Zune

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Template:Future product

File:Zune-colors.jpg
Zune logo
Zune logo

Zune is a brand from Microsoft that incorporates a line of portable media players, software that will drive the devices, and an online service for acquiring and sharing media. It was previously thought that Zune was one of Microsoft's media players under "Project Argo" [1][2]. However, it now seems that the "Zune" brand will be used for all media players and other services, throughout the new project.[3] The Zune will be released on the U.S. market November 14 2006, with a price tag of $249.99.[4] The European release date is tentatively set for late 2007 or early 2008. The major competitor will be the Apple iPod.

Overview

On September 15 2006, Microsoft held a press conference to release official details about the Zune player. The player will have a 30 GB hard drive, built-in FM tuner with Radio Data System, 3.0-inch screen, and 802.11 wireless networking, otherwise known as WiFi. The initial player will come in three colors—black, brown and white. Preloaded music and videos will be included (see below). Supported codecs include H.264, MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, JPEG and AAC[5] [6]. Microsoft will be using a new digital rights management (DRM) system to protect content on the Zune system. The Zune will not support Microsoft PlaysForSure or other DRM systems such as FairPlay, nor will it play audiobooks downloaded from Audible.com.

Microsoft has announced a music store called the Zune Marketplace that will integrate with the Zune player. They have announced "millions of songs" available for purchase using Microsoft Points, the same currency used on Xbox Live, for per-song purchase. The Zune Marketplace can also be used as a subscription-based flat-fee service, if users purchase a monthly "Zune Pass".[7]

One of the features that Microsoft has been pushing as a key differentiator is its Zune to Zune WiFi feature. They have enabled the limited sharing of songs, recordings, playlists and pictures with others. Tracks received from another person can be played for up to three days or three plays, whichever comes first, after which it will need to be purchased via the Zune Marketplace. These limits are not only applied to Zune Marketplace music, but to all songs, without exception.

The Zune will be able to connect to the Xbox 360, which will allow the user to stream music, videos, and pictures via USB. It is unknown whether the Zune can connect to an Xbox 360 via WiFi.

Some accessory packs planned for the Zune include the Zune Car Pack, which contains an FM-transmitter with AutoSeek and a Zune Car Charger, the Zune Home A/V pack, which contains a dock, wireless remote, sync cable, AC adapter, and A/V output cable, and the Zune Travel Pack, which includes in-ear earphones, a dual-connect remote, a travel case, a sync cable, and an AC adapter.[8] Each of these accessory packs will sell for $100. Microsoft's accessories are also available for individual purchase. Microsoft is working with other manufacturers like Altec Lansing, Belkin, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon, JBL, Incipio [9] and more to make additional accessories.

Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for the Zune project, has also said in an interview with Engadget that some phone functionality is in store for the Zune at a later date.[10]

J Allard, who oversaw the creation of the Xbox 360, has also overseen the creation of the Zune.


Specifications

Size comparison between the 5th-generation iPod and the Microsoft Zune. (The graphic does not reflect the iPod's greater curvature.) The Zune's screen is 44% larger than the iPod's, but displays the same number of pixels.
  • 4.4 × 2.4 × 0.58-inch (11.2 × 6.1 × 1.4 cm)
  • 5.6 ounces (283.5 grams)
  • 802.11b/g built-in Wi-Fi
  • 30 GB hard drive
  • 3-inch QVGA LCD screen, with a resolution of 320×240; display comparison with iPod
  • Supports a resolution of 640×480 for video-out playback[11]
  • Radio Data System enabled FM receiver
  • Supports all unprotected H.264, MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, JPEG and AAC
  • Up to 14 hours battery life when playing music, 4 hours playing video or viewing pictures, with Wi-Fi off [12]
  • Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%[13]
  • With Wi-Fi turned on, up to 13 hours battery life when playing music (optimal conditions)[14]

