I can't wait for a solid experience or performance out of the software.  I am also curios when the next Firmware is going to come out.  I think I speak for everyone anymore firmware set to be released?  The software update would be very appreciated as well.

this will not make anyone happy.

Ok, thts nice to c that you are not worried about the Apple product release. But all I want to hear from you is "Zune 2 will be competitive to these new Ipods"??. with -out any details regarding the features/functionality.

I you can confidently say that, it would be very assuring to all the Zune fans and also rise the interest/expectations for the up-coming device.

@Jonathan

I dont think there would another firmware version coming out before Zune 2. All the updates / changes for current will come along with Zune 2 release.

Just my guess, though ;)

Seriously, you guys are already behind the Apple curve. I love my Zune and look forward to v2 but your announcement about the next round should have been raring to go *right after* Apple's announcements.

interesting reaction. You guys have to know that unless you come out with something completely amazing (something along the lines of a surface zune) theres no way the zune can stand up to this announcement. And if you know that and you don't give away anything big in this then either A: you're stalling for time and trying to save face or B: you really do have something that amazing up your sleeve. I really hope this reaction is genuine, because if it is we have something REALLY big to look forward to.

PLEASE update our firmware!

i mean heck, the ipod has wireless browsing now...i'd think we could get an uber basic IE stuck on our zunes maybe?  or something?

or maybe just plugins for zune software...

Cesar,

I would like to point you to an open letter I have written to the Zune team / Microsoft on my blog.  If you are interested in reading it, it is here:

<a href="http://julioangelortiz.net/?p=666">Apple’s New iPod: Microsoft, How Will You Respond?</a>

I sure hope you guys are really not that worried, I would atleast like to know what the new Zune's looked like

Cesar, was any of todays announcement a surprise to the Zune team?  Any chance you can find out for us when Zune's day in the sun will be?  Just asking for venue/time not specifics.  Is J going to do the presentation? thanks!

C,people beggin even for software updates,this is sirious.Tell us,do you think its worth???

You think(or know)if even there will be firmware update 1.5.???

Please answer our questions.

Weird thing is, Zune is releasing their 3rd generation Zune's. All of ours are 2.0, what happened to the 1.0?

-Zoa 342

The Zune is really just competing with the iPod "Classic", as all the other bits of the product line (low-capacity Flash-based devices and some mutant thing that just reminds me of the Nokia 800) are completely different animals.  And I honestly think the Zune 1 as it is with a larger capacity would be more than a match for the larger capacity iPod Classic, as they added a sum total of no new features to that one.  All they did was pretty up the interface.

It's just oh-so-much hype.

I have to give Apple credit for knowing how to sell something and make it cool. They also do a good job of finding out what people want to do on their device, and mostly giving them a way to do it. But, I'm a Zune fan through and through, and I'm really looking forward to the new version... hopefully in Hot Pink (like the original employee Zune(s)).

I know you guys are hard at work on something cool, so today's Apple announcements haven't caused me any Zune angst at all.

Off-topic: I wish Firefox's spell-check would add "Zune" as a real word, geez!

@Jen

I agree, the ipod classic is the only model you can compare to the zune right now and it hasn't changed much from the previous model at all which actually surprised me. The ipod touch is $400 anyway. The zune is almost a year old and so is due an overhaul anyway so would everyone cut down on the "zune is dead" posts. I'm still really happy with my zune! (although I would really like to know wtf the zune team have been doing for the past 9 months!!!, cesar can you enlighten us?)

Ceasar, based on the comments here today you can clearly see that Microsoft dropped the ball on the  Zune.  What is really upsetting is that you have not responded or commented on anything, instead you post news about an artist that basicly nobody cares about.

Pissing off the early adopter is a bad thing because we are the people that recommend the player and help you sell more units and become more popular. I hope you guys do someting and fast or else you will lose every loyal customer that bought your products.

