Microsoft unveils second generation of Zune media players

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
Continuing on its quest to make a dent in Apple's dominate share of the digital media player market, Microsoft on Tuesday evening announced three new models of its Zune player that feature media syncing over a Wi-Fi connection.



The new offerings closely resemble Apple's recently-refreshed iPod line, including 4GB and 8GB flash-based models that will retail for $150 and $200, respectively, and a 80GB hard disk drive model that will fetch $250.



Microsoft said it will continue to sell the first-generation 30GB Zune for $200, but will provide an automatic software updated for the player that will bring its software features up to spec with the new models when they go on sale in mid-November.



Unlike the original Zune lineup, customers won't have the option of a picking up a brown model. Instead, the 80GB model will be available only and black, while the two flash models will come in either pink, green, black or glossy red.



Each new Zune will feature what Microsoft calls "the Zune Pad," essentially a navigation button with a touch-sensitive surface. Users will be able to flick their thumbs over the pad to browse through song lists or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos. Users will also be able to navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track.



In addition to distinctive new interface menus, the players will leverage a new wireless sync feature that will automatically sync media over home Wi-Fi networks, ensuring that users always have the latest podcasts and other content ready to go when they leave home. Microsoft said the players will start syncing media from PCs when the device is placed in its dock or plugged in to its AC adapter.



Another feature -- extended wireless sharing -- will let users share full-length songs, albums, playlists, pictures and even audio podcasts from one Zune to another. Shared songs can be played up to three times with no time restrictions, Microsoft said, and shared songs can also be pass along to other Zune users.







A new version of the Zune software will also automatically import broadcast content recorded on Microsoft Windows Media Center for Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, so users can sync the videos onto their Zune and watch them on the go.



In conjunction with the second-generation Zune players, Microsoft is also launching Zune Social, a beta online community Web site that offers users a forum to share their music tastes, knowledge and experiences with others. Any Zune user will be able to can create a free, customizable Zune Card that automatically updates to reflect the music they are listening to on their Zune or with Zune software on their computer.



The Zune Card shows most recently played tracks and highlights that user's all-time music favorites. Other members of Zune Social will be able to sample songs a user has been playing directly from a friend's Zune Card or via a link to the Zune Marketplace, where they can buy or download the tracks.



In what Microsoft calls a "nod to the inherently social nature of music," Zune Social will eventually enable its members to place the Zune Card on today's most popular social networking sites, where it will continue to update automatically and show off what its owners are listening to.







In addition to creating a friends list, members of Zune Social will be able to send song links and messages to each other, post comments on a friend's profile page or on their favorite artist pages. They'll have the opportunity to discover new music by seeing what their friends are listening to, Microsoft said, receiving recommendations from others in the community or by seeing what the top fans of artists they're interested in are listening to. Each artist page will list the Zune Cards of the people who listen to that artist the most, making it easy for other Zune Social members to browse their recent playlists and discover new content they can sample, purchase or download with a Zune Pass.



An updated version of the Zune Marketplace will feature over 3 million songs, Microsoft also announced, including a selection of more than 1 million digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s, which can be played with Zune or any other digital media player. An aforementioned "Zune Pass" will allow users to download as much music as they want for a flat monthly rate of $14.99.



Among the hardware accessories Microsoft plans to offer alongside the new Zunes in mid-November are a $100 Home AV Pack, $50 Dock Pack, $80 Car Pack, $40 Cable Pack, and $50 leather case.



Microsoft claims to have sold over 1.2 million Zunes since the player's launch last November. The new Zunes will not include support for Apple's Mac computer line.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 82
    dave k.dave k. Posts: 1,306member
    Microsoft is starting to make some progress with their Zune line. I love it. Apple needs the competition...
  • Reply 2 of 82
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    New Zunes released, America yawns.



    Story at eleven... if the clip we have of the cute dancing dog in the park doesn't bump it.



    Back to you, Phil.




    .
  • Reply 3 of 82
    I miss the brown
  • Reply 4 of 82
    buzdotsbuzdots Posts: 452member
    You'll be able to buy one for half price at WalMart - just in time for the Christmas rush. Maybe that will push them over the 1.5 million mark by the end of the year..........................(2008)



    I miss the brown too, but that new olive drab is pretty sexy!!
  • Reply 5 of 82
    mrtotesmrtotes Posts: 760member
    Why is this even posted on here.



    They're not Mac compatible and have nothing to do with Apple.
  • Reply 6 of 82
    Wow,



    Some news. The largest IT company in the world copies a 2 generations old model from its competitor! Or does this sound too cinical?



