Five things Microsoft needs to do to fix the Zune Posted by XanTium | March 20 20:44 EST | News Category: Xbox360 |
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[QUOTE] We're not trying to hate, but we think it's about time Microsoft acknowledged that the ball's been dropped -- and then pick it back up. Stop promising bug fixes and vaporous new features, and stop talking about future Zune products when the current product is ailing. Here are five simple things Microsoft should do to fix the Zune right now, and even make it into a somewhat aggressive contender in one of the most cutthroat gadget categories. In order: 1. Fix the DRM, syncing, and system bugs, and get firmware v1.3 out the door! 2. Add useful WiFi features: wireless streaming to friends, Zune Pass (subscription) song transfer to friends' Zunes (á la MusicGremlin), computer-free downloads content downloads. 3. Add podcast and vidcast support. It doesn't even have to be as comprehensive as the iTMS, just a basic RSS reader / enclosure scraper or something. 4. Increase codec support. Go out on a limb and add open (read: free) codecs like FLAC, APE, OGG, XviD; if you really want to make your customers happy, belly up to the bar and license DivX. 5. Drop the price. For most consumers, there is still a huge mental barrier in paying $250 for a Zune when you can pay the same $250 for an iPod. One isn't necessarily better than the other, but people really love the iPod. Make it $230 MSRP, and let that sink down to like $210 for online retailers. People will freak out that this player, that does all these things it does, is barely more than two bills. [/QUOTE] Full Story: engadget.com |
Full Version: Five things Microsoft needs to do to fix the Zune
and i want a pony..
i wanna play halo on it... anyone else???
NO THEY NEED A GOD DAM CLOCK ON IT
OMGZ NO BARBIE HOUSE ADVENTURE SUPPORT!?
They forgot one thing, Zune Marketplace & Xbox Live Marketplace integration.
I like the idea of adding lossless audio codecs 
I'm still surprised that 'the community' hasn't hacked the Zune to death with modified firmwares, ripping the DRM support from the WiFi connection for example.
And if anyone would do that, also write a program for the PSP so it can share music (and perhaps other stuff) with the Zune. Now that would kickass.
Shortly said: if you want a bang for your bucks... don't buy a Zune nor an iPod. Did I already mention that you can use the PSP's memory stick drive as an USB Mass Storage Device when you connect the PSP with your PC? You can just drag and drop your MP3's in the correct folder, without installing any (crappy) software.
[edit]
Forgot one last detail. You can also play a lot of (retail/homebrew/emulated) games on the PSP.
And if anyone would do that, also write a program for the PSP so it can share music (and perhaps other stuff) with the Zune. Now that would kickass.
QUOTE
1. Fix the DRM, syncing, and system bugs, and get firmware v1.3 out the door!
Just remove the DRM.QUOTE
2. Add useful WiFi features: wireless streaming to friends, Zune Pass (subscription) song transfer to friends' Zunes (á la MusicGremlin), computer-free downloads content downloads.
I don't think these mentioned features are terribly useful. At all.QUOTE
3. Add podcast and vidcast support. It doesn't even have to be as comprehensive as the iTMS, just a basic RSS reader / enclosure scraper or something.
Oh, come on...QUOTE
4. Increase codec support. Go out on a limb and add open (read: free) codecs like FLAC, APE, OGG, XviD; if you really want to make your customers happy, belly up to the bar and license DivX.
Codecs cost money (patents, licenses, etc.). The answer will simply be: no.QUOTE
5. Drop the price. For most consumers, there is still a huge mental barrier in paying $250 for a Zune when you can pay the same $250 for an iPod. One isn't necessarily better than the other, but people really love the iPod. Make it $230 MSRP, and let that sink down to like $210 for online retailers. People will freak out that this player, that does all these things it does, is barely more than two bills.
Just buy a PSP with a 2GB memory stick for the same price. Even unmodded, it allows you to play MP3's, allows you to surf the web, use RSS feeds using WiFi 802.11b and play videos in a decent resolution using the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec. This video codec is featured in many open-source products and kicks the ass of WMV (any version). If you mod the PSP, you can even encode videos in it's native, widescreen resolution (480x272).Shortly said: if you want a bang for your bucks... don't buy a Zune nor an iPod. Did I already mention that you can use the PSP's memory stick drive as an USB Mass Storage Device when you connect the PSP with your PC? You can just drag and drop your MP3's in the correct folder, without installing any (crappy) software.
[edit]
Forgot one last detail. You can also play a lot of (retail/homebrew/emulated) games on the PSP.
Welcome to www.zune-scene.com
Or was that www.unrelated-microsoft-products-scene.com???
Or was that www.unrelated-microsoft-products-scene.com???
QUOTE(vanxman @ Mar 21 2007, 08:08 AM) 
Welcome to www.zune-scene.com
Or was that www.unrelated-microsoft-products-scene.com???
Well said Vanxman, I was just about to reply with the same. What next, Vista news?
How about they fix the random locking, pausing and restarting mine does every so often.
QUOTE(The Zep Man @ Mar 21 2007, 02:40 AM)
Just buy a PSP with a 2GB memory stick for the same price. Even unmodded, it allows you to play MP3's, allows you to surf the web, use RSS feeds using WiFi 802.11b and play videos in a decent resolution using the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec. This video codec is featured in many open-source products and kicks the ass of WMV (any version). If you mod the PSP, you can even encode videos in it's native, widescreen resolution (480x272).
Shortly said: if you want a bang for your bucks... don't buy a Zune nor an iPod. Did I already mention that you can use the PSP's memory stick drive as an USB Mass Storage Device when you connect the PSP with your PC? You can just drag and drop your MP3's in the correct folder, without installing any (crappy) software.
[edit]
Forgot one last detail. You can also play a lot of (retail/homebrew/emulated) games on the PSP.
You're going to fit all of your music, movies and games on a 2 gb memory stick?.
That being said, the only thing the Zune has going for it, is it's HD
All I can say is, I'm happy with my Black Video Ipod 
QUOTE(beige @ Mar 21 2007, 05:08 PM)
You're going to fit all of your music, movies and games on a 2 gb memory stick?.
That being said, the only thing the Zune has going for it, is it's HD
QUOTE(REDMODS @ Mar 21 2007, 11:17 AM)
How about they fix the random locking, pausing and restarting mine does every so often.
Agreed
QUOTE(The Zep Man @ Mar 21 2007, 03:07 PM)
True. Then again, carrying multiple memory sticks with you all the time is a small sacrifice.
It's not carrying them around that's the problem, it's spending 50 bucks per 2gb of storage.
im hoping they fix a lot of stuff, if/when the come out with a new version in aug.
QUOTE(REDMODS @ Mar 21 2007, 11:17 AM)
How about they fix the random locking, pausing and restarting mine does every so often.
I used to think mine was dying... but then I realized it was the static protection.. if you get a static charge say when you touch a car or a door knob the zune can detect it through the earbuds and shuts down to protect it... since it's getting warmer here I haven't had the problem
QUOTE(sp3cialk @ Mar 22 2007, 12:44 AM)
I used to think mine was dying... but then I realized it was the static protection.. if you get a static charge say when you touch a car or a door knob the zune can detect it through the earbuds and shuts down to protect it... since it's getting warmer here I haven't had the problem
Heh, that's really funny. I've been noticing the problem a lot more lately...just after I bought my new jacket which creates a ridiculous amount of static
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