1. Why Zune Deserves Our Help
Recommended treatment: Give the Zune HD plastic-surgery and a personality makeover. Make it a great portable media player, fit to compete with the iPod.
We love the Zune HD. We loved it when we first tested it out, and we still love it today. We think it is the best portable media player around. But that doesn’t make it perfect, or even great.
The problem is, we’re spoiled. We want the best. Who doesn’t? We want a do-all device, a media player that supports all audio and video formats, that has apps and that goes online over Wi-Fi and 3G networks. If it came with a seamlessly built-in Swiss Army Knife too, we’d take it.
But, sadly, this isn’t a perfect world, and there is no such thing as the perfect product. The product that we think is inferior—Apple’s iPod lineup—is the one that has achieved market saturation. With Apple’s dominance—and how it got there—in mind, we made a list of things we’d like to see in the next Zune HD. We’ve dubbed this fictional and unannounced product the Zune HD2.
Some of you may be asking, why not describe what we’d like to see in the next generation iPod Touch? First of all, we root for the underdog, which in this case is Microsoft. Second, Apple is less likely to make many of the monumental changes we list in this article because it would have to incorporate them not only into the iPod Touch, but also the iPhone, which wouldn’t necessarily be cost-effective for Apple to do. Third, Apple already seems to have its PMP business figured out pretty well. Microsoft still has a few things to learn. We’d like to see its PMP business grow and offer Apple some competition. Frankly, Microsoft could use the help.
To refresh your memory, we believe the Zune HD is a better media device than the iPod Touch for several key reasons. The Zune software suite is better than iTunes. The ZunePass service is excellent, whereas Apple offers no such service. The Zune HD’s smaller screen is better, brighter, and uses less battery life thanks to OLED technology. Several smaller things like HD radio, the smaller form factor and better price make it a more likeable and agile PMP.
For Starters, What’s a PMP?
PMP stands for Portable Media Player, which is not nearly as catchy a name as iPod, which has become the word means anything that plays music, videos, podcasts and apps. Kind of like how “Kleenex” refers to anything that is a tissue, and Google refers to any internet search task—iPod often means any PMP.
The PMP is generally defined as a device which, at this point in time, stores and plays music and videos. Currently, everything else a PMP does is a bonus, so to design a great PMP, we’re going to broaden the definition and make some of those extra bonuses mandatory.
So, how would we define a great PMP? A PMP must be able to do the following:
· Play video (movies, TV shows, shorts, podcasts)
· Play music (many filetypes, podcasts; can create and store playlists)
· View pictures
· Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi
· Play and store 1st and 3rd party applications
Most of today’s PMPs can already do most of these things, except run applications. Only the iPod Touch and Zune HD currently have that capability in any serious respect (other PMPs don’t have the popularity or sales figures to compete).
In reality, the upgrades and improvements we’d like to see on the Zune HD can be done to any current-gen PMP device. However, it is our firm belief that Microsoft has a strategic advantage because of how good the Zune software already is, and with the Zune subscription service, Microsoft is poised to make the best PMP possible, ripe for potential on the hardware and software fronts. For each suggestion we make, we’ll also evaluate the odds that Microsoft will actually implement the change, and rate how important we think it is that Microsoft takes each particular piece of advice.
Find out what we would do to make the ultimate PMP, and give us your suggestions in the comments section.
Microsoft really failed with ZUNE HD. i have one and barely use it.
I was going to buy the Zune HD because I desperately wanted an MP3 player. When I saw how many features it was lacking, I got an iPod Touch instead. I've never looked back.
I dont have a Zune HD but rather a first gen Zune 30GB. Completely satisfied with my choice and glad I bought it. I will never buy into Apple's closed system where you are forced to do what they tell you or eat it.
Cant wait for Windows mobile 7 as if it even comes close to the hype it will be more than I ever wanted in a mobile OS.
I would jump at a Zune in a heart beat if they had an iPod adapter. How many devices these days directly connect to iPod and CONTROL IT. My car stereo, my home receiver. And how many amplified iPod docks are there?
I know licensing issues with a proprietary apple interface are standing in the way. But I would still kill for the option.
Please Microsoft, make a Zune->iPod dock adapter! I would pay those @#%#$! @ apple $50 in licensing fees if it means I have better choice in my accessories.
OMG, as an owner of the Zune HD and iPhone, the one thing that drives me nuts about the zune is the finger prints. I would seriously pay 15$-20$ more just for a version with an Oleophobic screen. Maybe it is just a pet peeve of mine but seriously, MS should kind of do an online customization thing like Dells, where you can switch out certain options (IE Oleophobic screen, better headphones, having a dock come with it). I know they already have a somewhat customizable thing, but expanding it seems like it could help sales. They also really need to pay attention to things that Zune owners say needs improving on. It really feels like the Zune department would flourish if people knew that microsoft listened to your requests/suggestions and acted upon them. If they really want to put a dent in the PMP market they need to do these things.
Re: Internet Radio Stations, this would easily be addressed with the Shoutcast app or equivalence.
It would also help if they were actually available in stores. iPods are in every store. I have seen one (1) Zune HD since their release.
I dont have a Zune HD but rather a first gen Zune 30GB. Completely satisfied with my choice and glad I bought it. I will never buy into Apple's closed system where you are forced to do what they tell you or eat it.
