<![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features - Gizmodo Comments]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features - Gizmodo Comments]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> This is a great update. Much better than the last one. I hope the Fall update is just as good (maybe with Zune 3?)

quikboy

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Had to amend my previous comment. It looks like they now do have better integration with Media Center TV shows (i.e., always sync the last x episodes of this show.) I personally love to use my Zune for catching up on my TV shows whenever I'm traveling, on lunch breaks, etc, so it's nice to see this become a more seamless experience.

Ron-Mexico

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Alfonzo: You are correct sir in saying that there is no convincing to be found in the land of fanboys. The iPod and iTunes are not perfect, and sometimes infuriating (like my 16 gig Touch). However, I fail to see how "so's the Zune." amounts to anything more than the same sort of unsubstantiated cLame of the average fanboy.

Solaricide

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Alfonzo: Nicely said, but don't hold your breath.

Deep seeded insecurities and lack of self esteem are usually caused by a childhood event, like maybe Bill Gate pissing a three year old's FruitLoops.

That's my best guess as why so many iUsers are so nasty about other products.

Personally, I shop to see what suits my needs and could give a rat's rectum as to who made it. Blah.

stratboy

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> WILL YOU PEOPLE EVER STOP BITCHING ABOUT YOUR FUCKING IPODS??? they're nice. i know. so's the zune. which one is better depends from person to person. you're not convincing anybody by sounding like an idiot fanboy

Alfonzo

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Joooman: Only because I was having trouble deciding between the Zen and the Zune. Hmm, something about the letter Z attracts me, I guess.....

Sora57

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Have to say you'd have thought MS would have taken advantage of getting into the media player game late to come out with a device that didn't have its user base waiting breathlessly for updates.
I have a Zune and I think MS's strategy is to compete not with the Ipod, but with Itunes. All their focus is on the social aspects rather than the device. I think the device was just an excuse to launch the store.
Personally as someone who provides all my own media and does not care what you are listening to, nor cares to advertise what I'm listening too, I'd have been MUCH happier with a non-MS/Apple product that actually did what I wanted it to do.

FilthyHarry

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Good to hear the autoplaylists are back. That never bugged me too much, but I know those with more fluid music collections lived and died by them.

Haven't had a chance to tinker with it yet, but I didn't see much of any mention about tightening up the Media Center integration yet. Having some TV content in the store is nice and all, but cheap SOBs like me would MUCH prefer to simply sync those same shows that we've already recorded via Media Center. You can do that now, but it's still a manual drag-and-drop process. I'd much prefer to have it automatically sync my recorded TV shows based on various rules/settings similar to podcasts.

Ron-Mexico

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> I'm planning to switch to Zune. I have an iPod Shuffle (broken), an iPod Photo (breaking) and an iPod nano (still working!!) but I'm fed up with how flaky iTunes has got recently and the pushing of Safari is driving me mad. Looking forward to ditching Apple!

davidhayes

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @LagunaSol: It's better than "if you have an engraved iPod and you want to get it repaired, they'll send you a refurbished one instead of the one you own" and a SOP that tells Apple employees to recommend that the customer just buy a new iPod. It's a wasteful policy - just saying.

God made the pretty girls pretty because he likes them more

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> I just noticed that the little album art picture along the bottom/centre is a playing video if you jump out of video playback without pausing. Nice touch.

Drvec

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> that is the nicest looking installer ive ever used

pellier

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Yesss the OFFICE

pellier

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> well i cant install this update nor update 2.3 nor uninstall my current zune application (even using unzoone)... what am i supposed to do now?

elislider

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Marty_MacFly:

Yes, I do mean a sleep timer. I didn't call it that because it's possible for some to assume that means a timer that counts how long you sleep...

And MSFT has figured out what a clock is...

wait, you're banned, why am I taking the time to reply?

LUV2CattleCall

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> too bad all my needs are met by my DAPs:
sony NWZ-A728 for music and vids on the go and Archos 504 for vids at home and TV/VIDEO RECORDING! =D

Tsumi91

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @LagunaSol:

oh well, ms rips off ideas, its not like this is new

i like my zune, best player imo, just needs more space

TehBoj

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @VulnoX: The new Zune autoplaylist lets you exclude by one genre, so if all your comedy stuff is tagged with genre Comedy, you can make an autoplaylist for All Music, with the exclusion of genre Comedy. That should automatically keep your "All Music" playlist up to date.

