It's completely pathetic that the first thing I did this morning was check to see if the FW update was available.  Before eating, showering, etc...  It was like being a kid at Christmas.

Well, except that when I was little I wasn't wanting Santa to bring me a patch so that the toy I already bought would stop skipping.  Back then I just wanted a Merlin.

Zune Santa comes down the chimney, kicks you square in the jewels, and walks out the back door with nary a word.

I want 'Zune' to become 'Z-now'!

Dammit.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

~sigh

that was a bad update, dam it's dark in here

haha i did the same thing this morning. woke up and went straight to the computer, buuuut noooooo.  got all excited for nothing! lame

I thought it was supposed to be released today. :(

http://www.lotropolis.com

I wish Soon stood for an exact date around here.

Absolutely pathetic to get told today that today isn't the release date after all...why wait until people's expectation is on the all time high and then throw news at us that's not even proper news, because we don't even have a new date to look forward to now.

I just don't get why no one let us know before because the Zune team blatantly must have known before today that they weren't gonna make the supposed deadline. All my mates will be ridiculing Microsoft and I'll have to agree.

Not a good idea to keep your fans in the complete dark about everything

This is why you NEVER NEVER give a date when making a firmware announcement. You can give something like "mid march" or "early april" or even "soon", all of those are better than a date.

Frankly, I'd rather be told "soon" than be given a date that's not met. I don't really care, because I understand how complex these things are but other people might not be as understanding. This exact problem plagued Vista as well.

Cesar, the timestamp on this post says "Tuesday, March 20, 2007 9:15 PM"

But that's in the future! What gives?

since your in the future could you let us know what year the FW update will be launched, i am betting on 2009.

Nelson, I hear you - lesson learned (for me).

Is that girl in the lower right corner of the web site givign us the bird?  She looks angry, just like most of the people who saw the date when the update might be released, and now are dissapointed when it is not ready yet.  

Seriously, i'm glad we were told the target date, and I'm okay waiting for it to pass all the testing needed before it's released.  I'd rather not break something else trying to fix the current problems.

Thanks for the update.

I have to say that I'm a little disappointed with the non release of the update.  I agree with what was said about not giving specific dates as that is just setting up people for disappointment.  Man how I was looking forward to the 20th to stop my skipping problem.  :(

I really dont see how it take this long to fix these bugs.  I remember went there was a problem with an Itunes release and it was fixed within a week.  We have been waiting for 4 months.  I also cant believe that there hasnt been features added yet.  Its really starting to make me wish I kept my Ipod!

I've never had this skipping issue, it must be horrible for people who do.

Actually, I do hear a slight clicking with some songs on some albums (probably two) purchased with Zune Pass. Not sure if that's the "skipping" people are talking about.

This is extremely disappointing.  My Zune has been sitting unused because I can't sync to it anymore.  The software can see it, but no amount of cajoling can convince it to start a sync.  MS tech support was no help and their only words of encouragement were "maybe the next firmware update will help fix it".  Instead of possible deliverence today, I'm  playing out the scene in my head from Spaceballs when they come upon "now" and staring at a nonfunctioning Zune.

This Blows

Coming from a software company (not Microsoft, but I could see them buying us), and being one of the people that do patch testing I can assure you that sometimes you don't know that a patch will actually hit the streets until hours before the publish time.

Everything has bugs, sometimes it's a gut call to release a patch that fixes a dozen issues, knowing it creates 2 new items.  I think thats what the MS team had to weigh last night, and I am confident they made the right decision.  

Last thing we (MS and Users) want is for 80% of the population to get a new bug when they are trying to fix a bug that effects 30%.

Speaking as a user that doesn't experience any of the bugs that are going to be addressed, I am glad they chose to hold back an update that might have made my ZUNE experience worse.

My most requested enhancement: WebCast support, the software I am using sucks least of all the software I have tried, and I have tried a lot of software.

Lastly: Push the clock request down to where it should be, if your spending $200+ on a media player, you probably already own a cell phone or PDA with a clock on it already.

Well is this soon as Zune or soon as late in June ?

Cool!! Cant wait. Too bad there wont be any new features though.

and BTW, here come the flamebait from the ifanboys. Brace yourself, ppl and Zune Team.

Horrible.

Let's be realistic though, if the FW had been released today there would have been just as many, my guess is more, comments about how it didn't do this, that, or the other thing.  I thankfully haven't had the skipping issue so I understand the frustration those people who do must feel.

Man that sucks, i don't have the skipping issue, so I don't really care about the Firmware update, but I was still a bit anxious to download it.

( just to see if it made my zune run even faster )

( or allowed me to change the metadata on my zune videos )

THis bites the big one, Oh Yeah!!!!! And is really stale, FAlse Promises?????? SO The people that have these Zune's are suppose to sit and wait longer and watch their battery drain while the thing is "skipping" When, where and how do we get the answers, along with this download????????

I'm out!

Can't say I'm not sad about it not coming out now.(I was the MARCH 20th! Guy) But oh well. Now that I see what's in the update it really don't care anymore. Please put some new wireless feature in this new one coming out.

I saw the debit pop up on my online banking for another month of Zune Pass- another month of skipping.  A really keen Marketing idea might be to throw a credit the way of those who are suffering through this.

hmm, ok! hopefully we wont have these issues in the Europe release.

Good luck.

Cesar and Microsoft ares being punished a little unfairly here guys.  Trying to be helpful C gave us this date "around" which the update would come.  The fact that it might be a day or a week later or earlier for that matter shouldn't be grounds for grumbling.  Let's not shoot the messenger here people, lest the messages stop coming at all.

Well that's rather cruel to set up a date and let all fans expectantly wait for it... then smash their dreams of a functional player.  I can understand not wanting to put in new bugs but geez... now everyone who woke up early to update their Zunes are disappointed...

Is the ZUNE team actually taking their product seriously? If they did, there would be no delay. Xbox team might have to take this over and GET THE JOB DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!  WE'RE PISSED

No doubt sjgmoney.  The people with the skipping problem are a little frustrated (myself included) but I will go so far as to say that I'm not mad.  I realize that things take time and the update is coming soon.  I'm sure that I can live with my display set to "always on" for a little while longer.  I do appreciate the updates that have been given to us concerning the firmware and hopefully things won't change in that regard.  Keep us informed please.  

cpare said:

"Lastly: Push the clock request down to where it should be, if your spending $200+ on a media player, you probably already own a cell phone or PDA with a clock on it already."

Dude. I also have a clock on my VCR, and one in my car. But I don't carry either of those into the gym, where I am in frequent need of a clock & timer/stopwatch. I also don't carry my phone into the gym, and I don't have a PDA. If I'm spending $200+ on a media player, I expect it to have a freakin' clock!

So, for all those gym-rat Zune owners out there, let's hear it for clocks and timers!