Well guys I'm almost out.  I really love my zune (I imported one to Australia), but it is just becoming a joke unfortunately - I was really hoping for an integrated platform that would grow in rapid succession, but it just doesn't seem to be happening.  I mean, we still don't have podcasting!  And the integration with media centre (which would make sooo much sense) is just theoretical.  There's only so long I can hold on to a product missing basic features on the hope of the coming potential (when the last 12 months have only proved disappointing).  So sorry zune community, if I don't hear any zune updates in the next couple of weeks, I'm buying some fruit instead (reluctantly...).

Take 2:

http://julioangelortiz.net/?p=666

If you check out the Zune boards at Zune Scene, Zunerama, etc., everyone is talking about jumping ship. But of course you are aware of it because you've posted on it too (although you had NOTHING significant to say except directing traffic here).

I'm sure today is a proud day for the Zune team. Maybe one less BBQ?

Unfortunately, it appears that the Zune team wants to follow Apple in only releasing information about products on the day of release instead of giving a month or so heads up.  But, for most of us, it probably doesn't matter when the news gets released.  When people see the touchscreen ipods vs. whatever Microsoft is cooking up, it probably won't make a difference anyway.  I honestly believe that everyone should just sit back and chill until around 08 when the Zune team should be just gearing up to make a significant impact.

Microsoft is just too big and cumbersome at the moment to have this rapid development cycle that us tech guys would love to see.  Even with J on board, it appears that the Zune team might have a lot of enthusiasm, but it's still Microsoft at heart.  Trust me, 08 will be the year... The question is, how many of us will stick around long enough to even care.  I know I probably will.  Subscription music is the handcuffs that keep me tied into the MS ecosystem. Apple lost me the second I realized their whole show was about their hardware and not more convenient ways to get more of the music I love for less (without stealing).  Touch this, nano that...what about the music folks.  Wifi itunes is BIG.  But again, without subscription options, who cares.  

MS is facing an uphill battle this holiday season.  But, when the iphone released a few months ago, I'm sure they saw this day coming.  And, I'm pretty sure everyone at MS is looking forward to next year because as far as consumer perception goes, you can't top what Apple just did.  I, for one, just hope the team doesn't give up.  There's too many good things on the Zune side of things including subscription music, XBOX compatibility avenues, Media Center expansion options, and a wonderful service like XBOX Live to emulate.  Stick in there guys!!!

Here let me help =)

I do not comment on rumors or speculation

Why did you moderate out my post Cesar?

hope you got something great up your sleeve. =P

-Woody

Feels like game over to me.

I'll give MS a few weeks to see what they have up there sleeves but it is getting harder and harder to avoid the iPod. Apple is dominating big time!!! 110 million iPod's sold, 600 million copies of iTunes downloaded and 3 billion with a "B" songs sold...Wow... MS better release something amazing with the Zune 2.0 or else they are better off releasing nothing and keeping quiet.

I still don't understand why my Zune's wifi is so crippled after all this time??? It's getting tougher being an MS fanboy each day.

Cesar, I, like most of the others here, am happy with my Zune, if a bit dissapointed by the lack of response coming out of you guys. Please, please, don't fail us in delivering the goods (a completely integrated ecosystem, from 360 to computer, to Media Center would be a great start, as would downloading over wifi).

You guys really need to make moves (I'd say in the next few weeks or so), or you're going to have a lot of pissed off customers.

And wow; a positive post from SportsUnit. I'm glad to see you coming around, buddy. Just don't lose that critical mind we've grown to love.

I gotta say, in all honesty, I wasn't too impressed with Apple's lineup, as I don't see them as nearly as groundbreaking as previous updates. People complain about video on the iPod and Zune screens... there's no way in hell someone will watch it on a nano. Coverflow is a lame gimmick (not actually that useful), and without the touch features, it becomes a chore to operate. That said, touch is kinda cool, but not the killer feature. Downloading over Wifi is the only thing that really scares me, but without a subscription is virtually worthless. All the new models brought to mind Steve's criticism of Windows Vista, in which he jokingly announced five "different" versions of OSX which were in fact the same product. I see a similar pattern here, but from Apple's end.

