Microsoft has released firmware version 3.1 for all models of their Zune MP3 players.The 3.1 update adds three new games: Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle. A new multi player mode for the existing Texas Hold 'Em card game has also been added. The multi player mode uses the Zune's Wi-Fi, letting players connect to each others Zunes. The new Checkers game also supports multi player.
The Zune Social online community was refreshed with a little UI visual action and a new feature called "like minded listeners," was added. The feature allows you to see the Zune cards of those with compatible music tastes.
The Zune PC software received an update too which includes software stability patches and performance improvements. To download the free Zune software and firmware update, open up the Zune PC software, click on Settings, and select Check for Updates.
Separately, Microsoft also announced price cuts for the Zune range. In an interview with Cnet, Zune marketing director Adam Sohn said moves were being made to "ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season." The prices put Zune's flash players cheaper than Apple's iPod Nano range.
The prices are as follows:
- Zune 4GB: from $129 to $99, a saving of $20
- Zune 8GB: from $149 to $139, a saving of $10
- Zune 16GB: from $199 to $179, a saving of $20
Could be a reason as well, yes.
perfect reply
x2
I hate to say it but I agree with LTD. Zunes just don't sell. In fact, at work we wonder how much money Microsoft is blowing just by paying to have a Zune section on the mp3 aisle. If it were up to the retailer they would have gotten rid of it and put something in it's place that would sell. We sell more Creative or SanDisk mp3 players than Zunes. It's pathetic really.
If they don't sell, I wonder how this 120gb Zune came to be sitting on my desk in front of me.. Care to enlighten me?
Just because you feel they don't sell, doesn't mean they don't. And that Microsoft wins money with it, that's for sure.
The device has sold just over two million between its debut in November 2006 and May 2008. I feel they don't sell . . . because they don't. They're unimaginative, outdated, and outclassed.
MS came in late to the MP3 player game and offered nothing new except WiFi and a clunky design. Compare a Zune to any iPod Touch. The App Store alone and the absolute ocean of functionality it adds to the iPod already places it in a much higher class. Doesn't even compare.
Amen, mine as well I am sitting here watching geekbrief on.
The obvious bias is sickening.
The obvious bias is sickening.
Apple hasn't made any recent move like that, aside from Apple TV. Which was nice conceptually, but not very good in execution. And you won't see me buying one anytime soon.
I'm usually biased toward market players that create compelling products that people actually want. I praise Apple because it burst out of nowhere to become a leader in innovation, or rather in the implementation of innovation, and because it had the absolute guts to go its own way, adopt a closed system, and now drive the market despite pretty steep odds. Apple puts the rest of the tech industry to school, and in a sea of unimaginative, unimpressive, generic-designed products it continually pushes the envelope, month after month. Seems everyone else is just standing still.
So, in answer to your query, of course I'm biased.
Design is subjective. The first iPods were clunky as well compared to now. As far as offering anything new, WiFi is a big difference and last time I checked, iPods still don't offer an FM radio built in.
The device has sold just over two million between its debut in November 2006 and May 2008. I feel they don't sell . . . because they don't. They're unimaginative, outdated, and outclassed.
MS came in late to the MP3 player game and offered nothing new except WiFi and a clunky design. Compare a Zune to any iPod Touch. The App Store alone and the absolute ocean of functionality it adds to the iPod already places it in a much higher class. Doesn't even compare.
Kinda like your rabid Apple support? It's odd that you say they don't sell since the stores in my area are usually sold out of them and I know more people with Zunes than iPods. What so imaginative about an iPod that looks like a piece of hospital equipment and sounds awful?
The obvious bias is sickening.
Apple hasn't made any recent move like that, aside from Apple TV. Which was nice conceptually, but not very good in execution. And you won't see me buying one anytime soon.
I'm usually biased toward market players that create compelling products that people actually want. I praise Apple because it burst out of nowhere to become a leader in innovation, or rather in the implementation of innovation, and because it had the absolute guts to go its own way, adopt a closed system, and now drive the market despite pretty steep odds. Apple puts the rest of the tech industry to school, and in a sea of unimaginative, unimpressive, generic-designed products it continually pushes the envelope, month after month. Seems everyone else is just standing still.
