I guess I am glad to hear that rather than take the entire 2 minutes it would take to let us know that you have heard our cries you would rather stay working steadily, BUT it sounds like a total cop-out!

I thought Microsoft was supposed to be the KING of software!  I am SO hesitant to sync my Zune because it is such a nightmare!!! Come on guys, this is getting ridiculous!!!!

Oh and BTW, when are we going to start seeing VIDEO downloads!!!

Skipping...skipping...skipping!  That's what needs addressed!  The silence is just as annoying as the skipping.  I've got friends that won't touch the Zune until the skipping issue is resolved...permanently.  BTW, mine skips.  Absolutely no excuse for a $250 device + 15 bucks a month to not be fixed/fixable 3 months after its launch!

I'm just hoping to see the software work. I don't care much about features. Does not mean I don't want them :)

I paid 250 bucks for this thing. It should work the way it was said it would.

Please please PLEASE add podcasting support.

...

Please!

I just want an estimate as to when it's coming out.  This month, next month, six months from now?  Nobody is gonna hold anyone's feet over the fire if they give us a rough guess.  I just want to know when to be looking out.

It's implied in your post, Cesar, that firmware updates are being worked on by the dev team, and will come out in the near future. Can you explicitly acknowledge this?

A lot of the hand-wringing right now is about whether MS will just abandon the whole project. An explicit acknowledgment would help.

Thanks!

I can't confirm or deny your comment (unfortunately) DB, but I can tell you this. Explicitly. MS is absolutely committed to Zune. And for my part, I love the Zune community, what we're building, the energy around Zune, and I'm committed to it.

Do you have any specifics?  Like a date?  Do you think it will be days, weeks, months?

I agree with DB.  Having paid $250 for an player which is not on par with similarly priced devices, expecting updates and having only one which really offered nothing is enough to upset anyone.  I don't know about anyone else, but I can't afford to abandon this device to purchase another one that does what I thought Zune could do.  Some of us are deep in the FUD zone.  We are getting no reassurances that anything will be done to address the problems that we are all having.

I wish Scoble was still at MS *sigh*

It's not like Apple is putting out firmware updates daily, and it doesn't bother me that Apple doesn't update the firmware for long periods of time.  I'd rather have a big update with new features than small updates that don't do much (even though the last major iPod firmware update didn't do a lot.... now THAT was a disappointment!).

Maybe i just dont expect much from my mp3 players. I just hope it plays my mp3s and works. But im just wierd :P

new firmware: will toast your bread!

RE: your post--It does not make sense to me that developers don't have time to speak to marketing.  That description of what is going on internally is too simplistic to describe the actual state of affairs.  

This is not griping, from me it is coming from someone who genuinly wants the product to shine.

I can't understand why a simple incremental firmware update or an statement on when we could expect such an update won't come out.  Show us that _something_ is happening.

I appreciate you addressing this. I also put $250 into this product.  I expect more.  I bought an oem copy of Vista Small Business for $150 from newegg.  It has well lived up to its price point, I would recommend it.  I'm a happy Windows user.

You may say that this is just the voice of a vocal minority, but indications from retailers suggest that sales of the device say otherwise.  

If the problem is not that the market isn't there, then there is something wrong with the product or how it is being marketed.  I think the marketing was great so that leaves only one place to look.  Every product has problems, stating what they are _and_ setting expectations for fixes is the polite thing to do for your early adopters.

You said that this is *The* place to post our thoughts on firmware updates so here are some updates that i want to see.(Please)

(1). Wireless sync.

(2). Being able to browse the zune marketplace directly from my zune.

(3). Being able to buy and download stuff from zune marketplace from my zune.

(4). (I was thinking about this one last week) Being able to check my email from my zune.

(5). Being able to use(not just msn) AIM from my zune. (you don't need to add a keyboard to the zune just have a set of virtual key that can be chosen from the control buttons on the zune.

(6). (this is a small update) Put a clock in the zune please, and have an auto off feature on it.

(7). This is a big one but here goes. The Zune to Zune thing is nice but most people who bought a zune(including me) haven't even found someone to use this feature with. What I think is that you make some kind of network where you can go to any zune (that gives you say a friend code) with an internet(this is if it's hooked up to a router via wireless) and can send songs that way. It's just a way to truly say "Welcome to the Social"

(8). Videos on the marketplace.

(9). Podcast.

(10). And last but not least. Make an update in your spell check so that the word Zune doesn't look like it's misspelled.

Well thats all I got.

Thanks for reading.

- Fix all known bugs

- Add podcasting support

- Add Clock

- Add timer (lap timer) for workout purposes

- Add Alarm

- Allow wireless sync

- Allow wireless access to Zune Marketplace

- Allow Zune to be used as store device

- Suprise us with lots cool features

- Throw us a bone every now and then

Cesar!  Give us *anything* specific.  Either that, or shut down this site, because having you tell us you can't tell us anything is like salt on the wound.  

Microsoft always has a choice whether or not to communicate, and not communicating regarding the Zune is atypical.  For example...

o Xbox 360 = Major Nelson with constant updates

o Microsoft home server = not out, but beta available

o Bungie = weekly updates on progress on Halo 3

o Scott Guthrie = always showing something new about .Net 3.0/Orcas/WPF

o Windows Mobile 6 = too much information to take in

o Zune = released, then nada.  Nothing at CES, nothing about fixes, nothing about new features, nothing, nothing.

$250 is almost as much as an xbox 360 core system.  It's more than some copies of Vista.  And yet we can't even be told about one single new feature that will be released.

Cesar, you've got to tell your management that we, the customers, deserve more.

Please!

John

Cesar,

You can't even confirm that firmware updates are being WORKED ON?!?

Way to inspire confidence in your early adopters.  ;-)

I would think your company would want to work hard to inspire confidence in the early adopters that they made the right choice by purchasing your product. Refusing to communicate openly with them isn't going to do that.

You guys touted the upgradability of Zune as an "advantage" over the comptetition so you created the expectation that new features would be coming. But you can't even comment on when/if the skipping problem will be fixed!

Guess those iPods aren't looking so bad after all!

There's only one thing the zune needs, and that is a Now Playing playlist, like in all the WMP versions > 9. It's so much faster than having to erase the quick list and then adding songs and then playing it.

The zune doesn't need games, I have a PSP and DS for that. It doesn't need wireless sync because USB is faster, and it wouldn't get used much anyways.

Access to the market place would be nice, but I doubt you have the free firmware space to add a whole secure web browser(unless you sacrifice some HD space and put the browser on the hard drive.

I just hope the next firmware fixes the known bugs and adds the Now Playing list that I've become accustomed to by using WMP.

While I'd love to see some of the features people are asking for and I've done my own share of ranting about Zune issues on my blog, I'm not yet frothing at the mouth for a firmware update.

Microsoft isn't going to leave Zune users in the dust, it's only been three months since it was even released, it does what it's supposed to well, which is play music (except the skippers out there) and it's not just a new version, it's a new product altogether.  I'm willing to cut the development team some slack.

Streaming wi-fi internet radio

Buy the songs you like from it!

A lot of my friends are asking for Unicode support like iPod do. Please add this in to  firmware update list. "The World Is Flat", I don't know why would a hi-tech product like Zune missing out this capability.

Please Add Podcasting Support To The Zune.Please.

On, the topic of firmware updates. It seems to me that most people think they are ENTITLED to firmware updates. I would just like to point out that microsoft doesn't have to update the firmware at all. Those who did buy a zune, you paid the money for the product as it was at the store. You should be glad that Cesar is implying that there are programmers working on a new firmware.

I think you guys have this week to release either firmware or a press release on what is coming.  Make sure the management knows this, because as you can see, there needs to be some damage control at this point.  Fans are turning and becoming rabid.  No repsonse will not cut it at this point.  Even if someone was to mention that the first generation Zune has not seen the end of it's potential as a side in an interview.  That alone would give people some hope.  Right now people are becoming more and more convinced that Microsoft has moved on to the next generation of hardware.  Someone needs to say something soon, before this gets any more out of hand and hurts sales more.  No respone is often viewed as a response and it is rarely viewed as a good one.  By saying that you all have moved on, you will really kill sales, so that would be the only reason that makes more sense to not say anything at all.  Am I right?  If not, tell us why, because that will also help us understand.        

Jivemasta - I am not ENTITLED to buy MS's next products, too. They promised something and they should deliver.