Disclaimer: I don't own a Zune, and I really couldn't care less whether or not the Zune ever features a clock. But, in the spirit of honest and open debate, I just had throw in a counteropinion.

Isn't this *fun*?

well spoken, Zuneless

One Word: Unbelievable.

Gir, I was really looking forward to my syncing issues being fixed. D: Ah well, I'll trust you with the "soon" thing and I'll go one step further right now to call that soon means Thursday at the earliest and Saturday at the latest. Speculation at its best. =)

comment removed by Cesar - see rules here: http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2006/11/27/if-your-comment-got-deleted-here-s-why.aspx

feel free to re-post your comment w/o the swears, or insults :)

I woke up looking for the update, sad :(

look i understand that there may still be issues with the patch, and blahdy blah de blah, but if this is how microsoft continues with there updates of firmaware, one of the major resons i bought the zune, people who own the zune will stop using it out of spite and people who dont have one will absolutly not buy one.

**Hands Chris a Valium**

Dude take a pill...

Just a side question

Is that little girl in the bottom right hand corner (you know the one that flips everyone off) a Representitive Microsoft?

You people need lives.  I understand the frustration for those with skipping problems.  But (and I know I'm going to catch a lot of flack for saying this) having to wait a day or two for the fix is not the end of the world.  If this delay is enough to ruin your life, you didn't have a life to begin with.  Get one.

It's a media player.  It's music.  Yes, I love my music too.  And yes, the Zune is a  nice pricey piece of technology.  And yes, I know you hate to have to wait for a fix for something that you paid good money for.  But life WILL go on.  The sun will set tonight, and it will rise again tomorrow.  Nobody is going to die.   Countries aren't going to go to war.  The Earth is not going to spiral into the sun and be incinerated.  Some songs are going to continue to skip for a few more days.  

It will all be ok in the end.  Close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply, and keep repeating to yourself "I will live.  I will live.  I will live..."

one more thing, i am saying at least monthly thats all. All they need to do is fix one problem at a time and release one update that fixes one thing. I mean, I used to play world of warcraft and the fact that they updated every tuesday, even though it may have been just to fix a bug that three people may have had was very pleasant.

Cesar thanks for deleting my comment!  You're absolutely right.  How unfair of me to point out the obvious.

But at least YOU got my message :)  

bar:

we do have lives. If we didnt, we wouldnt be able to afford the thing.

@Bar

"A day or two for a fix"  I'VE WAITED FOUR MONTHS FOR A FIX!!!

So admin & the Zune team... Were you expecting this? I mean we have a 50/50 thing going here.  I for one am having the skipping issue on not only my Zune Pass files BUT also some of my non-DRM'd ripped CDs as well.  Explain that one.  

Anyway... I too am one of those people who signed in this morning and did a firmware update to get the no-skipping love...

This is a most frustrating issue.  Since I am both a Microsoft & Zune fanboy I must defend them in ever way however at the same time I must admit it's very frustrating that a company as big as Microsoft couldn't deliver something when promised.  I would get my butt handed to me if one of my end-user/customers where I work were promised a deadline and I didn't deliver and I could only get away with it if I gave them a valid excuse.  A date has not been met and no excuse given.

The funny thing is at this point the team is doomed either way.

Help me be the fanboy I wish to remain-true and loyal to Microsoft... Well, except for Bob... Oh, I hated Bob with his wee beady eyes. And that smug look on his face.

Maybe they'll surprise me for my birthday and release it with some hidden features :).

Bob was cool man, cool. In fact, I'm going to go crop Bob and put him on my Zune.

I also think it's hilarious that within the last week OfficeMax and others were "dumping" their Zune stock for under $200.  

The people selling it don't even believe in it.

Funny!!!!

If I remeber an article I read recently correctly, there was a large confrence of those working on the zune and somone went up on the podium turned on there zune's wireless and checked to see if anyone who actually ran the project had there wireless on. Just one person, and he may have turned his on out of pity. I really really hope they make a turnaround.

That just means more Zune players to more people at a cheaper price.

Also, it was a special that lasted a few days iirc and it's a steal considering what the Zune offers. I wish that was available when I went to buy one.  

For a person who owns a Zune you're sure doing a lot of fanboyish bashing. Sort of makes your crying about the skipping look illegitimate.

imagine if they made the zune code opensource. imagine all the tricks mods and amazing things that would pop up.ah well.

@Nelson.

If me complaining about the skipping on my Zune that I paid $249 for makes me a fanboy of IPOD. Then what does it make me to say that I would never again by any MS product?  

Chris said:

"I also think it's hilarious that within the last week OfficeMax and others were "dumping" their Zune stock for under $200."

That could mean anything, including the impending release of a new model. (And "new model numbers" or SKUs, can be issued for incredibly minor changes.) Or, it could just mean they are testing various price points. Retailers do things that might look odd to the general public all the time.

Perhaps they are being told to reduce the price on older product because they are about to receive a new shipment with FW 1.3 already installed?

Relax. I don't think retail is ready to give up on Microsoft or the Zune. Let's not jump to conclusions, here.

thefileclerk said:

"imagine if they made the zune code opensource. imagine all the tricks mods and amazing things that would pop up.ah well."

Wow. That might make *me* pick up a Zune!

Better still, imagine if Sony opened up the PSP platform? Now *that* would be a powerhouse.

I think companies that neglect or actively stifle the "homebrewers" and hobbyists do it to their own detriment.

Of course, there may be legal issues involved here. MS and Sony might not be able to open up the Zune and PSP platforms without getting themselves into legal trouble. (Both of these products probably depend on intellectual property (codecs, for example) licensed from others.)

@Chris:

If you have a Zune with a skipping product, wouldn't you want the product to do good so your problem is eventually fixed?

Here you are finding some lame reason to backup your point on how the Zune is failing in your eyes.

It makes your story highly unbelievable from where I'm sitting.

I don't think a new model is coming out anytime soon for Office Max to reduce the current model's price, and FW 1.3 won't be such a large update to cause the price drop. It's a software update that does not exclude the old model, so I'm not buying that one.  

Perhaps it's seeing a large return rate

Perhaps after the holiday buzz, not many are being sold.

Good engadget post

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/five-things-microsoft-needs-to-do-to-fix-the-zune/

you better make it worth our time for the update guys. its been 4 months, the only way i'd be satisfied is if you fix the problems, give us a better program to use(i hate sitting there watching my videos convert when they could already have been converted), A CLOCK, and give us some hidden features, ESPECIALLY the hidden features, i'd be happy if your just working out some problems with the WiFi, sayyy letting us use it to access internet etc. but if your update is just to fix the skipping and give us a god damn clock, you guys would seriosly, no joke, seriously let down SO many of your buyers, also it would really be pathetic if for 4 months, you guys couldn't even do more than do those little things. Im not really angry etc, im just very very dissapointed and a bit fustrated. i woke up and i came here right away and nothing. nothing for me..

