Hands on with the Zune at the Redmond campus

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21 Oct 06 19:25 by Crabbyappleton in category Uncategorized To news archive

The debut
is getting close! Set to hit the streets by November 14, Microsoft’s portable media player will be offered at a price point beginning at $249 dollars US for a 30 gigabyte model that sports a 3 inch LCD screen. The Zune will even come pre-loaded with some music and video goodies, to get you started. In the meantime, here is an early look at the Microsoft PMP, designed to compete with the insanely popular Apple iPod.

Apparently, a writer for 2old2play was allowed to sit at a table with a MS rep and fondle one of the devices. There were three color variations presented to him, brown, off-white and black. The brown theme was his favorite. Below, we can read some snippage from the visit.

style="BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #000000; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #000000"
height=179 alt="" hspace=0 src="http://www.cdfreaks.com/contentimages/newsimages/1169025984"
width=240 align=right border=0>Music Sharing

Clicking on the “community” button allowed me to see the other two Zunes nearby. I decided to send them my community member a song. Browsed to my music folder, found to a song and, instead of selecting to play it, I chose to send it. Prompted with a list of Zune’s nearby, I chose one and sent it. Watching the other Zune, the user was prompted to download and accepted the request. It took less than 20 seconds to send the whole song which included album art. The other user sent me a folder of pictures with, roughly, a one-second per picture transfer rate.

Upon a successful transfer, the music is wrapped with a digital rights management (DRM) layer which will give the user a three day or three-listen license. I don’t know about many of our readers, but I can listen to a song over and over again. Three plays… please! Beyond that limitation, I asked the demo assistant if there was any means I could get a copy of the songs from my “community” Zunes to help me find new artists to listen to. He said there was no way to do this on a Zune, but you could send whole playlists to other Zunes and check out the artist list that way. I thought that was very nice.

Overall, the writer was quite impressed with the device. The outside of the Zune had a leathery or rubberized feel and the face of the player was coated in a glassy surface. He liked the weight of it, as it seemed it was lighter than his 4th gen iPod, he also felt the interface was nice and responsive. Those interested can read the entire article by visiting this link to 2old2play.