From the Microsoft Team,

Just wanted to let everyone know that we program using "Extreme Programming" techniques. Which means we have no idea when our product comes out and what we are developing. We will surprise ourselves!

Plus - Since we the development team (Hector and Sanjay)  also are also responsible for developing the vista drivers for Microsoft Barney - we have to finish that first before we can work on the new Zune Firmware.

Waiting on Zune firmware updates? Don't worry, Microsoft hears your pain. Head over to ZuneInsider.com and express your concerns and wishes. ...

This is my first post to this blog, but I've been reading it for awhile now.  I would like to put in my .02 to the "delayed" firmware debate. I received my Zune as a present for Christmas (I specifically asked for a Zune) and loved it so much that I purchased one for my 13 year old son on his birthday last month.  I've never owned an iPod because I always thought they were too expensive in terms of hard disk space. I've always been a Creative mp3 user from the days when they were the size of portal CD players.  The Zune has been a delightful experience for me.  I know that it doesn't have everything that iPod users want to see; nor does ZMP offer everything that iTunes offers, but I also know that it takes time to build a really solid solution.  

I should also add that I work for a small software company, so I also understand how, as much as our customers might like us to rush updates and service packs, it only hurts us all (our company, our customers and our partners) when we rush to get the software out the door before its time.  Software vendors have deservedly received a great deal of backlash for this very reason, and many of us are are fighting hard to change this; to raise our own standards.  Having said all of this, I would like to say that to date, I'm satisfied with my Zune experience (I've had a couple of minor bumps here and there, but I recognize this is new and rarely is anything ever absolutely perfect). I will be excited when the updates are released and to learn what they include; but frankly, the silence doesn't bother me.  In the end all that matters is that the firmware is delivered within a reasonable amount of time (and I personally feel this is well within a reasonable amount of time); and that it increases the value to our Zune investments by making them more reliable, more feature rich and even more pleasurable.

A wifi web browser would be awesome, syncing podcasts using wifi, wireless syncing, games(maybe connected with the live service). I know it's a lot to ask for but it never hurts to ask.

Keep up the great work!

So I am about done with my Zune after 3 weeks, first as nice as the Zune marketplace may be.  It is nowhere near as complete as URGE, but I can't use my MS Zune with MS URGE because it does not comply with MS Plays for Sure standards.  If I wanted a player that locked me into an online store, I would have gotten an ipod a couple years ago vs. a rio carbon.

Now explain to me how after 4 months on the market, no fix for the skipping when the backround lite is off and I get my daily shut down from static.  

I am convinced that if no release of a update or info on when the update is coming I will simply take my Zune back to Best Buy and use my Rio Carbon and PSP for another year or so until someone creates a decent device for both music and video without all these issues.

Add dvr-ms support.  Bummer to see such a nice screen without an easy way to get my recorded TV and Movies over there.  It really sucks that Movie Maker in Vista does not have a native conversion format specific for the Zune (or the ability to batch).

I think we need to be able to classify our videos... All Videos and Music Videos isn't enough. I want to be able to say "this is my music video, these are my movies, and these are my video Playlists"

1. Add more acceptable file formats

2. Add podcast support

3. Fix all the skipping issues with ZuneMarketplace songs

4. Allow for WMP support

5. Merge zunemarketplace with WMP

Thats all

"On, the topic of firmware updates. It seems to me that most people think they are ENTITLED to firmware updates. I would just like to point out that microsoft doesn't have to update the firmware at all. Those who did buy a zune, you paid the money for the product as it was at the store. You should be glad that Cesar is implying that there are programmers working on a new firmware. "

No, when I bought my system I expected it to work, so when it skips every other song whenever the backlite is off.  They have a defective product.  When I buy a system and it shuts off a couple times a week for no reason (it has issues with static), then MS is obligated to repair or replace the system with one that works.

When I buy a system from MS it sure seems strange that it can not connect to the MS URGE music site (a much better site and system than the Zune marketplace), it also is strange that the very first hardware from MS fails to meet their very own Plays for Sure standard but we are learning why since my Zune plays somethings, sometimes but not everything and not very well.

Sorry as consumers we do have rights to expect that things we buy work the way they are supposed to.

Well, it looks like someone bit off more than they could chew ;-)

I'm satisfied as an early adopter to deal with bugs, and even waiting for bug fixes as long or longer than we have been. I am not as satisfied with no communication. This does not really count as communication. While you are getting our input, we aren't getting yours.

I agree with f4denz. I was a URGE user before getting my Zune and was and continue to be REALLY disappointed with the content disparity between the two programs. I have a hard time understanding why M$ wouldn't do everything in its power to get as much content as possible from the already mature URGE service. In any case, I'm still content.

The biggest risk is this. As more and more "dead" time goes on I become more and more compelled to mention this problem whenever people who I show my Zune to (and love) ask about it.

i dont feel entitled, they said there would be firmware updates.

as far as telling us whats going on, i dont need specifics.  i just want to know that something is happening.  

i'll say it since no one else has:  you need to allow higher video resolution for output to tv.  you guys clearly expect people to use the zune for this as you sell a dock for that express purpose.  right now the video looks terrible.  i mean it's unwatchable.  that's ridiculous.  

Cesar, I sent you an email with some more information regarding the secret project. :)

...all I can say is wow...

Look at all this bi--complaining.

Ok so everyone is giving a little speech on here so I might as well put mine in the mix.  I was a Creative user for a long time, my Zen Micro was all I needed.  But after reading up on the Zune I decided to move on and get one for Christmas.  And I love it.  I compare it all the time to my friends Ipod.  The quality is great, I don't get where this skipping is coming from? (yes I have a Zune Pass as well), the features (minimal of course) are what I personally think is acceptable for a new product.  It seems like people are forgetting that this is a NEW product.

Could there be more stuff added? Yea. Should there be more stuff added? Sure. Should you be able to wait? Yes.. I'd rather have them take their time rather then rush it.

The fact that ANYONE took the time to say anything, let alone someone from the team that is working on it, says a lot.  I'd rather have someone like that tell me over a cheesy spokes person.

I'm happy with my product.

Thanks guys.

1. A CLOCK! Seriously. That should be a given.

2. Wireless Syncing with the computer.

3. Wifi capability to connect to the internet (internet browser)

All that I would like to see to make the Zune experience complete for me is Podcast support.  Audiobook support would be icing on the cake, as would being able to classify my movies.

Here is my wish list:

1) podcast support

2) clock with a sleep timer.

3) DIVX and other codec support on the Zune.  No more conversion crap!

4) playlist editing on the Zune

5) video library on the Marketplace.  

6) sync my contacts and outlook calendar.

7) portable HD support

8) wifi web browser

Oh, and of course fix the known bugs.  

Given this, Zune is no longer "new."  Three months is almost a lifetime in the electronics world.  The first few IPODs were replaced by new models  every 9 months.  Before long, the new IPOD will be out with a larger screen and probably wifi ability.  If that happens by June, then Zune will have to one up them by releasing a new model.  We have about 4 months left before that happens.  That will give this Zune a life of about 9 months at the most.    

I think the biggest opportunity for the zune is to better integrate it with the xbox 360.

It would be very appealing if I could download a video from the xbl marketplace and either watch it  through the xbox or download it to the zune.

If it is too much to ask that this could be done entirely through the 360, then what about being able to download videos that you buy on xbl marketplace using your microsoft points for  free over the internet?

The two devices share the same currency in their respective marketplaces and even the same user account can be used in each, they are so close to a meaningful integration.

That would not only make me feel better about my purchase, but I imagine it it would help to sell the zune as the ultimate xbox 360 accessory.  Imagine if every xbox 360 owner wanted a Zune because it was a portable extension of their home entertainment system.  

Sadly, my 4th generation ipod clickwheel was better integrated with my xbox 360 than my zune.  I could search my music by album with the ipod connected; with the zune connected--not so much (it merely says no albums found when I can clearly see them on the Zune itself).  

I think the Zune and the 360 are both outstanding stand alone devices, but there is untapped value and potential in the two as a tandem system.  

But as it stands now, there is no incentive to buy a zune for 360 owners.  Being able to watch low-res videos from the zune on a tv via the 360 is a joke, because it looks terrible.

I like MS products and want to see them dominate, but I am left wanting more from the Zune.

"The fact that ANYONE took the time to say anything, let alone someone from the team that is working on it, says a lot.  I'd rather have someone like that tell me over a cheesy spokes person." - BlackOps

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but what has he told us about it.

