Product zenergy: Microsoft making 'Zune Xbox app'
by Randy Nelson 
{ Dec 22nd 2008 at 8:51PM }
According to CNET, Microsoft is looking to add a user experience designer to its Zune group, with a focus on the Zune user interface, Zune PC application – used to access the Zune Marketplace – and ... the Zune Xbox application? It could be that the company is working on a means to (finally) download, manage and transfer Zune Marketplace content on 360 to Zune (and vice-versa). MS has said that the New Xbox Experience will make it easier to roll out extension services (see Netflix and Photo Sharing) without the need for major system updates.
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Syn @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:59PM
Does anyone really own a Zune?
Magetto @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:01PM
I will in a few days.
Cody @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:05PM
I'll be getting my second one pretty soon. I broke the screen on my original Zune 30. Zune 120 FTW, IMHO anyways. Each person prefers their own mp3 player whether it be an ipod, a zune, or something else.
Snowblind @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:06PM
A friend of mine has one, and I vastly prefer it to the iPod.
Compatability with the 360 would most certainly be enough for me to make the switch.
Syn @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:07PM
It was an honest question. I don't know a single person who owns a Zune, yet alone see one in a store. Maybe Canadians aren't big on Zune.
Ryura @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:07PM
I know about the same amount of people with Zunes as iPods. Zunes have superior hardware and software -- they only fall behind in public perception.
Magetto @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:12PM
Fair enough. I know a few people that all have zunes, and they prefer them over their old Ipods. Heh, Microsoft finally makes a product that doesn't have any major problems, and is comparatively better than similar other mp3 players and it bombs. Go figure.
MarkHawk @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:17PM
Your an idiot if you thought that was new and funny.
Aero @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:29PM
I would look into it if they decided to finally sell them in the UK.
DastardlyRobot @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:58PM
I own a Zune 120. It is DELICIOUS.
tlarkin79 @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:26PM
Of course people own Zunes. This integration is long overdue in my opinion.
Misfit Toy @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:07AM
Yes and yes. That would be 2 Zunes.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:53AM
i also have a Zune. the thing is great since im not really a fan of the clickwheel (although the Squircle Pad can be unruly at times). plus every comparison i saw said the Zune has the better hardware, and since this isnt something video games with exclusives and such, i had nothing to loose going for raw power.
R @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:07AM
My dad just gave me my Xmas gift, and it was the Gears of War limited edition 120gig Zune, and I have to say its pretty awesome. Especially since I have a converter that can convert and downsize my DVDs into mpeg4 so I can watch them on my Zune.
marauder800 @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:02AM
I love my Zune 120. The built in wifi is great. I also love the FM tuner for getting audio from the TV's mounted around my local gym.
Deeznuts420 @ Dec 23rd 2008 9:05AM
two zune 80's and one flash 8. i love my zune!
wired2thewall @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:12AM
Wow, I have to say I'm surprised and happy by the positive response by everyone on here. I think the Zune suffers from the fact that it tried to be an iPod killer clone and it was lacking in functionality and innovation in its initial release.(3 day sharing is pretty lame - pushing content between PDAs has been around since the late 90's).
Like the 360, Microsoft should have baked it a bit more and now they face an uphill battle with reputation even though it has evolved into a very good MP3 player. The fact that they had yet another proprietary MP3 format didn't help them either.
Good to hear that it seems quite liked by the 360 crowd though - I may take a look at it as I am not a huge iPod fan. As for the whole integration, Microsoft is proving once again they are simply reacting to the market - Sony has had this kind of integration for quite a while now and they are playing catch up - just as Sony is playing catchup on the online front.
Microsoft needs to start innovating a bit more. NXE is a rip off of the Mii, Lips is a ripoff of Singstar, Guitar Hero started on the Playstation and the Sony Eyetoy is both an innovative and fun accessory (for non-hardcore gamers it would seem since many people on this site seem to look upon it with disdain). Microsoft needs to take more chances like this like they did with Steel Battalion (or encourage devs to do things like that).
