alright! fans rejoice!

I have never had any problems with my Zune so I guess I won't be noticing very much from this update.  

Good to hear the skipping issues some folks had will be solved at last.

Hmmm.  Well I hope they have some surprises for us.  As I've said in a few other places, I couldn't care less about a clock or sleep timer.

The most important update in my mind is a proper storage driver.  Here I am carrying around a 30gb drive, and I can't put documents on it.  It's only about half full of music, and I'd like to stop carrying this bulky external 3.5" drive around.

If that causes problems for the RIAA, then make me partition off a section of the drive or something.  I can peel off 2-3gb and set them aside for documents easily.  Of course, having the ability to "squirt" a powerpoint to a colleague would truly be the killer app on this device.

Beyond that, kill the 3x3 rule for non-marketplace files.  I can't even keep pocasts given to me by the very people that MADE the things.  There's something inherently wrong with that.  Keep YOUR drm off MY stuff.

I'm glad you're fixing some bugs (though I wasn't experiencing any of them anyway), but a couple of new features would be lovely...

Of course my ultimate wish would be MP3s in the Zune marketplace. Even if it were just from Indie labels. Is there anything you can say about that?

I'm sad to say that I simply won't buy DRM-ed music. I'd far rather find the stuff I want on MP3 blogs, or buy a CD then rip to MP3.

(note: for mp3, you can substitute ogg vorbis or any other open format - i'm aware of the recent alcatel-lucent court judgement against MS)

I'm disappointed, damn we deserve more than that!  We've been waiting for too long.  The clock and other small things.  I could understand the video in the marketplace might take a while but, how hard is it to implement minor fixes.

Still no support for Audible books (.aa format) in this firmware release?

I'll admit, I don't yet own a Zune.  I have my money in hand, and would buy one this afternoon if someone could confirm that Zune will definitely support Audible in the not too distant future.  I spend nearly 2 hours a day on my commute, and Audible books are my entertainment during the drive.  I'm not going to spend the money only to have to carry around one device for Audible books, and a Zune for my music.  But man, I sure do want that Zune...

The skipping will finally be fixed! There is nothing more irritating than the skipping and lag on the player when trying to skip ahead a track or two. Thanks Cesar for the update!

Huzzah!

Specific information and deadlines are always good; hopefully we won't have to put Cesar through any undeserved pain if the "deadline" is missed. :-P

That's good to hear. I like how the Zune team is fixing the bugs first. New features can wait.

LPX

www.ZuneBoards.com

don't give specific dates about a release ask major nelson about that, instead say mid to late march. if the team finds a bug on the 19 and it needs a week to fix, there is going to be a lot of flaming.

i also second mel's post

Observation: I wonder how many of the posters have a technical background. No, I don't mean they're techies, nor that they have been an avid fan of the tech industry for a long time. I mean people with engineering backgrounds who have taken Computer Architecture and low level software development classes and can actually vouch for these "simple fixes". Remember that a clock, for example, isn't necessarilly a simple fix. Although a simple clock may be easily implemented, to conform to the Zune interface it would probably take a few days of work, days that could be spent on developing other more important features. I'm confident that the project managers are using every available resource and time to work on prioritized fixes. Now I'm rambing and my message is getting fuzzier, but as an Engineering student I seem to sympathize more with the team than the most demanding and unsympathetic people do (note: those who are just demanding have every right to be).

Somewhere in there was a point, have fun on your adventure finding that point :)

Oh, and marketing people have it tough too. Don't worry Cesar, you're covered in my book too!

Brad- I love audible too; I convert the files to mp3 (google it, its pretty easy) and split the file into smaller ones. Its an inelegant solution, and I'd be thrilled if they got audible support, but it hasn't stopped me from getting a Zune.

I'm happy to know that they're still working on the Zune. I assume features will be developed over time. Cesar's willingness to communicate with us is a big reason I bought one.

just add an internet browser and im OK

Sorry Cesar but I am jumping ship.  I converted my Zune to a dedicated video player for my daughter and I am switching to the ipod.

I have had my Zune since launch and I get so frustrated with it, I just don't use it.

Maybe I will buy back in when the product is more mature (figuring a year or two).  As a shareholder of MSFT, please keep up the good work and I hope for success.

Please make note that I know there are more people like me that are ready to bail out.  People that were waiting for more functionality only to find out the only update coming is to fix problems are fed up.  

