Zune Marketplace first look

[WelshBluebird]

Its getting quite annoying when people say, but the other brands have failed against Apple with better features etc.. Well, they are not huge brands like MS & Apple. It will make a huge difference with MS behind it. Thats one of the major criterias a company needs to take on Apple. Other than that, Single brand device, single service that make consumers feel at ease. MS is doing it. They have a really good chance.

I agree with that.

MS have loads of money to chuck at any project they want (just look at the xbox, even though it was a failure, they still carried on with the 360).

I'm also gonna bet there will be a hell of a lot of advertising for this aswell. Something which is nearly non existant for Creative, iRiver etc players.

[Sheppard]

I really want a Zune but I just bought a Zen Vision: M like a month ago... I know it won't even come close to taking down the iPod but it's always nice to carry around backed up DVDs without having to convert to .mv4 or .mp4.

Wait, does Zune support XviD?

Yes and H.264.

[Ambroos]

Video File Formats

* WMV, MPEG4, H.264 codec;

* Bit rate for video is not certain now;

* 320 by 240 pixel resolution. (Microsoft is discussing the options for higher resolution video support)

All info: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presski...ne/default.mspx

About Zune and WMP-iTunes:

• Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media? Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased.

New features with firmware updates:

• It only gets better. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC5 will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.5

[fascist]

Anyone have a zune size compaison to the iPod?

[Bobster]

New features with firmware updates:

? It only gets better. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC5 will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.5

Well that last bit sounds exciting!!!:D:D so basically, it sounds like they're going to make PC to Zune transfer via Wi-Fi in the near future!

[cpu killer]

Well that last bit sounds exciting!!! :D so basically, it sounds like they're going to make PC to Zune transfer via Wi-Fi in the near future!

Exactly.

What people fail to see here albeit Microsoft has made it obviously clear is the fact that they are a platform developer, not hardware like Apple. Microsoft is good at making great platforms, interactivity, and getting the customer the best experience/ease of use/updates. Unlike the iPod, with the Zune you'll be able to get new potential features thru a simple software upgrade that Microsoft will make readily available for all Zune customers, with the iPod, Apple wants to shove a whole new device down your throat if they wanna give you a new feature.

I'm sure the Zune has AMAZING potential. WiFi alone makes it a killer device, the prospect of software upgrades is just awesmacking. The only influencing factor is if Microsft will make it "cool" enough for your average 16-year-old teenager to be able to tell his friends why a Zune is cool, if they can do that, they're made in the market. I see a bright future for the Zune, and I definetely see one in my posession come launch :)

[drumy]

site updated

https://www.comingzune.com/

[Avalanche]

I just need two things:

- able to use as a hardrive on any pc.

- able to make a right click on a folder of an artist with subfolders (albums) and have the option "Send to Zune". I hate to use a program to manage my songs, my hardrive is perfectly organised.

[Vice]

I hope it has some kind of Mac support.

[chimera963]

So with the zune users will be able to freely transfer music and stuff to eachother?

I can see the RIAA are going to LOVE this idea! :p

[SamNeeds]

Sweet....looks neat.

[Bobster]

So with the zune users will be able to freely transfer music and stuff to eachother?

I can see the RIAA are going to LOVE this idea! :p

They can transfer music to someone else and they can play it for 3 times or for 3 days. I just hope this is only for DRM music files!!

[SnoopZ]

I've never owned an mp3 player,but i'm getting the Zune simply to be able to connect it to my car wirelessly.

[KoL Veteran]

Basically they are trying to follow the success of the iPod. Honestly microsoft, it wont work. An iPod is a fashion statement now, not just another player. Its like kleenex. Its not tissue to people, its keenex.

I agree, it wont work.

There are a lot of other player out there and iPod is still number 1. This is just another player.

But if they have user friendly interface and a very good marketing strategy they will give Apple a headache.

[SnoopZ]

I agree, it wont work.

There are a lot of other player out there and iPod is still number 1. This is just another player.

But if they have user friendly interface and a very good marketing strategy they will give Apple a headache.

