- electronista news
Zune 4.0 update adds HD rentals, apps
updated 03:35 am EDT, Tue September 15, 2009
Zune 4.0 software and Zune HD apps
Microsoft tonight provided full details for its Zune update with the launch of the Zune HD, including features both on the device and the PC side. Both the player and the new 4.0 software now support renting movies in 720p and in standard definition from the Zune Marketplace. Crucially, the player is also now revealed to have non-media (but first-party) apps: the Zune HD will support just a calculator and MSN Weather out of the box but should get Facebook and Twitter apps before the end of the year. 3D games are also coming in 2009 and should include Audiosurf Tilt, Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition and Vans Sk8: Pool Service to start.
On Windows PCs, the new Zune software will add the Zune HD's Quickplay feature, which provides top-level access to favorites, new items and recents. It also now has a Smart DJ feature which, much like the Genius feature in iTunes, creates playlists based on a particular song. However, Microsoft's approach also lets users create these lists based on artists or albums and will give Zune Pass users lists created on the entire Zune Marketplace catalog rather than just their local collections.
The company is further giving access to the Zune Pass beyond the Zune app for Windows and will let users stream music through a compatible web browser, though it isn't specified whether users need Silverlight or a particular browser to access the content. Smart DJ is available through the web component.
Zune HD sales start at retail later today and include both a 16GB black version for $220 as well as a 32GB platinum-colored model for $290. Users can also custom-color the player through Zune Originals, where users can pick from blue, green and red aluminum hues as well as add custom engraved art from either a new set of artists as well as Major League Soccer teams and high-profile Xbox 360 game logos. Currently, all special colors and engravings are free.
Be sure to read our early look at the Zune HD, which is soon to be joined by a closer look at the fully unlocked player and software.
By Electronista Staff
TAGS :
gadgets, digital imaging, Zune, iTunes, audio, Facebook, TwitterShare the Article
Facebook Twitter Delious Slash Dot Buzz Up DiggRelated Articles
- Microsoft reworking Zune HD apps for Windows Phone
- Redbox begins renting video games in kiosks for $2
- Microsoft drops Zune HD Originals as its MP3 plans phase out
- RIM updates BlackBerry PlayBook SDK for WebWorks apps
- Distimo: Android still struggling versus iOS in paid apps
- Wyoming spurns Microsoft, chooses Google Apps
- Salesforce chief: Microsoft fails because of 'Zune strategy'
Recent Articles
- Samsung's Windows Phone Mango device identified as GT-i8350
- Ben Heck hacks multi-disc changer for Xbox 360
- Samsung Galaxy S II teardown shows ultra-thin construction
- Nyko Zoom for Kinect to ship August 23
- Bowers & Wilkins gets into in-ear headphones with steady C5s
- Archos puts AT0S2 tablet through FCC testing
- Alienware M11x, M14x, M17x, M18x get Killer optimized Wi-Fi
- Apple targets HTC again with new ITC complaint
- iRiver Story HD hits US July 17 with Google eBooks
- HP said first with ultrabooks to pip MacBook Air
- LG unveils Optimus Pro with BlackBerry-like keyboard
Previous Comments
-
George309/15, 08:57am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008
-1HD on a Zune screen
HD. On a Zune. Really. Why? There is absolutely no point for HD on a teeny tiny screen.
-
iphonerulez09/15, 09:07am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
0Looks good...
and the hardware is supposed to be powerful, so we'll see how well it translates to sales. It's rather short on apps, but I would imagine the core functions would be enough to carry it for a while. I'd read the Roughly Drafted article, but I wouldn't go by that, since that guy is definitely anti-Microsoft. I'd like to hear feedback about the Zune HD by slightly less-biased individuals. I'm sure it will be an OK PMP player, but without the Apple ecosystem it's going to be somewhat weak in content delivery. I don't think it will sell in large quantities due to it's Zune heritage, but I suppose if MS is aggressive with advertising it will sell better than previous models. If MS can break 2% market share, that's a step in the right direction since it would be nearly double previous market share.
-
luckyday09/15, 10:06am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
+2George3
You can't read. The Zune doesn't display HD on its screen. It can play HD content on a television through a docking station.
-
dliup09/15, 10:20am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
0HD myth
For clarification on Zune Myths, and why HD isn't HD.
