I am greatful for this post Cesar. I think the anticipation is driving everyone here batty. Even I am losing my mind a little. IF your that confident on the new Zune I guess I have nothing to worry about and we all should just be a little more patient.

But seriously when it coming out? LOL

Thanks Cesar. But I think the problem is that for many people, its long past time that something concrete, the term "throw us a bone" comes to mind, it stated in terms of significant feature enhancements.

I've worked with MS marketting before (specifically with regards to the games division) so I understand what a complex machine it came be and how they have lots of money tied to specific announcements going out at planned times.

Its the issue of trying to turn a cruise shipe vs. turning a speedboat. MS is the slow turning cruise ship. In the consumer electronics area, you need to be the speed boat. :)

What about canada, until i move to the states i need to listen to music too!

Woot!  Glad to hear it! :)

Thanks for all your hard work.

I'm more than a little frustrated with the update cycle for the Zune. Just for starters MS puts out a crippled feature on Zune (wifi), and we hear buzz about buying tracks in Starbucks and McDonalds, then Apple comes in and beats them to the punch with the new iPod, which they demonstrated doing exactly that. I understand the need to build buzz for the new Zune, but, does that mean that we'll have to buy the new one to actually use our wifi, access more playlists than just the quick list (using just the zune), and the whole host of other features that the community has been begging for since it was released? I appreciate your post, but at least a "we're working on" list would be nice. :-)

Thanks Cesar

Cesar,

Why not give us one new feature that will be in the next Firmware.  Certainly something has been completely tested and is bug free.  No timelines just say something like, "The next firmware will allow users to download tracks wirelessly."  Give us something to keep us hooked.  As a previous reference to a cruise ship, people are jumping off and no life preservers are being thrown out.

Thanks Cesar! It's great to hear that things are at least in the works. Like Phil, I'm in Canada and don't have a Zune yet, but I do plan on getting one on my next trip State-side. I'm kind of in a good position in that I have to wait 5-6 months to get a Zune anyway, so as long as something is released by then, I'm a happy guy!

Don't let all the hate get you down. Sure, there are some pretty peeved Zune owners right now (really, who can blame them), but I have a feeling a lot of the flak is coming from iPod owners who have barely even touched a Zune and will probably never come back to this blog again. Happens all the time in this "system wars" stuff, unfortunately.

Keep up the good work!

I'm glad you're listening to whatever feedback, I just hope you're taking it to heart when deciding on where to go next with Zune.

Personally, I'm on the edge of buying another MP3 player and I'm just waiting to see your response to Apple's new line.  The biggest things that would make me switch are:

Increased convergence with Xbox360.  Especially  if video marketplace were to extend to the Zune.  

Increased HD space.

Compatibility with ipod docking devices (for those of us with ipod accessories, compatibility GREATLY lowers the cost of moving away from apple)

Just got a zune last night (was previously/currently a Zen Vision: M owner) I like the Zune interface, especially the radio where it shows what song is currently playing COOL!!!

however for the radio, I wish you had a preset mode... so as soon as I push left or right, it goes up and down my preset list. I know if I hold down for like a second it will do it, but that is very tedious.  The Zen vision :m had this feature and you can quickly scan over all your presets within a few seconds...

Not trolling or flaming, just a suggestion.  I like it so far! (however not digging the "closeness" of the device. with my zen, I could use it as a removable storage device which was nice, especially for work.  I could take files to and from work without needing a thumb drive. For video viewing, I could watch my divx/xvid collection, etc)

haha, I just tried holding down the left right buttons, and it cycles through presets... i guess that works, better than one one second press per station :) so I somewhat retract my statement (preset mode would still be nice haha)

Cesar,

I just got my Zune. I have to say, I am very happy with it. It does take a little getting used too, coming from an iPod. You'll be happy to know that I threw my iPod away. (good riddens to bad rubbish) I still have my wireless on in hopes that one day I might run into a new Zune friend :)

Let us hope that MS doesn't wait to long before the new update. I'm still pulling for you.  

Screw You Apple! :) Sorry... Sometimes I have flash backs of when my iPod (iPewp as I like to call it.) wouldnt sync threw the USB cable.... Stupid Firewire.

Well Cesar, I appreciate you listening to everyone, but you have really told us nothing. Of course your confident, you know whats going on! But us Zune owners outside of the process know nothing! The fact that MS can't throw us even the smallest of details really makes me wonder if they are scrambling. If not LET US KNOW...PLEASE!!! Please don't make the Zune the next Vista Ultimate Edition!! Thanks for your thick skin as well.  :0)

Thanks Cesar, keep representin.

Good to know you read all the feed back... To be successful in any market, you have to give the customer (within reason) what they want.

Hope it doesn't take to long to get some information on what is coming... I have a couple long flights and I would like some entertainment on the way... Audio books would be my preference....

Nick did you press the center button while in Radio? If you added presets, you will see a list of them (where you can pick your preset station without going through other stations).

Thats candid!! :). Its nice to hear that you are CONFIDENT abt the coming lineup of the Zune platform (even after the iPod announcement).

I think, a Zune team blog on MSDN (like most of the teams at MS), would have wider audience and provde greater interaction with users n Zune team. (nothing bad abt zuneinsider ;), but just that a zune team blog would sound better).

I'll be waiting for any announcements.

Hey Caesar, any chance for a reader meet-up? I was always bummed that I never got to come to one since I lived in Wisconsin, but I just moved to Bellevue about two weeks ago. I live on 148th Ave and 40th St so hopefully the place you do meet-ups is within walking distance :-P

I'm really excited about Zune gen2 devices! Not sure if I can get one since I'm a poor college student. :-(

Ok I'm happy your dropping hints about enhancements for Gen 1 Players but the hinting as GOT TO STOP!!.