Plus, they're all too damn expensive.

Oh, and Dan: listen to Talib before criticizing (and remember that this /is/ mostly a music blog).

forget ipods, if zune doesn't come out with something good I am going archos or creative again.

I'm a newbie Zune owner who took advantage of the recent woot.com deal.  $155 shipped to my door.  At that price point, I'm pretty happy with the Zune which I see as a 30 gb media player.

However, I really feel MS missed an opportunity with the Zune. Currently, the wifi is useless, in fact, mines been turned off since I got it. The whole "social" marketing thing must have had the vision of teens and twenty somethings sharing songs in study hall.

Why didn't you at least let me use it to buy stuff from the marketplace?  At least give us a simple web browser that takes uses Live.com as it's interface.  You could do very simple scroll/select alpha numeric functionality using the existing controls and/or sell a thumb text keyboard that attaches to the bottom.  I understand the Zune needs the DRM locked down, so why not at least add a text messaging option via Live.com?  Imagine the Social music sharing with the ability to also text. Keep the price point low and you'd have a winning device that beats the "Classic" (read outdated) Ipod hands down.  

Or better yet, how about a firmware "update" that just unlocks the thing, and let the Zune community have at it?

How great would it be to open up the wifi to its true potential?

sportsunit,,,I agree with you to some extent. The 08 looks like a good year not because MS is slow but because 3 years is the time which I would think they need to develop something good. Connecting Video store between Zune and xBox and Media Center PC and other technology will take time for what they build right in the begning is what they will buil upon for years.

However I am sure that even if they do not match Apple they will have a decent showing with Zune 2.

But I agree 08 is the year to look to. However whe I hear people in comment say things like "how many of us will stick around" I feel like laughing. At the end of the day it really does not matter as most of the people have not even been introduced to Zune. Comman man does know even know if it exists. So if in 08 MS pushes the media then 08 is the year Zune will become mainstream.

good vibe sportsunit...I for have been hounding Zune feedback, blogs and forums since day one for one thing that will definitely give Zune real purpose in the Microsoft entertainment ecosystem....for Zune to do streaming.  Zune should be able to act as a basic Media Extender for Media Center streaming content/live tv from Media Center, stream from Live.com services like Skydrive and Window Home Server and even the XBox harddrive.  I think streaming is the *one* area that Apple hasn't baked into their products and Microsoft has the opportunity now to make it happen.

Hey! Everyone worried about jumping ship, calm down!  Deep breathes.

Of course the new iPod is cool - it's the next generation player, comparing it to the Zune will always have it coming out on top, but that's not going to be the case, as Zune 2.0 will be coming out soon enough.

Obviously this wasn't a surprise for anyone at Microsoft, they have people like David Caulton who's job it is to strategize, and rumors of a touch iPod have been around since before iPhone rumors.  This is NOTHING NEW.  We all knew the iPod was due for a much needed update - and here it is.  Zune 2.0 will bring the pain, that is for apple, as they've finally had the time to build the device they wanted to.

Zune 1.0 was a nice idea, a well designed player, and got the job done.  Similiar to the original Xbox, it's mission was to get a name in the market, and for Microsoft, it meant stopping another Christmas of total iPod domination.  2.0 is where it will get fun, and I have total faith in the guys at Redmond, remember, they don't play to loose.  They don't put stars like J on the team to make a subpar product, they put visionaries on teams like this to bring change, and I think that is what will happen.  

If anyone doubts what Zune 2 will be up to the task of dethrowning Apple, i advise you to listen to the vision the team has for the player.  It's not a secret, they want to change the business, and I think this vision just might.

http://www.insidehomerecording.com/?p=225

So to all the haters - get a clue, Apple didn't surprise anyone, they released an update to their players, they've done it 6 times now.  Jeez...you'd think that these people would catch onto the trend.

Hang in for Zune 2, and then compare it with the new iPods.  I think you'll be pleasently surprised.