Zune is just as closed if not more closed than the iPod. At least apple provides the SDK for apps. I'm not trying to be an ass I'm just curious to your reasoning behind this.
Zune is just as closed if not more closed than the iPod. At least apple provides the SDK for apps. I'm not trying to be an ass I'm just curious to your reasoning behind this.
Well Im very against Apples app store personally seeing my own money go to waste as well as my friends. He has an Iphone 3gs and for xmas I bought him an Itunes card so he could get some apps. He used the card I gave him and bought several apps among other things from the Itunes store. These apps were striaght from the Itunes store so they were approved by Apple. Over a month after he bought them Apple removed them from the app store because Apple decided it didnt want them anymore so now those apps are basically non functional on the phone. Apple gave no credit, refund, apology, etc... Told my friend that was their policy and he could not do anything about it. MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN off of products sold on apples own store.
Sorry but that is just wrong. If you approve an app, sell it, then remove it and tell users SOL your screwed you are knowingly and willingly screwing your own consumers and it is just wrong.
just say screw it and get a better Mp3 player
I have a Zune and I like it. The only reason I haven't switched to a Zune HD is because of the limit in size. I also agree with options for different Zune Pass types
by the way my personal headphones (not the zune ones) work as an antenna for the HD radio. I dont think u have to use the zune ones to get a better reception. The reason why i think i know this is true because when the zune is plugged in my car (via the port on the bottom) i get no HD reception. but when walking around with my headphones in (none zune ones) i get great reception.
Items get removed from the App Store, from JC Penney, Macys, etc etc. No retailer will ever issue you an apology for removing an item from their catalog or store. Your friend should have made a backup like any other piece of software one buys of the internet. Once you have it on your device and PC, Apple will not magically remove it from either one. I have a lot of Apps that are no longer in the App Store. Some will stop working in the future for sure since a new OS upgrade will probably brake them, but that happens to Windows, OSX, Linux, etc.
Well Im very against Apples app store personally seeing my own money go to waste as well as my friends. He has an Iphone 3gs and for xmas I bought him an Itunes card so he could get some apps. He used the card I gave him and bought several apps among other things from the Itunes store. These apps were striaght from the Itunes store so they were approved by Apple. Over a month after he bought them Apple removed them from the app store because Apple decided it didnt want them anymore so now those apps are basically non functional on the phone. Apple gave no credit, refund, apology, etc... Told my friend that was their policy and he could not do anything about it. MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN off of products sold on apples own store.Sorry but that is just wrong. If you approve an app, sell it, then remove it and tell users SOL your screwed you are knowingly and willingly screwing your own consumers and it is just wrong.
So I'm guessing he spent his money on all the 'adult' apps that were recently removed. I don't know about those apps but I've still got an iPhone app that I bought nearly two years ago and was removed just a few days later (Netshare). It wasn't deleted from my device when they removed it from the App Store and hasn't become non functional - it's still working just fine now even after several major OS updates.
So I'm guessing he spent his money on all the 'adult' apps that were recently removed. I don't know about those apps but I've still got an iPhone app that I bought nearly two years ago and was removed just a few days later (Netshare). It wasn't deleted from my device when they removed it from the App Store and hasn't become non functional - it's still working just fine now even after several major OS updates.
I didnt consider it adult necessarily. It was "Babe of the Day" which was a daily picture of a hot chick. No nudity, no see through garmets, just a picture of a hot chick in a sexy outfit or swimsuit. Apple did not delete the app from his computer but he no longer but the purpose of the app was to send out a new "Babe" everyday which it does not do any longer because Apple removed it from the app store and support. Kinda ironic that they pulled that simple app yet Playboy and SI suimsuit are still allowed. Just one of the many reasons not to buy into apples hypocritical dictatorship.
I'd have included using Samsung's Super AMOLED for better view outdoors somewhere in there as well. Completely agree with the need for a ZunePass w/ video; not necessarily the $40/mo package listed (a little much when I already have a cable bill), but a daily rental and a movie of the week for keeps plus free (potentially ad-supported to lower costs) TV shows.
Microsoft really failed with ZUNE HD. i have one and barely use it.
I don't think the Zune failed I think Microsoft failed to capitalize.
I would love to see a cheaper ZunePass, and DRM support (I hate having to strip DRM off my digital copies)
I don't think the Zune failed I think Microsoft failed to capitalize. I would love to see a cheaper ZunePass, and DRM support (I hate having to strip DRM off my digital copies)
What do you mean by "DRM support"? The Zune platform does support DRM, just its own flavor. I'd certainly agree that protected Windows Media files and PlaysForSure would be much welcomed. If you are talking about Apple's FairPlay, good luck. We'll see Apple open up the standard just after we get run over by Satan ice-skating to work.
Also, for the record, stripping DRM off of a media file is illegal. It counts as circumvention of copyright protection which violates the DMCA.
Good summary of the (minor) nuisances of the Zune HD. My own biggest complaint is definitely the lack of car integration options. Considering that the Zune isn't sold to many places outside of the US (which might be another improvement for the list), I doubt we'll see Microsoft spending the money to make this happen. ...unless more auto manufacturers move to their Sync system.
The Tegra powered interface really is nice though. There's still a few bugs here and there that pop up, but I'm sure that's an easy fix.
zune hd sucks