It has almost been 1 FULL YEAR since this product has come out and there has been NO NEW FEATURES!!!

No more hinting tell us what these new features are going to be and when we are going to get it.

It's time to actually tell us what you guys are working on.

Sorry for double post, but I can't edit.

Any chance for another Zune street team to start up? The Zune Master program has ended apparently. :-\ Hopefully you guys start it up again for the next generation of Zune's.

Yeah, I am happy too, that u are confident about the next line up,it means that it can't be bad,only good stuff.But I will be more happy, if M$ just bring the Zune to Europe,increase the hdd and give it a nice price.I don't want to buy a ipod with bad sound,small screen,etc,etc, but if M$ don't do nothing to launch the Zune in Europe,I think I will buy a ipod(oh god -.-).

M§ is going the same way as sony" The Europeans don't mind to wait!" someone of sony said that,and M$ seems to have the same idea, and that is just so so wrong.

I hope I am all wrong and someone say something about a fast release of Zune in Europe with new hdd sizes and prices to compete with the New "old" iPod classic.

PS:Sorry for my English

Cesar I have to echo Nooks comments in appreciation of your thick skin, it is rare to have a forum like this for a product, where an employee of the company is involved.  Some have thrown around the word hate, and I don't think that is it, for the most part it is frustration.  A lot of people in Zune community go to bat for Zune and some high expectations were set, some fair and some maybe not so much, the initial pitch was something we could swing for, we need something else.  I hope it will come soon.

thanks

I am excited to see more news, but am bummed to find out its nothing big...ever.  I cant wait for the zune to come out.  i might sell my first one and get the new one, or depending on a firmware i will just upgrad, obviously.  I am excited thought but i cant wait much longer.  I check this site a few times a day, its awesome.  Great work!!!

I agree, no more hinting at upgrades to the gen 1 Zune.  It has been about a year now and people are really starting to question how sincere these hints are.  Is it just an attept to clear out the stock before you release the next generation?  This has got to stop.  Put out a release early next week or close shop.  Again, Cesar this is not personal.  You are in a real bad position right now because you are the face of the Zune team.  I don't think that's a fair place for you, given your real role with the company.  Sorry man!

Woot, this is gonna be awsome! Finally a new Firmware update. Thanks Cesar

Free music is great... but I don't care to listen to indy bands, and I doubt the majority of the buyers of the Zune do either.  We're SET with music content... SET.. ALL DONE.  

How about working on incorporating video downloads on the marketplace site.  THATS an update I can get into.  Or how about adding some simple new functionality to the software?

To summarize:  no more indy band music, no more pretty Zune cases, no more buses sponsored by Zune.  How about optimizing this great platform we've all spent $250 on?

I am so, so close to buying an iPod Classic. And this is from a guy who, even though he knew Apple was going to launch new iPods, bought another Zune to replace the one he lost.

C'mon, you HAVE to announce something within two weeks or you are going to lose a lot of people. I've put up with 30 GB, I've put up with WiFi that is completely useless and I've put up with software that cannot even sync 35 GB worth of music without freezing up -- not to mention all the other bugs.

Earth to Microsoft, you are risking a lot. You have to move more quickly. I sincerely hope your marketing team felt a tinge of pain when watching Apple unveil the new iPods. If the team didn't you are seriously in trouble.

With the expanded line of iPods, you need loyal Zune owners more than we need Microsoft. After all, there is a (clearly) better alternative on which to spend our money.

Payday is today, payday is a week from today and there will be another the Friday after that. It won't take people long to spend or save the money on the new iPods.

I want to believe. Really I do...I like the Zune. But I am willing to buy an iPod even with the reservations I have with its interface.

I have to admit. I made the switch to Zune quick. I like the product, I have some gripes, but none like I had about my ipod. I'm really frustrated though. The "promise" of firmware updates is severely lacking. Shuffle enhancements are nothing to blow a load over. My other frustration comes from the lack of Zune accessories. Also, I go to the store and all Zune products in a fire sale state. To me, that reads as a dying brand. To other consumers, ones who are still cooing over the boring old ipod, the Zune is an increasingly useless product because it's always in the clearance aisle. I get ragged, a lot, because everyone I know has an ipod. I've met 2 people who have Zunes and they got one because I was so sold on mine. The social lacks depth, breadth, support, all of it. Something as simple as buying a good, quality FM Transmitter for my car has become a frustrating search on the internet to find out-of-stock and discontinued products.

I'm not crapping on the product. I just have no clue. And those pictures that are on engadget, and all the tech blogs are not promising in the least bit. It's depressing. I like this brand, I do. But it's beginning to feel a bit like the ill-fated PB Max Candy Bar.

Uhh, that should read 25 GB worth of music!

everyday i hope for new news. maybe one specific. haha everyday i am dissapointed a bit more. but i guess it will come eventually. and man do i hope it comes soon.

<3

I just got my Zune recently, having finally gotten the money to upgrade from my teensy 1-gig MobiBlu cube (Bah to the Shuffle!) and having been won over by some features that make it stand out from the 30-gig competition.  Having a nice deep drawer full of obsolete devices and a bad case of gadget envy, I've been happy to see that MS is even planning firmware updates to keep the v1 viable even when the v2 is out.  I'm thrilled with my Zune even as it is. :)

I'm a big fan of Microsoft products, in particular the 360 and Zune.  Although I love my Zune, I'm getting weary.  One example: No Podcast support?!?! WTF?!?

tomis (at) thebelay (dot) com.

Cesar:

Save.  The.  Social.