So, in answer to your query, of course I'm biased.
Apple did not "burst out of nowhere to become a leader in innovation." They've been around as long as Microsoft and have been limping along the whole time. They're still limping now, just at a slightly faster pace.
The device has sold just over two million between its debut in November 2006 and May 2008. I feel they don't sell . . . because they don't. They're unimaginative, outdated, and outclassed.
MS came in late to the MP3 player game and offered nothing new except WiFi and a clunky design. Compare a Zune to any iPod Touch. The App Store alone and the absolute ocean of functionality it adds to the iPod already places it in a much higher class. Doesn't even compare.
Compare a Mac to a Windows. Windows sells out like crazy compared to Mac. And no I'm not talking about only Vista, I'm talking about all of them. So I should say Mac is unimaginative?
Because a product is inferior in sales it doesn't mean it sucks, even though you're insanely driven by your pathetic Apple fanboyism so explaining you won't change anything.
The device has sold just over two million between its debut in November 2006 and May 2008. I feel they don't sell . . . because they don't. They're unimaginative, outdated, and outclassed.
MS came in late to the MP3 player game and offered nothing new except WiFi and a clunky design. Compare a Zune to any iPod Touch. The App Store alone and the absolute ocean of functionality it adds to the iPod already places it in a much higher class. Doesn't even compare.
Compare a Mac to a Windows. Windows sells out like crazy compared to Mac. And no I'm not talking about only Vista, I'm talking about all of them. So I should say Mac is unimaginative?
Because a product is inferior in sales it doesn't mean it sucks, even though you're insanely driven by your pathetic Apple fanboyism so explaining you won't change anything.
Apple doesn't sell as many Mac units for entirely different reasons. The Windows licensing scheme ensures that even the cheapest, most generic box will run Windows. Only a Mac will run OS X. and Macs are Apple's most profitable product line.
MP3 players occupy an entirely different market.
I have a 30 2x 4gb and a 8gb at our house and every member of mine and my wifes family own zunes
The obvious bias is sickening.
Apple hasn't made any recent move like that, aside from Apple TV. Which was nice conceptually, but not very good in execution. And you won't see me buying one anytime soon.
I'm usually biased toward market players that create compelling products that people actually want. I praise Apple because it burst out of nowhere to become a leader in innovation, or rather in the implementation of innovation, and because it had the absolute guts to go its own way, adopt a closed system, and now drive the market despite pretty steep odds. Apple puts the rest of the tech industry to school, and in a sea of unimaginative, unimpressive, generic-designed products it continually pushes the envelope, month after month. Seems everyone else is just standing still.
So, in answer to your query, of course I'm biased.
Sorry to burst your bubble but Your ego is getting to you. Apple did not invent the iPod. It was invented in the late 70s by someone who never used an apple computer. Apple stole the design. so it's not so inovative or imaginative thinking after all....
we dont care !
As far as price goes, the Zune is now the best value you can get. 16gb Zune for almost half the price of the 16gb touch is a great deal. Also, the Zune offers a ton more features than the nano, for less.
How can you even go close to comparing a Zune to a Touch?
That's like comparing a Motorola Razr to an iPhone...
Yeah, I totally disagree.
That's like comparing a Motorola Razr to an iPhone...
I think i would rather choose the motorola. IPHONE SUCKS!!!!
cant even record videos, or send picture messages
cant even record videos, or send picture messages
Yeah, the Razr is quite a good phone actually!
That's like comparing a Motorola Razr to an iPhone...
Actually, you can compare them. A lot of people would take the Razr over an iPhone any day -- even given at the same price point.
In this case, the touch has more features but the price still isn't justified. There are some issues with the iPod Touch that would cause people to prefer any competing product, regardless of price. For instance, iTunes.
And you are certainly entitled to do so. but iTunes has turned to junk on Windows and feature for feature is behind Zune 3.0/3.1 signifigantly. And the Zune software doesn't install a bunch of junk on my system without asking me. Oh yea, and I can actually get a 64 bit version of the Zune software for Windows, not a weak sauced 32 bit iTunes with a 64 bit compatible installer. You'd have to be pretty biased to not acknowledge how good the Zune software is, and how bad iTunes has become.
they only released them to Canada earlier this year.. i bought one and love it.. It was a tough choice between Zune and Ipod though..
