Just so everyone knows, the EQ is still there in the firmware update, so you can relax.
Downloaded the new software, have the same gripes. I hate that it no longer searches as you type, a feature that i hated at first, but grew to love.
Another bitch, music videos rank in at around $2/pop. How bout that shit? Yah, that's going to go over REAL well. But, I guess if you're that big of a fan, one or two videos won't be that bad.
Podcasts, so far, great. Although I don't see anywhere to manually ad podcasts as per what was released a week or two ago. On the upside, best week ever is one of the available video podcasts, among many many others.
The video podcasts look great.
Overall, a smooth experience, but there's a few features they shouldn't have gotten rid of (smart playlists, ranking system, dynamic searching), but the UI is still pretty nice.
Overall, not an improvment, to be frankly honest. It looks nicer, but they need to allow customers to choose the features they deactivate. Make them advanced menu options, I don't care. I understand that the idea is to make it simpler for users, but the advanced users are left out in the cold.
Oh, and one more plus, you can now set TV out to PAL. So, Canadians, start crossing the border or calling friends in the US. If any Canuks need someone to send them a Zune, send me a message.

W00t!

Just loaded the new software and upgraded the firmware here at work, I waited last night for the update but that damn Microsoft was slow on the website update...

I have been waiting for this since the first talk of the new Zune 2.0 release date...and it's friggin' awesome!!

Welcome to the Social

Is there a search feature (like on the iPod) in the Zune?

P.S @luckypictures:

Canada uses NTSC also.

Got mine updated about 2 hours ago. Wireless sync works like charm. The setup was a breeze. Too bad I cant access zuneoriginals as I am outside US.

the now playing wallpaper is absolutely gorgeous. people should check it out.

I have a zune 30. The media player only seems to detect wmv files (WTF). I thought it would detect .mpg and .avi too.

zune firmware also upgraded. was quick and no hassles.

welcome to the social..

PS: somehow i tried to get a xyz@live.com id, but could not.

i hacked my zune30 for unicode support. i wonder if this firmware would break my hack?

or they support unicode now?

how did you hack it diablofreak?

@ipodrulz: DAMMIT. I forgot about that.

@crazyindian: It's all over the forums.
[www.zunescene.mobi]
and for Unicode support
[www.zuneboards.com]

checking for updates in the old software does not inform the user that a new version of the software, or firmware is avalible.

I think this is a huge oversight, as it's not clear how to get either if you are a previous user.

That said, installing new software now, seeing if it does anything.

@luckypictures: (re: manually adding podcasts) It's there. In Collection>Podcasts click the "Add Podcast" button and enter the URL of the podcast's RSS file; should look something like:

http://www.example.com/podcast/podcast.rss

@luckypictures:
That's a pretty Canadian offer you make - THANKS!
However, what Canadians can't do is buy ANYTHING on Zune Marketplace without a US charge card... FTW!!!

Upgraded my Zune 30, needless to say i'm DISAPPOINTED for 2 BIG REASONS. (Yes, new interface is cool, and Podcasts are a BIG PLUS, and kudos to making the damn thing more efficient, yes the zune is MUCH faster in loading my music than before. And it definately stomps the ipod classic) Anyway, back to my two gripes-

1) No native unicode support. Sorry Zune Team, i cant read SQUARES. Ther was a hack to make it happen, and if the zune sync software can read unicode, i dont see whats the fuckin problem to include it in the newest firmware for regular people. Seriously this makes 25% of my music library like reading heiroglyphics.

2) High Compression Album Art. No no no no, bad dog. I just uploaded a 400x400 piece of art for the zune, and the FIRST thing the sync does, is reduce the resolution to BELOW the native LCD resolution, AND ALSO increase the compresssion, so my beautiful album art is now blurry and has artifact blocks in it. there is a clear difference between viewing the album art embedded in the music, and simply viewing the original in the picture section. Thanks Zune Team.

These problems are on the Zune30, so i'm fairly sure its the same on the 2nd gen ones too. Sorry Microsoft, but to me this was your last chance to fix these transparent issues, and now my Zune is going to the auction house for something better. Maybe when you add the unicode support, i'll consider getting the flash zune....

just logged into my zune ID and It said i had a message. Looks like a friend request on XBL came over to zune.net.

@ANoel: Oh man, suck ass. That blows donkey balls. Well, there's always prepaid credit cards.

@Scott: What's the problem with hacking it for unicode support?
Have you tried the same hack on V2 software?
And the Zune is meant for US only release, so there's no need for unicode support as a whole.

@Sean: Odd, it worked at 6am ET today. I went to the Options..Help menu to find the check for new versions option.