Source: 2old2play

21 Comments

harryg
Posts: 39
Posted on: 21 Oct 06 21:26
Do we really need another MP3 player? and need more junk from MS?
Wasted Grunt
Posts: 34
Posted on: 21 Oct 06 23:40
Well lets hope it cuts Apple's share in the market. They have done almost no improvements to there product and are just milking it.
Lord KiRon
Posts: 257
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 00:53
That's funny , "Zune" soinds like "Ziune" - means fucking on hebrew
FidelC
Posts: 987
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 01:36
Yesss! First blow. I felt there was something in the name! Seriously, on the second thought I like that wireless feature. something for kids to do at school (share pr0n) :B Myself I might get one if FLAC is supported, otherwise 30Gs are useless for me.
Mordorr
Posts: 874
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 01:53
DRM? Pleaaasssseeee:+:+:+ Maybe some hack on firmware? Any way: I love my Zen:S
r_saotome
Posts: 460
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 04:45
Not an apple fan, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I just don't see giving my iPod up for this. And did it say you could only listen to a song 3 times after sending it? Sheeesh....
raproo
Posts: 1
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 05:11
ipods are over rated... if it came w/ a 60 or 80 gig i might start thingking about it... my husbands ipod is mediocre at best... not to mention how lame itunes is... they really haven't improved them since they came out a few years ago... definately milking it... and there are some other mp3 players on the market that would seem to to do all the same functions without the limitations of itunes...
HomerJSimpsons
Posts: 144
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 05:15
Microsoft Zune presents a serious challenge to Apple Ipod Video. If Apple does not make the Ipod Video screen size bigger to something like 3.5 inch (widescreen 16:9) without making the Ipod bulky (just make the scroll wheel smaller), Ipod Video is going to lose market share to Zune. Either way, software like DVDFabDecrypter is going to benefit, as DVDFabDecrypter can convert DVD video to Ipod Video and Zune formats.
HomerJSimpsons
Posts: 144
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 05:24
Judging by the look, Zune is already 16X9 widescreen aspect. Apple is in really trouble. I own 10,000 share of AAPL, not happy if Apple loses market share to MSFT.
frabgod
Posts: 1
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 07:52
Zune is not widescreen; it's 4:3 aspect ratio is the same as the video iPod. It does have a 3" screen, compared to the iPod's 2 1-2" screen. Full Zune spec's, and a side-by-side comparison to iPod, are available at http://www.zunerama.com/zune_specs.php frabgod http://www.zunerama.com
willb3d
Posts: 78
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 09:02
If by "it" you mean the iPod, there is a 30GB and an 80GB iPod now. They also have gapless playback now. And both the latest iPod and latest iPod Nanos have much improved battery life, brighter screens, and they're thinner. Claims of them resting on their laurels indeed.
adam.mt
Posts: 106
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 10:21
I think one of the main problems is that apparently it's not PlaysForSure compatible. That means not compatible with current music stores and confusion between current WMA devices and the Zune. Stupid move if you ask me, and just because MS wanted to tighten the DRM further.
agomes
Posts: 1232
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 12:02
...the music is wrapped with a digital rights management (DRM) layer... Nice concept for community...why don't they call it "Free MS sales force"?
johnzap
Posts: 498
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 15:37
I still fail to see why all the fuss around the Zune? Yet another, DRM infested, portable music player? What does it possess that is so revolutionary that justifies all the articles and headlines? The "play it 3 times only" DRM function? LOL Why not give as many space to all the other portable music players from other manufacturers?
BradleyA
Posts: 60
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 16:50
Lets see, larger screen size than Apples Ipod, 30 gig storage, wireless sharing capabilities all for the same cost as an 8 gigabyte Ipod with smaller screen, no wireless capabilities? This thing is an ipod killer. Yes!!
HomerJSimpsons
Posts: 144
Posted on: 22 Oct 06 19:10
2 1/2 or 3 inch screen size is still too small!!! Whoever come out with a 3 1/2 screen slimmer is a must have for the frequent flyers!
johnzap
Posts: 498
Posted on: 23 Oct 06 00:59
Uhmm, are you sure? 1. 30GB v. 8GB? Nah, you got that one wrong. Amazon sells the 30GB Ipod for $229.99. I don't include a link simply because it's easier to find than spreading butter. 2. Wireless capabilities? Quite limited, I would say. It's limited to sharing some files with other Zune owners. Uhmm, maybe not all that many around? Anyway, what's the big deal about sending some files to another guy's Zune, for him/her to play it 3 times? 3. Gosh, 1/2 inch screen size advantage! Now that one is awesome. LOL Ipod killer? Next!
shaolin007
Posts: 883
Posted on: 23 Oct 06 03:36
I'll stick with my pocket pc. At least, I know, it doesn't have that DRM crap on it.
BradleyA
Posts: 60
Posted on: 23 Oct 06 15:41
1. Hehehe, Bro, Wake Up, who in their right mind wouldnt pay an extra $20 to go from 8 gigs to 30 gigs? 2. Not that many around? hehehehe, you are a comedian. There are none around right now. When Zune is released it will explode onto the scene. The price-to-feature ratio compared to ipod is 10x better. And the big deal about sending files to other people is that the files you send are "not" limited to just zune tunes to my understanding. That makes it a huge deal. 3. Hehehe ok, you stick with your 2 1/2 inch screen then. Everyone else will be going with 3. And I foresee even Apple making their screens bigger. Everyone knows bigger is better. Yes I would prefer 3 1/2" or even 4" screen but Zune will be biggest with 3" screen for now. Rest in fukking pieces Ipod. hehehehehe
HomerJSimpsons
Posts: 144
Posted on: 24 Oct 06 02:00
To improve the sound, Apple should work with Dolby, DTS and Creative Lab to create a virtual multichannel sound for the headphone. I believe Dolby has a similar technology now. All Apple needs to do is license it from Dolby and has Creative Lab design the ASIC. Bigger screeen and better sound, let's see who get there first. I hope it is AAPL.
johnzap
Posts: 498
Posted on: 24 Oct 06 17:52
You are having some reading comprehension faults??? The 30GB Ipod, I will say it again, 30GB Ipod is selling at Amazon.com for $229.99. Got it? So that there's no doubt on your mind: 30GB Ipod for $229.99. :B Less than the $249 Zune, right? At the Apple.com store the 30GB Ipod is at $249, the same as the Zune. 2. So there'll be tons of Zunes around, eh? Can you also give me the lotto numbers?
[edited by johnzap on 24.10.2006 18:03]

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