just make the iPod only be able to use available credit on the iTMS.

Points are only there to fool people into thinking the tracks are cheaper than what they are. They don't offer anything more.
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archer1012
Zune Points - Zune Market
0
09/25, 12:14pm, EDT
The whole Microsoft Zune Media seen sucks a** bad. I had enough a long time ago. I love my zune player but not my options. Especialy when I'm restricted to when what and where I can download to my Zune. What kind of racket is that?

Anyways I went and took a risk exploring my options, I invested in of those software sites. I love it becuase I can have whatever I want when ever I want downloaded to my Zune at anytime. http://watch-dogreviews.com/zunedownloads.html
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