September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

kingrichards — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:02:39 GMT

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

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

neon tabela — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:29:22 GMT

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.

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

neon — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:13:47 GMT

thank you

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Lindt Dale — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:40:20 GMT

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 Zune is great at first, but man, its a bit outdated.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.

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

dSharp — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:08:24 GMT

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....

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Richard Dib — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 06:16:22 GMT

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.

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Chris — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:33:18 GMT

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

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

n00k — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:54:21 GMT

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.

Apple sets the bar for Zune

Microsoft News Tracker — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:42:41 GMT

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

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

n00k — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:36:01 GMT

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!!

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:48:28 GMT

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.

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Paul — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:33:17 GMT

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.

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

chris — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:13:00 GMT

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

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Rom — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:09:43 GMT

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...

re: September Ignition Artist: Talib Kweli

Project — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:28:16 GMT

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