Features

  • Will be able to send photos, and music (no videos) from Zune-to-Zune via WiFi. The music files will only be listenable for three days or three plays, whichever comes first. [15]
  • Ability to flag tracks received from Zune-to-Zune transfer, a tool used to help you remember to download the track from the Zune Marketplace later.
  • Able to play movies, videos and view pictures
  • Updatable firmware
  • Ability to create a "ZuneTag," which is a username/profile that is visible to others who wirelessly scan the area for fellow Zune users.
  • The wallpaper on the Zune can be changed to any user specified image.
  • The Zune will play standard podcast files, which are usually available in unprotected MP3 or AAC format. However, podcast integration (via RSS) into the Zune Marketplace doesn't appear to be part of the initial release. Recently a Zune team member has stated that in the future "We'll ship podcasting, and we'll call it "Podcasting" when we do." [1] [16][17]
  • The player software will automatically convert audio and video that is in a format not supported by the Zune into a format that is. (e.g. a video with a resolution of 720x540 will be converted to a resolution of 320x240 if necessary).[18]
  • Able to show other Zunes nearby what you are listening to or doing through advanced settings.
  • Support for Zune DRM
  • Incompatible with PlaysForSure, Napster, CinemaNow, MusicNow, MusicMatch, MSN Music, Wal-Mart, XM Radio Online, Court TV Extra, Puretracks.com, MLB.com, Live 365, Passalong Music Store, Songtouch, Movielink, ESDC.TV, My Station, Soundbuzz Music Store, MusicGiants, Real, Urge, iTunes, and Audible.com.

Preloaded Content

The first generation of the Zune will include some pre-loaded content. As of now, the following will be preloaded.[19]

Audio Tracks

Music Videos

Short Films

  • 5boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)
  • Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)
  • TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)

Images

Variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from “Art of Modern Rock”

Additional Details

The device will be a handheld media player similar to the 5th-generation hard drive based video iPods, although larger and bulkier. The device being displayed currently is built by Toshiba, and appears to be a modified version of the Toshiba Gigabeat S with a re-arranged controller layout[20]. The device uses the twist interface on a 400MHz DSP processor, and contains a 1.8 inch 30GB hard drive.[21]

The device features a five button controller arranged in a circle. A menu button and a play/pause button are to the left and right, respectively. However, when the Zune is flipped horizontally the controls remain in the same location, despite a different orientation. A hold switch is featured on the top of the player, next to the headphone port. The entire system casing will be made from rubberized plastic[21] .

User-generated content and affiliate sales

Microsoft has developed a new Digital Rights Management system [22] [23] that will facilitate user-generated content and affiliate sales. This new DRM is incompatible with all existing systems, including Microsoft's own PlaysForSure system. Zune artists will be able to create, produce and market their own music and video content under Zune DRM licensing agreements on future Zune players. [24] [25] Speculation persists that Microsoft will utilize this technology to pay users to share songs with others for credits toward purchase in the Zune Marketplace. [26] [27]

Integration with Zune Marketplace

File:Zune-marketplace.png
The Zune Marketplace, taking advantage of Windows Media Foundation.

The Zune jukebox software will host the Zune Marketplace, where users will be able to purchase individual tracks (presumably in WMA format) for 79 Microsoft Points (at the confusing exchange ratio of 79.8 points per dollar).[28] Users must purchase blocks of points in $5 increments. Effectively, there is a $5 minimum expenditure to get started with Zune as opposed to $0.99 with iTunes.

Alternatively, unlimited tracks of music may be accessed through a subscription, known as a "Zune Pass", for a monthly fee of US$14.99. The Zune will include a Journal window, which keeps track of flagged music (for later purchase) as well as songs swapped with other Zune users. This Journal option will show up in the Zune software as well. All music downloaded under the subscription plan becomes unplayable if the user lets the subscription lapse. Songs downloaded under a subscription are not burnable to CD without paying an additional charge per track. Apple's competing iTunes service does not offer a comparable subscription service, requiring instead that users pay individually for each song.

