We can dream :/.

Hopefully though, these rumors and speculation serve a good purpose. At the very least, they can provide you with ideas and views from angles you hadn't approached before.

Some of the rumors I've read have been very good ones which are worth noting.

I do hate the misleading titles people put on them, gets my hopes up.

Should we be expecting any official news from Microsoft in the next month concerning the Zune?  Real info would help eliminate the rumors...:)

Yup, that's how the real world works.

Well what is so "Insider" about this website? I think you should change your site name to Zune Outsider. Since you can't comment on anything  :)

Aw, and here I thought you were going to mention how great Shellac's new album is, name-dropping the song "Steady As She Goes".  Darn.

I've come across a few rumors.  If they come out as truths, I'll cheer, if not, I'll just shrug my shoulders.

Quote Cesar:

"As for the official word from the Zune team, it’s, you guessed it: We don’t comment on rumor and speculation. Take care everybody!"

Yes, The silence is deafening!

Cavan:)

I hope that we so hear some real info from you guys soon, but in the mean time, it is exciting to read all of the rumors, and try to guess who is correct...

vh1, mtv and cmt r on the way for zune...that you cant deny. its encoded in the .dll files!!!

anyway....movie content is waaaay overdue. the huge screen is just sitting there.

Just wondering but what's the reasoning behind not commenting or not releasing some early info?

Take for instance the Xbox 360 Elite, the worst kept secret in recent memory.  I started reading rumors about that late last year and the vast majority of it turned up true.  Now I understand the business reason for not saying,  "Hey we are making a new box so don't buy any now and wait for it" but there has to be a better way of controlling the rumor mill while building excitement besides "no comment."

4GB & 8GB music/video flash player into 2008 w/o expansion. If you do this...apple will easily topple you.

Get 12-16GB there. no excuse.

Cesar,

I imagine existing owners (those who are more likely to read this site) aren't interested in the new Zunes as much as we're interested in hearing about new features for our existing ones.  With that said...

THROW US A BONE OR SOMETHING!!! :)

Please, let us know that new features are coming.  Where, oh where, is built-in Podcast support (you know, where the Zune really knows the difference between music and other audio files!)?  You've seen all of our previous feature request posts, so I won't regurgitate them.  

Just let us know that some NEW features are coming, and before the next Zunes release...

Please ;)?

John

ps.  Can you answer this question: how much program memory does the Zune have, and how much is currently used by the existing software?  Are we up against a memory bottleneck that is simply going to prevent new features on our current Zunes?  I hope you answer this one, *and* tell us about some new stuff!  Thx again.

I kinda have to accept the rumor and speculation thing.. otherwise I think I would have had an aneurism by now with all the high hope rumors that have been dashed. To every1 here, I think we can be pretty sure that the zune team is working hard to put at least most of these features in for us. It would just be insane not to. Videos can only come after all the legalities are out of the way with movie companies(which I'm just guessing but is probably fairly hard given it's stance in HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray), wifi needs extensive testing before it can be implemented and all the legalities there need to be worked out. In fact I'd almost 100% guarantee that many of these features are in the testing phase right now. So why not give details? Easy: if they tell us they're working on it now it'll be subject to the same amount of overhype and delays any highly anticipated software brings. If they told us right now they were working on it and about when it'd be done you can be sure there would either A: be tons of delays or B: end up something like Fable, a horribly watered down version of what it was supposed to be.

sorry for the double post but that being said yes, I would LOVE news of new features/ new Zune. :)

It seems odd to say we won't say anything about rumors. Why say that you won't say anything?

6-3-2 - I really just wanted to work "Ivan Drago" into an official piece of Microsoft communication ;) But seriously, I've gotta say again, steady as she goes (which is actually the title of one of my favorite songs, Katie, but I like the Raconteurs version).

FYI, Zune Software 1.3 has some part of its Installer code commented. Here's what it has

  if ( fSoftwareToInstall )

   {

       // We only care about firmware if we actually have Zune software to install

       //BUG: 1429 - Disabling firmware download for 1.3 release during setup. OOBE will download it if necessary.

       //Please see bug for more details

       /*if ( parent.g_NetworkAvailable)

       {

           // Check for an updated Pyxis firmware on the Internet

           s_verPyxisInternet = itfFirmware.GetInternetVersion();

           //alert("Pyxis Internet: " + s_verPyxisInternet);

           if ( s_verPyxisInternet > s_verPyxisPackage )

           {

               parent.g_CopyPyxisUpdate = true;

           }

       }*/

   }

   else

   {

    ........