The netflix deal is the first smart move I've seen them make in some time and I think it's the right move for them (instead of going the BluRay route).
I passed on the 360 this generation due to reliability issues, lack of backwards compatibility and how they dropped the original xbox brand like a hot potato (I really enjoyed the last one but was burned by that) but if they shore things up next time and can guarantee that my console will always come on like my Wii and PS3 do, then I'll definitely give them a chance for the next gen. Here's hoping they include some current gen technology like wireless connectivity, HDMI and BluRay out of the box this time (instead of releasing it 2 years later or nickel and diming me for every little add-on).
The average gamer is in their mid 30's and we have a ton of disposable income to spend on high end gear, so if companies build a quality piece of equipment, I'll buy it. The alternative is that I'll spend my money on a company (and probably a competitor) who does.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 23rd 2008 11:46AM
"YOUR an idiot if you thought that was new and funny".
Ha ha oh Wow.
Own3d by Irony.
("You are" English muthatrucka, do you speak it?)
Marty @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:43PM
I'm considering getting a Zune once my iPod stops working. The features it has seem better, and I like the look of them.
mynk @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:48PM
@ wired2thewall
Microsoft does innovate, in fact, as market experts say that there is a cerntain limit of putting money into R&D, after which the overload of money causes it's downfall. Microsoft is just at that limit.
as for the NXE, the avatar's have been in development BEFORE the Mii's, there was an article about it on joystiq, and im too lazy to find it right now. They dont rip-off everything off everyone, taking inspiration from others in the same market happens everywhere. would you rather have it that only one car manufacturer had GPS built in thier cars, or only one of them built fuel efficient cars? is Chevorlet stealing from tesla by making the VOLT?
infact the PS3 and wii have ripped-off from microsoft as well, the home button on both controllers, the guide button on the 360.. hmm i wonder where they got that idea. I, dissimilar to you, am happy to see that companies are giving the people what they see people like, and what they see works. I'd rather microsoft put in zenergy and someone on the Internet complain about it, rather tthan than nothan no synergy at all.
its better to give the people what they've been asking for, rather than tell the people what they want *cough-apple*
back on topic...
hmm, i live in canada and more people in my school have a zune rather than an iPod. then again, i go to a school that has a specialized reigonal program in tech... does this say something about the type of people that go for zune vs ipod?
oh well.. i have both a zune and a 360, so i love this update, and yes.. there are people than own the zune.
skyfire @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:01PM
about F****** time, and yea people do own zunes retard, why else would there be support for it. your sarcasm sucks!
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:07PM
The Zune is severely underrated.
MarkHawk @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:25PM
Only by the masses. People are upset for what it isn't trying to be, and that's an iPod Touch.
I like renting my music like I do my Netflix subscription.It avoids the risks of Pirating plus I get to listen to as many new and old bands as I want with 1 click. Plus I get to keep 10 songs a month. It's hard to call it a flawed system. Does Netflix let you keep 1 movie a month?
Own 2 Zunes and am greatly anticipating any news on the next one.
Premature ejaculation man @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:30PM
Maybe it would be better welcomed if it was available in more than two countries :(
MarkHawk @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:32PM
true true
Logis @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:46AM
I live in the UK and made a point of getting the original Zune... Big box but worked nicely. I have now got a Zune 80 and a Zune 8 and loving them both. They really should release them over here. Great UI, great software and easy to sync!!
Ryura @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:09PM
Oh - didn't see your last comment. I think Canadians aren't eligible for the Zune Pass, so that would certainly explain that.
Otimus @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:15PM
I prefer the Zune to the iPod.
Simply put, it's a better music and video player, absolutely. Unless you're criteria is "Looking cool"
(I actually know of a few people who said they'd "rather be caught dead, than with a Zune"
Well.. the Touch is better, but it's also more expensive with less memory, so screw that.
Moptimus Slime @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:41PM
ZUNE ROXXS
IPOD SUXXS
HEARTS PLZ
Misfit Toy @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:10AM
You lose points for abusing the letter 'X'
Doug @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:44PM
Does a Zune Pass exclude any music? Is the entire for-sale catalog available as a subscription?
