Zune, features, flash, flash zune, microsoft, rumor, unconfirmed, zune 2, zune pad

Zune 2 Getting Wireless Syncing, DRM-Free Music, Video Downloads, Colors

Zunescene's reporting that they know about three upcoming features for the new Zunes courtesy of a reliable source. All the Zunes, including the old 30GB first-gen, will get wireless syncing.

Zune Marketplace—the Zune version of iTunes—will get videos, more music and podcasts. The 80GB is thinner than the current Zune and has a generous 3.2-inch screen as well. And that new square/circle control? That's called the "Zune Pad". To be clear, this is all rumored until the official announcement comes down from Microsoft. [Zune Scene]

Update: Silicon Alley Insider says Microsoft will be adding DRM-free music into Zune Marketplace. They're not sure how many labels will be into this, but it might be EMI and Universal, seeing as they're already into the DRM-free game.

Update 2: Local news station KING 5 seems to be going off some AP release that's meant to be embargoed until later, but says that yes, there's three models, a black 80GB, and a pink/green/black/red 4 and 8GB flash-based. They confirm the Wi-Fi syncing as well. [King5]

6:58 PM on Tue Oct 2 2007
By Jason Chen
10,843 views
28 comments

Comments

jbhitter24 at 07:06 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

well lets all hope zunescene is right. wireless syncing would be excellent, because i hate having to hook up my zune and sync it just to add a single album or video.
Sky516 at 07:08 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

There is a typo, the 4gb model doesnt cost the same as the 8
cayton at 07:09 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

The 4GB and the 8GB are $199? I am confused...
Sternfan91 at 07:11 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

the 4gb is 150 and the 8gb is 200
Sternfan91 at 07:14 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

4gb=150
8gb=200
Sternfan91 at 07:15 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

same as the ipod and 20$ more for the 4gb than the ZEN and Pilot
Maark at 07:23 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Zune Pad, like a Maxi Pad but less absorbent.
Sternfan91 at 07:23 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

In terms of the flash players id rather go for the ZEN because the 4gb is 20$ cheaper and the screen and a lot of other stuff is better...at least I think
ComposMentis at 07:24 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

I just tinkled in my pants a little when I read "wireless syncing"
Sternfan91 at 07:28 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@ComposMentis: lol....notice the uhhh head thing says "Rumor"? :P
ComposMentis at 07:30 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@Sternfan91: I know it's a rumor, but a news release is imminent and details should be fairly concrete at this point. Wireless sync would be awesome... so would album management (read: ability to delete) directly from the Zune. If I see the Bee Gees pop up in my shuffle list one more time...
sotark at 07:50 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

if it has wireless syncing, I'm buying one rightaway!!! do you know how convenient that would be? I hate plugging in my current mp3 player to sync music!
Saad Rabia at 07:51 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

If wireless syncing is included then it is a good game for Microsoft. :)

If these rumors turn out to be true, then I'm buying the Zune at the first minute it is out in the wild. I just can't ignoure the beauty of syncing my songs while I'm in the kitchen having my breakfast. Lovely. :)
Sternfan91 at 07:59 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@ComposMentis: my zen(s) can delete on the go...
utube2007 at 08:00 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

they need to fix that damn zune marketplace software first thats one of the main problems with the zune, hey ms how about creating some new software instead of rebranding windows media player
Saad Rabia at 08:14 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@utube2007: Or maybe, adding-on the Zune marketplace as an extra tab in Windows Media Player!
Zeromus at 08:27 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Why does everyone want wireless syncing? I can see how it'd be handy here and there, but you still have to plug the thing in sometime to charge it. 2 birds with one stone imo.
freakshow1 at 08:28 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Where is the brown Zune??????

That wireless syncing would be amazing if you can set it up to do sync automatically.

But as with all Microsoft stuff, the ideas are great, the implementation is suspect. I hope this changes things.
imajoebob at 08:32 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Yeah, wireless synching makes such a difference.

Without it I have to start my computer, open iTunes, and plug in my player. With wireless synching all I have to do is start up my computer, open iTunes, turn on my Zune, turn on WiFi (lest I drain the battery), open the menu(s), and click on Synch. And the Wireless Synch will be much faster than a cable, won't it? What a great saving of time and effort.

Does anyone ever consider the actual value of a technology before they implement it?
wetworker at 08:38 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

dam this is the first time i've seen three post relating to the zune on applefanmodo one after another.
slice39 at 08:43 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

wireless sync would be very useful if it could sync automatically overnight with the new podcasts.. and (please MS please!!) with tv shows recorded by xbox.. well.. we can dream, cant we?
wetworker at 08:43 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

i'm loving the news, zune rocks if it's all true.
kibets at 08:59 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Hey dick, I mean imajoebob

"Without it I have to start my computer, open iTunes, and plug in my player. With wireless synching all I have to do is start up my computer, open iTunes, turn on my Zune, turn on WiFi (lest I drain the battery), open the menu(s), and click on Synch. And the Wireless Synch will be much faster than a cable, won't it? What a great saving of time and effort."

Do what most people do and don't turn your computer off... My PC has been on for about 2 months now. Last time I had to restart was when I installed some crappy Adobe PDF update...
sotark at 09:01 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@imajoebob:

1.think of the podcast scenario. You subscribe to a podcast, you go home , your zune senses the wifi network at your home/any other place and automatically syncs it.

2.think of wifi playlist sharing (possible feature) where you subscribe to a friend's playlist. you go home/any other wifi place and your zune automatically syncs the playlist to include the songs that your friend is listening to. If you havent purchased any of the songs in the playlist, then zune will let you play it three times and will make you purchase it if you want to over wifi

3. think of sharing photos with friends and family(pretty self explanatory)

Mark my words, it will be only a matter of time before Apply implements (cough cough copies) this features in iPods.
Sternfan91 at 09:23 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

screen size on the flash players?2.2" maybe?(same as clix 2)
leemajors at 10:14 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@sotark: wifi on a PMP/cell chews battery life, it's not worth keeping on unless you want to charge up again every 2 days. imajoebob has a very good point.
freakshow1 at 10:53 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

@wetworker:
Jelous!
freakshow1 at 10:55 PM on 10/02/07
Reply by Email
*

Not that any of these functions will work out of the box. This is
Msoft, kids...