Gizmodo
Microsoft was kind enough to get us some hands-on time with the Zune, not batting an eye as we eagerly slided the player down our pants, enjoying the material it was made out of. Our thoughts first, then a gallery later.
The outside is made out of a rubberized plastic, which goes through an interesting process where they paint the inside a different color than the case—this gives the Zune a two-toned look which both looks and feels great. The corners (meticulously selected down from hundreds of minutely different corners) look like they glow, which is called the "doubleshot effect". This comes from the inside radius being different from the outside radius.
So the big news: The Zune will be upgradeable. How? Let us explain...
Microsoft's put in WiFi on the Zune, which even though it doesn't seem to be a big draw to consumers now. The hardware paves the road for them to do various other "scenarios" with the Zune. In the future, via software update, the Zune should be able to possibly do stuff like share songs over the internet, wirelessly sync with the computer, stream music/video to other devices, and much more. The hardware is there, but it just needs to be activated by software. Microsoft's decided to focus (wisely) on making the Zune simple to use and intuitive for people to pick up. Something that we think they've achieved.
The UI is snappy and has lots of zooming, sliding and various cool effects when you're navigating. Luckily, the eye candy doesn't get in the way of usability. The click-pad isn't too bad to use, but it's not touch sensitive like the iPod wheels. The community menu options like sending files and pictures are all over the place. If you hit the middle button to get the context menu, you'll most likely notice an entry called "send", where you can send what you're currently listening to to nearby Zunes. Overall the UI is pretty well designed, and iPod users shouldn't be lost if they decide to migrate.
The Zune's screen was bright even outside, and had pretty much zero glare. Movies and pictures played back smoothly, and the display transitioned automatically to landscape mode when you start a slideshow/movie. Pictures are auto-cropped to display large on the screen, and will be auto-resized down from the original whenever you send them to your friends over WiFi. The Zune was easy to hold in both landscape and regular modes—no problems at all.
There are also two new concepts: inbox and flagging. The Inbox is an area separate from your library where pictures and songs come in from other Zunes. You play your received songs from here, and once you sync, the songs will be uploaded to the Inbox on your PC. Flagging is similar—whenever you flag a song, the song will show up flagged on your PC after syncing for later reference. What was the 5th song I heard in that big random shuffle I listened to on the train? Oh right, I flagged it. It's useful because you can't go on your Zune Marketplace after you sync your songs and see your "recently played" list like you can on iTunes.
We also spent a good amount of time going over the Zune Marketplace, which is what you're going to be using to buy and sync up music. The Zune is designed only to work with the Marketplace—which confirms that it will not work with Napster, Rhapsody, and other third-party subscription music services. But, ZM itself is really clean, with only enough icons and links to do what you need and no more. You can get the sense that iTunes was the benchmark they compared themselves to.
Another not-published or seldom-talked-about feature is guesting. A friend can take his Zune over to your computer, set up a "guest" relationship with your Zune Marketplace software (as opposed to a regular owner relationship), and you're free to drag songs and pictures from your library onto her device. These songs do not have the 3 play 3 day limit on them. Depending on whether you purchased or you're leasing these songs, you can do this with either 5 or 2 Zunes, respectively. So in essence, if your wife wants to grab a few songs off your library for listening to, she can—there's no "wife" relationship yet, but engineers are probably working on that. As soon as they get wives.
Pricing is going to be the same as Microsoft's Xbox 360 Marketplace points. I saw songs go for 79 points ($1), and it will be $15 for monthly subscriptions where you lease content. Microsoft's not going to be advertising the subscription plan very much. You're still going to have to convert real money into points, something they decided on because "points were so well received" on the 360. My response was: "really? They were well received? Because we heard quite a few complaints about having to switch money before you buy stuff." To which they responded "well, 4 million people bought it, so to each his own." I was thinking, "yeah, because what are they gonna do, NOT buy stuff? They have no choice," but didn't want to be an ass.
A cool feature that iTunes doesn't have is pre-rated, or community rankings. When you buy songs from the store, you'll notice that they already come pre-ranked on a scale of 5 blue stars. When you rank a song, it'll rank it in orange stars. What's the deal? Well, these blue stars are decided based on an algorithm combining other people's rankings, the song's popularity, and editorial rankings. If your library is bigger than the total space on the Zune, the Zune suite will auto-sync your library to your player based on these auto-rankings. Pretty great, because as much fun as it is to rank songs (one of my favorite things to do on iTunes for using them in smart playlists), most people don't have the time to go and rate 3,000 songs. Pre-ratings are great for this. Which is good, because there's no concept of "smart playlists" just yet. Bummer.