Just wondering if there is a fix to the shut off because of static, or whatever keeps randomly shutting off my zune while I'm on the go.

That's really all I want.

That and a fade instead of a 1 second pause inbetween each track.

FINALLY...I've been fighting with skipping forever (3 zunes and exchange for an IPOD).  So my question; will I need to reload all my ZMP music to the Zune or will it repair the files while on my Zune?  

Chris I would think the actual songs have nothing to do with it. The problems lies within the Zune itself and that is why a firmware update will fix it. I don't have this problem since I do not have a Zune Pass.

I'm very dissapointed! Where are the features??? Where are the features for both the Zune and the Marketplace??? You're limiting my entertainment!

I just might have to switch to another player, maybe I'll go back to iPod after all. This waiting list is going for too long...

I'm not sure of the exact date when these issues were first idenfied, but your big announcement is that roughly 3 weeks from now your best customers...the ones that took a leap of faith and bought the Zune...are going to finally get a patch (not a firmware update) to fix the mistakes that you guys overlooked in the initial release?!?!

If this was adding new features, I'd be willing to accept your description of it being a firmware update.  But this is a patch, pure and simple!

It sounds to me as if the development team was working on other stuff thinking that the current Zune owners would sit around quietly.  Once the masses started complaining...they said "Oh #%&*!!!" we better do something.  THREE WEEKS for a patch!?!?!?  Come on!  You're the king of software...aren't you??

Consider me disappointed!

Just to comment on the previous: they were on all those parties promoting the Zunes! Super!

First, thanks, Cesar, and the others behind the magic curtain, for giving us something!  Period.  You gave us more information than we had before, and I'm grateful.

Can I request some clarification?  Are you saying that the 1.3 firmware release in mid-March and enhancements that are TBA are mutually exclusive?  Or is it possible that the mid-March release will have some enhancements as well, but you just can't talk about that part of the release yet?  I'd like to think it's at least *possible* we'll get a couple of enhancements in addition the the bug fixes in the 1.3 release.

To address Lord Baker,

I am a professional developer.  For example, you can see my pic on the front of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-ASP-NET-Databases-using-C/dp/B0000B0SZ5/sr=8-5/qid=1172701471/ref=sr_1_5/104-4862204-4471900?ie=UTF8&s=books.  

I point this out, not to brag to a bunch of anonymous people that I'll never meet in my life, but simply to show that some of us do, in fact, completely understand what goes into developing a seemingly simple feature.  I'm not recommending enhancements and supposing they can be done in an hour.  Most of us (there are exceptions) aren't even making idle threats about switching to another platform.  We simply want to be heard, want the Zune team to know that we care, and want to, in return, hear from them.  Personally, if my Zune never got another feature, I'd still use it, because it meets my needs now.  I want this platform to succeed, however, in the overall marketplace, and I don't believe it can in its current form.  If it existed in a vacuum, then, sure, it would do fine.  But it's barely a blip on the radar screen of most purchaser's thoughts compared to the iPod.  It can't simply be close to the iPod.  It has to exceed it in features.  It does in some ways.  But it falls woefully short in others.  

Cesar and the others on the Zune team, you've created a good product.  You've given us a larger screen, FM radio, subscription music, and WiFi.  The iPod can't match this.  Now we look forward to the software matching the hardware!  Bring it on :)!

John

Okay another question...Am I the only one that experiences the Zune vibrating when syncing and/or playing music?  Is this potential linked to the skipping of songs?

Thanks

Chris,

It has a hard drive inside, so some vibration wouldn't be unusual.  Excessive vibration (you'll just have to use your gut on how much is "excessive") might be indicative of a hard drive problem.  My hunch is that everything is fine.

WOW disappointed!!! Although I happy that other peoples problems are fixed...

At the very least I was expecting a CLOCK....

I read something about Microsoft throwing more weight behind new zune products as opposed to upgrading the current device.  Just using common sense, the first firmware update to add new features probably won't be around until sometime in the summer or end of summer.  A few months later, they'll probably drop the new zune.  Therefore, I'm not really expecting anything more from this device from this point on.  