"All that I would like to see to make the Zune experience complete for me is Podcast support.  Audiobook support would be icing on the cake, as would being able to classify my movies." - Paul

I always considered Podcasts and iPod thing, I don't listen to audiobooks, but that would be good.  As for movies, if you get a meta data editor, you can fix that. There is one at www.zuneboards.com.

Clock + Sleep Mode would be nice..I don't need anything wi-fi, I'm happy with being able to play my music and movies. More codec support would also be a nice improvement.  Before all of this though, I want a little more communication between the Zune team and the Zune community, leaving us all in the dark kinda sucks.

Mitch

no skipping...zune plalists support for vista media center....better sharing, more social experiences with software and player.....and most of all games (you make 360 for crying out loud) (:

I'm really happy with my Zune. The only addition I would like to see would be user adjustable EQ settings. I just can't find the perfect settings for me among the built in ones.

The other day i was thinking about the lack of firmware updates and what i wanted out of the yet to be released updates. I came up with this list of the simplest things that the Zune team could improve on.

Zune Software

- I really would like the day when the software becomes more stable.

- Please add the functionalities that WMP11 has and the Zune software lacks (better tag editor please)

- Fix/Make syncing more reliable (sometimes when you sync your Zune to the software it does not recognize the Zune. it also does not display the album artists correctly once synced.)

There are several other bugs and irritants in the software that i have not listed here and most of us Zuners can attest to that. Please fix the software because it is a vital part in the whole experience.

Zune device

The Zune device itself is amazing. I just love it. Sound quality is solid and the battery life is OK. Although there are a couple of things i would like to see on the device in the near future. Here is my very short list.

- File format support (please make it a player that can play any format of music and video)

- Auto Off Timer or some way to make the Zune go on standby after a certain amount of time that the user selects (possibly 5 minute increments)

- Better EQ settings or possibly a custom EQ interface?

- Password Protection of some sort. (so if ever the Zune gets stolen nobody else gets to use it)

There are other features that would be nice to have like wireless syncing but then syncing to your PC wirelessly would consume a fair amount of battery life and would eventually cause you to plug it in to charge it. So why not just plug it in and sync while you charge?

I wish you guys the best of luck with the work you are doing!!

"When I buy a system and it shuts off a couple times a week for no reason (it has issues with static), then MS is obligated to repair or replace the system with one that works."

That has nothing to do with the firmware though, that is a failsafe in the hardware most likely. Would you rather have to wait to restart the zune or have a brick?

And I am talking about new features, not bugfixes. Most people on here are demanding new features like they were promised them. Bug fixes are different.

Now not to sound like an ass or anything, but I've seen it mentioned a couple times now and I have to speak up. A web browser would be pointless on the zune. First of all, typing would be rediculous. Then the screen is way to small to even render pages in a nice looking fashion.

And then there's the wifi sync everyone seems to want. Ok, so it sounds good on paper, but consider this: it's slower than usb. Not to mention that all of that writing to the drive and powering the wifi adapter, your battery would likely drain very quickly. Instead, why not push for something like wifi streaming, or a wireless media center extender(iTV competition *wink wink, nudge nudge*). It has the ram and cpu power to stream decent quality videos, I think.

1. Podcast support...

2. 360 video downloads synced to zune.

3. My zune keeps turning off when I connect it to my car's stereo system. ( through aux cable )

4. Higher picture resolution on album art.

If I were to ask for any updates to anything it would be the following:

A. Remove the tracks/bands that are unavailable. it really is annoying browsing the marketplace, finding a band you want to dl only to be denied.

B. Audiobooks, I can't be the only one who'd love to download audiobooks.

C. When are we getting videos on the marketplace?  Or at least the ability to sync what we've bought on Xbox Live.

I don't get why MS can't comment on further development. I can understand not wanting to say anything about specific features in development, but not refusing to say whether there will be any updates.

Oh well... let me add to the list of requests, which may or may not be heeded :). I'd love to see audible.com support. Oh, and everything else above!

If the Zune would just play my music and videos without shutting down on me randomly throughout the day, it would be a start.

I've never seen such a vocal crowed with any other DAP. Maybe this will change MS strategy of rushing a product out the door (For the Holidays) only to have early adopters waiting for fixes/firmware updates that may or may not deliver all the goods you've hoped for. There should be a lesson learnt here for both MS and consumers who spent $250!

Before long, (just like XBox & XBox360 & backward compatibility) a new & improved Zune will hit the shelves, boasting all the goodies many expected in Version.1 and much more. That means there is the potential that early adopters will be left in the dust again if there is no updates anytime soon for version.1, and I mean big updates that fixes all the bugs and add many of the features that was taken out at the last minute to rush it out the door (speculating here).

Keeping the early adopters satisfied could only strengthen the Zune brand Cesar, but I see you are trying.

Zune is a Media Player. Don't deviate from the core function here. Features must revolve around listening to music or watching videos. Podcast is good. Games are bad. Make better use of WiFi is good. Web browser is bad. Clock and timer for jogging/working out is good. Videos in WMP is good. Most importantly, making the existing features work is a GREAT IDEA.

1. Add the ability to edit WMV tag data from the software.

2. Add WMV "album art" that displays on the Zune

3. Add Podcast support

4. Add the ability to delete items directly from the Zune or flag items to be deleted on sync.

5. Add the ability to exclude genre types from shuffle all (comedy, holiday)

6. Ability to selectively auto-sync ("uncheck" a song so it will not sync, yet stay in my PC library - like iTunes).

7. When adding a folder to the Library, add the ability to exclude a specific subfolder (for those having to manage more than 1 type of player on the same PC).

8. While playing a song (from shuffle), click the center button and get an option to play all from that album or all from that artist.

9. Hire me as an offsite UAT'er. =)

Skipping here too (since this seems to be the topic to post concerns).  It's rather annoying, and even does it to my own songs burned from cds.  

Plus the Zune pass limiting the amount of times you can sync songs to your Zune in a month until you delete and redownload the track is rather... unpleasant.  

Hi I am new here and sorry if this is a repost! I am running windows vista and I was wondering if there is a way to manually organize the way the zune is structured. example being, if I put a new folder named Rock in the MAIN MUSIC FOLDER. Then from there A-M N-Z and the artist then the album. I have tried this and I realize it comes down to tagging, but when an mp3 player from five years ago can do this, why can the zune! OR Why can't the Zune at least recognize the structure I set up for it! I know this is an old school way of setting up a device, but I also know where my music is going!

In summation, USB HOST MODE WOULD BE APPRECIATTED!

Thanks,

Guytano

Unicode support, PLEASE! Many of us listen to more than just American alternative rock (that seems to be the only thing preloaded on the Zune?). 1/2 of my music library is in Korean, Japanese, or Chinese, and on my Zune they are all blocks instead of words.

BTW unicode support is required if you want to export the Zune to any country too. Please don't let the Zune be the only major DAP without unicode.

OK I have 2 problems with this post:

1)What's the point in telling us that you can't tell us anything?

2)If there isn't at least a nominal release date/period, are the developers workign to a deadline or are they just being allowed to get on with it?  I'm not being funny but I work with developers and if you say 'give it us when it's ready' then it will never be ready enough.  They like to fix everything.  Including features that aren't there.

It's good that you're trying to keep us up to date Cesar but at the end of the day, whoever's decision it is to keep firmware update release dates a secret needs slapping, it's completely pointless.  The very fact they are working on it must mean they have some development goals and thee are certain things, no matter how minor, you should be allowed to tell us.

Letting us know will serve 2 purposes:

1)It'll stop me and others whining like a little bitch with a skinned knee

2)It'll stop people suggesting completely pointless things like adding AIM and Messenger - can you imagine the pain of navigating soft buttons?  it'd take about a bloody week wo ask after someone's health!

The only major issues I would say you guys need to deal with right away are:

1) skipping- this is a priority...too many complaints already.

2) podcast support-this is a given.

the rest can come in time..clock,etc

Other than that I appreciate this blog and all the Zune team is doing. I hope others will stop whining and start being constructive.

As an MP3 player, I'm very happy with my Zune...  As a video player, the Zune still needs more features...  Like ability to store higher resolution video...  And play it thru the AV port...  And more native video codec support!  Divx, MP4, etc.  ;)

Any chance that a software update will include the option to "remove" album art from selected music files?  There's been times were I've accidentally pasted the wrong art to a particular album and even after removing the art from the mp3 file with another tag editor program, the "wrong" album art continues to be synched to my Zune.