-Charlie

www.zunecorps.com

Give the Zune a 250gb hard drive with native support for lossless audio, which, from what I've read, it doesn't support.  I currently have Creative's Zen Vision: W, the widescreen is the size of an ipod ... humongous, which is why I love it, supports podcasts, supports media center recorded tv, and works in wmp 11.  With the pending closure of mtv's urge store my only MS alternative for subscription content will be the zune.  And it's currently too restricted for me to switch.  TV and storage space are my main requirements, the zen's speaker is great for watching tv at work with my coworkers too, but 30gb is nowhere near enough space

the Zune team hasn't been sitting on their hands this whole time. Something will be announced soon.

Competition is good for everyone, and in the end this Apple announcement will lead to better Zunes.

I don't have high hopes for Zune in general.  Everytime I hear the name or browse the marketing materials I cringe in embarrassment.

Gadgets are personal tools, trying to force a community around a gadget is bizarre to me.  Social networking is a software services phenomenon...like say Facebook.  I suppose iPod touch + safari + facebook probably has a better chance of getting people to socialize with the gadgets.

....and change the name! Zune is awful.  how about XBook? or LiveBox LivePlayer? I dunno

Don't worry guys. The ipod might be looking pretty damn good at the moment, and it's true, they've taken the lead. But the guys at MS are no slouches. They are saving it all up for the biggest punch APPLE ever knows. Zune 2 is going to blow us all away.

You know Micro Soft. They dont play to lose. And lets be honest, the version 1 is usually pretty bad. But they have worked a whole year on 2 now. And it's going to walk all over everything you saw from Apple or anyone else.

Touch screen? You know MS demonstrated touch screen way before Apple. They got wifi built in every single one, just waiting to throw the switch to turn on the good stuff. waiting til the time is right. it's not yet. But it Will be Soon, very Soon!!!

Just wait and have your faith, MS always delivers the BEST in the end, and the ZUNE 2 will be NO exception!!!

I agree with pretty much everyone else, "committed to building a solid experience for users"? What the heck does that mean? How about "we are committed to building the most killer media player in existence!" Come on! Let go!

A 'Solid' experience? Wow, that sounds like defeatist talk.

I'm a Zune fan but sadly, I think, Apple has outdone them, again. Shessh...

Just quit the marketing and branding gimmicky stuff and focus on the consumers needs and just release an excellent player that does things better, 5 times better than iPod, how hard is that...

Microsoft had the technogly to give us the internet on the zune and they sat on it and did nothing all the update that zune has had have sucked. It speed somethings up but still sucked. I bought the zune for a couple of reason and one was the promise of updates. Yet we still see nothing we cant ever get a clock from them really. Im tired of all the waiting for nothing. If your going to do something microsoft do it stop waiting

Why should we all have to wait for a Zune 2.0 to get what was promised to be brought to us on Zune 1.0?  Unless they plan taking my Zune 1.0 and giving me a Zune 2.0 my next purchase probably should just be an iPod at least it silly things like podcast (which more poeple do then videos)and has software that doesn't fight you in everything that you try and do.

Cesar Menendez, Unless Zune 2 is revolutionary, I'm afraid the battle is already lost. I know the product isn't out yet, but if it looks anything like the current Zune, good luck. The current Zune is a joke. When a device's colour is brown, with questionable battery life it doesn't matter what functionality there is, it's a dud.

Look, MS can try and match iPod X feature for feature but will always come up short in the end. It's not about the features. No one really gives a hoot about URGE, to be honest, or the wireless song transfer between Zunes, which its only feature is a battery drainer.

I personally use an iRiver unit because of the superior sound quality. Otherwise, I'd have an iPod of some sort because it's pleasure to use. Apple has the aesthetics and design engineering correct, EVERY time. That iPod Touch thing? It's going to sell like wildfire.

bought a Zune thinking that since it was MS, there would be all kinds of apps and hacks for it. But all the "hacks" that have come out basically give it functionality it SHOULD have shipped with. I was SURE that MS would have all kinds of updates coming out to give the users what they wanted, but they can't even give us a friggin clock!!! Come on MS!!! If I don't see anything within the next few weeks in way of a decent firmware update or some killer news on the Zune2, I hate to say it, but I'm out, game over man!!