Microsoft just wanted to put "something" onto the market and they accomplished this.  This firmware update in march will give us the device that we should have been purchasing in November.  But, we all have a choice here.  If we're not satisfied, we jump ship.  Personally, I want to wait until the smoke clears for next holiday.  I want to see what Apple comes out with and see what the Zune team comes up with.  I see from both companies (Apple & MS) that you basically get what you pay for on their music platforms.  No XBOX 360-like super updates to make you happy about your purchase.  That's fine with me...we just know what we're dealing with now.

Due to their enormous size, MS will probably always remain slow and methodical.  But, they always come through.  Look at the XBOX.  It took 5 years, but they did it.  If we factor in everything, things should start heating up in this ipod-zune battle by 2011.  No joke.

What really? Iv been waiting for so long for something, anything in the form of new features. Before i bought my zune i heard all these promises of commitment to the zune. So im quite annoyed to know that i was suckered into this and purcchased one. After a few months the only thing added has been a community section. Great. Just what i asked for. There ha sbeen so many requests for firmware updates and suggestions (albeit some far fetched), and yet there has been nothing. Now i have to wait til near the end of this month for a patch, not an update, no new features. The new features are not even confirmed. Right now im furious with microsoft for this. False Promises and a device which is pathetic compared to others on the market. Even the Ipod which i hate with a passion. Get your act together.

Wow, I'm really suprised at all the people commenting about how dissapointed they are. I may be the only person empathetic for the programmers of the firmware. They have to find a way to fix the bugs, do it so that no more bugs are created, and make sure the firmware is under the 2MB Flash size. All in a semi fast pace. Come on, guys, you should be happy that they are fixing all the known software bugs(the static thing is hardware and probably can't be fixed). Let them fix the current bugs before they try to add stuff to the firmware. Give them a break, I'm sure they want to add stuff as much as you want it added, but sitting here complaining about it and threatening to go to the iPod isn't going to help.

Be patient.

and to go with those *crazy* wishes for update ideas, i would like to say some things. i had realized, watching videos on my zune that it would be awesome to have either.. 1- live videos streaming like t.v. over some type of internet connection, or most likely and way awesomer, 2- dowloadable videos from an internet connection similar to the xbox 360's xbox live video thing... and with that a pass similar to the zune marketplace but one that includes videos... and also video transfers from xbox to zune, and if possible, wirelessly... xbox live arcade games on my zune (with multiplayer via wifi)... that would be AWEsome but incredibly unlikely, but which ever of those is possible with this model, is deffinately ok to be on the *next* update.

Interesting...  About half my music collection is from the Zune Pass and the only way I can make the songs (ANY song) skip a little bit is if I turn on the wireless while the music is playing...  Hope this update doesn't fix one thing and break 5... Like Dish Network PVR updates... ;)

Thank you!!! I love my zune and am just glad to know that yall are listening and still working. Thanks for keeping the Zune team and zune user community connected :) and also thanks for the zunited jersey ;) soo awesome!!

Kris

So does this mean that turning it off the normal way instead of the holding back, and down will be OK now, or will that still kill battery life?

The one major feature I'd like added, to the Zune Software, is plug-in support. I was baffled when I found out that the Zune didn't work with WMP. The Zune software seems like a WMP11 skin from a design standpoint - Can we please get plug-in support? I'm a dedicated Last.FM user and I'm tired of using both WMP and Zune software for my syncing / playback needs.

gimme a break. like the Microsoft cannot hire more programmers or like they have only a couple to work on all of the features. I thought they could do better. They shouldn't release the Zune now with all the promises of updates. I think they should have waited till November 2007 then.

once again very dissapointed!

Well, that wouldn't be a really good idea because I payed A LOT of money to get a zune. What seperated me from the other mp3 players was the Wi-Fi feature and the large screen. The hardware is entirely there. Everything is there. Hell, the hardware is faster than the computer my dad bought in 98. There's a lot of people with zune's, believe it or not. I seem some in the train and quite a lot in school for being a couple months old product. Fix this then move onto the other product. I understand that you guys want to add a better experience, but what about the other people that forked out hundreds of dollars for a DAP. Of course, I support Microsoft as a company because they're reliable but what you guys need to do is fix the 1st zune then show that you guys are ready for the 2nd zune because you will have a bigger fanbase and will show that you guys can put anything out there. This thing has total capabilities of syncing via Wi-Fi, web browser (not entirely important), buying songs from hotspots, or using the zune to do something other than sending songs. It would be really frustrating if you left the hundreds of thousands, perhaps, millions that bought the zune and then 10-12 months later you guys release a new zune. The zune is not well matured enough to be in consideration of a newer zune. I'm not saying that you guys should stop developing the new zune because I would really like it but I would say that firmware updates will get more people into zune's. The reason why the ipod isn't that good is because it takes new hardware for them to make something as simple as videos. We all know that the ipods back in the ipod photo's used linux/rockbox and played videos via that. Hell, they got Doom 1 and 2 running on that. What I ask of you guys is try to sqeeze out at least 3/4 of the Zune's capability to make it a real player seperating it from the other one's out there. I hope zune dev's read this because I am trying to voice for the majority of the people. Thank you for the firmware update.