Forget new features for now; I knew about the feature set when I bought 2 Zunes.  I just want to know when the skipping (marketplace) will be fixed.  I patiently call support once a month and am told that it's a known issue that will be remedied via firmware.  I'm wondering, however, whether it will be fixed by the time a new device comes out.  As an early adopter, I would normally be one of the first to get a new one.  But in this situation?

I like my Zune a lot but I haven't been able to install the Zune software on my brand new Windows Vista computer.

Although it has been said before that an update was made to the software to make if compatible, it is not working for me. I've been  reading around and there are many people who can't get to install the software either.

Please take another look on that issue, or release a brand new Zune software made for Vista.

I would like to have the option to delete a song directly from the player. (And if possible, that the song would be automatically deleted from the computer the next time we sync)

Wireless connectivity to X360's. More file type support for pictures and video. 10 second option for display shut off (there's, 5 seconds, and 15 seconds. 15 is too long, 5, a bit short. I'll get to more later. =p

No new features until you fix the bugs!  

- Skipping is horribly annoying.  Compounded by the fact that it's caused by DRM!  I've considered circumventing the copy protection to fix the problem.

- Syncing.  What happened here?  My Zune has been stuck on "Please Wait" for 15 minutes now after failing a sync.  If it helps, there are certain songs that it just won't take.

Ok, got those?  Now add some podcasting or at least a flag for "remember playback position" please.

Seriously, I love you guys but this stuff needs to be fixed.  Now.

A feature I thought might be good for a dap (I am not saying that the Zune should have it - I just want it to work)

Password lock for specific files or specific folders.

Would be good for people who have pron on their dap. Also good for people who have personal pictures on their dap.

What say?

"James C." says:

>>Ok, got those?  Now add some podcasting or >>at least a flag for "remember playback >>position" please.

This is already available. Even when you do a shutdown (holding play/pause) the Zune remembers your playback position. On restart simply press "play/pause" button and it restarts where you left ...

Yeah, it has it unless you turn it off to save your battery.  Then the position goes back to start.  If you don't remember where you were, you have to guess where to fast forward to or start all over again.  At least the video fast forwards in five-minute increments.

I like how Cesar talks about all the creative people that work on the Zune and the marketplace in his office. He talks about how creative and cool they are. The only thing is that I don't see it. I only see you guys throwing parties around and I'm missing features on both my Zune and the Marketplace!

Zune Marketplace needs updates weekly and not monthly (at least i don't see those updates). For example, you haven't updated top songs list since the launch. There are so many new songs on the radio, why can't I download them in the Marketplace?

I want radio like Urge radio, feeds like Urge feeds that feeds with new music every week. Actually why don't you just merge with Urge and that would be perfect.

I'd like Video Store! Podcasts! Everything that has to do with entertainment not only music.

For Zune I'd like wifi internet radio and streaming ability to other devices.

I'm having trouble with my EQ where when my Zune falls asleep it wakes up with a flat EQ every time and I have to change the EQ every time I want to start listening. I talked to support team but they don't know what to do.

Basicly, I want more features especially with the Marketplace.

Zunerama reports that ZMP songs play on PlaysForSure Devices via WMP i.e. ZMP DRM is compatible on PFS devices.

See http://zunerama.com/forum/index.php?topic=3079.0

I can't believe I didn't think of trying this out when I stil had my free 14-day ZunePass!

Well, Cesar--I expected there were some people out there who felt the Zune was neglected but this was an outpouring way bigger than I imagined.

What do you think about it?

A lot of good suggestions here.  I am surprised nobody has requested dynamic auto-playlists.

As a former iPod user, I really liked that my smart playlists would automatically update on the iPod w/o having to sync with the PC.  For me, this should have been included with the original relase (and I thought it was since all inforation on the web said that Zune would support auto-playlists, which were supposedly the same thing as a smart playlist).

In addition to dynamic auto-playlists, I think the Zune should allow albums to be sorted by year under an artist like they are allowed in the software; the albums should be grouped by artist when searching under a genre (or at least have the option to do so); should allow more customization, which was part of what the original marketing promised, but all that was delivered was an option for themes (not really themes, just boring backgrounds) and the ability to add your own wallpaper (a great feature, but hopefully just the beginning of customization).

Finally, I would love to see cross-fading on the Zune.  This is where the end of one song overlaps the beginning of the next song to create a DJ or radio-like effect.

All these things should be simple things to fix via a firmware update.

One more thing, for all the users that complain about unstable syncing, do you have your Zune plugged into the USB ports on the back of the tower or the ones on the front.  The ports on the front don't seem as reliable as the ones on the back.  Ever since switching to the back ports, I have not had one sync issue.

NumberDevil - Thanks for the input, I was aware of that (and would have a terrible time without it!).  However it loses the position when I do a sync (as well as when turned off as another user mentioned).

At any rate I take objection to your statement that Zune already has "remember playback position" as that's just not true.  Its more of a "remember what I was doing the last time I paused" as that's the extent of the feature.

These are the things that make me put down my zune and go back to my old MP3 player...

1. Skipping.

2. No real support for Audible.com

These are the things that would make my Zune more easier or more fun...

1. Podcast support.

2. Better use of the wireless. Current song sharing is nice, but rarely used, especially in my single zune home. Why can't my zune just broadcast on my wireless network so that I don't have to plug it in all the time?

please please please:

* dvr-ms support .  it's in WMplayer, it's a fixed target unlike avi, so why not?

* something useful fom the wifi! rss reader/web, anything!

I'd be a very happy user if I got the following updates:

Update 1 (Early 2007) - Focus on Local Function

===============================================

- Movie/TV/Music Video downloads via Zune MarketPlace.

- USB Storage.  To be able to access a reserved amount (user specified) of space for miscellaneous data.

- Podcasting support

- Vista SideShow Support.  This will allow users to support a variety of Clock, Calendar and Contact type gadgets

- Internet access to support expanded community options for sharing content, downloading content such as podcasts, accessing SoapBox and getting updates for SideShow gadgets, etc.

Update 2 (Late 2007) - Focus on Media Center

===============================================- Media Center UI for MarketPlace to enable purchase/download of content directly from Media Center.

- Be able to mark content while in Media Center UI for transfer to Zune.

- Add extender capability to Zune to enable streaming of Live TV/Media from Media Center.  If at all possible wirelessly around the house but I would settle on having that capability when the Zune unit is docked.

- Add Sirius/XM Downloadable content to MarketPlace.

- Netradio support for streaming radio over wifi.

- Be able to send 3day/3play songs to users via email or some other external method from Zune device.

- Light Gaming capabilities

Update 3 (Early 2008) - Focus on Other Items

===============================================- Audible.com support

- External Memory Card Reader Support.

- External Microphone Support.

- Windows Home Server Support. Installation of WHS should change Zune software settings to automatically look at WHS for media instead of local PC.

- Support media transfer via USB on XBox/Extender to Zune.

Off topic: The iPod fanboys must be loving this...

"For example, you haven't updated top songs list since the launch. There are so many new songs on the radio, why can't I download them in the Marketplace?"

I've been using marketplace since it came out, and I've definitely noticed this as well - the lists NEVER get updated.  

Heyzeus- I think they're all busy watching the youtube video of their impending firmware update (adding coverflow to their ipods).

All I really want is a fix for my skipping Zune.  I currently use it with the display set to "always on" but that drains the battery badly.  Get the fix out for that one issue and I'll be a happy camper.

Of course add some other features and I'll be thrilled!

Keep the communtiy informed and you'll have a much much happier community.  Look at the XBOX community as a diagram for how to do things right.  I'm actually quite suprised that there aren't forums built into the official Zune site.  I'd like the Social to be built into the site and not have to wander on the internet and try to find other Zune users.

Alot of people are giving cesar a hard time even though he's not even in charge of firmware updates etc. He cannot release any information because as im sure you all know that when a company employs you you usually have to sign a contract forbidding you to tell people company plans etc. especially with such a high profile corporation like msft that has so many rivals that would love to know it's plans.

Anyway off topic i really like this idea from gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/putting-our-money-where-our-mouths-are-boycott-the-riaa-in-march-239281.php

spread the word and tell as many people as you know and link to it on as many online websites as you know

1. Audio Book Support

a. Audible would be great but generic support atleast.

