Zune to get direct music downloads, more?
updated 11:40 am EDT, Thu May 10, 2007
Zune Update News
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]
Loser
05/10, 12:08pm reply
This piece of s*** will always be a piece of s*** simply because its made by the kings of garbageware. Microcrap = where filth is thy name.
jarod
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
yup
05/10, 01:41pm reply
Y'all keep polishing that t***, maybe it'll shine someday.
Z
zac4mac
Senior User
Joined: Oct 1999
Perpetually several
05/10, 02:15pm reply
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.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
They still don't get it.
05/10, 02:59pm reply
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?
ebeyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
update
05/10, 03:31pm reply
iTunes is up for a major update too, it desperately need an overhaul.
suhail
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
blurry pictures
05/11, 05:51am reply
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?
jasong
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2000
Points not so stupid now
05/11, 09:50am reply
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."
timewind
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2006
Re: points not so stupid
05/11, 09:54am reply
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.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
Zune Points - Zune Market
09/25, 12:14pm reply
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
archer1012
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Joined: Sep 2007