THANK YOU! Looking forward to having my Zune actually play music on it without irritation!

zune has become dormant and its slowly dying.

i still can't find a zune in my surroundings in Irving,TX

And i see no marketing efforts from MS to let the world know about Zune.

No games , No apps  yet. and no roadmap .

Solo sucks. sell more Zunes.

I would love to get a reply to Spencer's comment regarding the battery life.

"SpencerSo does this mean that turning it off the normal way instead of the holding back, and down will be OK now, or will that still kill battery life?"

Thank you for telling us when and what is coming.  That helps a lot.  You have no idea.  It keeps people grounded and doesn't have them thinking a host of new features are going to be available if they just stay up until midnight every night.  Now we can watch videos and play music and not worry about anything until after 1.3 is out.  And yes, then we'll be wondering about 1.4, but at least for now I have a reprieve.

One more thing in my other post. Of course, like blackzune says, there needs to be more marketing. But with the current dry features the zune currently has, it is not worth marketing it. I am telling you now, if you guys do not improve the zune right now, you will lose at least 25% of customers that bought it. When people buy these types of products they are wanting for the best out there. Currently the ipod is what most people are getting. Sure the sharing feature is nice but with 3x3, it's useless. If it would've been unlimited, TRUST ME!!!! There would have been a ton of people buying zune's and actually sharing in the trains/public places. What you guys need to do is not play catchup with a product but BEAT them at their own game. Games are nice but most people don't use their mp3 for gaming unless you can play via Wi-Fi which again would be a total killer app. If you guys leave the customers that bought the zune in the dust you will have a lesser customer base. There is so many blogs and forums out there and many people are buying the zune just for the sole fact that we are waiting for Microsoft to deliver what we really want. I may be just a high-school student, but as a high school student I know what the "social" is really all about. It's not about trading songs then being deleted after 3 plays 3 days. That's just lame. Please Ceasar consider this because there is so many of us waiting for something to be added.

thanks everybody for the comments! Please note: http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2006/11/27/if-your-comment-got-deleted-here-s-why.aspx

no spam, no swearing, and no insulting other commenters :)

Can we please get AM. :)  Seriously I love everything about my zune so far, honestly I would like to see more movies available on marketplace.

thanks

Thanks for the update.

Thank you Cesar for "listening".

Also, i used to see , some Zunes in sams club.

now-a-days , i don't even see them .

Event at the costco's .. i see only iPods.

In person, i don't know a single soul, who bought a Zune. after i bought my zune , i know at least 10 people around me ..buying iPods.

people are not getting convinced with Zune.

All i could realize now is , when it comes to gadgets , it doesn't matter to people, what you have in your gadget , unless its sleek and sexy.

Cesar you rock and so does the release manager.

Reading some of the comments here - I feel bad for being part of that crowd in the previous thread. Why don't we wait till end of march ;) till we start again?

I'm totally on with blackzune. You guys need to provide a compelling feature why people would buy a zune rather than an ipod. This is why the xbox became a success because it was the first console to introduce online gaming. That's why everyone has it. You provide a compelling feature no ipod has and microsoft will dominate at this. You guys keep the current ways and you won't see so many people buying zune's.

So, assuming that the 1.3 firmware includes ONLY the items Cesar mentioned above in his post, how will you feel about the 1.3 update?

Are you asking me jorge? If so, I feel all nice and mushy inside ;) Frankly, I'm happy that they are working on something and that they are listening.

One of the reasons I gave up my iPod (5th gen) to my brother was because I knew that with the iPod what I had was what I would have. With the Zune there was a chance of more (a risk I took).

Cesar updates us on some information on the next firmware update for the Zune: version 1.3. The following

Where is the part about adding lossless audio support?