I have access to millions of songs.  I have some idea which ones are good, but the killer-app for the Zune is this -

We need a John-in-the-Morning for the ZunePass library.  I like that you are out there discovering new music and posting links to free MP3s, but until now, shared playlists were worthless without shared libraries.  But we all share the ZunePass library - give me a 100 song playlist a week that gets deep into the Zune catalog and shows me what's available, now, with the software/hardware I have. You've shown me that you have great eclectic taste in music - GIVE ME PLAYLISTS! I just did a google search, and then a windows-live search, and came up with nada. Nothing.

I just got a ZunePass a month ago, and this is what I did - I downloaded every CD that KEXP reviewed this year.  Then I downloaded their top 100 albums of 2006.  Then 2005.  Then 2004.  All the way back to their first list they post on the web.  The Zune marketplace had about 85% of it available for download.  That is A HUGE amount of music for 14.99 a month.  Apple/iPod has NO ANSWER to this right now.  Listen to a track in Starbucks and buy it right there for $1?  Please.

Save.  The.  Social.  

You're on the right track with your blogposts on Fridays, but let's leverage the hardware/software we all have instead of making your Friday posts just-another-free-mp3-blog.  Post a playlist that drives people into the ZunePass and then sends them out to show their iPod wielding friends WHAT THEY ARE MISSING - THE SOCIAL.  People can trade ZunePass playlists like Deadheads trade good bootlegs.  Microsoft can hire a programmer (as in, radio programmer) with indie-sensibilities, and he can spew playlists onto the web.  There is nothing like this in the market right now, because vast libraries of music are not shared.  Until now.  

Through the iPod, and podcasts, communities of like-minded people gather around linear-based, radio-station equivalents where you are stuck listening to everything in the order they chose for you.  How difficult would it be to identify every song that John played on KEXP this week, find out what's available on the ZunePass, put that into a playlist, and post it on the web?  Pure-freaking-gold THAT would be.  It's an iPod killer.  Let them download a song at a time in Starbucks while we listen to a fresh weekly list of cool songs tied into the KEXP programming sensibility, all for $14.99 a month, all fresh delivered to me weekly, by you, or someone like you.  It's a database over here (KEXPlorer is doing it right now) and a database over there (ZunePass).

Now THAT would be cool.

Tom

I am very curious to hear about the new updates.

Please include Podcast support. I am tired of using third party softwares for that.

I'm digging Tom's idea!  That sounds cool!

I don't think anyone here thinks the team isn't listening or for that matter not working on something great up there but the complete lack of anything other than brand building tours, concerts, bbqs, etc is kind of disheartening.  I know gaining market share is key since without moving units there isn't much of a point to continuing development but the device at this point seems kind of stale.  Of course maybe that's just due to the recent news from the other guys.

ZUNE marketplace combined with xbox marketplace

music, TV, movies and more

there your done

get it done

please

could we at least get a date for new firmware, it doesn't even have to be exact, September, November,... Fall, Winter... 2007, 2008... anything so we can keep our sanity :)

oh and yes I know I can push the middle button to get the list of my radio presets, however the point was to surf each channel to find a song I like. On the zen vision: m, I could quickly push left or right when in preset mode and it will go through all my presets..  Like I said after my first post, I found out that if I hold the left or right buttons it will cycle through the presets. Not as fast as I could with the zen, but its better than having to click and hold for a whole second for each station.  

But yes, podcasting would be awesome.  I love to listen to the good ol Major Nelson (Microsoft employee from the xbox side of things, for those who don't know) every Monday at work (he posts his shows every sunday).  I'm sure if there was a podcast system in place I would be inclined to search for more podcast talkshows.

thanks guys(just got the zune yesturday, lookin' forward to be apart of the scene! and this forum!)

Nick

Thomas has a great idea!

I would be convinced to pay $15 a month if there were better playlists. and being able to share playlists would be awesome. ( give us a reason for having a friends list on zune marketplace.

Yeah, I like Tom's idea too (although I hasten to point out that this isn't the first service of its kind, and Rhapsody [and even iTunes] already have web playlists and such).

One Killer feature for me (that wouldn't be too difficult to implement) would be to flag a song that you hear on the radio. You guys could scrape the RDS data and store it the same way you do with songs I flag. It could then be linked to the Marketplace (again, already a feature) and become really useful. Throw a clock on the Zune, and it becomes even better, especially with stations that don't have RDS.

In such a case, the frequency of the station and the time would be flagged, allowing the user to manually search for the song online later.

Currently, I use my phone to write notes like "10:16 on WERS" to remind me that I like a song. Let the Zune do that for me, and I'll gladly give up another $250.

Cesar - Now that Apple has released the goods on their new iPods can't Microsoft give Zune users and those waiting for the new Zune before buying, a heads up on release dates and features?  I am a Zune user but the Ipod Touch looks good.  I like podcast support, wireless connectivity, Audible support, etc.  Let's hear something soon. This market doesn't wait and Apple has the ball right now.  I'd like to stick with the Zune. Give me a reason to do that.

Last year right around the time when Apple announced it's new refreshed iPods, the Zune announcement was right around the corner. Can we expect anything soon?! ANYTHING?

C'mon Cesar, you have to give us SOMETHING! I'm waiting to buy a Zune until the 2nd gen comes out, and I'm dyin' here! Maybe a date of a press conference or something?

yeah I don't understand the giving away free MP3s strategy. How does it help artists in the long run to create an atmosphere of "Zune = free music"?  

so I second the idea of Zune playlists.

Would it be something if Zune were to be successful and as a result totally destroy the legitimate recorded music industry?