Additional Zune features include on-the-go playlists; photo slide shows with music; song information on some FM stations; as you scroll through content, the first letter will appear just like on the Toshiba Gigabeat S and the new iPods.

On the topic of audiobooks and the Zune, it was recently rumored[29] that Zune will not be supporting Audible.com audiobooks. This has since been confirmed as Audible audiobooks are not in the list of supported media formats for the Zune.

Criticism

The name Zune has been criticized by some because they believe it is similar to the pronounciation of the Hebrew word Zi-yun, a term for fornication. [2]

The criticism that the name means "penis" or "vagina" in French is unfounded, but "zoune" does appear to be an old colloquial French-Canadian term for "penis". [3]

References

  1. ^ Chen, Jason (2006-07-11). "Microsoft Argo's Final Name: The Zune?". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Chen, Jason (2006-07-11). "Microsoft Zune Update". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Ryan Block (2006-07-21). ""Zune: what we know, think we know, and don't yet know". Engadget. Retrieved 2006-09-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Engadget (28-09-2006). "Zune price and date: $249, November 14th". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ TrustedReviews (15-09-2006). "Microsoft Launches The Zune!". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Mobile Magazine (14-09-2006). "Zune to hit the shelves by Christmas". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Engadget (14-09-2006). "Zune Marketplace To Keep Your Zune Player Happy". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Zune Accessories". zune.net. Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
  9. ^ incipiotech. "Incipio is poised to launch microsoft zune accessory solution". incipiotech.com. incipiotech. Retrieved 2006-10-10.
  10. ^ Engadget (14-09-2006). "Zune phone en route". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ PVR Wire (18-09-2006). "The Zune production team just loves to blog". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Engadget (17-09-2006). "Zune battery life: 12 hours music, 3.5 hours video". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Microsoft (2-11-2006). "Zune homepage specs". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ ZuneInsider (20-10-2006). "Battery life". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Cesar Menendez (19-09-2006). "Zune and DRM (or "My Bad; I mis-Blogged")". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ ClicZune (15-09-2006). "Zune will play Podcasts". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ TechCast Weekly (09-09-2006). "Zune supports podcasting - maybe". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ ClicZune (4-10-2006). "Zune Review : The Zune PC Software is Equipped with a Transcoder". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Microsoft (2006-09-28). "Microsoft PressPass Press Release". Microsoft.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  20. ^ "Toshiba to Manufacture Zune Player". DigitalTechNEWS. 2006-08-26. Retrieved 2006-08-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  21. ^ a b Horwitz, Jeremy (2006-08-17). "Zune interface, features detailed". iLounge. The Media LLC. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "iLounge hands-on" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ NOSSDAV (May 23 2006). "International Workshop on Network and Operating Systems Support for Digital Audio and Video". Business & Technology. NOSSDAV 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  23. ^ Darko Kirovski, Kamal Jain (July 2006). "Off-line Economies for Digital Media" (PDF). Business & Technology. Microsoft Research. Retrieved 2006-07-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  24. ^ Zune MAX (July 30 2006). "Will New Microsoft DRM be key to Zune success?". ZuneMAX.com. Zune MAX. Retrieved 2006-07-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  25. ^ Zune MAX (August 22 2006). "Microsoft Zune and the Xbox XNA Game Studio". ZuneMAX.com. Zune MAX. Retrieved 2006-09-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  26. ^ Matt Hickey (October 23 2006). "Zune to Pay You Back for Sharing Songs?". CrunchGear.com. CrunchGear.com. Retrieved 2006-10-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  27. ^ Gordon Finlayson (October 25 2006). "Zune Rumor Alert: Microsoft May Pay You For Sharing Music". Weblogsinc.com. Weblogsinc.com. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  28. ^ "Use of Microsoft Points for Zune explained". Zunerama.com. 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2006-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Microsoft Zune will not support Audible.com format". Zunely.com. 2006-08-21. Retrieved 2006-08-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

See also

External links

Official sites
Articles


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