Excellent - that is truly great news.

I finally came to wit's end today at work with the skipping problem.  I have made a call to tech support about every 30 days since I got my 2 Zunes, both of which exhibit skipping.

Zune support was always glad to point out that it is a known issue, and that they were working on it.  Since a firmware update is coming out that will fix the skipping, that's awesome.  But 20 minutes before I saw this post I was on the phone with tech support again, and realized that I've been paying for a Zune pass for 3 months that I really haven't been able to use.  When I inquired whether there was a provision for a credit (a free month maybe?), I was told that there was a no-refund policy.    

I'm too tired to argue.  I have $700 wrapped up in 2 Zunes docks and chargers, so what's another $13/month or whatever?  Plus,  every third song does indeed play without skipping, so it must be good enough.  If I catch my Zune at the end of a song instead of the beginning, I can even adjust the volume.  But at least now I can focus on the future, and know that someday I might at last be able to listen to it without going nuts.

I'm not ranting on my Zune.  Customer service, yeah, a little bit.  But I'd do it all over again if given a choice.  And that concerns me most of all.

A little bit of pressure finally pays off. Doesn't sound like a major update.. maybe im just too picky! At least progress is in sight.

you complainers need to understand that m$ has not even been working on the og zune all this time.  they have been busy writing the software for the zune2.  only because of our complaints have they decided to finally do something about the problems.  you will not be seeing new features on the og zune until atleast 2 months after zune2 is released.

When I saw the announcement for a firmware update my heart skipped a beat. Podcast support! Audible book support! Increased wireless functionality! More goodies! But alas, as I read through Cesar's post I saw none of this was actually occurring. I was disappointed to say the least.  I love my Zune and have faith that at least some of these features will be added at some point. But if the Zune wants to rectify itself after the embarrassment it suffered during its launch and keep any more users from "jumping ship" then it had better hurry before its too late. But I guess functionality before features...whatever, but who am I kidding- I just want some freakin podcast support.

Appleinsider posted the results from NPD Group's latest survey...what's the word on the Zune??

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2533

Still trying to sell your millionth unit??  With dwindling user support and even less marketing "umph"...all while the sales of the market leader are growing...

As a software developer and a Zune user, I was disappointed the second I "preordered" this huge black box they are calling Zune. I have worked on 3 low level development projects since the launch of the Zune. We haven't done one patch, mostly because... they weren't needed after our launches. As for the Zune, the hardware is there... freakin' use it. Wifi syncing? Get on it, or just let Apple beat you to it. Wow, nothing adding but a few bug patches? These are simple code changes? Power management for just the radio? Ummm... a few lines of code to turn the radio off... Done. Here is some psuedo code...

if power is suspended AND radio is active

-- then turn the damn radio off.

Come on. The plan on releasing games to this thing by '08? Whatever. I'm out. Oh, Cesar, go back to the Xbox team... Apple is laughing at the Zune.

I vote for a clock to be added somewhere!

Cesar, Thank you man!!!  You give me faith in Zune still.  Although, I must admit that I had hoped for more.  Like others have said, I want to see Zune become a huge success.  It had pained me to see the growing complaints on the forums.  I know you all are working hard and probably could use more support.  Keep up the good work and thank you for taking the "feedback" so well.  I thought you might just shut down this blog.  By keeping it up, it tells me you all do care and are truly interested in making the Zune a success.  I look forward to seeing future updates.  I hope James continues to keep us informed.  Those of us who took the risk on Zune, deserve the respect you've shown in this blog by giving us some news.  Thank you!  Thanks for the shoutout also!  

Cesar, thanks bro...I'll take anything but I admit that I had assumed something more rich than 3 bug fixes.  I also assume that you are only able to talk about the firmware as it relates to current Zune capabilities.

I was just thinking, why not allow executable code run on the zune? Open the device up. That way, the community can fuel the fire, and create everything it wants for itself. Look at how big homebrew has come for the psp, it has streaming internet radio, streaming tv and video players, podcast/vidcast support, games, file sharing and everything everybody wants for the zune. Don't get me wrong, you could control the whole thing(think the XNA system where you have to pay to program for it) so that hackish programs aren't allowed. You could then have a community based website for all the programs made for it and that would be the way that non-techie users could get the cool stuff. Instead of rushing around trying to program the features everyone wants, just put it into the communities hands and let it prosper.