Just a little heads up on an article http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/five-things-microsoft-needs-to-do-to-fix-the-zune/

I normaly ignore their Zune stories, but i had to agree with some things here.

Dont worry, i realise there are things happeneing in development behind closed doors and you guys will wow us with some good stuff later.

This is just FYI and worth some notice.

Good luck.

p.s: I dream of Vista sideshow integration, somewhere in those menus. ^_^

This is totally unacceptable. You Zune guys need to stop partying and start listening. I take my Zune with me to work (i'm a subcontractor) and ALL DAY long it skips, so I was pleased to hear there would be a fix for this on MARCH 20...this morning before heading to work I checked Zune, and surprise surprise! No fix. Well needless to say I'm not happy about this. So when I got off work this afternoon I boxed everything up, including the a/v kit, premium headphones, and Zune and headed over to Circuit City where I returned everything and purchased an iPod video. I would not have done this if the fix had come out today, your loss I guess. I should have listened to everyone and just got an ipod in the first place but no I had to be stubborn and go with something different and it ended up biting me in the ass. Who seriously wants to pay $250 for something that doesn't even work? Microsoft should stick to the Xbox and Windows, leave music players to the professionals, Apple.

@Nelson

@Zuneless resprectively.

I don't need to prove to you that I've had 4 Zunes (exchanges) all with the same problem.  In fact all I care about is Cesar hearing my complaints.  Thanks for your thoughts though.

Having managed several retail (major chains) I can assure you that the reason OfficeMax is selling the Zune for $179 is to deplete inventory and close out the line.  Originally MS said they were taking a hit on the Zune launch financially.  They also set the price points for the original launch and even negotiated a rebate with several retailers on specific SKU's(staples being one).  All that said OfficeMax profit margin was very lean to begin with.  If their selling them for $179 I would bet that it is close to their cost on the product.  You don't do that to get people in the door or make money on the accessories. You do that to deplete inventory of a slow/non-moving product.

I will bet that in a month OfficeMax will no longer carry the Zune.

How about adding support for Home Server? I love the beta, but it sucks that now I moved all my media from my main machine to the WHS, I can't stream any of my Zune content! I am sure the products will work at launch ... just want. it. noe.

ummm..yada..yada...well expecting the update soon while my Zune is working like a champ churning music (Alexandre Pires, Sean Paul and CSS right now) and doing some FM radio duties for almost 8 hours....gotta love this device...

Cesar, BTW. Why the programmers or the firmware/hardware team don't post on this blog ? The firmware is already delayed they can post something besides churning code in the background. Just 1 or 2 lines like..."We will surprise you all soon" or something like that.

comment removed by Cesar. Come on Ricardo, you of all people should know the rules ;)

Ok, guys, quit the fight club tone of the comments.  You are all valid and honestly, going through these comments to regulate is getting a little tiring ;)

please have a look here before you post: http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2006/11/27/if-your-comment-got-deleted-here-s-why.aspx

Interesting engadget article there - thanks for sending. It kind of reminds me of this quote:  "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."  - Ghandi

ey Matt....an article from the short sited Mac centric Ryan Block that could not install the Zune software on a Media Center machine not support when the Zune was released is not welcomed by me...but at least he got some nice points.

But why he should not recommend five things that Apple should fix on the current ipod before releasing the iphone. things like:

Scratch-tastic since G1

Poor SQ since G1

No radio since G1 on the DAP body.

No revolutionary features since G3

Get rid of iTunes for Windows.

Cesar removed this comment, too, because . . . this whole blog is a conspiracy against chris ;)

you guys should make up

Who said anything about conspiracy?  I was merely pointing out the obvious...Again ;)

<cesar goes up to give Chris a high-five>

FWIW, I delete w/o zune/anti-zune bias. People are entitled to their own opinions, just not entitled to disrespect other users. Except you, Chris ;)

I wish I was back in the mode of having forgotten about the update. I was so busy with homework yesterday, I completely forgot. Now, that I just remembered and I find this post...well, I wish I would have never read about an unspecified date, I just hope it's honestly soon.

Am I allowed to disrespect others?  Or are others allowed to disrespect me?  LOL

BTW for the record I do own a Zune!  So can I bash now or should I wait?  

Cesar Hi-Fives are so 2004. You of all people should have known.

I'm feeling a little left out. Am I out of the social or what?

look, i love the Zune just as much as most of you do. i've been an avid supporter of it since it came out and i go around telling people to buy one. but this is ridiculous. The Zune has A LOT of things that should of been done with it. and honestly i'm sick and tired of the promises we keep being fed and not seeing anything happen. I'm sure you guys are working on stuff behind closed doors, but seriously look at that engadget article. And i'm sorry but Cesar and the rest of the Zune Team, unless you want the Zune to be another player like the Sansa or Zen that will never succeed beyond it's fan base, you need to start doing some major upgrades soon and start adding new stuff into the Zune that we've been asking for since the release.

thefileclerk:

"people who own the zune will stop using it out of spite and people who dont have one will absolutly not buy one."

Microsoft don't care if we don't use it why would they when they already got our money for this piece of junk in their pockets.

Lolz! I hope it comes out soon... :) Cant wait though!

they better delay it a few days to add lossless audio support, I'd hate to wait till 1.5 or 2.0 to get what hsould have been included in the 1.0 release.

LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you M$ guys listening?

"Las Chicas del Can" on my Zune....great SQ. Take that ifanboys....Hope you SQ gets better if you jumped from zune to ipod 'cause of the skipping. That's a BAD decision ppl. SQ will always be the same. Skipping will be solved.

Hmmm....this what shows what a small Zune team are. Okay, so Microsoft is a business company right?

!

I am 15 years old and I go to business school and I have learned a lot. This is what I would do as a business manager:

Set up a blog concerning updates/suggestions/views. Read updates on user's blog and check what problems people are having. Call in Zune firmware team to immediately start fixing problems and NOT set a time date. This way, they have more time to put mind to the firmware update and not release a buggy one. After that, I'll send in some guys from Zune marketing team to promote Zune at Zune party's. Keep sending Zune market team to various places to get the word out. Have firmware team address issue 2 months after last firmware update. After all the issues are out, have firmware workers suggest ideas from blog entry's. Immediately start working on new features at the same time, reading blog entries  about bugs and fix them as I get a small firmware team to do the features. After 4 months, get feature update out. Then, start working on Zune 2.

This is what should've been done by the beginning. I'm not trying to make you look bad Cesar BUT I get frustrated sometimes at the Zune team itself, not the Zune.

Remember, I am 15 and look already at how am I thinking..

It's a race, see which gets its first! Zune FW version 2.0, Vista SP1, or XP SP3 lol. Only to be fair though, guys who were surprised that the FW didn't get an update today, he mentioned there would be a delay several days ago. until then, unicode unicode unicode unicode unicode ;).

