Zune Video coming to Europe, no Zune included
by JC Fletcher 
{ May 27th 2009 at 11:45AM } 
The other bad news: In a correction at the top of the post, Keith Stuart clarifies that "the service coming to Xbox Live is Zune Video NOT Zune Marketplace. Music is not part of the Xbox Live offering." This is still wonderful for European Xbox 360 owners hoping for expanded video offerings -- but less great for those hoping for expanded music offerings, or those hoping for expanded Zune offerings.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MystileArmor @ May 27th 2009 11:49AM
My Netflix told me too tell Zune Video: "Naanaanaanaaaanaaaaaaaaa"
Little Pete 1 @ May 27th 2009 11:50AM
Stupid Microsoft...
Snowblind @ May 27th 2009 11:51AM
The logic behind this is a little baffling.. Why don't they want me to buy one?
iFester @ May 27th 2009 11:53AM
So no Zune Marketplace for Canada, but Zune video for Europe but no Zune players? WTF Microsoft? What's the point of trying to compete with Apple if you can't even get services and hardware to other regions. You know what, Microsoft is Luke Skywalker in Empire when he quits trying to lift the X-Wing out of the swamp.
Yoda to Microsoft: "That is why you fail."
Matt Rix @ May 27th 2009 12:07PM
Um... Apple didn't bring the iPhone to Canada for the first year it was out...
joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 12:09PM
The problem is that Apple wasn't playing catchup.
Microsoft, however is.
iFester @ May 27th 2009 12:15PM
The Zune hardware has been out in Canada for over a year but we don't have a Marketplace to purchase content. We're still not getting it so what's the point in buying the hardware? Sure I can buy stuff from other online music stores but with DRM it gets complicated. Obviously Microsoft is facing too many hurdles on making this a global portable music player.
Nick @ May 27th 2009 2:53PM
I know a lot of this has to do with licensing, but Zune and the Zune Pass would be great to get people into buying the product in Canada - but they negate its usage here?
I guess they want to focus on their US customer base. But hell, I'm still limited in anything I can get from the Xbox marketplace, I can't get ANYTHING from the PS3 marketplace, so I'm not too terribly surprised.
Apple has been able to make leaps in getting things working for iTunes, I'd like to see MS make some headway and bring the Zune Pass to Canada, as well as a way to actually PURCHASE music.
Now if only they didn't use stupid Microsoft Points.
NaeemTHM @ May 27th 2009 11:55AM
OK so it's super awesome that Microsoft is trying to breath life into the Zune line, and touting it as a gaming device is a great move (especially since it will play nice with Xbox Live).
However, I'm pissed that they didn't try to do their own thing. Enough with the huge touchscreen displays on entertainment devices! 30 million people around the world (myself included) already own an iPod Touch/iPhone. Give us something new Microsoft! Not a damn Zune branded iPod Touch!
If this thing had some buttons I would be all over it. But as it stands I don't see how this is a major step up from what Apple already offers.
joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 12:12PM
I know, the only reason I was somewhat interested in the ZuneHD was the possibility of XBLA games. Now, not so much.
I mean it still looks very nice and all.
NaeemTHM @ May 27th 2009 12:17PM
It looks fantastic, I love it's industrial design. But like I said: No buttons, no sale.
I'm still holding out hope that the Zune HD can some how slide sideways revealing a game pad. Kinda like that neat PSP2 mockup.
BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ May 27th 2009 12:22PM
gotta agree with you guys. i HAD a zune until the 2nd gen touch came out. i'll echo it: DO YOUR OWN THING ZUNE PEEPS!
343 Guilty Fart @ May 27th 2009 12:25PM
"But as it stands I don't see how this is a major step up from what Apple already offers."
Um, couldn't the same thing be said about the original Zune too? Of course MS are going to make a touch device. that's all everyone wants nowadays.
joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 12:39PM
From the image the ZuneHD does look a tad thicker than the ipod touch
Slider will be kinda neat.
