Zune v2

The new Zune's are out. The tv ads are quite 'abstract'. You should check them out on YouTube (or wherever). The famous pink bunny one is my favorite.

 


Video: Zune TV Spot

There are some great new features. I like the new zunePad interface (since I still have a v1, I looked at the V2 hardware in the store). But my favorite feature is the new wireless syncing. I have been asking for this feature for years. I want to leave the Zune in my car, and when I pull into the garage, have it connect to my computer over wifi to sync. That's just awesome! And there is awesome support for podcasting. A great feature there is that you can unsubscribe form a pod cast on the device. When you go into the marketplace, there are hundreds of podcast series available, most for free. You can also provide your own URL if you want. You can change some settings for each series. Such as how many of the shows to keep (from just the newest one, to all of them), what order they should be played in, and when/how they should be sync'd (for example, only sync unlistened/partially listended to episodes)

The new colors and models (flash based, and new hard drive sizes) are cool too. But the brown is still my favorite. Hear that world? BROWN is my favorite.

Oh, but what is the iPod killer feature? (And I am saying this having never used or owned an iPod before, so I have little or no credibility.) It seems that every year or so, Apple releases new iPod models ('innovation'). These new features are only on the new models. So if you want that new feature (audible support perhaps), you have to buy a new iPod. All of the new features that are now dependent on v2 hardware (tv out) (wireless sync is v1 compatible) are downwards compatible to the Zune v1. Yes! I just have to update the software/firmware, and I get all of the new features. (well, except for the new zunepad interface thingy, which is a physical feature after all). I don't want to take anything away form Apple's iPod success, but it seems that the iPod is a treadmill. The new versions come out, and you have to buy a new one to get that new feature. I haven't heard of any of these devices every being forward compatible or upgradeable. That is an awesome story. There are lots of people buying three or four units from woot (v1 zunes for $85 or so). That's a great deal.

This v2 is a complete overhaul of the hardware, the ROM, and the desktop software. I can't wait to see quicker releases with new features more than once a year. But, since xmas is the driving force for buying these, I bet the major feature releases will still target the holidays.

The new desktop software/online presence is awesome! There is the social, a zunecard (like xbox cards), watch what your friends are listening to so you can sample or buy it. I like the now playing interface. Its a poster wall of the cover art of all of your albums. Elements appear and fade as needed. Very minimalist while not being bare.

 

Anyway, you have to check this stuff out. The UI is smooth, fast, really cool. I have over 4500 pictures on my zune. With the old software, it was really slow. The new software doesn't skip a beat.

The Zune team has done a truly fabulous job.

 

Oh, and did I mention it can now wirelessly sync?

Comments

Tim said…
Sounds intriguing, this "zune" of which you speak. However, if I purchase one of these "zunes" will it's proprietary software for syncing crash my computer every so often? Will it randomly make my device appear empty but still full of files marked "other?" And most importantly, will it's re-cataloging of my library put two, three, or four copies of the same song in it's library window? If the "zune's" desktop software can't provide those inconveniences, I really don't see the need to purchase one.
11/13/2007 05:48:00 PM
Brian H. Prince said…
@Tim (if that is even your real name)
a- I don't care if you buy one or not. I am happy with it.
b- I haven't had those issues. Perhaps it's PLBKAC.
c- The new software was written from the ground up for v2 (and the site, and the ROMs).
d- It's sounds like you live in a dark world. You probably use tables for web development. How many black helicopters follow you around?
e- And the new features are backward compatible (who else has done that?) and it wifi syncs.



























:)
11/14/2007 04:07:00 PM
Tim said…
Mr. Prince...no, Tim is not my real name, I usually go by "James." I only use tables for web development because the more markup, the better. And, my previous comment was in reference to that killer app of all killer apps...iTunes. By killer, I mean kills my machine, my day, and my hope of a new tomorrow.
11/14/2007 04:21:00 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Farewell

I don't often explicitly state that I work for Quick Solutions when I post to my blog. Others that work with me talk about QSI all the time. I do this because I want the articles to be what 'I' have to say about technology, not what QSI has to say. I started working for QSI in June of 2003. I was about to start my own consulting company, and they asked me to come in to help them start their solutions business (having built a high quality technical staffing business). I thought, why not? Getting to build what I want to build on someone else's dime definitely reduces my personal risk, and if it didn't work out, I could just pick back up the 'start my own company' thing. Nearly five years have passed, and we have built a great team. A team that is considered one of the leading development shops in our region. Each, and EVERY person on this team would be considered a rock star at any company. We have a great culture for the team, and a deep seated ownership
Read more

How does an Architect pack?

Today we are packing for the big move. Quick Solutions is moving to some new swanky office space, with an awesome new delivery center. The new center has wall to wall whiteboards, network projectors for group programming (pair programming is so 20th century), a game room, new open seating (shared workspace is the key to productivity), and lots of other new goodies. It is an amazing investment by the company, and shows their commitment to building the best team on the block. As we are packing, we started joking around (not that joking around is rare, and would have occurred regardless of the packing state). How does and architect pack? An architect doesn't pack anymore. He did that ten years ago. He goes to plenty of packing conferences, and has read a lot of books on packing. An architect will map out how the whole enterprise should pack, and even dictate what (clearly out of date) packing supplies and processes should be used. These processes will be the perfect match for some
Read more

Job security is a myth, and how IT Pros are Thriving

No matter how you slice it, the economy is definitely in a state of concern. Some call it a recession, some a depression, others it is a crash. Since all of those words are overloaded, I will choose to use the word Grapefruit to represent the current situation. How concerned you are with grapefruit depends on who you are, and your personal situation. It is these times of grapefruit when there is the most opportunity. Crazy, I know. But now is the time to start that crazy idea, to outmaneuver an opponent, or get desperate enough to take risks you normally wouldn’t take (personally, or as a company) during up times. All boats float in the high tide. Only great captains can navigate the low tide. There is no such thing as job security. Surprise. There just isn’t, it is a complete myth. ‘Job Security’ might have made sense two generations ago, but it just doesn’t work now. You make your own security, during good times, and during grapefruits. Through keeping your skills sharp, thro
Read more