Google:
roughlydrafted myths zune hd
-
toohightocomply09/15, 10:45am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
-4Zune HD gaming and app downloads confirmed: Twitte
The promotional video and leaked shots already made it clear but now it's official: the Zune HD will be a gaming and application platform. In addition to a few casual games, calculator and MSN Weather apps pre-loaded onto the Zune HD, the official Microsoft press release touting the launch contains this little nugget of gaming gold:
"Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3-D games such as "Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition," "Vans Sk8: Pool Service" and "Audiosurf(TM) Tilt." Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the Wi-Fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software."
Hear that Nintendo, Sony, and Apple? There's a new handheld gaming platform in town. All that remains to be seen is how it will integrate with the Xbox 360.
A bit more is revealed in a Seattle Times Q&A with Brian Seitz, Microsoft's Zune marketing manager. At the moment, the strategy is to keep all the apps and games free and developed in-house or in close collaboration with third parties -- no third-party SDK for devs to freely crank out apps just yet. Seitz is clear that games will be the primary focus of the "sometimes-connected" Zune HD and the Windows Marketplace is Microsoft's priority for handheld app development:
"So what we didn't want to do was build two parallel app store experiences that didn't work together. Right now our product roadmaps didn't line up perfectly for us to snap to what they're doing or vice versa... Down the road if there's a way we can work with Windows Mobile or another group inside the company that's building an app store and take advantage of that, that's something we'll look into."
Man, Windows Mobile 7 and the rumored OneApp app store can't get here soon enough.
-
toohightocomply09/15, 10:47am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
-5Btw, I got mine @ midnight
Man, the OLED screen is awesome. I wish more devices had this. o_0 I seriously will be watching things on this simply for the OLED. (pitches ipod touch)
-
toohightocomply09/15, 10:53am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
-1Zune HD Disassembly
Interestingly, upon opening up the Zune HD it has "For Our Princess" silkscreened inside the device. One of the Zune team members passed away during the development so they decided to dedicate this device to her. A very cool memorial.
-
lamewing09/15, 08:07pm | close reply
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
0iPhone and ZuneHD
I have an iPhone (phone, apps, and internet),a Sansa Clip+ (for the gym), and now a the 32GB ZuneHD.
I have owned all of the Zunes and took them all back for refunds because of one reason only...they did not support unicode and so my Japanese/Korean/Chinese music song titles would show up as little boxes....grrr. This has been fixed in the newest iteration of the Zune hardware (i.e. they added the fonts this time around), so I thought I would give it a shot as I wanted a dedicated music player; my iPhone's battery is not quite a good as it should be
What do I think? Built like a tank. Sounds better than my iPhone and Sansa Clip+. Not quite as good as a Sony X-1050 (but they sound incredible), but I like the Zune software versus WMP11 for syncing music. While some folks dismiss the wireless syncing, I say it is a godsend when it comes to daily updates to podcasts or to transfer a single album after the initial library sync. There is NO reason why Apple could not do the same thing.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I like it better than the Sony X-1050 (which is saying a lot) as that is a great DAP. I hope the battery life will turn out to be decent. :) I could care less about apps on my music player (that is what the iPhone is for), but others may not feel this way, so I guess I should mention that right now the apps for the Zune are very, very sparse. I am sure that it will get better with time, but never reach the level of the Apple App store. Who cares, really? Oh, the apps load slower than on the iPhone/iPod Touch. The calc takes about 4 seconds to load...weird.
Will the ZuneHD kill the iPod, nope, never. The ONLY thing that will destroy the hold Apple has right now...is Apple itself. Just as Sony let themselves loose the market to Apple due to their hubris, Apple could do the same....but not any time soon. I don't think it matters if MS sells nearly as many compared to the iPod, as long as the product is a solid machine and they make a profit in the long run, then all is good.
-
shawnde09/16, 02:40am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
0@toohightocomply
You're a tool ... you're a pathetic attempt at PR for Microsoft. Get a life.
Besides, MacNN is doing a better job than you.
-
toohightocomply09/16, 05:05am | close reply
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
-3@shawnde
+1 for your sycophantic BJ you just gave MacNN and the Apple userbase as a whole.
syc·o·phant (sk-fnt, sk-) n.
A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people.
Login Here
OR
Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.
Recently Commented Articles
- Samsung's key architect for Android phones, tablets quits (3 comments)
- HP said first with ultrabooks to pip MacBook Air (3 comments)
- Nokia X7 already cancelled by AT&T (2 comments)
- Skyfire 2.1 for Android gets full Flash 10.1 support