Yeah, a clock would be nice to have... when I go running/workout with my Zen vision:m, I would use the clock to keep track of the time...  It's just nice to have. Would it be that hard to keep a clock in small print (bout the size of the battery meter) in some corner of the screen?  I suppose it would be hard if the hardware wouldn't support it(couldn't keep a clock running when its off), if so.. that sucks!

sorry if I mention the zen too much, I'm just trying to get out good experiences I have had with other mp3 players and perhaps the zune could adopt those features as well (well, if they aren't patented)

I've got a question for you, Cesar.

By "...enhancements we’re bringing to gen 1 Zunes."

1. Do you mean firmware updates for the current Zune?

or

2. Are you talking about the Zune 2, and its improvements over the 1 gen. Zune?

We all want a clock, please give us one. I know that would conflict with the 3-day 3-songs thing. But just scrap it. Zune news will be on Tuesday! I announce it, i hope.

Diego! Hi! Finally, a question I can answer! I mean *both* enhancements to current Zune and a new product line. Now, it may be obvious, but I can't talk specifics right now :)

I think there's only one way to interpret that...

"...enhancements we’re bringing to gen 1 Zunes."

Bringing... TO... gen 1 Zunes

so yes, firmware update(s)

No need for a "specific" date, but how about a vauge date ;0)

OMG! THANK YOU CESAR!!! YOU JUST BRIGHTENED MY DAY!!!! Sorry for the caps. Yeah! More Zune news soon!

Cesar, here's something different for you. If I wanted to talk to someone about the Zune with someone, but in a foreign language, especially one that has male and female words, what would the Zune be? Male or female? In French, should I say "La Zune" or "Le Zune?" Any thoughts?

^ Evil, Cesar, evil!!!  ;-)

Okay, perhaps a question that may be *just* vague enough to give people here hope.

Would it be unreasonable to expect some love for our Zune by year's end?

(See?  Vague, kindly asked...)

Speaking a little further ahead than this holiday season, I hpe you guys are planning on doing firmware updates a little more regularly next year. Smaller, but more regular updates would be a lot better than the year of practically nothing we've just had. Maybe you could adopt the Xbox's team's Spring and Fall schedule.

Or perhaps Window's weekly update schedule :)

one new feature a week would be awesome haha

Sounds promising to me. Thanks for clearifying that and sorry for the ugly comments I've left. XD

Now respond to me email please =)

Hey guys, since I'm new here I was curious on how this blog was like just before other firmware releases were released and I came across this good blog...

=============start==============

February 26, 2007

On Firmware Updates

Some (very vocal) folks are wondering about firmware updates. Or at least the communication around them.I had actually chimed in a previous post. But it's worth updating/restating here:

As far as the silence around firmware updates. I feel your pain, and I understand how frustrating the silence is. Honestly though, just because there's no word from the me/team, doesn't mean we're not listening, and that the dev team isn't working hard. Right now they'd rather be heads down and make improvements than be interrupted to talk to marketing ;). So, nothing specific (yet), but stay tuned.

Thoughts? If nothing else, this post can serve as *the* place to express your firmware thoughts. Thanks!

============end==============

Also, firmware 1.3 was announced about 1 month before it came out... so perhaps today was an announcment to the announcment? so give it about november/end of october? haha

Nick

Glad to hear MS didn't abandon Gen 1 Zuners. I sure hope I am gonna have a reason to not get an iPod and keep my Zune.

Just wondering Cesar, what backround do you have on your Zune?

@Thomas

Your idea's seem very practical, hope some one takes the Initiative and make the first step. :)

We need more social with the Zune, more interaction with-in the community.

Cesar, this whole "doesn’t change any of our plans" deal, does that mean you guys have something so damn amazing there's no need to worry about the new Apple developments, or that you'll simply just take care of this with Zune 3.0...?

I wonder if there will be a camera attachment to the zune, i only think this because of the import pictures menu when you have the zune icon in my computer(after the reg config of course) because that would be something worth looking forward to. Thanks

Where are you guys getting the idea that a firmware update is coming from what Cesar posted on this thread?  Honestly, this is not a sarcastic question.  I just don't see where you're getting this impression.

I don't want to suggest or bring up any false hope, but there is the Digital Life Expo at the end of the month. I am myself am hoping for something then.  I know Cesar won't comment on this and it's no use for us to harass him. If there is no word then, then we will have to wait.  I do have faith that there is something big coming up, but I will not speculate on that here. (I remember the policy on rumor and speculation.)Quick tip though for the gentleman yesterday that was having problems with the Licenses on the zune pass.  If you will tell the software to check for updates, you will automatically renew any expired licenses without having to plug in your Zune.

hey cesar i was wondering if you know about any wifi headphones in the works or something. similar because I ride bmx and i love to listen to music while i ride but theres the only problem  of me not wanting to fall on my zune and crush the screen. so know anyone or cesar know of any bluetooth or wifi headphones compatible with the zune that i could use to listen to while i ride with my zune sitting on the ramp or something?

What would happen if Cesar were to post tomorrow that the Zune 2.0 would be released on November 8, 2007? My guess is that the daily sales rate would decrease by 50 - 70 % for the next two months. This is not something the Zune team want's to happen. Announcements are timed to try to minimize this sales freeze. As an old boss of mine used to say "Bob, these kind of decisions are made by smarter men than you or me.". Of course he was only half right, but the message still had some validity.

Adam K - You wrote: "One Killer feature for me (that wouldn't be too difficult to implement) would be to flag a song that you hear on the radio."

I realize that this isn't Zune-specific, but Apple released just such a feature yesterday in their latest iTunes update:

http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0711819620070907

I point this out only to let you know that you are right, it probably wouldn't be too difficult for the Zune team to implement.

