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August 13, 2009 4:59 PM PDT
Zune HD gets the grand tour on video
We were lucky to have Microsoft's Brian Seitz visit us this past Tuesday to talk all about the Zune HD on the MP3 Insider podcast. One thing we couldn't twist out of him, though, was a straight-up on-camera walk-through of all the Zune HD's features. The folks at Seattle's TechFlash, however, seemed to have caught Brian a little closer to today's preorder launch, and understandably a little looser with the on-camera details.
The following video hits on a lot of the features we're digging on the Zune HD, including the unique alt-menu on the main screen for "pins," history, and recently added content. The browser's touch-screen keyboard also gets some attention, as well as the music player's media playback controls.
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
This is a product doomed to failure. By the time it is available in the stores, Apple and Palm will have moved even further ahead with the next iterations of their mobile OSs. The Zune does not appear to be a serious contender for the space in which it has to compete. In a year or so it might be a techie's collectors item, but it has no chance of becoming a mainstream competitor. And this comment is based on the video which I assume is trying to show the Zune in a most favorable way.
this thing is FREAKING RAD.
So let me see if I follow you? You prefer the Dos based look to come into play when you are actually picking the band or song to listen to? ... as opposed to that actual media selection using album art like the Zune. The Zune is a media player first and foremost, designed to give a better experience and quality compared to the iPods - which have lower quality sound and video playback.
Apple has already released their OS update for the year and the Pre was just introduced, so I find it highly unlikely that either of them would be releasing anything significant within the "long time frame" of four weeks before the Zune hits the store shelves.
The original Zune was designed to compete with the iPod classics and from top to bottom it was a better device and software combination compared to the iPods. Unless the iPod Touch completely changes what it is designed to do it is very likely that this player will be a better device as well.
I believe that Apple added the apps to their products to hide the areas where their players where lacking compared to some of the other true players on the market. People lapped it up and have never held Apple accountable for creating a better music and video experience. This device may not dethrone the iPod, but it should still do quite well. I plan on upgrading my Zen to one and my wife's current Zune 120 ...
OS update for the year? Apple is probably going to be coming out with new iPods in a couple of weeks and may do a few tweaks to he OS then but the main thing is they'll have new products that'll blow this thing away. Count on that.
MS is an also ran in this space and will continue to be so.
A lot of the reviews of the Touch music player are using the text based interface for song and band selection. I'm glad you like that aspect as I don't have any issue with getting to where you want using text. The original post I was responding to did and I found it funny that the Touch had text elements as well.
Apple may have tweaks to the OS but once again the original post made out like there would be a full upgrade ... likewise the Zune will hit the shelves before Apple even announces the lineup changes. The original post makes it seem as if the Zune won't be released for a long time. Most are expecting Apple to possibly upgrade the memory, which may or may not happen and match the features of the iPhone (of course without the phone). Neither of those would blow the Zune away.
Why make an assessment of something until you have tested it for yourself. Seems that most who have, have been impressed by it ...
On the other hand, I'm totally drawn to the iTouch BECAUSE I care more about the apps than having an MP3 player. I need a device for the productivity apps that sold me on the PalmPilot years ago. But the iTouch does WiFi better than the PalmPilot (bigger screen, etc) and many, many more companies are writing apps for iTouch than for the Palm, or the Zune or the PalmPre. So for people who want a better information tool, the iTouch/iPhone is the way to go. Nothing to do with their music player not being up to snuff. I'm 50 and I could care less about having all my tunes with me at all times. But give me a little camera, browser and some productivity apps on the same device (I'm waiting for the hopefully-soon-to-be-released iTouch) and I'm a VERY happy camper.
The zune can play music at a higher quality then an ipod.
If you're a true music lover go with zune.
Another flop from MS. Give it up guys
The Zune has dropped to 2% of MP3s sold in the U.S., while the iPod has 76%. HD radio is not going to change that.