Just to add to that, I'm not trying to be a pr*** but who gets the better soldiers: Army or Marine? Ya that's my point..I WANT the Zune to be successful so I can show my friends what I can do with it and not regret it on buying an iPod.

Sometimes, ya just have to take a few hits in the nuts to understand!

@RCX

i don't see where he made the announcement several days ago.  i see the one made yesterday, the 19th, but i missed the one from several days ago.  perhaps you could link me.

that said, i do understand that cesar himself doesn't do any code, so he has no control over these things.  it is, however, his job to talk to the public about this, and that means he's the guy on the frontline all the time, not just when someone's name goes on a guestlist.

I checked right as the clock turned to midnight and no update.  So I went to bed dreaming of listening to my music without annoying skips and pauses, and waiting for my Zune to catch up with my button presses.  Woke up and still nothing.  How dissapointing.  

So I've been paying for the Zune Pass since I got my Zune.  Is Microsoft going to cough up some credit for the last 4 months since all the songs skip?  And for all the tricks- leave the backlight on, plug it in to the car charger, whatever- none really fix the problem.  The firmware is what we've been waiting for to fix it, and we just got punched in the gut.

I so want to be proud of my Zune, show it off and share it, but how can I when the most basic function of playing music doesn't work?  

my friends call me an idiot for not getting a ipod video, i had to give up my nano to get a zune also and all i want to do is shove it in there face that the zune is better but right now im finding it hard to do. If WiFi had internet and it had a bit more features i can laugh in there faces and call them stupid. i was hoping to do it today but i guess i have to wait =S, i have faith that you guys will not let me down, and if your update does alot and gives us tons of features etc. i would be forever grateful cause i get to make fun of my buddies =]

The facts is folks, they don't want to extend the features of this 1st Gen because they call it the "baseline". But realistically speaking, this is not November 14, 2001. This is March 20, 2007. 6 Years ago, the iPod was born. From day one, it supported the basics+more. To be truly honest, you may think that not a lot of people bought the Zune but I'd say 50% of so bought it intending that it would be updated with the features. We all understand that you were on a tight time frame to get this out, but are we understanding that basic features such as "skipping" will not be fixed.

Mostly everyone knew that this thing is being updated from day #1. We knew that the iPod had more in day #1 but we took a RISK. A RISK that doesn't cost cheap but the hard earn money that our parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunt, or who ever bought this make. If we had known that this would be the "baseline", 75% would have gone iPod. But we trust Microsoft as a company. We believe in them. So far, we are still stuck in the dark. This is very sad. THIS IS PATHETIC! THIS IS SO PATHETIC THAT THEY CAN'T FIX A SKIPPING PROBLEM WITHING 3 WEEKS BUT IT TOOK THEM 3 MONTHS. God knows when 1.3 will be released.

We are early adopters. We are the ones that show the Zune to people. We are the ones REALLY promote the product. We are the ones that set trends.

Frankly, a business like this is not run by the managers, they are run by the people. We are the ones with amazing ideas.

Are you going to sit around until Sansa Connect releases their new Wi-Fi device that will be able to DL Rhapsody tracks from hotspot and send songs from your library limitlessly, or are you going to get your ass and your team moving and release an update?

I guess Microsoft is not an innovation. They wait till the others innovate first. Who gives a flying F*ck about the RIAA? Those guys won't do sh** to a company this big.

"RIAA SUES MICROSOFT with $1,000,000." Who gives a flying bird when $1 mil is pocket change. Microsoft are such professionals and I know deep inside their hearts the workers themselves want to really innovate. But what are they going to do when they let others take the risk or are you going to listen to the community just as the Xbox team did with their product. You know what? They Succeeded.

If you keep partying, horsing around, and delaying simple fixes such as a bloddy skipping problem, YOU WILL FAIL.

Zune 1? Baseline! But Zune 1 is your only chance of survival. Fix version 1 and we will all gladly buy Zune 2. I promise you that if in 2 months you release a workable Wi-Fi feature, you will have the Zune-byers-ipod switchers begging to sell their ipods for the Zune.

This comment will show how man enough you really are..

sears is dumping zunes on ebay for cheap,

Welcome to the soxial.

Ooops. I'll fix that. Zune. Eventually...

@Ricardo Dawkins, obviously my last reply to you was deleted and all for good reason 'cause you prolly woulda went to Mommy cryin' :-) Chill out, it's just an mp3 player, I plopped down $250 on the Zune, $100 on the A/V kit, and $40 on the headphones. After spending all this money I expected the thing to work and it won't even do that. Besides that, sometimes in silent moments or moments when the music went low I could hear popping and hissing (issue yet???) Not to mention the fact of the skipping. ooohhh the skipping....Today at work I felt like the girl on Spun who got tied to her bed and the cd skipped for like 3 days. I'm not an "ifanboy" I'm just an average Joe who wants his money's worth for a product and I'm sorry but $250 is a lot to spend on something that doesn't even work right. The Videos???? Where oh where are the videos on Marketplace?? I would love to see that day and especially to be able to find Sneaker Pimp's Spin Spin Sugar on there. I still love the Zune, and one day I know Microsoft will have a solid product that looks better than the iPod  IMHO, but until then...it belongs to Apple. I look forward to next Christmas when hopefully *crosses fingers* they'll have a red Zune with orange doubleshot or blue with  red double shot...(Ayyyy??? You guys should do that) I was just totally disappointed this morning about no Zune update and It's been kinda festering all day with each skip of my Robbie Rivera albums from Marketplace. My previous entry was a little harsh it's like I said, working in abandoned warehouses, and church dorms you kinda need something to get you through the day unfortunately Zune kinda did that and iPod can do that *shutters at the thought of having iTunes 7 on computer again*

This sucks.  I can't say I'm surprised though.

:(

Bravo, nighthawkz6! It seems the emphasis has been on promotion, parties and giving away freebies rather than customer satisfaction.  Sure, I could take my skipping Zune back to the store and give up on it...but instead I will give the Zune team a chance to make things right.  I would much rather read about what the team is working on for a fix or features under development than people getting arrested for pasting up Zune posters and what up-and-coming band tracks I can download for sk-i-ppi-ng play on my flawed toy.

i know how to finish that tag line..

"welcome to the social experiment"

@ Dead Jim

here you go, check out the edit:

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

Until then: Unicode Unicode Unicode Unicode Unicode!

I see a bunch of complaining. It may be warranted, but not by very much. A lot of dates for a lot of things get pushed back, games, electronics, etc. I don't see how there can be this much of a problem.

I don't see a problem exporting any file to the zune to use. You can put iTunes music on a zune, you can put movies you own on a zune, you can buy movies from other online stores and put them on the zune. Maybe you should just learn how to use google?