Still waiting for that clock!got a date perhaps?

hey cesar, i read your blog just about every day, and i'm glad to hear that MS is confident with their lineup. I've read some of the other comments on this post and it seems as though people are asking way to much of you, and the zune (wifi headphones? whattt?) but come on now, apple is getting bigger! they're moving so fast, and collaborating with so many other companies to improve their products (starbucks, sony?). Microsoft WILL NOT last if nothing is done soon. This isn't just about the zune, its about everything! i hate apple, alright? and i love the zune, and the windows OS more than even the iPod touch... but this is insane! apple will catch up soon, and i fear for MS. i really do.

but i'm still very happy with my zune, so thanks for that :)

I was thinking when I read about all those new iPod stuff, you have one advantage there, the iPod touch only has 16 gb, and the iPod classic has 160 gb, yeah, but it doesn't have wifi, microsoft can ehmm.. juntar, take togheter those and the other stuff, c'mon microsoft, you have a hole in here, act quickly before someone else take it!

PD.

sorry about my english, i'm a Mexican Zune User ;)

Thanks for the clarification Cesar! I understand you can't really talk about any things specifically, and I think it's actually a good thing, because surprises are better. I mean, look at the ipod touch, we already knew what it was going to be before it was released, there was no excitement whatsoever. Hopefully, all of this will be cleared up in the next couple of months. I'm getting excited, I can't wait Go Cesar and Zune Team!

i'm glad i stumbled across this blog. i'll be checking up on this site for any new info :)

i'm having a bit of trouble registering. is this temporary? (mongchacha@gmail.com)

Its good to know your listening, can't wait to see what is in store for my zune, Which I lovingly Named Chris' Zune Bafoon! :-D

I'm glad you're listening Cesar, and appreciate the fact that this probably isn't your domain. But  "(no specifics to share right now)." really isn't good enough. :(

There have been "no specifics to share" for the past 10 months.

I just hope something innovative (in terms of form factor, content, or features) is released.  The question of the day for MS, how do you beat touch?

@ diego,

you wrote, "I mean, look at the ipod touch, we already knew what it was going to be before it was released, there was no excitement whatsoever."

that's just not true.  there was and still is a huge amount of excitement over the new line of ipods as demonstrated by its taking over the various gadget blogs completely for several days and even getting prime time coverage on a variety of news shows.  and it's not being true is important because it undercuts your real argument of which this proposition is merely support, "I understand you can't really talk about any things specifically, and I think it's actually a good thing, because surprises are better."  you might prefer complete surprises, but many in the zune community are concerned that the lack of reporting is, at least in part, because there simply isn't much about which to report.  what i mean is that there is concern that the second gen zune simply won't have the features that everyone wants, and, even worse, it won't match the new features of the current line of ipods.  that's frustrating for those of us who feel that we are invested in the zune because we were early adopters, some of us even convinced our friends and family to be early adopters as well.  

the point here is that some of us would much prefer to be told what's coming so we can know if our loyalties were justified and, quite possibly, whether or not it's worth our waiting for the zune 2 before we upgrade to the current generation of devices.  i mean, the "surprise" of learning that we could have just gone ahead and bought a device with a browser or with substantially increased storage because the zune 2 won't match those features is hardly a surprise that i want, and i don't think i'm alone in that respect.  more than that, i don't think my excitement over getting a zune 2 would be in any way diminished if i learned today that the zune 2 will have the features that make it worth the wait.

I have been a Zune owner from the start. I love the subscription model on the Zune Markerplace and how it let's me try new music. The Zune hardware is crying out to be used in better ways. Podcasts, TV show syncing from Media Center, Movie & TV show subscription. There is so much potential.

But....I bought my first ever Apple product yesterday. I wanted to try the iPod Classic to see what it was like to use. So far I can say that CoverFlow is a cool way to navigate my albums. The device is truly pocketable and the design is slick. What I am looking for is a good reason from Microsoft before my 14 day "evaluation" is expired to return the device for a refund!!

Come on guys, show me what you have.

LIST

Things to Fix/Build on

-Quick lists- let us save them as playlists and have as many as we want. Also, allow video quicklists/playlists. Let us remove tracks from quicklists/playlists.

-The longer you hold down, the fast forward gets faster- for long music files/videos.

-Support for more resolutions- So the screen can only be 320x240. Let us load other resolutions on there- like widescreen files with bars at the top and bottom. Allow these videos to be played using AV-out at full resolution, so it looks a little better on a TV, if the hardware allows this.

-Fixing the 3x3 rule- OK, so we know it might get some people angry if you got rid of the restrictions all together, but maybe you could do a few things, like get rid of the 3x3 if two Zune Pass members send songs to each other. Or make the 3x3 less tight, like 5x10 and allowing us to send 3x3 songs to other zunes.

-Don't interrupt our music or video when someone wants to "squirt" us a song or picture- a simple notification and beep is fine. Then we can hit accept or just keep listening.

-More codecs! Add OGG and FLAC for audio, add AVI, Divx/Xvid, DVR-MS for video. If you can't add native support, at least allow the Zune software to convert these files.

-Custom EQ- Self explanatory.

Things to Add

-A fricking clock. Just stick it down in the corner with the battery life/wireless logo. World time and date would be nice, but a clock is all we need.

-Alarm-Goes along with the clock. Allow you to pick a song or FM radio to wake to.

-Sleep Timer- Set an amount of time for the device to turn off after, for listening before bed.

-Screen orientation choice- the abilty to flip the screen to horisontal, no matter what mode you're in. Also, the ability to flip it so the controls are in your left hand.

-Deletion on the go- Just stick a "delete" option on the center button context menu. Make sure the marketplace software knows you don't want that file resynced.

