Music, culture, and the inside scoop from Cesar Menendez,
a Microsoft employee working on Zune - Microsoft's new music project.

August 17, 2006

This Isn't a Zune Thing

First, I didn't post yesterday, because I'm beta-testing Zune - both the Zune software and on the device. Sorry 'bout that.

Ok, onto the subject of this post: www.notfornoobs.com. Saw this in Gizmodo today.  I can tell you that it's not a Zune site. I don't think it's a gaming site, but I'm checking w/ the games team. Actually, I'm not even sure that it's a Microsoft site.  I'm checking into it.

And since I'm on the topic of rumors. . .

Lots of folks have asked me: what do I think about the Zune UI and a photo allegedly getting out there? I would re-introduce our old friend "Rumor and speculation" ;). Basically, I wouldn't draw  conclusions about Zune based on what you see in those places. Unless you see it in this blog or another official source, then just take it w/ a grain of salt. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now ;)

 |  Thursday, August 17, 2006 4:11 PM  |  27 Comments

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Brad

Nice non-denial about the Zune UI and player pictures. The Notfornoobs.com page looks like it's owned by Razor since that's the Razor logo that flashes at the end. But, since they've hidden who the domain is owned by, it's hard to tell for sure.

RomeoDude

I just saw this on Gizmodo after looking at the 'notfornoobs' thing.... http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/ipod/razer-pro-protype-multimedia-keyboard-zune-dock-193958.php What's this supposed to be?

itsgreen

Can't really see why we should take it with a grain of salt? it is not like they are guessing, they have had a physical unit in their hands. And you can't confirm anything untill it is public... which could be a long wait, and yes 2 weeks is a long time in my opinion. :)

RazerZune is really cool

The Razer Zune Keyboard is REALLY frigging cool. I want one now. Please tell me it'll be available at launch!!!!

Andrew

When will Zune be released? I am waiting, waiting... Could you please tell me which video and audio formats Zune will support?

Woody56292

Is it MS's strategy to let stuff "leak" rather than officially confirm stuff, or are you guys just the worst secret keepers ever...??? lol, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the real photo and UI, which is ok, cause from what I hear it will be pretty good. Hopefully the player has some good features and that they are easy to use. ( also needs to be competitively priced, not too cheap or expensive )

blah de blah

The headphones on the Gizmodo site match the headphones in your pic on this blog :)

FullTosh

Dood I should get to choose what comes on my zune. May be people are paying microsoft money to put there stuff on zune but I gotta have a say in this :) It's my zune!!!

Stuart

You know what, I really dont think you are actually working on this Zune thing - you just seem to post information on the product after everyone else has!

Byron Hinson

I think the keyboard feature looks great, but the biggest worry right now is that if this is going to compete with the iPod is has to look better than it does now and that clearly isn't going to be happening judging from the prototype. Because of the lack of denial about the shots of Zune going around, its clear that is it, its also clear it looks worryingly uncool. Don't get me wrong, I love Creative's Zen Vision M over the ipod for features and its the best overall portable music player there is, why hasn't it grabbed the iPod buying public? It doesn't look good or have any sign of coolness.

Shipwreck75

Wow, do you think we are all that dumb? It is clearly a Zune, and you have clearly been caught with your pants down. I love my 360, greatest console ever. But the funny thing is I love my IPOD even more. I doubt you guys will get a foothold in that market. Unless of course you could justify why I should by another $300, 30gb video player?

Kimberly

Hello Cesar, I also doubt it would be for the zune. Some have speculated that it’s relationship is connected to the Razer keyboard dock but that’s already been announced and they registered the domain name this past Sunday, not nearly enough time to Viral market anything. Please keep us up to date if you find out anything. Best wishes, Kimmy

club

Here is an idea (or two) Camera-zune. If zne is all about your media experience why nt have one of those little cell phone camera's in it? Wouldn'tt hat be cool. Also, you need WAY more then 3 colors. How about clear? What about pink and blue? Also, if you want to compete with the iPod you are going to have to make you player more... visually appealing... it look a little ugly 0_o

Jamarlo

Hey look everybody. The Zune team wouldn't even have had time to invent a new player from scratch plus develop production facilities, prepare for ramp-up, etc. They just took a Toshiba @#$Pod knockoff and knocked it off. Classic! http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/microsoft/is-the-microsoft-zune-just-a-reskinned-toshiba-gigabeat-195238.php

Carrie S

Is the Razer ProType Zune Keyboard available with the launch? It's about the coolest thing I've seen and its definitely a major edge over the iPod if you guys can get it at launch. I'd buy both the Zune and the keyboard!

Chris

Give it a rest Jamarlo, or didn't you see all the work designing, not to mention the several models that hav ebeen confirmed to be "possible" models... the issue is no one knows for sure.... As for the gizmodo post, it could have been anything, a wood mockup, one of various prototypes, considering microsoft has said previously they have several designs in mind and were still working on settling for one. As for the gigabeat/zune thing... give me a break, every player has a similar layout, the zune has a big screen and if it is the model we've seen "leaked" photo's of, then yes the buttons are at the bottom in the middle of the space... but then again so are 99% of the other devices, i guess gigabeat stole the ipod design and just reskinned an ipod since its the same layout? Give me a break. BTW As for the Razer ProType Zune keyboard, no idea the status of it but from what i heard from one of the MS blogs is theirs like 40-50 accessories going to be available for the launch ... or something along those lines so i wouldn't doubt it, seems microsoft learned from apple, accessories are what make the device really sell... i want a selection of docks and speaker sets thats what i want... i want an ecosystem around my device!

Rob Stevens

"Actually, I'm not even sure that it's a Microsoft site." Funny, the Microsoft logo used to be in the Flash intro, until they changed it later and censored the logo out.

James CLarke

Please o please put direct wifi podcast / vodcast catching into the device

jamarlo

waderockett

Hey, Cesar! Quan turned me onto your blog. I realize that this may be old news by now (practically ancient, in Interweb time) but when I browsed notfornoobs.com today it took me to this page for the Microsoft Habu gaming mouse: http://www.notfornoobs.com/Microsoft-Habu-Gaming-Mouse.htm I likes me the blue glow.

buddy boy

D00d, You can get the best of the web, at mathowie's community weblog.

yuntrip

Wangtam

热门的 blog 总能吸引不少读者的关注和帮助,虹每天收到关于各类新信息的邮件就有 400 多,同僚 Ken 每天收到此类邮件也不下数十了,而像 Gizmodo 这样的国际知名 blog,不仅会有大量热心读者提供信息源,还有不少相关厂商和服务商主动联系他们。这不,今天又有热心会员带来了 Microsoft Zune 最新谍照(上图),和之前消息中显示的米白色外壳不同,谍照中这一款是黑色版,并配有耳机。更多细节上的报导可以参看 Gizmodo 上的更多报道。 有意思是,Zune 官方 blog 中完...

Wangtam

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