2. Videos on Zune Marketplace

3. Ability to delete items directly from the Zune or flag items to be deleted on sync

4. Custom EQ interface

a. I need one that enhances voice for audio books

5. Merge zunemarketplace with WMP

6. Portable HD Support

Take your time with the update, but when it hits make it BIG. For me personally this would mean at a minimum podcast support and sleep timer. It's bothering me that I now have friends with Zunes bought through my recommendation and my promise to them that software updates would make it a viable iPod alternative.

Also a clarification of what i'd expect in terms of "podcast support":

- Automatic downloading through the Zune software (directory functionality not such a biggie for me. I'm happy to set them up by giving a URL, but then I want the Zune software to get the XML and download the enclosures).

- Handling on the device separately from music and categorised by podcast and individual casts listed in reverse date order (i.e. pretty much exactly as the iPod does it).

- Option to stop playing at the end of a track rather than the music default of continuing to the next one.

- Option or default to remember play position in podcasts (this is one of my biggest problems, going back to an hour long podcast that I listened to half of and having to scroll through to find where I got to).

- Ability to display the podcast description which many podcasts use for shownotes.

Not having to take out a USB cable to sync a couple new songs would be great.  I think the wireless sync feature would get used.  

And Wireless connectivity with the xbox 360 would be amazing, just so I don't have to go buy another sync cable or keep moving it all over the house to connect to things.

Speaking of Xbox though, I'd love to transfer content from the Xbox Live Marketplace to my zune.

Other updates I would love to see is increasing the 3 plays for 3 days limit.  Of course no limit would be best, but 7 plays for 7 days seems like a better compromise for now.

How about some kind of Family plan for the Zune marketplace?  The wife and I each have our own zunes, and our own Xbox live and passport accounts.  It would be great if we both didn't have to pay full price for the Zune Pass.  At 30 bucks a month it's almost better just buying the music we want outright... Almost.

Never seen such overwhelming request from the "iPod fanboys" though.

Although some said the iPod were limited in features compare to other DAPs over the years, atleast they got the basics right. That is making sure the player worked as advertised, which allowed them to build a strong userbase on the consumers satisfaction....A satisfied consumer would most likely become a repeat customer and recomend (Word of Mouth) your DAP to family and friends.

This is a new feature request which I don't expect to see in the 1st gen. Zune, but MAYBE in the 2nd generation:

Dish Network compatibility (a la PocketDish)

I would love to transfer my DVR'ed shows/movies onto my Zune and watch them on the go without having to pay for another device.

Dear god, fix the stupid skipping issue for dlc from the Marketplace.  I don't want it hung up on waiting for QA to approve any other features with it.

We need this patch now, we've already paid for the device.  Hold up your end of the bargain and *make it work*.

After you fix that...  make it work w/ MCE content out of the box.

YES!  The ability to transfer over my MCE content would be glorious.  TV shows on the go would rock. (granted I can change the file type but the ability to plug in , transfer and go would rock!)

I'll be happy with any firmware updates. As long as there's some goodies added.

Wow didn't know so many people had a Zune. Not sure if this is already in production but it would

be cool if you could make some kind of speakers that I could put anywhere in my house and via Zune wireless play songs on them. Just a thought. Thanks for letting us share our thoughts.

Have a play all option in the Artists section vs. only having a "Shuffle All" option.

- Add podcasting support.

- Ability to play divx, mpeg, or xvid files.

- Ability to convert directly in the Zune Market from one codec to another with toggles for bitrate and other quality settings

- Ability to wirelessly sync files with my computer

- Ability to wirelessly upgrade firmware

- Add a clock function

- Ability to tag media files and use a simple search feature to find them.

We definetly need to be able to delete content from the Zune without connecting it to the PC.

Someone posted on zuneboards.com that they called tech support about the skipping problem and the person there basically asked him if he had the firmware 1.3, when he said no, the tech dude said he should update because it was fixed in 1.3, then he was like 1.3 isn't out yet. I'm guessing that this means that within the next week we should see 1.3 and a fix for skipping.

John in S.Florida has it perfect and thats what should be done.

I wonder how the people in the USA feel about being used as beta testers for new microsoft hardware. I am glad that the Zune isnt available outside the USA at the moment.

Hi there!  Just found zuneinsider...great resource...thanks!

Can I throw out there a request to address the playback issue that causes stuttering during the first few seconds of many songs downloaded as part of a ZunePass?

I've never been able to reproduce the issue on any track ripped from CD and transferred to my Zune.  A friend has been suffering the same issue.

I haven't been able to find anything here or anywhere about this problem...just wanted to b*tch a little. ;)

Thanks!

Just want to say that all of the comments above are in my mind called for.

Along with I'm sure everyone else here deel down you LOVE YOUR ZUNE. I just wish that MS with communicate with us more. Its a great player that needs to get out there. A great firmware update son IS KEY.

Everyone I know my player to always say how awesome it looks and how cool it is in Brown. This IS a great player that appears to need more spotlight and MS needs to keep in touch with the people who saw how great it is and stuck by it.

My one request:

Open Web Browser

thanks for the update. it was getting scary there for the moment. got zune a week ago then the rumors started that ms was dropping it. here is some of my suggestions.

a manual, i couldn't figure out how to turn my zune off. had to search the community boards to find out. i want it off, not in standby mode. a commenter above me doesn't know how to flag media,

repeat doesn't work wtF. it won't repeat one song or does it repeat the entire play list? again maybe a manual issue

let me use it as an external hard drive when i bought the zune, i never questioned that it did not do that. i thought it was standard on all hdd players

a rubber plug that goes in the sync port for dusty environments

get some music on mp, as a rock fan the beatles were great for their time, but please stop with all the horrible beatle wannabes that pollutes the mp rock section. i am sure rhino bucket would sign a deal i get it. your trying bring indie bands some exposure and not everyone likes the same music,but wow

please don't get discouraged from all the rants on here this is just constructive criticism

i love my zune and thank you for making it, but it does need some serious tweaks to get where it needs to be

Everybody has some great firmware update features.  I will not repeat it.  I just want more integration with the Xbox 360.  Have the Marketplaces (Xbox Live Marketplace and Zune Marketplace) combine.  Include Live Anywhere with the Zune.  I want to see who is playing online and also tweak a car in Forza 2 on my Zune.  

Zune should be the choice of Xbox 360 gamers.  Imagine every 360 owner owning one.  That would be over 10 million Zune owners in a short amount of time.  Linking your gamertag with your Zune tag (I am still waiting for a fix)is a nice little step (not to mentioned being available at game stores).  However, more must be done.  

Whatever features you make for the Zune, please have it work on current Zunes.  Microsoft has said many times that Zune is a platform.  Just because someone has a Flash Zune, a 30GB Zune, a 80GB Zune, and a Zune Phone, we should all have mostly the same features.

iPods have been known to release incremental updates by releasing new hardware.  The Zune should be the first DMP to upgrade with updates as the the years go by...  

another suggestion

major nelson podcast in mp

bungie released some music on itunes but not on zune mp or xbox mp HUHH!

1. Lossless audio support, I want an audio player worth $250 not a toy, every other mp3 device supports lossless audio, make the zune support it.

This includes

WMA Lossless

.flac

.shn

2. fix the skipping and add gapless playback.

3. User adjustable EQ, presets are a good start but for serious audio needs we need to adjust it ourselves.

I don't care if any or all of these features run the battery down more and take up more space, give ME the options and I will decide how I use my Zune.

Fix these and the zune becomes a serious contender for audiophiles.

Cesar,

I think it would be a good idea to email this page to the developers.  After just one day there tons of people commenting - more then I've ever seen before.  How much time would it take for the developers to just list what is coming and when its coming out?  

I find it hard to believe that every day the Zune developers are so preoccupied with coding new firmware that they can not take a minute to tell what they are doing.  From the moment they get into work until the moment they leave, their fingers are stuck to the keyboard.  It sounds like BS.

Sorry, I know you have no control over the situation.

First, thanks to everyone who's providing firmware thoughts . Heads-up that the Zune Outdoor Photo Contest

I too need a fix for the skipping when the backround lite is off and I too get a daily shut down from static.

I think we are getting the firmware update in a matter of days (by the end of the week). Why? well .. first of all ... Cesar started this firmware topic again and put in at the top the list on zuneinsider.com ... i think that's to create the hype again and get people talking ... and then give'em what they want ... it's a very clever trick yet effective ... i am 100% sure that we will get the firmware by the end of the week ... remember IMSMOKIE ... yep ..that's me...