JiveMasta has a great idea....

I see the potential of the Zune, but I am tired of waiting for firmware updates. These past ones have done nothing but fix mistakes already in the device, many of which I don't even have. I would like to see new features, and I think the quickest and most successful way would be to open it up to the homebrew community. There are many examples of  open-source/homebrew leading to success. Just look at psp's homebrew scene, firefox's add-ons, etc.

I hope my comments aren't grouped into the same category as some of the very negative, off-base posts above.  I do hope, though, that they get linked with the good ones ;).

Here are my opinions on some of the issues raised above... I have no idea about the accuracy, they're just guesses!!!  Also, they're in no particular order.

Zune2

-----

Sure, Microsoft is probably working on other iterations of the Zune product line.  They've made no secret that the Zune brand is more than just this one product.  However, I think it's unfair to say that they're abandoning development on the "ZuneV1" because of it.  Microsoft is a software company first.  They know how to update software to make it better.  That's what they do, better than hardware.  So I have to believe they're taking the same approach here, and will make the ZuneV1 better, while working on the ZuneV2 in parallel.

AM Radio

--------

I'm guessing they don't have an AM tuner in the device.  I have no way of knowing that for sure.  If they don't, then we'll never see AM on it.

Windows Media Player

--------------------

This one's interesting.  I did some experimenting yesterday, and I was able to play all of my Zune music through WMP.  I couldn't access the Marketplace to download it, obviously, but once it was in the library, it worked like a charm.  What's even more interesting is that I was able to sync it to my HTC Hermes Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and it played!!!  So, I can have my music in both places.  I can't fit a ton on my 2GB flash card, but it's enough for my "emergency" music needs :).

WiFi for other things

---------------------

I can see Wifi used for intermittent song sharing, syncing, etc.  But for things like browsing, it just wouldn't be practical because of one thing: battery life.  First, if you're viewing information, that means the screen is on, which kills battery life.  Second, there's a significant amount of processor usage when doing things like rendering pages, etc.  Finally, many of these other things people would like to see wifi used for would access the hard drive frequently, which would also impact battery life tremendously.

3x3 DRM

-------

It's interesting.  Someone above said "Keep YOUR DRM off MY device".  Hmmm... I would suggest that maybe you need to keep your hands off a Zune.  You bought it, knowing the limitation, and now you act like it's your "right" to do something other than what the product supports.  Let's face it... like it or not, people steal music.  Yep, it's stealing.  Justify it however you want, but the people who compose and perform this music do so expecting to be paid.  Every stolen song takes money out of their pocket.  I don't like the antics of many of these artists any more than the next guy, but I still believe they're entitled to be paid for what they do.  And do you know what people forget?  Music is a luxury.  You don't have to have music to live.  If you can't afford it/dispise the artists/hate the record companies, you have a choice: don't listen to the music!  

Because of theft, DRM is required, even for unprotected songs, because the vast majority of non-DRM music on devices out there is stolen (yes, using allofmp3.com is stealing, too!).  And people would pass these stolen songs around constantly.  The record companies can't allow that, and they shouldn't.  If Microsoft told them they were removing the 3x3 limitation, Microsoft wouldn't be able to sell music.  If they couldn't sell music, they wouldn't make the Zune.  If they didn't make the Zune, we wouldn't be able to be here complaining, would we?

Again, these are just my *opinions* on these seemingly hot-button issues.  Anyone else have any constructive thoughts?

John

Well here we have it from the horses mouth. The 1.3 firmware will have "no major feature updates to the player" according to Zune marketing director Jason Reindorp.

You can read all about it here:

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+issue+software+fix+for+Zune+skipping+glitch/2100-1027_3-6163289.html

MSN direct on Zune would be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the patch!  I just about threw my Zune into a wall today after it skipped for what seemed like the millionth time.  Very good news!  Now...how about some new features so my ipod-equipped co-workers can stop saying "I told you so!".

Dan H. - I read J.Reindorp comments and I am really disappointed not by what will be in the firmware update so much as his view of the current Zune device.  It seems the only thing he cares about is keeping a music centric experience.  I don't see Zune that way and I think there is a large segment of us who were looking forward to using the Zune large screen for video.

Steve -Good point. What's the point of a nice beautiful large screen if you're not going to exploit it for video as a competitive advantage.