Speaking of editorials, Microsoft's partnered with and hired a bunch of knowledgeable music folks who are going to be providing original text content for the marketplace. Whether it's album reviews, song rankings (see above), artist descriptions, and editorials, you'll see some cool text there.
Searching is also pretty snappy, and they've provided a consistent interface on both your own library and on the store, which they called the community. If you're searching your library for an artist you don't have, it'll come back with a link to the marketplace for the correct artist/song. Another neat feature is the way albums/folders are displayed. There's this nice spiral/stack of CDs under each item so you can quickly gauge how many items are under it visually without having a number or something else.
Miscellaneous stuff: no movie store (for now), can't talk about how many major labels they have on, Zune Marketplace will never fully integrate into Windows Media Player for an all-in-one package like iTunes. You can easily stream stuff to the Xbox 360 from the Zune software (there's even a setting in one of the options menus), or hook up your Zune to the 360 via USB. A phone may be one of the things upcoming, but as usual, they can't confirm upcoming projects whether they exist or not.
Overall, this seems pretty promising. I can't find any mis-steps or anything where I have to ask "wait, this is dumb, why did you do this?" in both the player and the software. The Zune itself is very sexy, and feels nice to the touch—not too heavy. We can't wait to do another hands on as the launch date approaches. Oh, and I still can't decide which color is my favorite.
Comments
Gosh! Now I REALLY have to get one. I may wait until they release the second gen. of the Zune. I'm holding out for now for a larger capacity Zune despite my strong desire to have one now.
Yay! Thanks for the pics of the brown one. I love it!
I'm sorry, but the brown one's just ugly. So many colors out there, why brown? Ick.
It sounds like they're a couple generations behind with their marketplace software. That will cost them plenty in this foot race.
I agree- brown is NOT a good gadget color.
So does marketplace support importing your current files or ripping direct from cd? If so, is there still the 2/5 guest limits?
Maybe it doesn't work directly with Rhapsody/Napster, but could you take those drm track and bring them into ZM?
Can't find any missteps? Sticking it to your partners (real/napster) seems to be a big one :)
So which one of your testers was riding the 6 train yesterday whilst wearing a Zune tshirt and fiddling with a black Zune?
(Nice boy: gave his seat up to an older lady.)
I have to admit... as what many would consider an "Apple fanboy", it looks like MS got this one right. I wonder if it's too late for them to make a big surge in the PMP market though.
Sounds like they're doing great. They're not exactly on par with the iStuff yet, but for a first entry that's to be expected.
The real question will be- how fast are they able to do those upgrades? This is a great start, but if it takes 6-8 months to get the first upgrade out, it's going to hurt them. If MSoft can keep the ball rolling, especially by making the Zune interact with other devices (which is where it's capable of being much, much stronger than the iPod), it sounds like they could be pretty competitive.
It's also nice that they made the device feel so great. A lot of people like the iPod more than other players simply because it has a better form factor- it feel better when you hold it. It's impressive to see MSoft do the same thing, without just copying the Pod. This is why they pay Allard the big bucks, I guess.
i don't care how it sounds - i'm more curious about how it feels - the iPod - for all it's plusses sometimes feels a little TOO slippy in the hands...
First the Mac, then Word Perfect, then Netscape... I think Microsoft is going to spank Apple again.
Let's face it, Microsoft is terrible at innovating from scratch. Their business strength lies in taking a strong product of a competitor and shelling millions of dollars into making that product better, and then killing the competitor.
This may be the only true iPod killer.
So where Apple releases new generation of the player per year, Microsoft plans to keep on selling the one they have and upgrade the software? It would be nice if they could force Apple to do something similiar. I mean, I like the new versions of the iPod, but whenever one hits the market, the old gets outdated, they don't even try to bring the software functionality of the new to old. I just hope MS realises that in hardware business hardware has to update too. Windows has been dragging behind OS X since 2000 and MS doesn't even get ahead with the ever delayed Vista, they barely catch up, not all that solid evidence of MS updating ability.
I dont think the brown looks too bad, but when you see it with the glow its hideous.....I think I'll stick with black for my gadgets.
Nice review of the Zune Marketplace. The ranking feature of it was not clear enough.
-- Zune-Online.com
Lucky, I want a zune. Black looks the best to me though.