I've been doing this manually in the old version for the same reason, except it's kind of a pain whenever I add new music. The autoplaylist fixes this nicely.

Shmoo

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Still no Mac support?! Sighhhh...

Galavoxx

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> How about being able to play vids from the Xbox Live Marketplace on my Zune MS? It's an obvious tie-in. I might actually watch game trailers from XBL if I could take them with me and watch them when I'm bored. When I'm actually sitting in front of my 360 I just want to play, not randomly watch vids.

Maybe this will be added when the Zune gaming feature gets added later this year.

theoldwolf

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> I've been using MediaMonkey to synch my zune80 for a while now. You know, great hardware, crappy software, blah blah, blah.

I'll give the update a chance, but as far as synching tunes, they will have a hard time beating the MediaMonkey hack.

stratboy

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Ugh, still no ability to select an album/song to not play when set to shuffle. That is one thing I sure miss about the iPod. I have a bunch of stand-up comedy stuff, and I don't want it to play when on shuffle.

If anyone knows of a solution, let me know. So far the only one I could think of was to make a playlist that is just my music and shuffle through that.

Would these smart playlists help?

VulnoX

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Sora57: I think the Zen's a great choice too but why are you posting this on a Zune software update article.

Goooman

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Horaaah....autoplaylists!

Goooman

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @illiniguy: Gapless is definitely on the device. I updated it before I left for work this morning, so I haven't played anything from the software yet.

I've only listened to one album, and while there's no silence between tracks, the songs don't blend as nice as they did if listening gapless via Winamp or on the original CD. Minor inconvenience that I can put up with.

neekap

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Thank god, metadata editing is back. :)

Now the one last thing on my wish list is to open the Zune like a standard portable hard drive...

Crashproof

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @maven2k: I got mine from Woot as well. If not for their refurb sale, I probably wouldn't have purchased one.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> I just finished shopping for MP3 players for the wife (a mom) for Mother's Day and was choosing between the Zune and Creative Zen. While I like the 2nd gen ipod nano we have, I did not want to drop the $$ on the new nano. I chose the Zen (4 gb for $84, with SD slot). This update looks good, but I think I made the right choice on the Zen. Still less money and a better screen. We'll see what the wife thinks on Mom's day. Wish me luck...

Sora57

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Yay! This is awesome, especially for paying less than $100 for a 30 gig PMP (thank you woot!). I know all the Apple guys already had most if not all of this, but us po' fokes will take what we can get and not complain. As I've said a thousand times before, I love my Zune and it's been the best player I've owned yet (and I've had several).

maven2k

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Wishful predictions:

The Spring 2008 update for the 360 will allow the 360 to stream Zune DRM content (music _and_ video). This update will also link the video and Zune marketplaces, so you can download content onto your 360 or your PC, but only pay once.

Full movie downloads will follow in Fall 2008. :)

Erwos

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @LagunaSol: iPods break. My 2nd gen Nano crashes and freezes often. As soon as it's available in Canada, I'm getting a Zune.

Guizzy

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> This is some great news. I hope they fixed some of the issues I have had with the Zune software, guess I will have to get it and see.

As for your iPod assmonkeys, get over it. So people choose a different player, big deal. I had an iPod 5G, it broke on me several times and I was tired of it. So I got a Zune 80 and a Zune 4. Neither have given me a single issue even though I use them all day, every day.

I also have, ya know, a Radio, a better UI, a bunch of things the iPod's don't offer.

So get off your horses, just about everything you claim MS copied from Apple, Apple took from Creative or one of the other guys.

As long as my Zune maintains its awesome feature of, actually working, then it will have a major advantage over the Apple players we have owned.

VulnoX

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @nXt:
AAAAAAHHHH!!

Sweet!!!! Now i don't have to charge daily. Seriously, this now removes all problems i had with the software/Zune.