Until all mp3 players have a built in FM transmitter i think the Zune will succeed in that area. :)

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

Basically they are trying to follow the success of the iPod. Honestly microsoft, it wont work. An iPod is a fashion statement now, not just another player. Its like kleenex. Its not tissue to people, its keenex.

your forgetting two things. iPods are now played out, and with microsoft's Zune hitting the market, microsoft fan boys, which are greater in numbers by far then apple fan boys, will be rushing out to purchase one :)

so we'll have to wait and see the results from this, and see how many kids are writting "zune" on their christmas list this year.

[ikyouCrow]

use teh mliPod plugin for winamp. If you dont like winamp, there's other free progs out there that you can use. :)

you could also use wmPod for wmplayer to sync to iPods.

Edited September 17, 2006 by ikyouCrow

[ikyouCrow]

Its getting quite annoying when people say, but the other brands have failed against Apple with better features etc.. Well, they are not huge brands like MS & Apple. It will make a huge difference with MS behind it. Thats one of the major criterias a company needs to take on Apple. Other than that, Single brand device, single service that make consumers feel at ease. MS is doing it. They have a really good chance.

that's true. not a lot of people realise that many portable devices that support WMA are powered by some version of Windows Mobile (PMC).

I really want a Zune but I just bought a Zen Vision: M like a month ago...

my Toshiba gigabeat S came Friday.

I just need two things:

- able to use as a hardrive on any pc.

- able to make a right click on a folder of an artist with subfolders (albums) and have the option "Send to Zune". I hate to use a program to manage my songs, my hardrive is perfectly organised.

let's hope the Zune frontend thingy comes with a hook for that functionality.

I hope it has some kind of Mac support.

if the folders for media can be viewed in 'hard drive mode', then you should be able to copy media to it via Finder.

Edited September 17, 2006 by ikyouCrow

[spenser.d]

I agree with that.

MS have loads of money to chuck at any project they want (just look at the xbox, even though it was a failure, they still carried on with the 360).

Are you kidding me. Last time I checked, going from having no market share, to having more than Nintendo isn't a failure.

-Spenser

[JAbad28]

I love it!! That's awesome, look's way better than itunes!! Hm.. You people saying it look's like iTunes, to me it actually look's more like WMP 11.. With the buttons on the bottom etc.. It's awesome how they basically made it look like the Zune! Hm.. In my opinion the Zune might be the actual solution to kill the iPod!

[linsook]

Are you kidding me. Last time I checked, going from having no market share, to having more than Nintendo isn't a failure.

-Spenser

it was a failure at one point, they were losing money on every box they sold. but they carried it through, kept it alive and it has paid off.

btw: zune is looking very attractive.

[Shadrack]

I think it is looking pretty slickster! But the album art sitting on top of the virtual glossy surface is a total iTunes 7 knock off (which is a total CoverFlow knock off).

I will likely stick to iPod's for at least 1 more generation as I've had so much luck w/ my current 3G iPod. It is holding up like a trooper and is older then 2 years now. Don't see a reason to upgrade it till it is dead because it is exactly what I want and need for my portable music. Great battery life, easy navigation, and decent sound quality.

It is good to see some healthy competition though!

Some of you who are relentless at bashing the other side for whatever stupid reason listen up!

We, the consumers, benefit most from good competition! Just the fact that Microsoft is trying to compete with iPod will make the iPod a better product, and at the same time Microsoft can't compete unless they try to make the better product at a better price. We all can win from this battle.

Now if hopefully some of the more socialist countries, like France and Canada, will force Microsoft and Apple to at least adopt each others DRM if not (hopefully) combine them and make one standard DRM across all platforms. That would be best for the consumers and the RIAA, but perhaps not the best for Microsoft and Apple.

[evo_spook]

Unlike the iPod, with the Zune you'll be able to get new potential features thru a simple software upgrade that Microsoft will make readily available for all Zune customers, with the iPod, Apple wants to shove a whole new device down your throat if they wanna give you a new feature.

You do realise you're sprouting total rubbish?

[L3thal Veteran]

I like the interface of the Zune Marketplace. I want to see it in action though, before I make any further comments.

[Manson_AAN]

Zune Marketplace looks neat, I seriously think there will be competition between Apple and Microsoft.