Did anyone notice that on the PSP2 mock-up the shoulder buttons are basically inaccessible during game play?
Doug @ May 27th 2009 11:55AM
Is it just me, or do those ventilation holes on the back make a frowny face?
Sad Zune is sad.
Poisoned Al @ May 27th 2009 11:59AM
Not just you.
Zerokku @ May 27th 2009 12:07PM
That's cause they're not real. Joystiq put it there to make it look like a "frowny face". The pic from yesterday doesn't have that.
BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ May 27th 2009 12:23PM
seriously doug? seriously?!
Kyle @ May 28th 2009 8:10AM
Second.
Damian @ May 27th 2009 12:04PM
I want to pay Microsoft money in exchange for this, but they obviously dont want my money.
Nathan @ May 27th 2009 12:07PM
Sad. I love the look and sound of that hardware & integration. But - no Mac support, no Zunes in UK, no music marketplace on Xbox Zune marketplace. Baffling.
Huey2k2 @ May 27th 2009 12:09PM
OK seriously what the hell? I really really want a Zune HD, but I guess MS doesn't want my money.
This decision makes absolutely no sense to me.
Alex Sohn @ May 27th 2009 12:10PM
So does the statement about the zune music marketplace apply to just Europe or everywhere? I'm confused, I thought yesterday they announced that the music marketplace was going to be available on the US xbox live.
This is starting to get confusing...
Rhamsey @ May 27th 2009 12:14PM
well thats really stupid. i wonder if people could import them and they would still work.
wages of sin @ May 27th 2009 12:15PM
Aren't we jumping the gun just a little bit? The key word is yet, let's wait until E3 to find out what the role out plans are for this thing. It could be that it'll start here in the states and then role out elswhere, we don't know so relax.
As far as Zune HD having buttons and the like, I see your point. I have the 120 gig Gears2 Zune and my wife has the 30. We both love them and although I would like one of these I'm going to wait until they get at least 120 gigs before I trade up. IMO, the big difference between Zune and iPod are the software and services. The Zune pass is a great deal. I pay $50's every 3-4 months something like that anyway, and I get to download as much music as I want, it's great. I've always thought the touch screen thing was cool and having it on a Zune would be a nice touch. Yeah it may be like what the iPod offers in that sense but it's still a logical step forward just as long as they continue to differentiate themselves via said software and services.
Damian @ May 27th 2009 12:18PM
I hope they do announce something, i was really excited when it was announced,and it would suck if it doesnt come out here.
R @ May 27th 2009 12:46PM
Agreed. Its been awhile since MS disappointed at E3, lets wait till after the conference to rip them a new one.
Saria the Cat @ May 27th 2009 12:16PM
I'm not a big purchaser of video, anyway. I already have Netflix and though I'd love to be able to watch Colbert Report episodes on my iPod Touch while I work out, I refuse to pay money for anything I can watch for free online at Hulu. What I'm trying to say is, this Zune Video thing isn't exciting for a consumer like me.
Pyjamarama @ May 27th 2009 12:21PM
There is a problem with Zune music and Europe and it's the fact that a subscription service is impossible or almost impossible to implement in Europe at the moment. If you have been following the news this may change in the near future. The EU is working on the ability to music rights working across all EU with a single license, this will enable itunes to have a single store for all EU and hopefully subscription services like Zune to be available. Also it would be nice the to apply the same principle to video so a Netflix service could be available in Europe
iFester @ May 27th 2009 12:21PM
Regarding the gaming buttons, I don't think it's a coincidence there are 4 screws on the back. I doubt they designed it like that for easier access to battery and flash drive. I think that's a panel you take off so you can attach slide in accessories like a game pad or QWERTY keyboard.
joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 12:44PM
yeah, that the consumer friendly way to go.
NaeemTHM @ May 27th 2009 12:57PM
The first N-Gage was like that. You had to remove the back and battery to put a game in. And we all know how well that went...
ice~ @ May 27th 2009 2:56PM
like my LG Versa!
