Gizmodo
The next-generation Zune has just been announced, coming at you with a price tag (which we already saw) of $249 for the 80GB hard drive model and $149/$199 for the 4GB and 8GB flash-based models respectively. The new features in all models, which were leaked early, are wireless syncing with your computer automatically when you're in Wi-Fi range—something users have been clamoring for since even before the first Zune—as well as videos in the Zune Marketplace and new music, some of which are DRM-free. The Zune Pad is actually touch sensitive, much like the iPod's Click Wheel.
We're live-updating as we find out more after the jump.
Zune Marketplace now has music videos, but no movies. Three million songs total. The 80GB Zune also has a large, 3.2-inch screen, but only comes in black. It's also smaller and thinner than the original Zune. The flash-based Zunes, on the other hand, come in pink, green, black and red, and are the smallest of all. [CNET]
Update: The sharing feature is being expanded so you can send music AND "other media" to other Zunes. The shared songs have no expiration date and can be shared again with other people, but the same 3 play limitation is still there.
Zune's also getting a Zune Social social-networking site. You don't even have to own a Zune to join. You can have Zune Cards to "reflect your musical preferences," based on the music you listen to on your Zune player. The card can have custom pictures and backgrounds. Displays your currently played song. You can also browse other people's cards and sample the standard 30-seconds of the song to see if you like it. There's also going to be community-generated charts to see what's popular right now in the Zune community.
The Zune's got a re-worked navigation button and no longer has brown as a color. Darn, we liked the brown. [NYT]
Update 2: There's additional video codec support as well: h.264 and MPEG4. You don't have to convert all your stuff to WMV.
Zune's also getting a feature to automatically import recorded content from Windows Media Center as well, meaning you can take your TV shows to go just by syncing up with your computer.
Update 3: The 30GB Zune actually isn't being eliminated, and will be offered at $199. Amazon already has it for $165-$185 now. It's going to get Wireless Sync, the upgraded Zune to Zune transfer, and the recorded TV content to go. It's most likely got the same codec support as the 80GB.
Update 4: There's no Zune Wi-Fi store access here. You're still going to have to buy your music from your computer and sync it to your Zune. But, Microsoft says:
Update 5: Wired has a hands on.
What we're waiting to see is more revolutionary changes, such as the ability to access the Zune music service via Wi-Fi.
80GB Zune Feature List:
Beautiful, big color screen. A bright, durable 3.2-inch glass screen delivers uncompromised portable video viewing. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
• Touch controls. Fly effortlessly through your song, picture and video collections with the new Zune Pad. Innovative new touch controls let you brush or click.
• Wireless sync. Cut the cord to your PC. Refresh your Zune with new content anywhere you charge your device. Connect to your PC through your home wireless network by setting your Zune to automatically sync the latest podcasts, music and more from your stereo dock, AC adapter or speaker dock accessory.
• Zune Social, a beta online community Web site. Discover, share and leave your musical mark. Create a Zune Card and personal profile at Zune.net to reflect your musical identity. Invite friends, share song recommendations, post comments and browse member pages to discover new music and connect to other people with similar musical tastes.
• Zune Marketplace. Get your fill. Over 3 million songs, albums, DRM-free MP3s, music videos, audio and video podcasts and more. Buy individual songs and albums or choose a Zune Pass to get unlimited downloads for a flat rate.
• Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing.3 Share full-length tracks of your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures and even audio podcasts. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times, and even pass along songs you receive to other friends who have a Zune. If you like a song you receive, you can easily add it to your wish list and then buy it from your PC the next time you sync.
• Recorded television content to go. The Zune software will now automatically import broadcast content recorded on Windows® Media Center for Windows Vista® Home Premium or Ultimate, so consumers can sync them onto their Zune and hit the road.4• Built-in FM radio. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to your favorite local FM radio stations while you're on the go. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song and artist currently playing on select frequencies.5
• Import your music. Zune software will automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos, including music you have ripped into iTunes and Windows Media® Player, even transferring your existing playlists and song ratings in one easy step. Some content may be protected by the service you purchased it from, so those files cannot be imported.
• Your games. Your music. Your way. Plug your Zune into your Xbox 360® and customize the soundtrack in your favorite games. You can also stream the music, pictures and videos from the Zune software on your PC to your Xbox 360 console using a wireless connection.
• Accessories. A full line of Zune accessories are available to enhance your experience wherever you are, at home, on the go, in the car or working out.
Comments
WooHoo!!!
I actually like my zune, iSheep.
w00t!
what? I like mu zune, iSheep.
only in black!!?!?!?! WTF!
as SOON as i buy one in black, they'll come out with another color...and another 2 months later...and then another.....
you're killing me mircosoft...i'm allready 360less when Halo3 comes out because of the ring of death, and now no white/brown zunes?