Apple&#8217;s Wednesday iPod fest seems to be an unending source of online buzz including several some snarky commentary about Microsoft&#8217;s current Zune offerings (e.g. [1], [2]) but Microsoft&#8217;s Cesar Menendez gave the right answer.. ...

Answer? That was a vague comment. "Of course we watched with some degree of interest but our plans have been in motion for some time now." says to me "crap, too late to go back to the drawing board". I want the Zune to take a bite out of Apple's market share and to be a better product. All you have to do to see how MS is lagging on everything is be an owner of Vista Ultimate and the supposed "Extras" they would be continually releasing for shelling out extra cash. MS likes to call language packs and a single lame card game an "Ultimate Extra", thats the kind of crap I really was hoping they would steer clear of with the Zune, o well. Hopefully Cesar will post some good news for us today.

Really come on microsoft I own a zune marketplace membership that i pay for every month. The marketplace still does not have videos. ITunes has had videos for about 2 years now. What is the hold up come on. Its not worth the time it takes to convert videos to put on the zune. As for buying the new zune 2.0 Im not sure. I agree with Paul  when he said "Unless they plan taking my Zune 1.0 and giving me a Zune 2.0 my next purchase probably should just be an iPod" Please MS come on AS much as i hate Apple I have to say they have a better product

Are you guys in denial?

I think Microsoft has the chance to build a better product... but for some strange reason they only choose to imitate ... perhaps you need some lefties in your brainstorm team.

I would say that an Xbox Portable would be the BEST angle to attack the iPod.  USE YOUR STRENGTHS !!!   You have to MERGE this Zune thing with the Xbox !!!

And YES... it has to work with the Mac !!

Cesar... with your background in Xbox marketing... you should know I am right.

Alright people, I think it's safe to say that given the long haul approach MS has promised, the intial offering which is a updated Gigabeat with unique features, and our support of the Zune even in the midst of other more established media devices that we have some faith in MS. Yes, it's been a slightly frustrating year as updates occur every blue moon, but they do occur. Let's not forget that 4 out of 6 people say that the Zune sounds better than the reigning top seller. Musically, the Zune sounds better. Out the box it comes with an fm tuner which the competitor even now STILL doesn't have; background customization (which doesn't sound like much to some but I change my background every 2 weeks and I still like it - its just so personal); and the cool to have but hardly usable (at least right now) wifi sharing. MS is keeping it's mouth shut probably to do this right, to keep the competition in the dark and to focus on making a great product. People complain about what's not in the Zune, but not on what's in and working great. Just my thought but I'm willing to bet the current hardware version has almost reached it's limit; the desktop software was intentionally crippled due to possible legal ramifications ('pod' casts) and conversion to ms formats for similiar reasons(divx;qt;etc). The screen resolution, bitrate, etc are all hardware limitations probably for stability reasons as I've seen. But since there's a Zune factory being established; a year to knock out issues, improve performance and research and implement new hardware options; let's put some of our Zune 1.0 faith in the unknown 2.0. Wishlist:

1. I think all us Zunies would like to know when MS will issue a release statement about Zune 2 even if the actual release isn't until say a week before black Friday again.

2. Desktop a. We've gotten around netcasts using third party software - that takes the heat off MS. But the zpl format which is merely an xml playlist that supports adding videos to the list but not actually playing them on the device - Add it! b. PLEASE make the marketplace async better!

3. Hardware : a. Browser/Touchscreen - now it required. If you don't believe me - watch the competitors sales this and next weekend. 'Nuff said.

b. We were supposed to get 60gb and it never happened. 80gb WAS the standard, now its 160 BUT only if Zune supports wav or wma lossless, and or other video formats in higher resolutions. Otherwise there's not really a good poiny for going that high globally - personally maybe.

c. Zune stations - now it has to happen - but MS will kick @$$ if it's usable with subscriptions.