I'm sure the people @ zune co. know all of the complains, since everyone seems to push them oh so much ever time Cesar makes a small update to his blog. I've seen the same complains every time. Even when he makes a post about something completely irrelevant.

Back off a little. Cut the guy some slack. The zune does the basics perfectly fine as far as I can see.

Alright, I suppose I'll throw in my 2 cents.

First off, C, I must say Thanks for having an outlet (sponsored by the corp., no less) for users to communicate. And I certainly don't put the blame on you for a delayed update. Heck, I hardly even *care* about a delayed update.

Now here's my confession: Despite the Zune's existence and my frequent (hopefully friendly) visits to this blog, I still solely use my iPod. I would love a Zune! I just returned from Target tonight where I was playing with a Zune. In fact, I play with the display nearly EVERY time I go in that store, because the darn thing looks so cool. You all put a lot of work into it and it has potential to be an amazing music player (and I absolutely LOVE music, so I want the best player available). However, I fully expected that six months from launch, there'd be evidence of such a small attention to detail that it'd become totally annoying to use the device. But, the details are ironed out yet. And until Microsoft convinces me that they are, I will absolutely not buy a Zune.

So, my extremely long-winded point here is, PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. Please pass that along to the developers, C. Sure, the iPod doesn't have wifi or nearly as large a screen as Zune. But, in Apple's defense, what little the iPod does actually do, it does *extrermely well*. And I would rather have a device that has several basic features amazingly implemented, than one with several awesome features poorly implemented.

I do understand that updates can take a lot of time and I believe you when you say the developers are working on it. But, whenever the updates come, make sure they are great updates - and not rushed ones that causes more problems. You only get one chance to make a first impression. And you should take that seriously when you are up against a company that keeps making good first impressions over and over again.

And just so you know, my $250 is waiting to be spent. If you think I should give it to you all, then you'd better convince me! Because it's all too easy for me to just stick with the iPod.

;-)

@RCX

that was posted yesterday.  that's what i said.  posting the evening before the due date is not at all the same thing as posting it <i>days</i> before.

@Eric .. "The zune does the basics just fine"

My dear sir ... did you even bother to read the postings BEFORE you posted?

Do you consider the skipping of music as doing the basics just fine?

Do you consider no official software support for Windows xp64 professional as doing the basics just fine?

or are you here as an apologist for MS?

To be quite frank with you guys at MS you people have approx 2 weeks or ill be returning this non playing non software supporting piece of garbage for a Creative Zen vision M.

I mean come on ... WMP 11 could not have supported the zune ? Why was i forced to download an additional application that does similar things as the application already installed on my system. And Why was the zune software not adapted for xp pro64 ? Why was i forced to Hack an install to get this thing to work when ALL the hardware and software came from Microsoft ... WHY ??

@dead jim

haha, maybe my memory is failing me, i could've sworn that was a couple of days before rather than... yesterday lol. sorry!

@maxis

don't get the black ZVM, that thing is a finger print magnet to the extreme, also very easily scratched (I do like the backside tho).

I think I'm out.  I can't stomach the ride any longer.  Zune is not what it had promised and was a sad dissapointment.  My last Zune friend returned his Zune today and want me to do the same.  That's 4 friends that once had a Zune and now they don't.  I may come back to Zune for a later version.  That is if the division can survive the major backlash from early adopters.  Sad day!  Thanks for trying Cesar!  You kept me on board for awhile.

Welcome to the Tuesday night "Sanjaya needs to go home" edition of The Vista Daily. Here's what's been

This is completely dissapointing

Ive been looking forwardt this day for ages and i et nothing.

The zune team shold really learn to prioritise things right.

I've owned and ipod and they have regular updates.

with my zune ive had no updates other than the one what else could the zune team be doing.

it doesn't take 4 months to update a piece of software and test it. i will not be angry if there are new features implemented, but if this is a minor update... you now, its kind of like "why do i bother waiting?"

I guess for most people this is just the straw that broke the camel's back. I too will be returning my zune and searching for a better alternative. So many things are wrong with it, the software messes up my songs id3 tags somehow and it is worse then wmp11, at least with that you can  operate it on the toolbar and it's more flexible. I mean you guys are microsoft how hard can it be to take some hints from itunes and make some great software for the zune?

I hope someone will buy this player from me. I want to have ipod instead of this lame zune...

cool the man himself was posting here, major nelson get back to work just kidding. i also brought this up on the post about the update don't give a date.

as far as the fight club comment and the tiring comment goes, lets say you buy a new car and it misses when you put it into fourth gear because of a wiring problem. after four months of the maker knowing of the problem. they give a date of when you can take it back to the dealer to get it fixed. so you take the car back and the dealer says they haven't been sent the wiring harness yet, and some people get a little peeved, well a lot peeved and when a guy who is receiving the complaints says he is tired of the miffed people well thats pr suicide  

to John:

How the software mess you id3 tags ? I think you haven't found the great metatagging the zune software got and BTW, disable auto-sync ppl.

@ John, Koko, Dirtyone, T, Maxis, DeadJim, and others...

***Standing Ovation***

Thank you for saying what I'm feeling.  

I saw Chris Rocks movie yesterday and it has a great line in it.

Seductress:  "Your marriage solid"

Chris:   "Yeah I love my wife"

Seductress:  "I hear the ice breaking"

Chris:  "What?"

Seductress:  "When you walk on a river and the ice is cracking; it's scary"

Chris:  "My marriage is solid ice, you could do a triple axle on my marriage"

Cesar and team; that sound you hear is ice cracking!  You better do something to freeze the river soon.

@nomorezune: return your Zune for a new one.

@nighhawk: does G1 supported more really ? Where is the FM tuner on 5G? still missing, right ?

@Maxis

I'm sorry, I do read all the posts before hand.

That being said, reading most every post, for most every post Cesar makes - everyone is just complaining about the same thing. Maybe they didn't read the last post saying they were working on the problems?

As for the skipping issue, I've never experienced this unless I unplug my zune while it's syncing at which time it doesn't work right (which is says it will do when you try to close the program when it's not finished.)

I'm glad you were only able to name 2 things that were the "basics".

You think all these people are getting tired of waiting?  I'm waiting for 2nd gen...

I decided to pass on the Zune when they priced it with the iPod late last year (point #5 on the engadget article).  I then took a wait-and-see approach to see how things will pan out.  At this point I may have to take a wait-and-see approach on the 2nd gen as well.

Cesar - my birthday is in Aug.  Any hopes that I can put the 2nd gen on my gift list?  Wanna through a date out there for us?!?  :-O

Hey guys!

This is so disappointing :(

I perfectly agree with the <a targer="_blank" href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/five-things-microsoft-needs-to-do-to-fix-the-zune/">engadget post</a>.

I think it's time to make microsoft hear our voice!