    Zoon 1G = iPod 5G (+ 1 year)

    Zoon 2G = iPod 5G (+ 2 years)

    Zoon 2G mini = iPod nano 1G (+ 2 years)



    If the zoon ever comes to Europe, will we have the 3rd iteration which will look just like an iPod nano 2G?
  • Reply 7 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mrtotes View Post


    Why is this even posted on here.



    They're not Mac compatible and have nothing to do with Apple.



    Because Microsoft is one of Apple's most significant competitors in the mp3 player market (#2 best selling players), and they just released new players that have significant improvements over the previous generation.
  • Reply 8 of 82
    kasperkasper Posts: 941member, administrator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mrtotes View Post


    Why is this even posted on here.



    They're not Mac compatible and have nothing to do with Apple.



    Because Microsoft and the Zune represent the most viable competitor to Apple and the iPod. And when you're in those heated debates with your PC friends over why the iPod is better than the Zune, it's at least helpful to know what you're arguing against



    Those are just a couple of reasons why we cover major Zune announcements.



    Best,



    K
  • Reply 9 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JDraden View Post


    Because Microsoft is one of Apple's most significant competitors in the mp3 player market (#2 best selling players), and they just released new players that have significant improvements over the previous generation.



    I believe MS is only 2nd in the hardrive player market. Sandisk has the #2 slot overall due to being #2 in the flash market. MS will probably get there pretty quickly though if they advertise.
  • Reply 10 of 82
    e1618978e1618978 Posts: 6,075member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by marty martin View Post


    I miss the brown



    I wonder if the brown zune will become a collectors item? They are 175 shipped on ebay, new in box (I am not affiliated with any zune seller, btw).
  • Reply 11 of 82
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Techslacker View Post


    I believe MS is only 2nd in the hardrive player market. Sandisk has the #2 slot overall due to being #2 in the flash market. MS will probably get there pretty quickly though if they advertise.





    I dunno... the SanDisk Sansa flash players are actually pretty decent.



    MS could end up #3 in that space actually, even with all the ad money they have to throw around.





    .
  • Reply 12 of 82
    mactelmactel Posts: 1,275member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dave K. View Post


    Microsoft is starting to make some progress with their Zune line. I love it. Apple needs the competition...



    I believe the Zune flash fills-in the gap that 1G and 2G Nanos left. Plus the navigation surface sounds promising.
  • Reply 13 of 82
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by e1618978 View Post


    I wonder if the brown zune will become a collectors item? They are 175 shipped on ebay, new in box (I am not affiliated with any zune seller, btw).





    The fecal brown Zune a collector's item? Maybe if they made a Special Edition one. With the words 'Sh*t Happens' monogrammed on the back.



    I laugh every time I think of that thing, 'cuz I always remember that Zune marketing guy's famous last words: "Brown is the new black."



    I mean... bwahahahahahahahaaa... only Microsoft.





    .
  • Reply 14 of 82
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    The flash Zune has a smaller screen than a nano (the big black border fools nobody) but looks almost as big as a full-size Zune! Unless it's a lot thinner than it looks in the picture, it's a smaller screen in a bulkier (HxWxD) device--for the same price as an iPod.



    (Does it have video-out-to-TV capability like all iPods have?)



    As for wireless sync... you have to plug in to charge anyway. iPods sync automatically, in seconds, when you do that.
  • Reply 15 of 82
    cubertcubert Posts: 728member
    Did anyone else recognize that the photo for the Zunes has a right-sided highlight across the Zune? Very similar to how Apple has been advertising all their products for the last couple of years. Mafia$oft has not done this before - another copy job.
  • Reply 16 of 82
    naasnaas Posts: 15member
    apparently the zune zucks
  • Reply 17 of 82
    An aforementioned "Zune Pass" will allow users to download as much music as they want for a flat monthly rate of $14.99. <--- That is nice!
  • Reply 18 of 82
    Looking forward to some product reviews from AI... Apple needs to keep moving or get steamrolled.
  • Reply 19 of 82
    pmjoepmjoe Posts: 565member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mrtotes View Post


    Why is this even posted on here.



    They're not Mac compatible and have nothing to do with Apple.



    I'll second that. It's not Mac compatible, and I have yet to find A/V media management software that I'd prefer to iTunes (and I don't even own an iPod). Does Microsoft seriously use Windows Media Player to manage music for the Zune? What a piece of garbage software. Maybe if the Zune could sync with iTunes, I could feign some interest.
  • Reply 20 of 82
    kasperkasper Posts: 941member, administrator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Techslacker View Post


    I believe MS is only 2nd in the hardrive player market. Sandisk has the #2 slot overall due to being #2 in the flash market. MS will probably get there pretty quickly though if they advertise.



    This is true, I believe, but in the long run MS has the marketing power to blow past SanDisk. I believe it's just a matter of time.



    Best,



    K
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