Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games

Microsoft this afternoon launched an uncharacteristic mid-cycle Zune software update that adds new features in addition to usual fixes. The 3.1 upgrade now has a significant visual overhaul for the Zune Social feature and should be easier to navigate. It also adds a "like minded listeners" feature that shows users other Zune Social members that tend to play similar music. Three new Zune games, Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle, will also be loaded on to Zune hardware with its next sync.

Both the portable players and the software are also said to have received improvements to their performance and reliability, and should also more properly register song play counts and transfer content. Microsoft has yet to post 3.1 to its website but notes that existing Zune app owners can scan for an update today.