It's a real shame that Archos and Creative have failed to remain competitive.
-Spenser
Well that's lame.
Well, iPod is on the christmas list then. If Microsoft doesn't want my money, I'll give it to someone who does.
Right there. Nothing related to the Zune Marketplace or the Zune Social will work if you're outside America or Canada.
Zune 4GB: from $129 to $99, a saving of $20
Should be: Zune 4GB: from $129 to $99, a saving of $30
There is hacks to drop music files straight onto the Zune through Explorer, but traditionally, you need to use the Zune software to sync. Can't use WMP either.
Yes, you can drag and drop files onto the Zune software to add to the library, and no, it does not sync with WMP (although that would be nice). Also, I've found that the newer versions of the Zune software are very good at identifying my songs (artist, album, etc.).
Yeah, that'd be the logical thing for it to do.
It can do. You just need to use an external program to get it to work. You can make it work with mediamonkey too
Just so everyone is clear, this functionality is not built into WMP and you need a third party plug-in to get it to work. With that said, every time the Zune firmware is updated, the third party software will likely need to be updated as well. I would highly recommend just using the Zune software for syncing and you can still use WMP for managing and tagging your collection.
p.s. i have a Sandisk Sansa 250 (2GB) myself running Rockbox v3.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGvHNNOLnCk
I don't want another iPod. I want a Zune with good software.
I have a Zune too.
http://www.zunethings.co.uk/
£109.99 (~ $164.37) for a Zune 4 GB Black (2nd Generation)
I like all the new features that even the old zunes still keep getting (for free mind you not like apple who charges touch owners for each upgrade).
MS fans call Apple fans biased. Apple fans call MS fans biased.
I don't say that Zune and iPod are bad mp3 players. But both are overpriced and there's mp3 players out there that are as good for less money.
Honestly the Zune is nothing to write home about no matter what MS fans say. Here in Canada it was a little more expensive than the iPod for absolutely no reason. This price drop might put it under the iPod (finally) but it will still be overpriced for what it has to offer.
Honestly the only Zune or iPod i would buy is the iPod Touch. It's overpriced to hell but it's a nice piece of technology with an attractive design.
But i would rather buy an honestly priced mp3 player that can run open source firmware because unlike most people here i'm not a blind fanboy ready to buy an overpirced Zune or iPod just because i love SO much MS or Apple.
There's nothing like a blind fanboy calling another blind fanboy a fanboy. That's irony at its best.
Last edited by LaP on 19 Nov 2008 - 17:43
Look, I like the Zune even though I have an iPod. The only reason I have an iPod and not a Zune is that there are much more accessories for the iPod. But, the Zune has features the iPod doesnt have. The Zune is not bad and the reason why there are not many Zunes sold compared to iPods is that Apple has already pretty much cornered the MP3 market. Why do you thing FireFox is having a hard time getting more of the market share? Zunes are slowly getting more and more popular and will continue to do so.
iPods are flashy...shiny...and yes, they are also good MP3 players. I could care less about the touch feature. I am most interested in how something performs, not all the cool little things that it does. I almost got an iPod touch but talked myself out of it and kept my 3rd gen 30gb iPod since it is working fine and with no issues. Plus, I just wanted a touch since I was sitting around bored one day and needed something to do...but I am glad I talked myself out of it. I also dont like the touch due to the fact that everything to touch the damn screen, you get finger prints all over it. Also, you would think Apple would integrate a FM tuner or something...but no...nothing yet.
MS is lowering their pices to get more sells but I doubt they are worried to much about their current sales. Hopefully them lowering their prices will force Apple to do the same since their stuff has always been way overpriced for what it does. If MS starts getting more accessories for the Zune, I will be switching as fast as I can say, APPLE SUX!...just kidding...but I would switch pretty quickly to the Zune though.
The problem is consumer education and marketing. The majority of people are sheep: uneducated and slaves to a couple colourful ads with a dancing silhouette bearing white earbuds. This is especially true in certain places, like on my university campus: most people here have iBooks, iPods, and iPhones as accessories to their iLife. It's ironic they can't think individually despite claiming to be so iDifferent with their iProducts.