-360 Connectivity- Allow the Zune to connect the the 360 wirelessly if the 360 is wireless. Also, allow the Zune to act as a big memory card for the 360. Maybe even let us put 360 video marketplace files on the Zune.

-Video Thumbnails- Self explanatory. Make it so we can turn this on or off.

-Audio Bookmarking- for audio podcasts.

-Radio recording- Self explanatory. Maybe even allow us to schedule recordings, like for talk shows.

-Mac/Linux Support- Self explanatory.

-More themes/more customizable- not just backgrounds, but fonts, click sounds, etc.

-Randomize wallpaper- On startup, or daily, weekly, monthly, etc.

-Search- Search the device for music, movies, or pictures by title, artist, etc.

-Text file viewing- self explanatory.

-Removable drive- If you can't let us get at the drive and drag and drop our content, at least let us partition it for data, like the Creative Zen players.

-Customizable menus- Like allowing us to stick the backlight setting or quick list on the front menu.

-Wireless syncing to PC- Self explanatory. Leave your Zune in your backpack and load it up with new songs

-Gapless Playback- Reduce or eliminate the gap between songs so that albums flow together better.

-Send Videos- Self explanatory. Preferably DRM free.

-Visualizations for music- Self explanatory.

-Security- Allow us to password protect the Zune on startup, sync, or when accessing certain content. Maybe even let it "phone home" if it's stolen and a sync is attempted on computer without the proper password.

-PDF, Word, PPT files- Make em viewable on Zune.

-Games- like Tetris or Solitare. Time killers.

-Mobile marketplace- Connect and buy/download songs from hotspots.

-Internet radio- Streaming music accessible from hotspots.

-Zune to Zune streaming- Allow other zunes in the area to listen songs your Zune is broadcasting.

-Widgets- Little web applications usable at hotspots. Weather, RSS, email, etc.

I am really happy with my Zune.

I know no one else here noticed the shuffle enhancement but it really was needed and I am loving my Zune even more now(FW V1.4). I work in a huge company with at least 2 other Zune users (One white, one black and I'm brown). I am trying to get it adopted more widely now because it's the social. Cesar, features sound awesome as opposed to tweaks and fixes. A suggestion that has been made that sounds super fun is syncing with my videos from Xbox live. I know that is asking a lot but I think it would be really cool.

Vic, well said.  I am also disapointed in the lack of additional features, both on the Zune itself and the Zune client software.  I know I am not saying anything that everyone else has not already, just adding one more voice to the noise.

I am in Australia and just received my new 80G iPod Classic today as I gave up waiting for the Zune team to be able to see beyond the US borders.  

So for starters you are confirming that there will be more than one version of the Zune. Check my site for my ideas, please read them!

I second everything Eric mentioned.

Right on Vic!  My frustration really is based on personal things.  If MS fails with the Zune then I lose my Zune Pass and I *LOVE* the Zune Pass!  I can honestly say that it is the one feature that ipod users I work with are really missing.  The problem is, when they look for a new player they see no other reason to make the switch.  (To the ipod set out there I say try it, you will like it!) Lets face it, it is not hard to see why the average consumer could come to the conclusion that the Zune is an also ran and not worth the investment.  The silence from MS just seems to confirm this.  

Ditto on Eric's post.

The only way MS can beat something like the iPod Touch is if it releases a XBOX portable Zune.

A device which could utilize other aspects of Microsoft's divisions.

1) XBOX - Allow you to play games, and possibly use the device as a controller for your XBOX 360.

2) Media Center - Be able to sync with your Recorded TV shows and ripped DVDs

3) Vista - It would be nice if the new Zune could be used as a Sideshow device used for a remote control and other Sideshow capabilities.

I've been waiting to buy a Zune, but I need more than 30GB.  The problem is that Apple keeps upping the ante.  I will buy a Zune in a heartbeat if they come up with something that comines the best of the 1st generation Zune, the iPod Touch and the iPod classic.  Eric's list looks pretty good.

Whew!  That was fun weekend.

Would you zune-pass subscribers be interested in access to the highest quality playlists - someone you trust filtering the bad from the good?  I do that by listening to KEXP.  Others aren't so lucky to have such a station in their city.  So I made you a little playlist.

Come and get it - save the social dot com. The file download link works in Safari, and Firefox. For some reason, Explorer doesn't like the .zpl extension, and you have to rename the file ending in .zpl yourself.  Put it in your zune/my playlists folder, and let's get some real community going.

I'm tired of waiting for the revolution.  I'll start one myself.

Cheers all -

--Tom

Cesar, why is the Zune division behind the xbox division in terms of communication? This should be something you can answer..

I've read many of Peter Moore's posts over a plethora of forums since the console release. He talked about many issues with the console and helped out. I will truely miss his interaction, as the new guy isn't doing the same. I think small things like that go a long way.

You mention many times you're not allowed to talk about things on up coming, fine. Since you worked for the xbox division and have some experience there. Can you explain why, the xbox division showed off the IPTV function which would be in a firmware for the xbox360 months before it can be utilised and many other features...

Why haven't you told your superiors, that look, in the division I worked in communication was key, we need to do more of it here in the Zune division.

Why is the communication such a low priority? Why is there no videos still in the marketplace? Surely cesar you can answer these questions, you say your plans haven't changed so can I assume no video's?

Many will ask you about zune 2 and the firmware.. But if your general foundation such as the marketplace and general communication and lack of is the same with no assurance that it will change what confidence will anyone have? I would hate to see Zune 2 come out and for 12 months nothing no news for these customers on updates for fixes etc...