Looks decent, but personally, it isnt enought to get me to switch from my ipod.
i was wondering when the "digg" button was going to show up over here.
Yup, brown is a pretty weird color for a piece of technology that's Micro$oft's answer to an iPod. Ugly as hell. Reminds me of cheap stereo components you could buy at K-mart in the '70s. Electrophonic!
Hmmm...
Perhaps I am in the minority (although I would expect NOT to be). Does one HAVE to use the software to use this?
I have an Iriver iHP140 and absolutely love it. Only downside is the display is horrendous. But it has a TREMENDOUS amount of features and I don't have to use it with any sort of service. I plug it in via USB and it's recognized as an external hard drive. I just dump folders on with mp3s and go. I use it equally for a portable drive as I do an mp3 player.
I don't ever see myself using a 'pay for music' type of thing (I either buy the cd and rip it or I download from other sources), so this is a must have feature for me.
Can the Zune do this or will it be all closed minded?
Can someone enlighten me?
You mentioned it doesn't entirely integrate with Windows Media Player, but I suppose they're somehow linked so you can transfer your existing music? What about DRM music you bought in WMP, does that somehow transfer over? Great review, it's nice to read one from a source you can trust to not simply regurgitate the hype.
This should be interesting. If Microsoft rolls out and handles the Zune like they did/are doing with the Xbox360, I think we will have to seriously keep an eye on this music player of theirs and its impact on the industry.
Progressive software updates, upgradeable, and a focus on the user? Sounds so much like the 360 which they have handled extremely well. Some smart moves and decisions made in the Microsoft camp, I hope they keep it up.
So what about battery life? Giz has been pretty good for the most part about giving up good "real life" reviews and hands ons, so how did the battery fare?
And yeah, the black one has my name all over it!
I want a zune, but will get a 2g zune next year or two, for now...wii me.
Bill came in late to the console wars behind Sony and Nintendo but was able to mark his territory. Microsoft will do it again with the Zune to Apple. We, the consumers, are the real winners.
Do we have any information on the FM functionality? Can it display artist/title/station tags?
I love my Xbox, I love my iMac, I'm iffy about my iPod. I wish this thing was Mac compatible because I want one...and it comes out on my birthday.
Me like brown. Once you've had brown theres no turning around.
Okay, So i'm definitely eating crow on this one. When I first saw pictures of it, I hated it. But with every new review/hands on, its starting to look more attractive. I especially like that they thought out the whole double-shot thing, which is actuall pretty cool. I still won't buy one, since most of my music library is protected iTunes songs, but I'd definitely consider it in my choices.
Bah, you guys aren't seeing the "Big" picture..
First off, wifi = MS can update/Brik your Zune from anywhere..
Got any unlicensed music in your Library?
BAM!
Zune: please call MS to verify the "illegal" content has been removed...
Gotta know the Nature of the Beast, when it comes to MS....
Doubt it??? I have some Pony mushrooms you can chew.....Win XP home... Nuff said!
Besides, i'm gonna wait for Iphone, knowing Apple, they will release it the week of X-mas, with a silent whisper..
On a side note, it would be funny if you uploaded a bunch of CD's to your ZUNE, and MS charged you "automatically" twice, due to the Wifi scan, and your Library being different...
The possibilities are ENDLESS!
Bah, you guys aren't seeing the "Big" picture..
First off, wifi = MS can update/Brik your Zune from anywhere..
Got any unlicensed music in your Library?
BAM!
Zune: please call MS to verify the "illegal" content has been removed...
Gotta know the Nature of the Beast, when it comes to MS....
Doubt it??? I have some Pony mushrooms you can chew.....Win XP home... Nuff said!
Besides, i'm gonna wait for Iphone, knowing Apple, they will release it the week of X-mas, with a silent whisper..
On a side note, it would be funny, if you uploaded a bunch of CD's to your ZUNE, and MS charged you "automatically" twice, due to the Wifi scan, and your Library being different...
The possibilities are ENDLESS!
Did you really mean it when you said "no smart playlists?" That is a deal breaker. Of all the things not to copy...