Ask them how they can stand to play WoW on their iBook at 20FPS on medium settings, and they go "what's FPS?". Comment on the lack of an FM tuner on their iPod, and they go "people still use radio?". The list goes on.
Last edited by Turbonium on 19 Nov 2008 - 20:40
People still use radio?? Radio apps are available by the dozens - some of them free, on the App Store.
If MS came out with an exact counterpart to the iPod Touch, matching it feature for feature, you'd go for it in a heartbeat.
People still use radio?? Radio apps are available by the dozens - some of them free, on the App Store.
If MS came out with an exact counterpart to the iPod Touch, matching it feature for feature, you'd go for it in a heartbeat.
So you're equating me with a MS fanboy? I barely know you but judging from your posts in this thread, including this one, I can tell you're very arrogant, if not bordering on pompous (i.e. Apple products suit you well).
I don't own nor have I ever owned a Zune. Same goes for the iPod. I have never owned a single mp3 player in fact.
I shouldn't have to acquire radio functionality from a separate "store", even if it's free. Why the hassle? And I doubt any free offerings would be as good as a solid, built-in tuner. Please. The fact is, the iPod has no built-in tuner. There's no getting around that.
And you're comparing products later in product cycles and at different pricepoints. At the same pricepoint, the Zune is better value than are the iPod products it is competing with.
Last edited by Turbonium on 19 Nov 2008 - 21:33
While I don't disagree with your statement in general, there are those of us that still use devices for a specific purpose. You know, a cell phone, a camera, a portable media player (MP3). I'm of the opinion that a device of specific purpose usually does a better job than a device that is all-in-one. This is why I chose the Zune originally, for the sound quality and ease of use.
People still use radio?? Radio apps are available by the dozens - some of them free, on the App Store.
If MS came out with an exact counterpart to the iPod Touch, matching it feature for feature, you'd go for it in a heartbeat.
So you're equating me with a MS fanboy? I barely know you but judging from your posts in this thread, including this one, I can tell you're very arrogant, if not bordering on pompous (i.e. Apple products suit you well).
I don't own nor have I ever owned a Zune. Same goes for the iPod. I have never owned a single mp3 player in fact.
I shouldn't have to acquire radio functionality from a separate "store", even if it's free. Why the hassle? And I doubt any free offerings would be as good as a solid, built-in tuner. Please. The fact is, the iPod has no built-in tuner. There's no getting around that.
And you're comparing products later in product cycles and at different pricepoints. At the same pricepoint, the Zune is better value than are the iPod products it is competing with.
You seem to be going on about an FM Tuner. It isn't a showcase feature, and hardly a selling point. Although some consumers like that, it's not a feature that people really care about. I certainly didn't when I was in the market for an mp3 device, and to this day I still don't.
Check out some of the App Store offerings, free and otherwise. It's all about extending the functionality of the device you already have.
The iPhone currently has XM Radio capability. I assume this by default goes for the iPod Touch as well.
People still use radio?? Radio apps are available by the dozens - some of them free, on the App Store.
If MS came out with an exact counterpart to the iPod Touch, matching it feature for feature, you'd go for it in a heartbeat.
No, i wouldnt go for MS products if they match apple feature for feature. I buy things knowing what I want to use it for. If the touch was out when I bought my iPod a couple years ago, I would still go with the non touch model. I have no need to surf the internet, check my email...or whatever.
And I also understand that everything (music, phone, whatever) will be intergrated in to one device. That is cool and the time that comes, then the prices will drop and be reasonable. Then I will probably switch but again, I may choose MS, or I may choose Apple. Depends on the support and accessories that are offered with it.
Again, you act as if you represent the masses. You use what YOU want to use. I go to the gym and the they have TVs that broadcast the audio via FM. An FM tuner is important to some, maybe not to YOU, but to some. Whether you like it or not, it is a feature that your precious iPod does not have and it is right out of the box. And the Zune does not only compete with the Classic. MS sells a smaller Zune that competes with the Nano. The Touch is a nice device, but is overpriced for the features it offers IMO. Notice how I said it was my opinion? I do not claim to represent everyone.
Last edited by LTD on 20 Nov 2008 - 01:02
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