Has any one of you seen the Zune rank at the Amazon. We always get caught up in the best technology and forget that the real world is really sensetive to price. Zune is in number 1 position after the price cut:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/16009311/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_e_1_3_last/102-6305590-7574546

By the way am I the only one who is digging this. The way whole Zune community is going mad after Apple announcement expecting MS to come up with its own announcement and trump Apple. Like it’s some Hollywood movie. Don't get me wrong, I am a Zune owner and love it but the reaction is pretty amusing.

Also I bet this Zune community is important but constitute a minority of all the people who have Zune. Again not saying that this early adopter enthusiast community is not important but they actually do not represent a true sample of Zune owners….but I love them anyways…:)

Un-cripple the WiFi. Add native Podcast support and WiFi RSS feed downloading.

And everything that everyone above me has said. Even a peep of what you guys are doing, and a time frame of when your work will be out and available. In all honesty, the lack of news from the Zune front makes it seem like your team is doing nothing.

Make us loyal Zune users believe in the social once again.

Just a clarification here, I'm not hating on Cesar with my comments on the other post - they are firmly directed at his employers, I am just really tired and frustrated with the 'We're doing stuff, that's all I can tell you' messages.  It just gets weary after 12 months you know?  I think MS could take most of that away by revealing something about the mythical, long promised firmware update - we haven't had one yet after all.  (I'm not including the ones that have gone before because they added nothing).

I can understand the lack of a Zune 2 launch date but the rest of it is silence for silence sake and, personally, it seems to me that the Zune 1 adopters are being considered acceptable sales losses because they feel that version 2 will be so much better.  What I mean is that a lot of Zune owners feel so let down and marginalised by MS that they will likely look elsewhere for a PMP ,and MS seem perfectly OK with that.

I don't know that I will do that but I'm not holding my breath for Zune news anymore, it's lost my loyalty as a brand and it will have to deliver something over the competition for me to consider it again.

Rohit - Nice try. I see you limited your search on Amazon to the subset of MP3 players identified as "Portable Digital Media Players". If you look at all MP3 players, you can see what people really want:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/172630/ref=pd_ts_e_ldr/102-8737548-1639338

Zune is nowhere near #1. But keep on dreaming.  ;-)

Has MSFT by this announced that they are due to announce something/anything?

Is anyone else finding that this silence a little disrespectful? I have had the Zune since day 1! I reserved it at Gamestop months before release. I bought just about every thing for the player. I love Microsoft with a passion (HUGE fan) I have a windows based PC, XBOX and XBOX live, Zune, and Zune Marketplace Subscription. I am in college right now to learn how to be a programmer and we use Visual Basic .NET and I love it.

I am not trying to guilt you to do anything. I just need to express my anger. I payed the premium price for a player because of all the promised improvements compared to other players. Well mostly true but largely false. Most of the promised features have not surfaced at all. Its been about a year now, and no major firmware advancements since introduction. The iProducts are right now leaping over Zune and if nothing changes very soon I am going to have to cancel my 1 year long uninterrupted subscription to the marketplace. I am seriously thinking about getting an iProduct and Zune files aren't compatible.

Sure its cute for a while to be quiet and mysterious and promising big and beautiful things. Rememeber, everyone has a limit, and believe me, I am getting very close to reaching there. I have been a loyal fan, deep in my heart I wish I could work for you because unlike most people, I actually care about the company (probably too much honestly).

I'm gonna stick in there, for now at least. My birthday is September 30th and if the player or firmware is announced/released by then, that would be a huge present to me.

Dan..I never said Zune is number one all over...but was just making a point that price does have some impact.

Also even MS did not say that they are expecting much with gen 1 Zune so all this comparison to iPod is just nonsense. Zune 1 could have done better but it did achieve most of all it needed to.

Have you read blogs and news site. Even if they mention that iPod rivals have not made headway against iPod the mention Zune. Any place PMP in general is mentioned Zune’s name is always there. So gen 1 Zune has become the main competitor to iPod.

I am not says that it is going to kick iPod’s ass but we will not know that till another 2 years now will we. So all this discussion is pointless.

I have Zune cause I like subscription music.

Rohit - I don't think comparing Zune 1 to the current iPod is nonsense. It's what most people shopping for an MP3 player today will do. After all, there's no other Zune to compare it to.

When the average buyer is looking to buy, they see what's available and compare what's in the market now.

I'm not sure why you think that comparison is nonsense. It's what most people will do.

As to whether Zune 1 achieved what it needed to, that's up for debate. I'm not sure what it needed to do, but it obviously wasn't much based on first year sales.

You should buy a product for what it currently offers, because firmware upgrades are not guaranteed. I was really optimistic about the Zune's wi-fi capability, and figured simple features such as a clock would be quickly added. Nevertheless, I bought it for its potential and not on its current performance. It's something many of us should learn.

Right now, we all know for certain, that sooner or later there will be Zune 2. When all is said and done, I'm satisfied with the current Zune, only a higher capacity (80gb) would satisfy me. It's difficult, however, to satisfy everyone with just one model of the Zune. Apple has all of these variations of its product, so many that there is no longer one definitive product.  The Zune, on the other hand, has only one main model to concentrate on, for that reason, I feel confident that the upcoming Zune 2 will show great surprises. Everyone stay tune, don't jump on the apple bandwagon just yet...

Just sold my zune on craigslist :( I had such high hopes but it feels like the zune team sat on their hands or someone was holding them back.

If there was one company i thought could take on the iPod, it was MS, and they failed me...

"Any place PMP in general is mentioned Zune’s name is always there. So gen 1 Zune has become the main competitor to iPod."

How has the Zune become Apple's main competitor when it is in 5th place in sells behind Sandisk, Creative,etc?