So, whts Pyxis?? why is it disabled with v1.3??

Is that Update coming alond with new Zune's.

Guess there is no real reason to visit this site anymore as no rumors will ever be addressed nor do we ever get a hint as to what features (if any) will be added in the next firmware update. Not that we know there is one coming up as the Zune team won't comment on it. :(

Adding to My previous comment,

I think current Zune firmware is codenamed Pyxis, and the new zunes firmware might be Darco ( as rumoured).

But why disable Update in v1.3?

Tim, the firmware updates 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 were all announced for the first time on this site :)

The firmware updates may have been announced here.. But seriously What have you given us first time zune buyers other than Bug fixes ??

State 1 substantial completely new feature zune team has added since release ??

Fooled me once ... Shame on you ..

No way you guys are going to fool me again..

if i buy a zune imported to the uk, what will i be missing out on?

tiredfan - you'd lose out on access to Zune Marketplace, as it's not supported in the UK. Maxis, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

While it is true all firmware updates were announced on this site, 1.4 was announced the day it was released. People are hoping for more exciting features and something to look forward to. When the Zune team keeps quite about any developments, it doesn't give the community anything to get excited about. While I love my Zune, there is so much potential, and with absolutely no idea what is being worked on (if anything, because, again, no one will say anything) it's hard looking at other devices that have those features we are hoping for.

I dont want to change the subject, but the Zune tattoo guy is at it again.  Talk about given the Zune street cred sheesh.

Anyway Draco is a constallation not a Harry Potter kid.  Keep up the good work Zune team!  

Thanks for the heisman Cesar, but it's better than no communication at all.

Tell your boys I'm going to stop recommending Zune to all my friends if I don't get some Video content soon.

I'm starting to feel guilty for helping sell the Zune when I then have to explain that no, there is no content available on Marketplace (or really many other places).

All I get is my 20 minute clip a day off of MSNBC....and even that requires a "save as".   The real kick in the backside for the Zune team is that on every "podcast" commercial in the clip mentions the Ipod (even shows it) and never "Zune" or "Media Player".   Not so much MS in that MSNBC, eh?

As stated many times, Microsoft is in this market for the long term. This implies that new Zunes with cool new features are inevitable.

Kudos to the Zune Team for keeping it tight.

Please don't announce/ship until its deemed ready.

You can't expect the Ceasar to blog about things he hasn't been told.

For example, in cases like the Red Zune and Halo 3 Zune, he most likely had a planned announcement. You also need to take into account that there are no posts during the weekends as well.

I'd say he's done a fairly good job with keeping us up to date as best as possible. The Zune ecosystem is growing, and news comes in pretty fast.

Recently I have become frustrated with zune.  I love the product itself but some recent events with the zune marketplace have me fuming.  About 3 months ago I purchased some points on the marketplace, at that time they double charged me (and gave me double points).  I recall it being an error out when i went to purchase.  This is a tad annoying but I let it go since I would spend the points eventually....or so I thought.  For the past month and a week I have been unablen to spend points at the marketplace on any computer anywhere.  They have my money and I have points, but I am unable to use them since I cannot buy any songs.  I have contacted their support multiple times on the issue and they dont know how to fix it obviously, whats worse however is they refuse to give me a refund on the points i cant even spend.  I feel as though I have been taken advantage of and they are trying to force me to just suck it up while they figure out problems.

Massive thumbs down

@MaxisOne

Hey! That's my line

lol

Cavan

These rumors are fun little bread crumbs which keeps zune on some type of radar.  But if nothing more then bug fixes come out of year one of this product I see zune have a hard time in year two.  This is too much time to give the competition to come out with products with the same features slightly more functionality and capable of reaching international markets.  Really if the zune team is bring out the guns for the holiday season they need to start the hype machine now or at least by mid July.

Quit being so greedy guys, they can't talk about it yet. Just let it go. You already got what you paid for, A music and video player. You were never promised firmware updates, the is just the possibility for them. If you bought the zune without knowing all of the good and bad that comes with it, that is your fault for being an uninformed buyer. Just be patient, if they add features, bonus, but you aren't owed anything from them. It is in their best interest to keep us happy, but really, we already gave them our money, so we can't expect anymore than we have already been given.

Ditto to John "I imagine existing owners (those who are more likely to read this site) aren't interested in the new Zunes as much as we're interested in hearing about new features for our existing ones."

As someone who just got into the world of podcasts I now understand the complaints about podcast support (or lack thereof)!  While I love my Zune, I still can't get past the feeling that I own a product that falls way short of its potential.  I think that is why we Zune owners are so into the rumors about updates!