It looks more and more like Microsoft REALLY doesn't understand how to compete in this market.  

Apple just announced they have sold over 90 million iPods to date, and Microsoft announces that they're on plan to meet their goal of selling 1 million Zunes by end of June. Soon the iPhone comes out, and then the new iPods for Christmas will likely be the iPhone minus the phone (but including the wi-fi) the Zune is dead.

Some of you guys give me hope (Matt Luers). I will now begin development on this super duper DAP I will call ENUZ, but instead of releasing it with all the features that every other DAP has/had for years (Like UMS, Clock/Sleep, bookmarks etc.), I will throw it out there knowing you will buy it regardless, yeah that's it!

FINALLY. I've been waiting for this firmware update. I will purchase a zune probably a little while after this firmware update comes out. unless i decide to wait until version 2 of the zune

Zune won't last at all if it only concentrates on music.

I'd just like to chime in and say that info like this is one reason I enjoy being part of the Zune community! It's not like you are handing out Earth-shattering secrets (which you can't do), but even this bit of info is way more than you get from other device communities. Thanks!

I'm sorry, but the Zune team sucks. Wtf have you guys been doing all this time? The Zune will fail. The Zune 2, if it ever is created, will fail.

Take it easy Chase M., I'm pretty sure these guys have a short and long term plan and are working hard on delivering on those new features.  I still think we will see two big firmware updates this year.  If I had to guess, May and November.  Of course I would have like to have these sooner but I'll take it.  Microsoft knows delays hurt Zune's brand and market potential.  So calm down let the man get to work.

While I am glad that the skipping issue will finally be resolved, I'm more disappointed in how long it took for this to be fixed.

I've had to give up on my Zune Pass and the Marketplace because of it, and doubt I will be going back anytime soon.

I think you should change your mkting slogan to "Welcome to the Whiners."

Wow, this was unexpected.  I have mixed feelings about this.  With pets and children you're supposed to give positive reinforcement of good behavior.  It also helps with people too, good job Zune team: Giving some insight into what is going on with 1.3 is very good.  I want to thank you for that.  

I see this as a positive step in communicating the intentions of the development team with the public.  

I think it is the right way to treat customers, especially early adopters who have the choice to use the dominant DAP.

Cesar, good job getting the meeting with the release manager.  I would imagine just a few feathers were ruffled in order to make that happen.

Ok, that's out of the way.  I have a few questions I'd like to pose:

1. Why did we have to go through the terrible episode of the Zune Firmware post in order to get some movement on this?

2. Why aren't there any new features on there, whatsoever?

1. When 1.3 is released, please include some information about plans for 1.4.  March 20th is a long ways out there, I suspect that it would be reasonable to assume that by then a few things can be easily ear-marked for 1.4.

2. Like everyone else, I'd have liked to see a new feature, even "sleep timer" on this release.  John is right that these are not being huge tasks.  

Anyway, I appreciate the update and personal note that you are reading us here.  I still feel discouraged by the product's progress, however.  I guess I just wanted way too much out of the Zune.  

tom

Four months and this is the best you can do?  Simple bug fixes.  You can bet Apple will have a wide-screen Ipod by years end and the Zune will be no more.  I am very dissapointed.

Well, I guess that the skipping is at least resolved. I'm just dissapointed that we don't at least have podcasting support in there. Keep up the good work guys :/

Great. "Mid March". My zune has been skipping since the firmware 1.2 update which was what 3 months ago back in December? its gonna take Microsoft 3+ months to fix this bug.

I was one of the early adopters. I bought mine on launch day. Microsoft has dropped the ball on support and marketing for this device. I have not seen 1 yes 1 commercial on tv for the Zune. Yet i see advertisements all the time for Ipod.

Hey Zune team thanks for the update...

Correct me if I'm wrong on this; but isn't the current market heading towards integrated components on one unit?  I would love it if my Phone, palm, mp3 player and blackberry were all one unit.  Sure it would suck the bejesus out of a battery and it would probably weigh a ton.  But if the Zune doesn't expand it's capabilities it's dead!  This is not hyperbole it's fact.

I don't buy this we need to keep hush-hush about what's next.  What was the CES all about anyway?  Get people excited about your products and POSSIBILITIES!  Cesar do you really need to keep top-secret about a clock? Or video expansion on ZMP?  Throw a squirrel a nut jeesh!