This is great great news! Excited to have one. any news on 160gb?
the screens of the zunes say 'podcast'...i know that term is now in the websters dictionary...but is it coined by Apple? it does have 'POD' in it...
i'm feelin Zcasts....or is that too close to Verizons Vcast?
This is very tempting. If only I had a media center pc, I could walk into my house and have my tv shows synced to my zune to goof off at work with.
sorrry, didn't see the first go through, feel free to ignore
My GODD... I'm having an orgazune right now! I want one, nowwwwwwww. :(
Touch pad, syncing, PC, MC, 3.2 inch, OMGGGGGGGGGG
@lindtdale: Yes, there's news on 160gb. It's called the iPod classic.
Microsoft is still a generation behind on hard drive capacity.
how come nobody's bitching about all the zune coverage today? I seem to remember that every time Giz zealously reports on all of the apple rumors/news, there are a bunch of haters that complain that Giz is just an apple fanboy website. Well - there sure seem to be a pleathora of zune stories today, shouldn't those same haters start bitching that Giz is just a MSoft fanboy site?
well, the ipod classic is like 4 inches thick.
@St.Jimmy:
Ya know, sometimes things are popular because they're actually good. Ripping on the masses for realizing iPods are good is like ripping on the masses for realizing salad is healthy. Case in point, this guy...
[gizmodo.com]
...who REALLY needs to sell his Zune and eat a damn salad.
OMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG... I want one right nowwwwwwwww... These features are going to revolutionize the music industry and community!
One thing left to know, battery times.
wow! Zune's are still around? I seriously forgot about them.
They look pretty nice from the first few pics I've seen. Would like to see one in person first though.
Microsoft really doesn't need to be inventing a new word for podcast. Imagine all the crap they'd get for that.
I'm extremely happy with this news. I can't wait for the firmware update for my Zune to get the wifi syncing and video codecs. I hope they throw a Unicode font in there too so I can read my Japanese song titles.
@Marty_MacFly: yeah you are right... but im looking for a bigger screen. whats the use of your 160gb memory if you cant watch movies decently on it. Yeah i know you have touch but what the hell... its just 16gb. Apple ipod is great, but they are too stupid to know that you need both. And besides touch is 3.5 while the new zune is 3.2!
if they want to price them the same as ipod, theres 2 reasons to get them:
you HATE apple
or
you fap to wireless devices on principle.
that was really something.
@chumitz: People really like bitching. It doesn't matter what it is about. Give them time I'm sure we'll see the hate flow!
OMG I want one of each color!
Awesome Microsoft!
I'll be picking up a Zune 80 instead of an iPod classic this Xmas...great news!
or all your music is on Windows, and you like not being tricked into it only working on an ipod forever.
or you want the bigger screen.
or you Like the radio...(as rare as that is)
or you own an xbox 360, and like having the names of your tracks show up when you plug in.
or you own windows media center
or you like wirelessly sharing pictures.
I don't hate apple so much as i hate their fans.
and i don't hate their fans so much as i hate people with ipods, who have no pictures/videos/song titles!? on them....but just bought them because everyone else did.
wow microsoft really needs to take a cue from apple on how to launch a product. All the leaks made it not exciting at all, although they did better when they launched the surface.
awesome.
I have a feeling that by the fourth-generation Zunes, Apple may have some real competition. This is some serious improvement for just one step.
@lindtdale: I dont think youre going to see any Zune catch up to iPod with the hdd size (flash aside).
As soon as ppl hack it to remove the 3 play limit for song sharing (for DRM-free -legally obtained- music)..Msoft can really start boasting, "Welcome to the social."
@adamgamble: well i guess the secrecy couldn't last for too long. not a peep about the zunes (except for that rendering everyone thought was a fake) and then just about a day before the press release, the flood gates upon.
i think i'll just come back in a half hour instead of F5'ing.
@joemader: WTF are you talking about? I have the 160gb ipod classic and it's thinner than my old 60gb 5th gen.
Wireless syncing has some serious fine print. Apparently the Zune still has to be connected to either a charger or dock? What exactly does the process entail?
@Lestat: let's see. for now yes. But who knows. it's not yet official. But 80 gb with widescreen and VERY portable is good enough for me.
Does any one know when to expect an update for the zune30? ive got mine and ive been checking for updates constantly and still nothing...yet?
@joemader: Amen to that. :)
I love Apple, I hate its fans. No company should have fans, they should have users only. fans who buy the latest product from some company for the hick of it are just as dumb as my cat when it jumps after spotting me holding its food.
Wow, I am going to get one! WAIT! They are only available in the US as Microsoft seems adament that they want Apple to have the rest of the worlds share of the market.