This is the link to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/five-things-microsoft-needs-to-do-to-fix-the-zune/">Zune feedback page</a>. Maybe it's worth a message?

Sorry for the wrong post.

This is the link to the Zune feedback page:

https://support.microsoft.com/common/survey.aspx?scid=sw;en;1398&showpage=1&WS=zune&SD=zune

Maybe it's worth a message?

If your Zune skips:

Why are you living with it?

There is a simple workaround -> set your backlight timing to be always on. if you don't know how to do this go here:

http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/howto/start/displaysoundsettings.htm

This does reduce battery life! If you can't live with that then you still have many options:

a. stop using ZMP till you get the fix, or,

b. use a playlist without ZMP songs when battery life is an issue. The battery still goes for quite a while. My Gym workout sessions are never long enough to drain the battery completely! If your gym session is longer then I suggest using the Zune FM Radio. You always have options!

Be happy when you do have workarounds!

Disclosure: My Zune skips on ZMP music, but, the workaround is not so bad. I own multiple iPods, PFS players and Zunes. All have +ves and -ves and bugs. The Zune is (in my opinion) the most elegant player out there!

While you are waiting you can download the Hillary 1984 ad for your Zune at

http://www.savethecolors.com/zunecasts.html

Just save it to your desktop and drag it into the snyc area.

Got a $300 gift certificate for Best Buy as a gift. Got a Zune two weeks ago, knowing that if I had any troubles this update would probably fix it.

After two weeks, I'm indifferent. A little clunky, don't use FM, no Zunes around to share.

After reading about the update, I returned it for a beautiful black iPod. My first.

I love it.

Good luck with your Zune life. I tried it, but it's not for me.

I hope the firmware update fixes the b***ing customer bug that has been plaguing the Zune.

No update

No Zune

this will be returned.  Tired of having a MP3 player that skips on music I purchased for 15 dollars a month...

What has been bothering me is that I bought a couple of Zunes and there are no places to find any damned content for it.  I want to download my favorite shows that I miss every night and watch them on breaks at work or have it on the eliptical machine when I work out or something.  Converting videos is a pain but I have managed to do it with Windows Encoder.  Don't bother trying the "Convery-Any-Video-To-Zune" BS programs.  They crash even more often then windows encoder and are really just the ipod and psp converter programs that never worked for ipod.  Total garbage.

Microsoft, Listen CAREFULLY!  I would PAY IN GOOD OLD AMERICAN USD to download videos and not have to bother recording or downloading from other sources and converting all myself.  You are missing out on money because you can't overcome the evil empire image and make a few deals with big networks to secure us some content???  I am disapointed!

I have a different problem with my XBOX.  I filled that POS hard drive up and now there is no room to download anymore videos.  I paid a few bucks a pop for episodes of star trek and such.  Why should I have to delete these to get more?  YOU SCREWED UP WITH THAT CRAPPY LITTLE HARD DRIVE.. STORAGE IS CHEAP YOU IDIOTS!  I PAID FOR YOUR COST OF THE HD 100 TIMES OVER WITH PURCHASES OF MS POINTS!!!

Why can't XBOX360 allow downloads of videos that can be placed on the Zune while we are on the subject?

Am I stupid for assuming that you guys have thought of this stuff?  I think you have gotten to big for your own good and as a result are no longer willing to take risks and innovate for fear of the thousands of attempted lawsuits that follow every big move.  That's pathetically sad!

And this latest update covers nothing at all from what I understand.  A few fixes here and there.. PLEASE.. what a waste of hardware!  It used to be that MS had programmers that could deliver the goods.  Why the hell do you think Apple always hated MS.. because MS could take anything they did and improve upon it without even breaking a sweat.  times have apparently changed!

I find it funny that people are so quick to jump and say that they are returning their Zune because they can't wait till the firmware update comes out.  The skipping issue will be fixed.  I do have the skipping problem but it's fixed simply by selecting the "always on" option for the display.  I'm very happy with the Zune Pass and enjoy my music skip free with the screen light always on.  Granted it would be great if the firmware was out NOW and I didn't have to waste battery life in exchange for non skipping tracks. Was I disappointed that the firmware didn't come out on the 20th?  I'd be lying if I didn't say yes..but it's not like it's life or death here.  Will I run out and exchange my Zune and get an IPOD because of this?  Uh..no.  I think that the Zune is a fantastic device and I know that the issues will be ironed out.  It's not killing me knowing that I have to wait just a little longer for a fix to be issued.  I guess if your that quick to jump ship then I'd have to say that I didn't want you to be a part of this social.  Have fun with your IPODs.  I'll continue to enjoy my Zune ..thank you.

Colin-"I have a different problem with my XBOX.  I filled that POS hard drive up and now there is no room to download anymore videos. "

I don't know if you realize this but you can simply delete the shows that you've watched and redownload them whenever you want to rewatch them for no additional charge.  No need to keep them all on the 360's HDD.  Watch-delete-redownload-watch-delete.  easy as sunday morning.

This is Microsoft folks.. Remember Vista was supposed to be released originally the middle of 2006... Hmmmm Lets see it was only 9 months late... and you expect them to deliver on time.. More naive then I thought...

Why should we accept a product that doesn't work as promised?  I understand that there are workarounds and I also understand that MS is working on it.  But that does not mean that I shouldn't be upset that the product does not operate as stated.

Nobody that has said quit complaining is dealing with the skipping issue; so I understand why you don't get the fact that I'm pissed.  Please don't patronize me with your statements of get over it or your an Ipod fanboy.  My complaint is real otherwise MS would not be fixing it.  I don't care about other features I just want my Zune to perform as promised.

Lunaclown -I've been dealing with this for 4 months.  I've called Microsoft support to only have them tell me no one else is having this problem. I've had it and want nothing to do with this product.  they can't even tell us when this device will work properly?  I dont care about the extras or new features it promises(who cares about a clock).  I just want it to play music.  For the past 4 months it has failed and skips.  enough is enough

You know I have been thinking this over and I really have mixed feelings.  Don't worry I have yet to consider ripping up my fanboy membership (in this case, the Zune Pass subscription) but I do think we are seeing a bigger issue than just the Zune firmware updates.

I honestly think one of the biggest problems with Microsoft as a whole is its size. It's just too large. Both internal departmental communication issues blanket the corporation and the lack of synergy between business units undermine what each other are trying to accomplish.  The Zune team tries to work their hardest (I know they are) and perhaps Main corporate has limited their resource staff and/or time and they simply are trying to do more than they can handle.

People ask for things that seem logical (Sideshow anyone?) but the realism is the Zune business unit and the Vista unit are two different animals with different developers, managers, and budgets.  To simply say they want Sideshow integrated just doesn't happen.  As bizarre as one might think this sounds I really think they need to have something similar to the U.S. Governments Department of Homeland Security.  Have a business unit dedicated to having communication within all units and make the products synergistic with each other.  Why did the Zune have Pass and everyone else has fairplay and Urge? I think in part it is because of the lack of integration within the structure itself.  Perhaps it was an RIAA ploy but when it comes down to it the outward appearance of a company offering conflicting services simply baffle the brain.