I read on Zune's site that some music is excluded. Rhapsody's service doesn't exclude anything... but uses a Sansa mp3 player which doesn't look appealing.
Misfit Toy @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:12AM
The Zune library is extensive. Only in rare occasions do you see where something is excluded. In most cases it is all included in the monthly fee. The only time you see it 'always' excluded is with Disney soundtracks. But Disney only ever plays by one set of rules...their own.
ice~ @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:44PM
Should i buy a zune now or wait for a new one (if there will be one) to come out...cause i need a change, my iPods gettin old and clunky
Nick @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:54PM
All "old" devices get software updates that bring them up to par with new releases. The only change old users do not get is, obviously, hardware changes. For example, Zune early adopters from two years back can update and have the same software (which is vastly improved) as brand new Zunes.
Dangeresque @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:06PM
As Nick just stated, all Zunes have the same software, but the hardware varies greatly.
1.) In one corner you have the Zune 30, which is made of extremely hard and fingerprint resistant plastic, but has a sub-par navigation implement.
2.) In the other you have the Zune 4/8/80/120, which have a metal back, a hard (yet fingerprint attracting) plastic front, and the squircle, which is basically an awesome little laptop touch pad.
I have the 120 and love it, and I know people with the 30 and love that. It all comes down to what you prefer
Wubbytoes @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:48PM
It really is about time. My Zune and my 360 are probably my two favorite gadgets.
Mr Khan @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:15PM
Makes sense, considering that LIVE is becoming more and more about multimedia
Why not synergize?
Misfit Toy @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:13AM
Why not indeed?!
B @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:21PM
Now they only have to combine Zune pass and the XBL subscription
B @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:22PM
and upgraded hotmail storage... shit just add everything microsoft has that's a annual subscription
sjs2626 @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:16AM
Here's a brilliant idea: combine the Xbox Live Gold fee with the Zune Pass. So if you pay for a years worth of gold, then you get a years worth of Zune Passage!
drun @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:24PM
Sound quality is very important for a music player, since ZUNE is not a gaming handheld, so its voice has to be really beatiful to stop me buying a cheaper iPod Classic, or smaller(storage) but overwhelming iPod Touch.
Misfit Toy @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:16AM
If its sound quality you appreciate, and I do as well as an audiophile, I find the Zune to have a better quality audio all around. Its gaming potential has yet to be seen, so I will not judge. My guess is we'll see a lot of XBLA or XNA crossover.
The Dark Wayne @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:34PM
about damn time
gotFrosty @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:01PM
Make it Mac friendly too while your at it Microsoft. How hard could that really be?
Doug @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:13PM
I hate it when people make excuses for corporations, but the iPod has a 99.99999999% stranglehold on the Mac... the Zune will not be able to compete on the Mac.
Plus, if you use VMWare, you can use your Zune with Mac.
gotFrosty @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:42PM
I think that if they offer Xbox integration, there will be quite a few more new Zune users than you think. Plus emulating Windows just to use a Zune is far from user friendly.
MarkShark @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:53PM
I gotta agree with you, if the iPod came take over a computer running on Windows, I want the Zune to not only be able to take over a Mac, but fight the iPod for control!
(Seemingly the only reason I can't correctly use the Zune software on the family desktop is because my sister has iTunes on it.)
MarkShark @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:54PM
^can
jayCLAYM0RE @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:33AM
Owner two 30gb models (stolen), one 4gb (gave away), one 8gb (wife's), an 80gb (lost) and loving my 120gb.
Let's see...
-XBL Gold members get a reduced (or free) Zune Pass?
-With Zune/Xbox software, could we have the option of bypassing the PC altogether and sync our Zune with our Xbox?
-Zune as alternate Xbox storage device?
-Achievements for Zune Games anyone?
... theres so much that could be done to better the Zune/Xbox experience. Hell, if MS gets it right, we could see Zunes being sold in Xbox bundles! (Talk about attach rates!)