I know this off topic but I thought the folks here would be interested in seeing how cool & flexible Windows Mobile really is.  See for yourself...

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/windows-mobile-iphone-edition-the-movie-240128.php

I just want to know when VIDEOS will be coming out, is it REALLY that hard to give an answer or at least a guesstimate as to when this is supposed to happen? At least with the ipod video I could have gone to iTunes and downloaded movies and music videos and gotten my 250 dollars worth, this thing is nothing but an expensive MP3 player,radio, and picture viewer, unless you want to go the "illegal route" and download from youtube and rip dvds, come on Microsoft people want answers already!!!!!!!!!!!

1.3 should be out by Friday.

I thought of a couple more today at work...

-ability to import/export ratings for use in WMP11, MediaCenter, etc.

-When selecting Video from the main menu, switch to portrait right there. When flipping through and watching multiple short videos, I get dizzy with the screen switching in and out of portrait mode (between the actual video and the menu).

To have more control over the brightness of the backlight.  i dunno i think the i could tolerate it a bit dimmer to save on battery life.

I agree with segadc. Linking the Zune and X-Box communities would boost Zune sales greatly. X-Box should give some sort of discount bonus for the Zune for every X-Box 360 owner.

I would like to see the following few features:

SYNC with Xbox 360

Edit track info on Zune without deleting and re-syncing

Select equalizer in song play menu(right above shuffle?)

Skip Fix

More Codec Support

Music Video Playlist

Podcast support

USB host mode

USB Hard drive mode

Playforsure support

i bought my zune with the great hope that it gonna be update but... i got it since december and i only see a necessary update, but where is :

the lyrics?

the clock?

the good quality covers?

what happen i gonna to send a mail to microsoft whit my wich about zune.

if we all do thye same maybe they will listen us and star the really zune change

ok..ok...calm down ppl. The firmware is coming. Just calm down already.

The Zune (firmware 1.2) is really great like it is right NOW !!.

A few things could be added but this things aren't so urgent.

add UMS, OTG playlist, Gapless, sleep timer, correct the functional and GUI bugs and we are set.

The Zune software version 1.0 (from the CD) is really good. A bit buggy but GOOD.

BTW, do you all know that FireFox eats more RAM than the Zune software on my machine. nuff said.

Cesar Menéndez as latino like you keep up the good work here. later.

and Ricardo D. (LOL. Good one)

Good one....Did you came from TR or DAPreview to this place to make that comment?

So, are you feeling the Zune heat already ?

Please tell me when video will be offered on the marketplace.  This is why I bought the device with the bigger screen.

If this timetable, or lack there of, cannot be addressed I will abandon the advice.

*advice above=device, sry.  There goes the credability to that threat, ha.  Seriously though, someone lie to me at least!

Mancho Colombia

Yo soy de Panamá. Me imagino que tu Windows XP está en Español. No se porque pides nuevo firmware si tuviste que hackear el XP para poder instalar el software ya que aun no hay soporte para Español.

Mejor no envies el mail a Microsoft porque no te van a atender.

BTW, How do I updated the Zune software w/o internet?

Why the Zune device updated to 1.2 can't update by itselft a Zune software 1.0 version install ?

I would love for browsing by genre to sort by artist intead of album title, like in the Zune windows program

Custom EQ settings in addition to those crappy presets, thats not asking alot. Update support for more codecs,(like FLAC) especially lossless ones. Some people value sound over the amount of songs you can hold. The Zune sounds great but it can be better.

The sound that comes from my Zune desktop software when I play a song is wierd (sort of like if the WOW settings are set to max) - some sort of distortion.

Anyone know what settings I would have to change?

Hey everybody - this is Cesar. I've got the team to open up a bit - soon I'll post about what's in the next firmware update, when it comes out, etc. No promises until I get the final ok, but know that in the next few days I'll have real news :)

Thanks for expressing your views in this thread - know that while the team won't do everything everybody is asking for immediately, we hear you and the team is working hard. We're in the Zune business for the long haul, and that means maintaining a commitment to early adopters.

Just my 2 cp.

-Audible (Must)

-More Video formats (DVR-MS *MUST*)

-Clock (Including Alarms and Sleeptimers)

-ZMP *VIDEO* (TV Shows and Music Videos *MUST*)

-Dynamic Playlists

-Podcast

-Open up the WIFI

-Wifi Radio

-Wireless Sync

-RSS Reader

-Per Track Album Art

-A (True) Social Zune Site (Like MySpace)

-upload playlists, now playing, etc.(Over WiFi)

 -"Right Now, I am listening to"(Over WiFi) (i.e. Messenger's version

-Upload Images (What's my Background)

-Share Songs over it (even if 3x3)

-Combine with Windows Messenger

-Tighter integration with MCE

All i got right now, I will add more later. Great product, just needs more stuff

Cavan

Thanks Cesar! :)

My zune is bagged and my iPod is out until they make the software work properly and fix the myriad of bugs with the player itself. Also, it'd be nice if you could, ya know, make the wireless useful.

I just can't imagine how MS put out a peice of software that doesn't even like their own operating system. Seriously, if something doenst happen soon, this things gonna end up in a desk drawer permanently and I'm buying another more versatile player.

"I'll post about what's in the next firmware update, when it comes out, etc. "

If lossless audio support is in this update you won't hear me complain again, if it's not you will not get me to shut up about it :)

swanlee, that will be a sad day, when you stop leaving lossless comments in this site ;)  lol

"swanlee, that will be a sad day, when you stop leaving lossless comments in this site"

But a very happy day for me, already spent 100$ + on some super.fi 5EB Black ear buds for my Zune which sounds great now but will be a really nice piece of gear with lossless support.

The hardware produces some really good sound quality so far even with lossy .wma files, can't wait to hear the real thing (aka lossless) on the zune

I'd love to know why AVI isn't supported in WMP or Marketplace. It seems apparent the Zune team took steps to help early adopters make the transition from itunes to Zune. But alot of video's I've ripped from my collection where done in avi since creative's vision M supports that format. Is this for legal reasons?

-A bookmarking option. I did see audiobook support, so that feature may be implied, but it's great for long podcasts too.

-A clock, my goodness a clock.

-Delete files directly from the player.

-Being able to exclude podcasts and audiobooks from shuffle all music.

-User set EQ. The presets are nice, but being able to adjust myself would be appreciated. On top of that, maybe a bass boost.

-A now playing playlist, it would be much more convenient than the quicklist.

Probably too late for upcoming firmware update (if it is in fact coming), but I think that because song info is sometimes displayed when listening to FM stations that support this feature, it would be cool to be able to flag a particular song, and then later go to ZMP to download it. Also, I really feel that Zune Software is just way too buggy and slow.

Would love to see the Zune used for Vista Sideshow

Maybe have features (like clock, browsing genre>artists, etc) tweakable from the software - that way keeping the player interface simple for simple people (former ipod users).

Please include a self destruct option for me to engage the next time this POS prototype randomly shuts itself down!!! I really hate being an MS guinea pig!!!

Live marketplace on the 360 is a fantastic part of the online service that Microsoft is offering and it would be great if they would merge the two, Zune Marketplace and 360 Marketplace, into one spectacular service for movies, tv shows, games etc.  I'm already using the same hotmail account for both.  What 360 owner wouldn't want to move their freshly downloaded TV show over to the ZUNE?  

oh..and fix the skipping!  (even though I've said that before.).

Looks like this is a good start to building a great community.  Thanks for keeping us informed Cesar.

We need a clock, more video, picture, and song support.  Plus, a wi-fi browser couldn't hurt :D

Wow, I want such simple things in a firmware update:

1) Fix the skipping

2) Fix the UI lag  

Changing songs, adjusting the volume... these should be very basic actions that don't require me to wait upwards of five seconds for the Zune to catch up to my input.

I really don't need any other features.  This device plays music, that's that I bought it for.  The fact that it plays music poorly is deeply troubling.

Sync with WMP11

a clock

fix random restarts

create play-lists on the go

stream music to other Zunes

the ability to listen to the music on your zune through your computer (I have my music at home and listen to the zune at work, but i can't do it through the software so i cant make play lists, vary annoying.)

thanks

http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2007/02/28/zune-firmware-update-1-3-coming-mid-march-skipping-fixed.aspx

told ya I had an update

Um, placing Zune on Ebay real ZUUUNE!!!