Just sold my Zune, however that does not mean that I will not get a Zune 2 if it warrants it.  I am very disapointed in the feature velocity on the client side application, and I will think twice before getting a Zune 2 because of this.

Well, my brother-in-law sold his Zune to get a new iPod, and I hate to say it people, but if I don't hear some good Zune 1 news by the time the new iPods are out, I will no longer be a Zune owner. I'm sorry but the whole ordeal with the Zune is just disgusting, crap firmware upgrades, crippled features, it's just not worth it anymore. Where is the gapless playback, on the fly playists, not to mention the severely lacking ability to edit track info within the Marketplace software. I hate it guys, but it doesn't look good for the Zune. I hope I'm wrong, but I bet I'm not.  :0(

Why was there no update yesterday?

Is the Zune going to be at TGS???

Cesar, it's not just the "fans" that are seeing problems here:

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/09/06/zunes-tired-tune.aspx

It's starting to feel like we're re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.  The silence doesn't help.

From today's Forbes.com:

"And while Apple's iPod accounted for 71% of U.S. unit sales during the first six months of this year, according to NPD Group, down from 76% during the same period last year, SanDisk was a very distant, but still impressive, second, with 10%, share, up from 9% a year earlier. Rounding out the rest of the top five were Creative Technology at 4%, Microsoft at 3% and Samsung with 2%. Market share for Sony wasn't immediately available, but clearly wasn't significant."

The article also notes that Sandisk "has also updated its product line continuously."

From U2's website:

http://www.u2.com/news/?news_id=2151&PHPSESSID=f626c495dd85fcd8ef0fc1b5a551b257

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/11/blue-zune-leaked-via-target-ad/ - Comments Caesar?

If this is your big holiday plans and the update we have been asking for for over a year I'm buying an iPod. These color additions are ridiculous.

Long time MS fan boy, but

* Zune is step back relative to PMC.  When can I really support drv-ms like your PMC SW?

* Wifi come on...........

* No realy features added thru firmware.

I am in same camp, no news by itouch launch, I am switches sides.

I like how you call it "the recent announcement." lol

Oh, and by saying "gen 1 Zunes" you've just indirectly confirmed the Zune 2 :-)

No more Zune colors please!!!, the color of the Zune is not a big deal. What is a big deal is feature added to the current Zune to make it more competitive with the Ipod. No one cares about new colors!!.

Almost a year since the Zune came out, I bought mine on day one and still no LOSSLESS audio support!!!

The freakin Ipod Nano\Shuffle plays .wav files. Why on earth doesn't the Zune support at least ONE lossless audio format?

Would it kill your team to release one firmware update that added new features? Would it kill your team to ad at least one lossless audio format to device support?

I will be laving the zune fold if nothing changes this holiday season.

I've been waiting almost a year for podcast support. Its insane that some of the most basic features are still not in the software at this point in time.

Its really sad that you keep talking about second gen zunes when the first gen zune is far from a finished product. Releasing a zune 2 when zune 1 is such an incomplete product is only going to piss off zune 1 owners.

This is how i felt with the first gen ipod and I never bought another. Seems I wont be buying another zune. HOpefully after the holidays i can still get some money back from the zune investment evne if its not as much as I put in  at least i can put that money to something that has podcast support or a friggen clock

I can't quite express how disappointed I am with my Zune.  I want so badly to like it, but it never lived up to the promise.  I mean seriously... a WiFi enabled MP3 Player made by the company that makes the Xbox360 and Media Center?  The tie-ins (which were all implied by the dev team from the get go) were obvious.  I should be buying TV shows and music on my 360 and having it sync up to my Zune by now.  I should be able to stream content from my Media Center to my Zune wirelessly over the internet.  I should be able to see gamerstats and messages from the 360 on my Zune.  Heck, I should be able to wirelessly sync from my Zune to my PC.  Wait... forget that... just give me podcast support!  Or if even *that* is too complicated, how about some basic SmartPlaylists that actually update on the device, instead of just on the PC.  It could have been so much fun... I want so badly to like it.  But here I sit, getting far more value from my 30gig iPod photo instead.  Forget colors and special branding.  Just give me some features.  I mean seriously... the only "feature" that has been added since I bought it (which was launch week) was "improved shuffle."  Wow.  Thanks guys.  What happened to Zune being easy to update. What happened to updates often?  What happened to all those sexy features you guys hinted at at launch?  As far as I can tell, it was all just to sucker me in so you can get enough money to develop the second gen device.  I know, I know... I shouldn't have bought a device on future features... but you guys made it sound so awesome.  Instead, the hottest Zune rumors on the net are A) a blue zune (which was just bad color in an ad) and B) new hardware which runs the exact same feature barren software, but includes more space.  Wow.  More space.  And even if you did update the OS, at this point I'm almost certain that you'll accompany the update with some little footnote that says that unfortunately due to the totally awesomeness of this ubercool update, 1st gen hardware really just won't work.  And I'll be in the exact same spot I was with my Casiopea HandheldPC... and my Phillips Nano... and my MSNDirect Spot Watch... and the handful of MS created products that simply just don't live up to the hype.  Sorry guys, but my Zune is taking the place in my abandoned gadgets drawer that I hoped would be held by my iPod for years to come.  It's been fun... wait... no... it's been frustrating.

- bix (at) bixworld (dawt) com

Just add 3 things to the zune

1- Podcast support

2- add a clock

3- Internet capabilities for wireless networks

I dont know why these were not on the thing in the first place

I was just thinking about this today I'm not sure if it has been suggested before, but a feature where if you're listening to the radio and you hear a song you like that you can put the ID tag in your inbox, so you can download it from the store later.

If you cancel your zune subscription can you still listen to the music on your Zune?

ANSWER SOON!