*Buys iPod Touch*
@velglarn:
Welcome to the social... Like what you hear?
Good, pay up or get the hell out...
I guess MS decided that was too long of a tag line.
@Marty_MacFly: I'm sure the wireless synching Drains the battery...and since it'll no longer be plugged into the computer, having it on speakers or a dock may keep it alive while it synchs....it may also mean that you can't be using it while synching?
@SnowLeopard: btw dude there having copyright issues with labels in other countries that dont like this 3 plays 3 days crap... they dont think its enough but they cant change it cuz the american labels(all the big ones) like the 3play rule... so until something is settled do wut i did and buy an ipod form costco wait 10 months till you go to the states on vacation and buy a zune then when you get back from the states return that shitty as ipod.... lol just kidding i loved my ipod... but the zune kills the ipod!!!!
yea yea i know me fail english that umpossible
@Saad Rabia: You're totally right.....Apple fanboys are cats...another word for cats.......
ha. i jest.
we are of course, discussing the fans that don't read gizmodo, or have a clue what it is.
I don't get all the "serious improvement" and "better than an iPod" talk.
When you look at the big picture, Zunes are just iPods in different clothing. Same concept, roughly the same price, roughly the same features.
Personally I think the Zune 80 outclasses the iPod Classic 80. The rest of the iPod line still dominates, however. 160 GB or MobileSafari or Wireless music store or larger screen all trounce wireless syncing.
btw almost midnight and still no update any know anything about when its coming?
Props to Microsoft with the big screen AND big hardrive. And about the not having 160gigs... who the hell needs to have 160gigs of shit with them at all times? I have about 11 movies already on my gen1 Zune, and it (with 10 gigs of music, you guys can do the math) only is using about 17gigs.
Wirelessly syncing is great, and if the refresh times are cut too, my Zune will be rockin' still. I'll admit though, I have yet to squirt or be squirted. I think the release of thesed new toys will begin to change that.
I miss the brown too. That brown on green action was hott. Once my 3rd Gen Ipod finally dies this is my front runner for a replacement, that is until the Ipod touch gets a decent sized hard drive.
Does it secretly phone home via wifi to tell Micro$oft what music you have on your computer?
@djay1717:
Ha, yea, I know its I am more pissed how the US gets everything first ha. I feel rejected :p
@SnowLeopard: lol i know stuck here in canada, i want my iphone too... just proves im not a fan boy for any shit talkers(want my IPHONE!!!!!!)
Unlike with the last two or so minor versions of Apple's iTunes, could I get full functionality from whatever software a Zune needs without error messages about faulty installations on my 64-bit Windows Vista system? That would be pretty swell.
@Ednonymous: nah, but vista does!
It still bothers me that the companies keep cramming all this stuff on these things. It seems nobody makes one with a decent amount of storage that just plays music.
I have no need to attempt to watch a movie on a 3.5" screen. Why the hell would I keep pictures on it? That just seems silly - screen's too small to really enjoy them. What ever happened to the days of plugging it in to your PC for a few minutes and copying over a few MP3's and being done with it?
The new small Zunes look nice, but why pay for a bunch of bells and whistles I'd never use?
@lindtdale: if you're that into video, the zen w has a 4.3" screen
i really don't understand MS's strat. by the time these are in stores, Apple will probably have cut prices again. and why try to match them on pricing and size/specs? you'd think they could play catch up quicker by trying to one-up Apple.
@thepounder:
I don't think there's anything stopping you from loading a Zune or iPod Classic or whatever with just music. I don't think there's really any added cost there above what would be needed anyway to have it be an acceptable music player with a proper interface. Maybe on the Touch, but the Classic and Nano and Zunes (minus wireless transmitter) are all pretty streamlined if needed.
There's also the iPod shuffle for the ultimate in musical purity.
Woooo Hooooo, only two years behind Apple - way to go Bill!
Glossy colors are sooooo much better than a touch screen with a full browser - really, my friend Tiffany will just love the way it matches her toenail varnish! Sweet!!
Maybe MS can roll out the Zune van again and go annoy some people at 3AM with Bills fave hit's O' the 40's.....
I love the way they limit the number of listens on the Zune to Zune sharing.
like you'll ever find another Zune to share anything with! LMFAO!!
Kudos to MS for bringing some meat to the table. I'm just wondering if there is any love for us in the great white(half the year) north?
Bought a first gen one today, 30Gb plus all the version 2 perks? At a lower price too? Sweeet. Oh and by the way, not a single glitch installing or syncing...did my 15 Gb of music without a so much as a cough...haven't bothered with loading videos yet, but I am truly pleased so far...Bravo Microsoft, I can't believe I can honestly say that...
FYI for every one who owns a zune update coming on launch day for zune80/4/8... to bad i was hoping for it ri