I would really like 1.4 to include a clock (preferably by the battery indicator) and the ability to sort videos into folders much like with photos.

1. Eliminate the "Album Artist" field from the Zune metadata to fix lots of strange problems wtih labeling in the software (e.g., two songs ripped from a CD at the same time show up as two separate albums with identical names...usually the reason is a discrepancy between the "Album Artist" field in those two songs)

2. Gapless playback.

3. More uses for the wireless. DJ mode would be cool.

Can you please put Language support for foreign languages like Korean, Japanese and others instead of Boxes.

Mattyread, NO WAY to your #1.  I depend on that.  Album Artist is very important to keep my grouping.  And I like being able to find individual artists, too.  In fact, I think they need to fix Zune so it sees the multiple artists per track that the Zune Software and WMP 11 handles, too. (Right now it just uses the first one and Album Artist.)

I would like having an Album Artist only browse (optionally) on the Zune though.  (Just like the Zune Software does.)

1.wireless synch

2. support for all unprotected formats, if you want to bear apple, take in everybody. play flac ogg, whatever.

the use of the on the go playlist is abusrd, make it easier to use.

3. the pc zune software is buggy, i have reloaded mine several times.

4.let outside companies write plugins. My family has 1 zune, 2 ipods, amd a creative devide.If you wont let us all use the same software than let us use J. River.

I work for EB GAmes and it's an uphill battle when you have several differnet kinds of software out there. Let your software synch with ipod and you'll be making them look silly for not accepting you.

okay i am 16 years old and i have some great ideas for the Zune that could murder iPod

first off, screw podcasting, put full cable TV on the Zune, psp did it why not you.

second, i would love it if i could play full Xbox or Xbox 360 games on my Zune via wireless Xbox 360 controller

third, clock, bluetooth headphones would have been great

last but not least i would love for the Zune to butter my toast...lol

Please add gapless playback and you could have tv streaming or video streaming with wifi and podcast support, and the biggest of them all a clock.

What a week! The Zune Markeplace editorial team got featured in the Seattle P-I. Readers expressed their

Please let the zune connect wirelessly to my computer and sync and play streaming audio! Also please add a clock. Also, why when i pause a song and press play 5 min later it starts at the beginning? I have some long recordings and its a pain to have to scan all of the time.

needs proper gapless playback, i play an album and i get gaps!!!

I know that this list of comments above is now several days old but I wanted to add my .02.

I hope MS is still reading what is added.  Until I found this site I kind of felt like I was suffering alone with my Zune problems.  The Zune is my first player.  It was a big purchase for me.  My wife and I do not have a lot of disposable income to throw into "toys".  Unlike some others, I can't just give up on my Zune and run out and buy something else.  Consider these comments for what they are--constructive criticism from someone who wants to see the Zune succeed.  

1.  Get a manual.  As I said, I am a first time user of an mp3 player.  I could have used the help.  Online support isn't very helpful, either.  This started our relationship off on a sour note.  I couldn't easily find information that should have been simple to locate.

2.  On the issue of support-my experience with CS was terrible.  Aside from the fact that I couldn't understand the guy, he couldn't help me!  When the software wouldn't load, I had to solve my own problem by comparing my computer's registry to another computer's settings then guessing on some changes.  Don't know for sure what I did, but it worked.

3.  Please, Please, PLEASE fix the skipping AND lag issues in this coming update.  I know that hundreds of rants have been posted on this already, but this bothers me more than anything else about my purchase.  It is plain and simple:  a music playback device that doesn't play back music smoothly IS A DEFECTIVE DEVICE!    I don't care if it is a *new* product.  It was sold to me as a music player.  It can't perform this task correctly.  That means it is defective.  I was sold a product that does not have the ability to correctly perform its core purpose.  We are not talking about an ancillary feature.  Playing music is the Zune's primary purpose.  Period.  Sure-glitches are to be expected.  But I have been having this problem for weeks now.  At times it is so bad that I just want to throw my Zune into a wall or something.  And if (or rather, when) it starts to do the skipping stuff, heaven forbid that I could fast forward to the next track!  The lag between pushing a button and seeing a result at times can be so long I wonder if I didn't hit the button hard enough or something.  Then I read that it could be weeks until the fix is released.  And MS admits (according to what I have read) that they have known about this problem.  I feel abandonded by them.  Not so much by the fact that a fix is taking awhile.  I am no software guru.  For all I know a fix might be impossible.  What I do know is that it is good business sense to reach out to us.  We took a chance on a product in a category dominated by another.  It would have been easier to go the other route.  If I were a businessman in a similar situation, I would be doing whatever I could to  make things right with my current customer base.  Give us a free month of the Zune pass or a certain number of credits or something.  Some showing of goodwill would do much to ease my frustration with the situation and I am sure it would for many others as well.  

Sorry about the soapbox.  I just get so darn frustrated with it :)

4.  EQ adjustments would be great.  And being able to link EQ settings to songs or albums or genres would be nice.  Perhaps we can but I can't seem to find that chapter in the manual...

5.  I would love to be able to hit a button while a song is playing during shuffle and hear the rest of that song's album.  Do other players have that ability?  

6.  Can the length of time for video conversion be shortened?

I am a music teacher.  I have lots of students who have music players.  I only know of 2 with a Zune.  A third bought one after seeing mine.  He returned it and got an ipod after one day because he couldn't get the software to load.  No problem with the ipod.  I have a co-worker with an old ipod.  She is getting ready to buy a new player.  She will NOT be buying a Zune.  She has used mine but MS has simply dropped the ball as far as providing an alternative to her.  Lets face it-Zune was rushed to market and is paying the price for its too early release.  I understand that some of the features others have asked for are a stretch at best.  But although I like my Zune, for $250 I feel that I could have gotten more for my money.  

why not just fix it so that the songs show there correct photo from teh id3 tag instead of all songs inheret the same photo that the last song uploaded has. come on BASICS here. why add features when you cant even fix the basics ??

I have tons of Japanese music. In the Zune client software it shows up fine. In the Zune itself, it only shows square boxes where the Japanese characters should be.

REALLY annoying!

Since this somewhat of a place to post ideas, I guess I can share some of mine. You probably know about people wanting podcasts, zune to zune, wireless syncing and etc.. but mine are a little simpler and I think will make people (some) happy.

Why not have a feature where you can save your quick list? Maybe have it so when you do save it, next time you sync with the software, it will let you know you have chosen to save a quick list. Then the software gives you an option to name it.

A clock. I think this will be a pretty cool feature. Make it either available when you're browsing or when a song is playing, or both.

Why not font changes? Size, font, maybe even color. Another thing also, with the software. Why not be able to have skins? Not really skins, but something like themes, according to your Zune. Why is there is only a black theme for the software? Why not have Brown and White as well?

Just a few simple ideas, nothing too much. I'm going to be honest, I have been really disappointed with the lack of updates on firmware. It was released and then nothing. At first, I doubt people minded. I mean it's a new product, you guys want to get it out there, but now it's very disappointing. Just my two cents.

I just want to be able to shuffle my setlists...Is that too much to ask?

If they don't want to add new features...why don't they just release a source code or something because they are hundreds of people right now that are wanting to unlock some of the Zune's potential so it can be used in linux/rockbox and thus be more successful. That's one of the main reasons why the iPod became so successful....

1. Please release the Zune in Canada, or at least give us an update.

2. Play audio RSS feeds wirelessly like the PSP.

It is the only thing I use my PSP for anymore. It is a great feature to be able to save the RSS feed and then play back content wirelessly.  (I listen to various podcasts when I go to bed)

I would also like to see Zune make use of the Tag feature, that is in vista, especialy for pictures, that would be cool:)

Great now the marketing guy is deleting posts that have the slightest hint of someone dissenting from the company line.

So let's go big...YOU GUYS F@$&#NG SUCK!  I SPENT $400 (accessories included) and I can't even listen to music without the skipping.  YES I KNOW IT'S COMING...But you denied the problem for months, then when the fix is coming it's not even timely.  That's why MS sucks.  And Cesar you and your marketing team are F@&*#NG idiots if you think the Zune can survive this corporate debacle.  

Yeah you will delete this but at least you're hearing my complaints for the upteenth time.

I'd like to preface my comments by saying that I intentionally bought the Zune and from a general standpoint, I'm happy with my purchase (even if MS Australia isn't; they released a press statement telling us Aussies not to buy a Zune...whoops, too late).