Also, it's not realistic to compare the 1st generation Zune to the first generation iPod.  That was a different time long since passed.  People expect clocks & timers, they expect Netcast support and they expect videos in the Zune Pass subscription area (to name a few).  These are some of the things that people expect because the market has generated them in other areas such as iTMS and even XBOX Live.  

This latest fiasco will lose users-mostly lemmings who switch camps as easily as moving to another OSX simply becuase the latest fashion.  Why is it a fiasco? because like previous posts stating this-they set a date.  YES things happen but the managers over the development team should have had the right vision to understand this was not going to happen and made sure the bloggers of the world understood why it wouldn't.  Simply saying "uhm well sorry it's not coming out today" on the day is showing how (in this case) out of sync the unit is.

I will keep my Zune.  Why? Because I invested enough money into it to not abandon it.  Does mine skip? Definitely.  Do I care? Most certainly I do.  Do I have faith they will work it out? Absolutely.

Why don't you just download music from somewhere besides ZMP? You do know you can buy music in stores still, and buy music online, and buy albums in online stores. It's a great concept if you're really into buying things.

jeff...I understand your woes as I myself have had the skipping issue.  Simply set the display to "always on" and it will remedy this issue for the short term.  The firmware team has said that the update will fix the skipping issue.  Until then simply use the work around.  I've had my Zune since January...and yes it has skipped all that time....well..until I've started using the workaround.  I can relate to all the people that are having the skipping issue but to simply come onto this blog and say that your returning this device and getting an IPOD does little in my opinion.  The fix is coming.  Now if they didn't come out and say that it was coming then I'd say that you have all the right in the world to complain.  

I don't know....I'm sorry to hear that people are completely unhappy with this device.  I like mine..and will wait for the fix.

@ Lunaclown

The whole point of this feedback system is not to only give pats on the back when the product works. But also to express displeasure with a product if it is not performing AS ESPECTED AND ADVERTISED. While im very happy for you that you are willing to pay for a 240+ dollar paperweight at this point. I am not .. Ive done my research and their are better products at the price point. I chose the zune on the promise of its potential. Microsoft has failed me at basically every turn.

Skipping songs. (Dealbreaker) Music player cannot play music properly ??

No support for my OS (Critical issue but i was prepared to do a workaround)Result of that is a hacked install that will not sync any video.

No access to hard drive (Creative allows access .. whats the problem?)

No manual Equalizer. Music player that only has EQ presets ? umm serious problem for audiophiles.

No Lossless support ? WTH?

Very limited Codecs (which is why im going Creative and not apple if they do not fix this in 2 weeks)

Some of you mentioned people like us not needing to be a part of the "Social" ... What damned social are you talking about ??

Some of you can be apologists all ya want but If your going to release a product .. dont do it half assed .. Do it right (At least the bloody basics) .. and stand by your early adopters. They are the people who make or break your product...through word of mouth. Its as simple as that.

Wtf, didn't I post 2 comments...Hmmm quick to delete comments but not respond! That's Microsoft for ya!

@Eric

Because ZMP is the platform that was provided and is quite frankly the only way to sync your device.  You can't fully get around the system.  If there is a way I haven't found it.

The last several posts have voiced it quite effectively.  It's not about the fix is coming...It's about "why is the fix necessary"?

For months I've dealt with this.  The first several months I was told there wasn't a problem by Zune tech support.  How does that happen?  Then for the next month I've gotten on blogs and told that I'm an IPOD fanboy and I don't even own a Zune.  Now when the fix for the non-problem is coming for the Zune I'm told I don't own; the company responsible misses the date they promised.  Then they try to cover it by changing the original post promising it the day it was supposed to occur.

You don't understand why everyones so ticked????  Come on!!! You're probably the same people who lean on their horn because someone hesitates at a green light.  And that didn't cost you $250.

@ Maxis

I fully understand the need to vent.  I bought this and the skipping issue bothered me for about a week before I researched for a cure.  Now that the Zune team has come out and said that the firmware is coming and it will fix the bugs that plague the unit I feel that my purchase isn't in a waste.  I'm just sick of people that are super quick to say that they are jumping to something else because the firmware didn't come out yesterday.  I can understand taking the Zune back if this next firmware update doesn't resolve the skipping issue.  Maybe I'm a little more forgiving than most. If you feel that the Zune has officially screwed you over then by all means run to the store and get your money back.

Most of you guys need to relax.  Live a little, get out of the house, and step away from your computer.  It is not easy getting software released and out the door.  A million different things could cause a delay, and there is no crystal ball that can ever perfectly predict a software release date.  Maybe they shouldn't have announced the date in the first place, but I, for one, appreciate the fact that they are this open with us at all.

For those that think any music/video players are perfect, you are wrong.  I own a video iPod and know how to make it crash every time.  I haven't heard the iPod team telling anyone when they are going to fix that bug.

Cesar and the Zune team: keep on keeping on.  You have a good product, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for the community.  

That depends really on how you want to get around (what for?)

There are easy ways to put avi's on the zune, there are ways to put m4a's on the zune.

Maybe I just thought the general population had more knowledge about computers than I thought. Sorry for making that assumption.

@Josh: I agree with what you are saying but we're in a closed system like the iPod & all Apple products because you don't build a Zune you buy it.  That means the environment should be very predictable and with that assumption things should be easier to resolve.

It's funny I really didn't notice the skipping until the 20th and now of course I notice each song it skips on.

Cesar... I have a direct question for you and your team.  You tell us you're listening, but honestly what are you going to do with this feedback? I can tell someone all day I am listening to them but if at the end of the day I do nothing then what was the point.

Everyone needs to take a deep breath and just calm down for a second like Josh had said.

I myself do have a few questions as well, that I would like answered...

Number 1: Will there be video downloads available from Marketplace anytime soon, like good music videos (not ones made in somebody's parents basement), movies, and seasons of shows like "That 70's Show or King of the Hill"??

Number 2: Clock would be nice as well as simple flash games you could download and sync to the Zune from Marketplace, like "Flight of the Hamsters" and to be able to play it on the Zune.

Number 3: Ability to sync a contact list or a word document through word or outlook

Number 4:Wifi...at least some kind of basic Zune Internet browser...nothing fancy just enough to check blog sites and stuff like youtube, flickr/photobucket, or myspace.

Number 5:Calculator would be cool/stopwatch.

Number 6: My biggest thing in the whole world...VISUALIZATIONS...team up with the guys that create R4 for Winamp and let it run fullscreen and Zune would be gold in my eyes even if they don't get to the above. R4 support would be the best off all...it would be like a portable rave then.