Conor @ May 27th 2009 12:24PM
I like this idea of being able to download music and (more) video through my xbox.
I know it's coming for a while but having a proper music store on my xbox would be sweet.
Duke @ May 27th 2009 12:39PM
"Keith Stuart clarifies that "the service coming to Xbox Live is Zune Video NOT Zune Marketplace. Music is not part of the Xbox Live offering."
Alzheimers @ May 27th 2009 12:29PM
Microsoft hates it's customers.
skyzbig @ May 27th 2009 12:33PM
And so it unravels.
Maverick Saturn @ May 27th 2009 12:35PM
The logic is lacking Microsoft, it's seriously lacking.
adam @ May 27th 2009 12:40PM
If MS want to take more marketshare from Apple (they're really the only ones to take marketshare from) they need to get there marketing straight. There is Xbox 360, ZuneHD, Zune video, Zune Marketplace, XBL Marketplace, Zunepass, MSN Music (now defunct). Some of it works with each other, some of it doesn't. Some are in countries where the Zune is available, some are in countries where the Zune isn't available, it's a mess.
You've got to hand it to apple, there are the range of ipods, apple tv, itunes and ITMS and ALL of them work with each other. There is no guessing whether your going to be able to play your itunes music through appletv ... however, I doubt if zunepass music can be played through the xbox 360.
Adam @ May 27th 2009 12:46PM
never mind, it can.
joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 12:52PM
What I don't get is why is Microsoft no advertising Zunepass? (Besides the stupid price comparison ad came out a couple of weeks ago.)
I'm not interested in the service but I'm sure plenty of people are.
ill trooper @ May 27th 2009 2:50PM
Adam: I totally agree. Where's that 'Plays For Sure' mentality? I figured they were gonna combine everything and stop messing around but I think their licensing web is probably too complicated and will require restructuring and complex DRM issues. Instead they make it a big mix-up where you can't buy music on the one device but you can via the other, and if you buy a movie on your 360 we don't know if it will transfer and play on your Zune at this point. Apple has it entirely integrated - rent it on your home computer or laptop, watch it on that device or move it to your touch or iPhone, or play it on your AppleTV.
Also, where does this put Xbox LIVE? That's something Apple doesn't have, something like a LIVE gaming network. Will people using a Zune have to pay for LIVE to get connectivity out of the games for this thing? Or will each game have to use it's own set of tools to connect to other players, like the way the iPhone/Touch games do?
"What I don't get is why is Microsoft no advertising Zunepass?" - joeybeast
They will once they clear out the old and release new models like this one, I'm sure. No point in advertising and getting people excited about features when those who even pay attention probably know the whole line is getting an update and are gonna wait anyway. I'm sure once the fall arrives, and people are tuning in for new TV shows, you'll see a LOT of advertising.
Storm Eagle @ May 27th 2009 12:47PM
Zune rhymes with doom. Can't be a coincidence.
ice~ @ May 27th 2009 2:59PM
No it doesn't. Boom rhymes with doom, tune rhymes with zune
Zune + Doom...idk...
Storm Eagle @ May 27th 2009 3:01PM
In today's culture, everything rhymes. And this is closer than most half-assed attempts at rhyming out there.
ArchiGamer @ May 27th 2009 12:57PM
Well, that's logical....
ice~ @ May 27th 2009 2:59PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOwDXNJbZK0
ArchiGamer @ May 27th 2009 3:28PM
Damn you for using that song against me! Damn You!!!
Ray180 @ May 27th 2009 1:31PM
Do your own thing?!? I think that's exactly what Microsoft is doing by including an HD radio and 720p video output. If they had included buttons as you ask, you'd then call it a rebranded DS Lite. And don't underestimate the importance of the Xbox Live integration - or is that not doing it's own thing either?
Drappel @ May 27th 2009 2:00PM
Now if only a Zune would play nice with my Mac, which I need for business.