1.  I concur that Album Artist sorting on the Zune is desperately needed.  Both the Zune software and WMP do this (on the artist tab) so why can't the Zune device itself.

2.  If you plan to concur the world with this device, why not get it out to some more markets besides the USA.  I know you want the whole package, with the store and local resellers and so forth, but common, it's not even available in the UK yet. There are people outside the USA that are hankering for a Zune you know.

3. Make the software suck less.  Right now, while I've got the Zune plugged in, every other app on the system slows to an absolute crawl.  I'm not even syncing, it's just plugged in.  If it were me, I'd dump the software and move Zune specific stuff back into WMP as one/several plug-ins.  Why the hell would I want two seperate music players on my computer.  At least make the libraries (particularly ratings) between Zune and WMP sync up.

4.  If you're going to keep the Zune software (again not my first preference), at least allow 3rd party plug-ins.  I want my last.fm support.

5.  Create a Last.fm clone, with a Zune angle.  Seriously, Zune is supposed to be about the "social", and Last.fm is about as social as a music site can get.  Be warned though, if you do it, it has to be better than Last.fm in every way, otherwise there will be massive backlash, it which case, you should add 3rd party plug-in support so we can get a Last.fm plug-in.

6. Podcasting support (yep, another vote for that)

Okay I was wondering how can I delete my songs Im having trouble can some one help?

im about to buy a zune tomoro

but im like 80% chance on buying it i mean

what the f^%$ ive been doing research on this product and all i hear is complaints here and here i am a creative customer having a 30gb lime greative it was the shit it has microphone recodring implanted in it no accessories by computer reads it as external hard drive all i have to do is right click in any of my software programs and its automaticaly goes to my creative the reason i wanted to change is that i love the big screen and i was hoping the whole wifi thing got a little better i mean all of my friends have the LG mp3 phones and they can f*&^$ing bluetooth there music to each other and they can listen to it anytime they want tono limits and shit like this ive always been with MS when it came to music but i use a imac for my filming and watching the keynotes for the updates for the macs new toys and what not i just got to MS ur digging a grave full of shit but ill prolly by the dman thing tomoro n if things go wrong on it i better get my money back and no silly games buying a product is like buying a car u dont give ur customer a lemon it adds up and eventuall the lil social is going to die but there alot of people on here that have some interesting ideas on improve the zune and i would agree to alot that sound reasonable and inexpensible to what ur handing out

thank you

Cesar, i love my zune and all, i love how it feels and the quality and everything but the zune could do SO much better. Help us out here man we payed money for this thing and it doesn't even have a clock? common.. also WiFi should be able to do something other than trade music with a zune for 3 days, is that even useful at all? if you made WiFi do something you'd have 10x more adopters from ipod. I decided to drop my ipod and get a zune and although i love it i am extremely dissapointed by tones of things you could have done.

Here are some things that'd would be very nice to see get updated in times to come.

- A clock, like common man, of ALL the things you DON'T have A CLOCK?! WHY A CLOCK?! thats so easy to put on..

- Let WiFi do something, MSN, AIM, even internet access would be nice, im not asking you to re-invent the zune just give us a virtual keyboard and let us work from there. the WiFi is such a useful thing to hvae, why not utilize it instead of making it do some stupid 3 day trade. waste of time.

- More EQ's would be nice, maybe more bass?

- The zune program should be able to convert videos before so we don't have to let our zune sit there while its just converting and coverting THAN adding the videos. why not let it convert before so it saves us time.

- thats my main concerns, some more stuff would be nice but those are the main things id liek to see get fixed.

The main thing i'd like to see though would be WiFi doing something. I have wifi sitting there doing nothing, and thats why this zune cost me 250+? A wifi that can't do anything useful and thats the reason it cost me an ipod video that could do and has more features than the zune.. wow. dude seriosly when you update it, give us the BASICS atleast.. i can almost garuntee you that if you were to let wifi access internet and chat online and stuff, you would actually become the "ipod killer" but right now your just another stomping ground for the ipod since the zune doesn't even have a clock.. when i go out i dont have my phone all the time so i rely on my zune WHCIH apparently DOES NOT have a clock. don't depress man, don't let us down, when you update and give us more firmware and stuff, make it GOOOD and worth our money, BECOME the "ipod killer" liek your supposed to be, not another mp3 player that gets crushed by apple, AGAIN..

Thanks for reading and please PLEASE take this into consideration, i don't want to feel liek i wasted my money on a zune that doesn't even compare to a ipod which costs the exact same..

Long play lists don't work - it would be nice to have fixed.  I have a lot of stuff on my zune - audio books, music, even sound effects.  I like to have a single long play list i can shuffle - about 3000 songs.  It turns out the Zune software never syncs a playlist past a certain size so it just disappears.

I also do not buy anything from Zune Marketplace anymore and would not sign up for the $15 plan due to skipping.  The limited number of downloads stinks, along with the type coupling of a Zune device with a specific computer.  I just replaced my laptop and I had to re-download all the protected content (download 3 of 5 possible).  No way I am going to buy anything else from Marketplace.

I find I am using my old iPod whenever I want to listen to DRM downloaded music - their limits are different and better.

What would be REALLY cool would to allow programmers to program their own programs on the Zune. For example, as a VB8 programmer, allow me to program "Pong" and put it on my Zune, and have it be playable.

If I were allowed to do that, I'd be willing to spend another $250 on my Zune if needed.

I am also a previous iPod user and I would like some of the functionality that I used daily to show up on my Zune.  Here is my list (some repeats from above):

1) Dynamic smart playlist on the Zune.  This is already happening on the PC software.

2) I would like the ability to shuffle full albums  as well as individual songs

3) Of course, podcast and audio book bookmarking support

4) A quick "Now Playing" menu option

5) Not sure if it's possible, but I would like to be able to skip music during a picture slide show

6) If I am listening to a playlist and leave the Zune for awhile, when I come back and start my Zune again it's on the top level menu.  I would like to have an option to come back to exactly where I was OR the top level menu after being away for awhile.

I would like to see a shuffle function on the quick list.  I actually like the quick list a lot: I can add artists, albums, genres or whatever I'm in the mood for.  I would just prefer not to listen to it in order.

I would love to see native support for the zune on the linux os.  I very recently switched from XP to Ubuntu Edgy and am having a great deal of trouble getting my zune to work (as far as I know, nobody has).  Virtual machines have also been giving me trouble, so they are not really an option.  I havent been able to sync or update my zune in a while and it is bugging me greatly.  Even a simple plugin for, say, rhythmbox (or another linux player) would be awesome.  Thanks much.

Anyone here realize that more people could have bought the Zune if there was better Firmware out?

Cause most people I know that want a Zune are waiting for that one badass firmware to come so they jump on the bandwagon with the rest of us.

HI! PLEASE AD A CLOCK FUNCTION.....I ALMOST BOUGHT A IPOD BEACAUSE THERE IS NO CLOCK FUNCTION THE ZUNE...I GUESS MANY PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY....AD THE CLOCK!!! IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!!

THNX

Here are my suggestions:

1. Support .wav files.

2. Allow me to use Windows Media Player to sync the device.

http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2007/07/31/at-all-day-offsite-meetings.aspx#9965

Why was this feature removed in the firmware updates?  I greatly appreciated it in the old firmware.  PLEASE FIX!

OMG I thought I was the only one with that skipping problem and the scilence but im glad I'm not alone that needs to be fixed. Serously though It shouldnt take all this work to listen to my music. All these updates are driving me INSANE and they take forever and a day!

Ok so, i have had a zune or quiet a while now and you know, and i love it BUT there is one major flaw i have. i want to be able to read my music in a different language. i want japanese to appear, and korean. it is a bunch of crap that ipods can do it and you cant. this is the kind of little things that make people want to go to ipods

Please fix the language problem. Me and my friends listen to a lot of Japanese music and are tired of seeing little rectangles.

I am EXTREMELY disappointed at the lack of Asian language font support! It didn't even occur to me to check if the Zune had such support because... WHY WOULDN'T IT? Ugh. Had I known it wouldn't support the display of my Japanese, Korean, and Chinese songs, I would have stuck with Creative for my new player.

WHEN are we going to see support for foreign language such as Japanese! Having foreign language should just be a given! I have lots of Japanese music and I'm so sick of seeing little squares instead of characters!