I think the Zune defenders perceive themselves as heroes, much as neo-Confederates do. They rely on false claims about the Zune (e.g. it has better sound and video than the iPod) like those guys marching around in gray uniforms rely on the false claim that slavery was a good thing. But, in reality, both groups look really silly.
What do the Apple defenders in the PC/Mac perceive themselves as? ... the market is skewed even more in Microsofts favor in that market. Some people might actually like it because it looks like a good quality player. Others just seem to be tearing it down because they don't like Apple being challenged in this area - where they hold the upper hand.
The thing is, when people are buying touch-screen mp3 players, they expect a little more than just a great music player. The iPod Touch is a great multimedia device, with an excellent web browser, SUPPORT FOR FLASH AUDIO AND VIDEO (which the Zune does NOT have... meaning NO YOUTUBE), excellent music and video support as well as thousands of awesome apps. If you want a strictly great music player, then touch screen is not the first thing that comes to mind because Touch Screen players attempt to offer MORE than the average music player. This is why Apple will win out. Microsoft is trying to put a touch screen on a great music player that doesn't really do a lot of other things great. The iPod touch is for people who want a great multimedia device that offers it all. Also mac users can't use Zunes whereas PC users can use iPods. Epic fail on microsoft's part.
I am sorry to be the one to rain on your parade, but the iPod Touch does not have Flash support. Yes, it does play YouTube videos, however, this is done ONLY through its special YouTube client. If you visit the YouTube site (or any other Flash-based site) from the iPod Touch browser you will notice that it doesn't work.
I'm not concerned about HD radio, being a satellite radio subscriber with an investment in other gear, but I know this will be a plus for others. I'm not sure what other HD features would be useful to me. But two things are for certain: were I able to use Zune HD with first party software on Mac OS X and were I able to play FLAC and APE format audio on it, then I would buy a Zune HD, and most likely use it more than my iPod Touch.
Anyone who uses only three apps doesn't understand how useful they can be. At the very least, a person should have a synchronization utility, a document reader, Kindle or another ebook reader, a movie data base and a business card app. Publication apps such as USA Today, NYT, AP and the Wall Street Journal (free only on the iPhone/iPod touch) are also neat to have directly at hand.
"Device". HA HA HA. Wakeup bozos, that very term is such a turnoff for your target market that you've already sunk it.
No Apple rep would ever call an iPod or Mac a "device". That's a nerd, idiot, loser concept. Extrapolate from that, and you know some uninspired committee designed their boring, RIAA-compliant, me-too "device".
"I'll just bring this up on the "device". HA HA HA. FAIL!
"Device". HA HA HA. Wakeup bozos, that very term is such a turnoff for your target market that you've already sunk it.
No Apple rep would ever call an iPod or Mac a "device". That's a nerd, idiot, loser concept. Extrapolate from that, and you know some uninspired committee designed their boring, RIAA-compliant, me-too "device".
"I'll just bring this up on the "device". HA HA HA. FAIL!
The fact is, Microsoft has been hitting usability out of the park lately. With XBLA, Windows 7 and now the Zune HD. Seems like MS might be catching up after they stumbled for so many years.
"HDTV output requires a special kit? "
Um, let me try to hook my iPhone to my HDTV right now without a special kit. Hey, I cant get this round plug to fit into the HDMI port of my TV set...what, do I need a special kit or something?
:)
You apparently lack an HDTV with a USB port. That is not Apple's fault. Besides, a smart person would buy an Apple TV for that use anyway.
So you would spend extra money on a HDTV with a USB connections because you want to be able to connect your iPod up that way? ... or even better you suggest that people go out and spend over $200 on an Apple TV unit? In both cases you probably spend more than the cost of the iPod dock station and the Zune dock station combined! The Zune is meant to connect to a HDTV through the HDMI connection - the connection point that most on the market come stock with (I say most because I'm sure there might be some legacy HDTVs that don't have it). As far as that goes my Xbox 360 works as a USB connection by I wouldn't expect someone to spend $200 on a base 360 so they could plug it in to their USB port ...