4. nice to haves - clock (is this really necessary); I know gaming is being considered but let's remember this is a MEDIA device first. And for goodness sakes add in on the fly playlist REORDERING! my old monochrome nomad did that!

Finally one last note about the 'crippled' Zune experience. MS has been pretty adamant about security in the last X years. For a brief time I worked as a system admin and the first security principle is lock it all down and allow access as necessary (and legally). This approach is apparent in the music sharing (though most of us HATE that - it's for legal reasons until DRM in Zunes dies and it looks like it's coming) and in the desktop software which is a locked down WMP. WMP accepts a lot of formats, but it merely plays them; the Zune moves them off the machine so it was tricky, so better safe than sorry.

Last thing I promise, although I'd love to go in (provided Zune 2 kicks butt) and get 50-100 bucks off my new Zune because I'm a loyal customer it just aint gonna happen given the new pricing of PMPs. MS will either match the prices of the nee fatpods with the draco models, but... if Zune 2 is wifi with a browser, touchscreen, radio, (some gaming but unnecessary) and with 80GB (or more) - ipod touch wont stand a chance at the same price or up to 50 bucks more. That's the place to strike. 4-8gb draco for the same price, but 8gb touch vs a 30gb touch with a tuner for the same price? or even worse 16gb touch for $400 vs a 80gb touch for 350-450. If the Zune 2 had all that (hopefully) and was the same price but with higher capacity and stability - MS could cream them this year. And don't get me started on the phone....

Alright... Zune is great at first, but man, its a bit outdated. I'm a loyal zune fan. I live in the philippines and I have 2 zunes(1 for video and another one for music). It's great and we all know that. I abandoned Apple with all good faith with microsoft because i know that if there is anyone who can beat apple, undoubtedly its microsoft. I've been a constant fan and promoter of zune here in my country because i believe ms can deliver. I'm not losing hope with zune because i know ms will not just give up that easily to a puny company like apple(compared to ms).

The sad part: Ipod touch is GREAT! honestly I'll probably buy one(but will never abandon zune). I'm a tech person, I love technology and gadgets. I love anything that has touchscreen. And man, a music player with a real browser... thats hot! I dont care about iphone because its a lame phone but a great player and browser. Itouch has a bigger screen now. The only problem that i have with it is its small storage capacity.

Now, what can ms do? here is my unsolicited advice to you zune team... and you cesar as well....

1. High capacity! make it atleast 60gb or more. at the least. I mean, its almost 2008, 1gb is like close to nothing.

2. Touchscreen is a big plus.

3. WIFI is the way to go.

4. Still continue with the file sharing... its still a great feature.

5. Worldwide release! for the ipod to feel your REAL presence in the market.... USA is just a piece of chunk.... you have no idea how huge asian market is. Asians love MS without a doubt. (even I have 2 zunes coming from a what you call 3rd world country)

6. clock... please... its just a couple of script to add.

7. Maintain the rubberized feel/casing... it may not be the slickest item like ipod.. but damn its so durable and scratch proof man! very handy! the color is just a plus really.

8. honestly make it lighter.

9. More accesories.....

10. lastly, dont follow the steps of apple buy dividing the good stuff over different products...(e.g. touchscreen but small capacity; they could have integrated touch with 80gb and 160gb memory) That could have made me transfer back to them immediately!

Make an awesome ZUNE 2 device! do not slice the features like the ipod family... (i know its great for marketing and sales to put everything in 1 item but with apples position in the market now.... mMS should dig dip and come up with the UBER UBER UBER cool gadget that even gizmodo and engadget apple fanboys would drool over.

Thanks.

thank you

lets be honest, the version 1 is usually pretty bad. But they have worked a whole year on 2 now. And it's going to walk all over everything you saw from Apple or anyone else.

It has been awhile guys....Thought it was time I got my happy ass back on here...