Firmware update news is disappointing but what can you do? You can't force something if it's not ready. I still love my white Zune and no goofy firmware update boo boo is going to change that. This thing goes everywhere with me and I have to admit the skipping thing is annoying, but for some reason it doesn't do it when it's parked in the dock which is where mine spends 85% percent of it's time anyways. Oh well, Microsoft is a good company they didn't get where they are now without doing quiet a few things right. I just hope they do the Zune right, they have to know from reading article upon article what everyone's suggestions are to make this thing give the iPod a decent run for it's money. IMHO, the 3 big things I think it would take to acheive this would be: more with the wifi, visualizations, and a more edgier cleaned up look of the Zune UI.....one more thing..CUSTOMIZABLE EQUALIZER!!!!

I cannot wait until Microsoft releases this patch. As soon as they do I am selling this horrible device and buying a product made by anybody but Microsoft. This things has not worked right since Christmas. Besides, not syncing correctly, and the skipping, half the songs do not "squirt" which Microsoft really did not advertise. Also, why cannot I use this thing as a hardrive like my sister's iPod?

People should not have issues with a new product that drags on this long.

On final thought to Luna Clown: People are not mad because an update has not been released on time. They are mad because some people have gone nearly four months without their device working properly. Like another person here said, when I originally called up Microsoft about the issues I was having, I was told nobody else is having problems. Clearly that was not true.

I wanted this device for Christmas because all the reviews said this thing had all the same features as the iPod, but additional ones as well. The WiFI only works with some songs (where was that advertised), and it is missing many features that other devices have such as the clock and ability to be able to use the thing as a hard drive (my sister's iPod does both).

I do not mind being an early adopter when I am actually getting more features then prior technology, but in this case I am not. I also understand waiting a few weeks for a patch. It has been four months though.

Terrin-

Again I can relate to those that are having the skipping problem because I've been having it since about a week after I got it.  I found the fix (again...set display to always on) and it's worked fine with all my music (Zune pass or other).  As for sync issues I really don't know about those as I haven't had that problem.  I'm sure that is frustrating.  Using the Zune as a portable hard-drive was never stated on the box or in the manual so that's a mute point to me...although it would be a nice feature they could add ( I know there are hacks out there..and something that is easily done). Music that can't be sent or "squirted" as you call it does have issues but I think those are due to certain record labels and artists not wanting you to share music.  I recommend that anyone who is completely unhappy with a purchased product to hurry and return it or sell it off.  By all means do what makes you happy.  I'll be patient and continue to use my Zune (display set to always on) eagerly waiting for firmware updates (this one AND those in the future).  

No disrespect was intended to any Zune buyer that was unhappy with their experience thus far.  I just get fed up with people saying that they will run out and buy an IPOD just to make an attempt to trash talk the Zune. I don't find myself on websites for products I don't like.  

I have faith that the Zune team will rock it like the XBOX team did XBOX LIVE.  

Well that about puts the nail in the coffin.  My son and daughter have had Apple iPods for 3 and 4 years respectively and they use them ALL the time - with no problems.  I bought the Zune because I figured it would be better integrated with Windows than an iPod.  What a disappointment!  The incessant skipping makes it useless and frustrating to use.  Time to get rid of it and buy an iPod.  Sorry Bill, I gave you the opportunity and you blew it.  Don't expect me to buy another Microsoft product with promises that it will work as advertised "sometime in the future".  

It's Thursday.  Zune skipped all day at work.  Maybe a fix will be out tomorrow.

Man, you guess will put up with anything from this company.

Keep wasting your hard earn money!

steven

I can see that we will keep waiting and waiting like the kid in the window, I AM TIRED OF THE SKIPPING, LETS FIX IT NOW......

Well, I haven't been having any of the issues mentioned above, but would like to see the update come out and help the people that are. As for the people saying they should have gotten an IPOD, I agree. The Zune isn't for everybody, as it takes a little more intelligence to deal with. If you just want something easy and are not very technically inclined get an IPOD. Although, if you are smart enough to implement the Hard Drive hack, DRM workaround, and DIVX/XVID hack, then you deserve the ZUNE. The Zune is much better than the IPOD(The Album Art display did it for me), it is just not well suited for everyone.

Hey, so I just realized what is going on. Please forgive me as it took a few days. Lets play this through: You microsoft making the greatest media player known for all of man kind. There is but one kink and that is the RIAA, they like making sweet cup cakes and by making sweet cup cakes I mean sueing the happy cakes outta people. So what do you do, you make the player unhackabul. So what is a clock for a zune? It is a hack. So for them to add "features" they must hack their own unhackabul firmware to add these thingys for us to play with. Why does it take 4 months to fix a "minor" skipping issue, it doesn't. It takes 6 months to create new better firm ware that is not retarded to the point that a clock is impossibul. I am willing to bet my degree in computer science that the code monkeys at microsoft had to rebuild the whole of the firmware (They just don't wanna call it 2.0 and hose up the marketing.). I think that all can see my point.... Once we gets us the new firm ware there should be holes where we can hook in and run and create our own clocks and then we shall the the masters of the univers. Or at lease have our music and or non-skipping play back too.

The UPDATE is UP !!!

Thank YOU!

my ZUNE rocks !

I have a simple or difficult problem, depending on who you ask.  The problem is this...I purchased the zune a month ago and have added about close to 2000 songs, no problem there, now...my pc is getting filled. Ok...I want to delete the songs off of my pc to save space but am scared that I will inadvertantly delete my library on my zune devise, so that is the question...How do I delete songs from my pc without sync from my devise? Other than that I love my zune and all that it is capable of.

Is anyone there to answer our questions about our zune devises? I have a major problem i need answers to and fixed.

umm my zune is mess up everytime i hear a song i hear it low and staticly what can i do please help?

I love being able to tell my ipod friends about the updates that are coming to Zune and asking them what their ipod has done for them lately!

So im sure you havent answered this question for a reason...   But I will ask it again.  Why isnt the zune able to function as a portable HD,  surely that doesnt require much programming to enable that feature.  All other MP3 players out there do not have this limitation..  hell.. my 128 mb iriver can do it....   Please tell us once and for all if this will be added.  this is the only issue keeping me from purchasing one of these....

Is the zune realy worth it if you ad the

           :Hard Drive hack

            DRM workaround

            DIVX/XVID hack

this is some thing i need to know as, as i am going to buy one today. I have wanted to buy a zune sence it drop on the market. Please answer me on this web-page...

                      -loney snowboarder-

Lol you are funny Cesar Menendez.

I tried updating my zune with the 3.0 today and after i finished that this big red NG just shows on my screen and wont go away and now when i plug my zune into the computer the whole zune program doesnt even recognize it

Question: so after that im just wondering what can i do to get it to go away