I just wanna know why every picture I see of a Zune is at a strange angle, and on top of a holder or something. I just want to see a side by side size comparison with a 5g iPod, and be able to judge width. Not that I'd buy one since I'm a mac user, I'm just curious. It does look like they've done their homework, although I question their ability to pick up major record label deals for their music store. This was one area Job's struggled with mightily, and was what created all the DRM restriction stuff, and the reason why the iPod isn't just recognized as a mass storage device on any pc (although that's so easy to change it's not even a real hack). I'm just saying the being about to share music from your computer, with 5 of your friends Zunes seems like something the majors will frown on. And Zune Marketplace wont integrate with WMP??? That makes me scratch my head... I assumed (azzuned hahaha) that it would be one in the same, or at least there would be some sort of sync-ing... or integration effort... I would be curious to hear more about this... although again Mac user... just curious. I must say doesn't look half bad though.
Like I said before...
I really want to get hands on with one and if everything feels right to me, count me in.
Black for me though.
Two things... This review is exactly what I was waiting for. I'll wait a few months for the first release bugs to be found and fixed, but then I'm getting one. Microsoft clearly put some time into getting this right, and I can't stand my wifes 5G pod...
Second... regarding the marketplace screenshot, are you one of those freaks who leaves the stickers on his gear to remind himself what exactly he spent so much on...?
Nice review - better product shots than MS has on their Zune website, but it seems like a lot of the copy is just cut and paste from MS press materials...
"The corners meticulously selected down from hundreds of minutely different corners"..? I'm sorry, but as a design engineer that is just day to day design work. You design something, you build a model and you refine it. That's nothing that makes the Zune any different to, say, a toothbrush.
And this "doubleshot effect"..? In most plastic molding circles it's called two-shot molding. Some do refer to it as double-shot, but the fact that term is all over the internet today says that it is lifted right from MS. And again, it's nothing new. iPods even use it - the clear surface (which is also, seamlessly, the screen window on an iPod) is two-shot molded over the white or black plastic. It's just less noticable on the iPod because the clear layer is thinner and it's glossy, not frosted. The two clear layer became more noticable with the launch of black iPods - hence more complaints about scratches.
And it's kind of ironic that the photo right above where you say there's zero glare is just a huge reflection of you taking the picture..! ;-)
Firstly, props to Jason on the "As soon as they get wives" jab. Brilliant.
As to the Zune, I'm still dubious.
I'm astounded to learn that it won't integrate with WMP. That seemed like a slam-dunk to me. Love WMP or hate it, but it certainly is ubiquitous and I don't understand why MS wouldn't want to build on that.
And the more I learn about the wireless applications, the less impressed I am. Jason's correct in pointing out the enormous potential, but the current capabilities seem like a whole lot of things nobody wants to do.
And this whole thing of sharing whatever number of songs for whatever number of days plays sounds deeply lame to me.
when did gizmodo start having digg badges?
The question was raised by another poster and I've not found any answers to it. Will it play regular MP3 files? Will I be able to use the zune as another hard drive and just copy paste files to it?
I also wonder how long it's going to take someone to;
1. Create a converter for iTunes music so they play on the Zune.
2. Create virus for the zune that takes advantage of the WiFi abilities.
Brown is the best. And not just because it's my last name. Because...... it's my last name.
arashi: I think the point of the upgrades are not so they won't try to sell you other players in the future (can the software upgrade the hard drive size?), but because they couldn't finish the zune's software in time and so have decided to call it a 'feature'. It's a great marketing spin, which seems to be working on people.
BTW, did you know other mp3 players are upgradeable too, like this one called iPod? I bought a video iPod over a year ago and got an upgrade on it a few months back that added gaming features and a few UI enhancements to it.
On a strictly cosmetic front, I'm glad to see that the Zune's certain to give Apple a bit to think about. I've been increasingly disappointed with what options Apple's had lately. The colors and available accessories I've seen so far are a huge improvement over the Jobs marketroid white/black/teenage girl color palette Apple's been sticking too.
Gunmetal gray anyone?
Hm, I'm glad my iPod disappeared because now I'm in the market for a Zune!
I can't decide on a color either, but I'm considering a white to match my 360, but the Black looks pretty slick, too.
Well now the ipod will slowly be reduced to a poke in the side for microsoft to make its already(from what I hear)kick ass pmp better,
its like taking candy from a baby.
but if the baby's got rotten teeth already you can't feel bad right
I love to hate macs
Have to give credit where it's due... Microsoft did a pretty good job with this. I won't switch but I can definitely see a lot of people without DAP's picking one up. Definitely raises the bar a bit for the iPod.
I see that the "glow" color of the brown Zune is green, and that the black has a hint of blue...but what color "glow is the white model supposed to have?