As far as the Zune and Microsoft's plan goes - the Zune falls under their mobile umbrella and all signs are pointing towards the Zune software being a part of Window Mobile 7. Microsoft isn't dumping the Zune but expanding its reach, hence the Zune marketplace being added to XBox LIve. Will the hardware continue on after this iteration? I don't know ...
Does your AppleTV play DVDs AND streaming video AND watch HULU AND watch TV.com AND have a DVR and allow everyone to share the media on your network?
...All that and it only cost me the same price as your AppleTV.
That being said, I do own a Zune 80gb and love it. I think it is one of the few good MS products available. I'm not familiar with the audio or video comparison with the iPod Classic, but I have no complaints with the excellent media quality of the Zune. Personally, I also prefer the Zune media software over iTunes based on appearance and ease of use.
I like my Zune, but I don't think I could justify upgrading for my current Zune to a Zune HD just because of a HD radio upgrade. I do believe the Zune family is a great platform with a high ceiling. Hopefully MS will push more customer-focused innovation to further the Zune family.
(and the funny bit? No HD Youtube option on this video)
I have an old zune 80 which I just use at home now to play Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's when I go to sleep.
I also have a sony nwz-a729; both sony and zune 80 reached obsolescence when I got my Samsung YP-P3.
zune hd could have added some sort of variable audio speed playback software akin to Windows Media Player's audio playback speed control; then, and only then, I'll buy it. This hd offering is similar to Sony's X crap==same old crap just dressed up. Why can't they create something similar to Samsung's DNSe 3.0?
I'm BIG on variable audio speed playback (specially Samsung's DNSe 3.0) since I listen to a lot of recorded lectures, lessons, and review courses (speed -2).
I also like to "CHILL-OUT" (speed -1) some of my songs (like Enigma's) when I feel like it.
Or 'enTRANCE" myself to an already trancy Tiesto tunes (speed +1).
I also enjoy slow songs by Pink Floyd and Slowdive played even slower (speed -1 or -2).
Just can't wait for Samsung to incorporate their DNSe 3.0 into some smartphones in the future.
For now, zune just won't cut even if it's super hd.
I am seriously considering putting my iTouch 32 on craigslist. Of all the apps I've installed (about 27) I only use 3 of them. The rest are hardly used or never used at all. A lot of people I know say the same thing about the apps on their iTouch too. So in that respect, I really don't see a major need to keep it around. I hope the open source community will support the Zune. Banshee supports my Itouch on my Linux box, maybe it will do the same for the Zune. Would make it easier to drop the Itouch and I won't miss it.
Good Job MS. OLED screen, HDMI 720p support, Wifi and smooth scrolling, gets it done for me.
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by tetrasell
August 14, 2009 7:54 AM PDT
- When I purchased my Zune 120 - it was because of the greater capacity than the IPOD. I like the look of the new Zune but don't think I will get it until the capacity goes beyond 64GB - I like the fact that they are still using the Market place, and would hope there is an option to turn off the screen saver - a blank screen would probably allow for longer play time. Just wanted to ask - did any one notice in the web section of the video - one of the favorites was Google mobile - I wonder how big daddy MS feels about that. I would think if your going to demo a product for the media you would at least make sure it had your site on it. Can you say BING, BING, GOOGLE!
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by JazMac2
August 14, 2009 8:17 AM PDT
- I read where the default search would be Bing. Maybe Google was used in the vid for familiarity sake. But 33-hours of music playback and up to 8.5-hours for video playback and takes 2-hours to fully charge it up? I could work with that.
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by tetrasell
August 14, 2009 8:33 AM PDT
- JazMac2 - - I think it was just a gaff on Mr. Seitz's part. I am pretty sure any advertising guru would tell you that you don't put a competitor's product anywhere near yours when introducing a new product. I think if Brian Seitz worked for Apple and made this video, Steve would see to it that he his next assignment was at the Golden Arches - but yeah 8.5 hours is nice but thats video - I was referring to music - the video for a screen saver has to suck more juice than a blank screen - How many people watch the screen when listening to music, pretty cool at first but I would think it would get old quick.
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