10/03/2007, 1:05am, EDT
Wednesday, October 3rdMicrosoft intros Zune Social, MP3 Marketplace
As part of its sweeping changes to the Zune line, Microsoft today greatly expanded the social aspects of its media players. A new addition, called simply the Zune Social, aims to bring social networking to the digital media player space. Accessed from the Zune's rewritten media player software, the service lets fellow Zune owners share music across the Internet rather than just each other's WiFi networks; members can not only create profiles but view recent playlists and buy their tracks, send and receive recommendations, and show the biggest fans of a particular artist to find new friends. The service is currently in beta but will be available to any Zune user with the updated software, which launches this fall.
The Zune Marketplace has not been left idle during the upgrade, Microsoft says. Like a selection of other music stores, the Marketplace now gains a catalog of more than one million songs in the unprotected MP3 format from EMI and other labels. This allows any Windows user to buy from the shop for the first time -- including those using iPods. Over three million songs are available in total, the company says. With the new Zune software, owners can now run searches that include both their own library and the store at the same time. Microsoft did not reveal changes to song pricing but notes that its Zune Pass subscription service will carry over to the new software, allowing users to download unlimited tracks with the Zune's proprietary DRM for $15 per month.
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So they moved away from (and pardon the crudity) turd brown color. Other than that, not much of anything that the real players in the market have had for some time now. It's a wonder it took so long to get the specs copied from the apple design.
Also, that middle navigation button is possibly the worst-proportioned fillet job I've ever seen. They could at least learn a little about balance, something Apple has shown to do quiet well because they put forth the effort. Of course, this is MS here, so it's not so surprising.
If you were planning on buying an iPod (as I am) - then do it on the day they offer these new Zunes for sale.
Let's make the "new zune day" the biggest iPod day ever - and at least have the pleasure of giving MS the iFinger.
Spread the idea!
Apple has a right to be smug about how great the iPod is, but only competition will keep them from getting complacent, so MS's player and their ability to spend massive $$ on advertising etc means that Apple has to keep improving the iPod rather than resting on their laurels.
Personally I think the improvements in the Zune could double their userbase -- why, by the end of the year they may have several dozen users! :)
D
t"he service lets fellow Zune owners share music across the Internet rather than just each other's WiFi networks; members can not only create profiles but view recent playlists and buy their tracks, send and receive recommendations, and show the biggest fans of a particular artist to find new friends. "
Sounds pretty damn cool and if Apple had come out with it first many would be hyping it up.
Give credit where it is due. Microsoft is pushing Apple to be even more creative and competitive. I'm not buying a Zune anytime soon, but I would bet the next version of the Touch has some sort of Social Networking play...