I just look forward to the "official" announcement.  Also letting me transfer the shows that I've already paid for on LIVE Marketplace easily over to the Zune would rock!  It would be a great selling point for Microsoft's 360 AND the Zune!    

Hey Lunaclown, lets not forget Media Center..its one of Microsoft's jewels.  I agree, content from either Live MarketPlace (Movies/TV) or Media Center accessible 3rd party stores like CinemaNow (Movies) must be able to sync with Zune.  Its a HUGE hole in the overall entertainment platform.

Speaking of Live MarketPlace. I wish Zune wouldn't refer to the music store as Zune MarketPlace.  Isn't the point to expand brand recognition around Live.  Brand Microsoft's store for all content types Live MarketPlace.

Check out Zune Marketplace this week for a couple of freebies: "Deserter" by Matthew Dear , which in

John in S. Florida,  I'd love for some Media Center love as I'm currently using that to record my favorite shows.  It sure would be nice to be able to simply sync those without transcoding them.  

Love all the comments coming in. I am reminded of my first official Zune blog post, dating back to July 21, 2006:

. . . "Sure, I’ll have the official word on Zune, but really, I want to make this blog about music, music culture, videos, cool bands, things like that. Ok, well, here goes."

http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2006/07/21/27.aspx

I'll take your quote out of context...

"Music culture, videos, cool band"  

-Videos eh?  hahaha

oh..and how about the Zune team or someone out there make additions to the themes portion of the Zune software.  It comes with 3 (haze, night and amber) but it would be super cool if you had more options that changed more than just the background (ie fonts , sounds etc.)  I'd be silly enough to actually pay for those (ie the themes I buy on the LIVE Marketplace).  

anyhoo...you zune fanatics have a great day:)

Cesar, there is definitely a need for Zune team blog for community feedback on device/service issues.

But you are right there should be much more discussion around the content.  To reach a wide audience I think you need something more than a straight forward blog.  I think Microsoft needs to create a Zune Community of Live Spaces.  One where anyone can participate and offer up recommendations/download links for Music/Videos/Movies/Photos/Ebooks/Etc (any content type) available either on Live MarketPlace or user content loaded into Live Spaces, create gossip/commentary, provide local events calendar, sample content, etc..etc.  Who are these bloggers, it could be you or I.  But I think the real value will come from artists and venues creating their own spaces. So lets say I know a pub that is a great venue for new local bands..it would be great as a Zune user to sign up (to Zune Live Space) and automatically receive a refresh of the pub's Live Space blog directly to Zune.  The same holds true if I wanted to sign-up for an artist's fansite.  When you get down to it...Zune isn't just about a device or technology, its also about showcasing/selling an artist and their wares (music, movies, photography, books, etc).

S.FL John - interesting idea - email me (info below); I'd love to hear/talk more about it.

Again, thanks Zune Team........... for letting your users down again. We want more. No more bug fixes. Were looking for more features on the Marketplace and on the Zune itself.

If you want even the slightest chance to competing with Ipod, give us some unique features. Show us how the Zune and Xbox 360 can be used together and have the 360 be more than an $400 charging station. I mean, come on. Its been over 6 months and we don't even have a clock. A CLOCK!!!! Welcome to the social.... yeah right.

cant wait for the new firmware!!!!!!

Cesar, I think you are doing exactly what you said you wanted to do....and you are doing it well.   I come to your site for those specific reasons, and to get any juice that might be falling from the tree.

I have to drop the earful about Video now and again because I'm just that frustrated.   I can understand the development and partnership processes involved, I just feel like one of the greatest features of the Zune is being left behind.

Your personal "marketing" of the music and the FMF's are fantastic.   I can't wait until these new features and content will expand your capabilities.

Again, you allow us to post comments here, and I do believe you can share our thoughts with others you work with...just like you get the (tangible) info from other forums like Zunerama.  It's the best way to know what your end users want/feel/need.

@JOHN...patent it and make 'em pay for it.

:D

I Love my Zune! I use it while walking between classes. I'm very happy with my purchase, but it'd sure be nice to know if we knew more about what features we can possibly look forward to! I'm tired of hearing all my ipod using friends, (I call them the "unknowing") how the zune is nothing more than an ipod in disguise. I know you can do anything, but hey it'd be nice eh? Keep up the good work though I love my zune!

Thanks,

Chris

I just bought the zune av kit. in it says that the dock has a removable insert. when you touch the top it kinda moves. it does indeed. i comes out. the insert is to support new zune versions........ no rumor that a future model is to come.