I havnt tested it since im at work. But with that feature, this software and device is now perfect for me.


diabolusunknown

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Finally! Although, I don't get the constant MS bashing. Blah Blah, they just wait for Apple to do it and copy it, blah blah. Do the bashers realize that this happens with virtually every other product on Earth? Let's complain every time some company copies what a company before it already did. Let's see, Google Chat copied every app out there that allows people to chat with each other, Thunderbird copied every app out there that already allowed people to read/organize/send email, Colgate copied Crest by coming out with cinnamon toothpaste after them, and on and on. Sheesh.

triggerx

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @ OMG! Ponies!: I've heard a lot of "selling points" for the Zune, but Readily Repairable is a new one. I guess Microsoft has finely honed its repair procedures with the Xbox 360 and can now apply their fix-it experience with the Zune. AWESOME!

Side note: my 5-year-old iPod just keeps chugging along, no repairs necessary.

LagunaSol

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @OMG! Ponies!: Ha Ha Ha, COTD!! no make that comment of the MONTH!!!

pradster

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @dfronck: Haha. Your Zune gets repaired.

If you were cooler, you'd get an iPod. That way, when it breaks, the Genius would tell you to get a new one.

Repairing stuff is for suckers. Giant carbon footprints and disposable gadgets RUEL!

God made the pretty girls pretty because he likes them more

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Sweet! I can't wait 'til my zune comes back from the shop, again.

dfronck

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Just installed 2.5 and the thing that I can't just get over is the fact that the software downloads already played podcasts even though I tell it not to. Before all I needed to do was tick the "sync only unplayed and partially played podcasts" but now I guess that doesn't work anymore.

2 steps forward 1 step back.

calpis

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> yessssssssssssss

MarsVolta

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> is it gapless playback in the software, or on the actual zune?

illiniguy

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Welcome to 2006!

B

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @diabolusunknown:

IT'S NOW SUPPORTED! automatic downconvert!

nXt

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @DW:

Especially since 3 people can split 1 $14.99 ZunePass = only $5 a month! That little $$ is well worth avoiding the hassle of downloading music...you...know...for free

LUV2CattleCall

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> G-g-g-g-gapless?

Combined with the introduction of XNA games later on, this makes the Zune an outstanding device.

chiablo

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> The ability to listen to your friend's music (full tracks) makes the Zune Pass definitely worth the money.

They just made a "Subscription Plan" seem very very enticing.

DW

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Looks to me like a typical MS M.O. Wait for what Apple does and copy it. LOL

Ken_Darrow

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> The social music sharing via the Zune Pass is the killer-app for Microsoft. Apple needs to be taking this seriously, as it represents a real innovation in the music space, and gives a true social component to portable music that is really, really cool. This can only raise the bar for music lovers everywhere, as it makes music discovery easier, turning the portable player into a dynamic, social device.

I am Wade.

WadeMcDade

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Comment on Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features That is pretty awesome how you can get a constantly updated friends Zune card on my Zune device itself. I have a Zune Pass so now I can have full songs that my friends are listening to and then press a button to add it to my library. That is freaking brilliant!!!!! (Finally the "Social" is starting to live up to it's potential)

ValoraVole

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> "Is it that exciting being Jobs' personal filatio whore...."

@One2ManyCords: better than being Ballmers' personal sweat swabber. :P

LagunaSol

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> But yours was first Jason :)

Drvec

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Giz:
Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features

Engadget:
Zune 2.5 update brings TV downloads, Zune Card sharing

Freaky!

Drvec

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Kaiser-Machead: thanks... appreciate it

Cordfucious

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @One2ManyCords: Fellatio*. Just thought you'd like to know :P

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Comment on Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features @Marty_MacFly: Well, that's just it- the Zune has a clock. Or, rather it *had* a clock. Then, MS got rid of it. I really would have expected them to add it back in in this new firmware. That they didn't blows my mind. The Zune's software is such an incompetent proof of concept aimed at hipster tennieboopers. At one point, the iPod made Apple a great target for "Form over Function" criticism, but Microsoft has taken that to a nauseating extreme. Well, at least they beat Apple at *something*. RevAaron

EveErmine

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @LagunaSol: Is it that exciting being Jobs' personal filatio whore....

just wondering?

Cordfucious

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @LUV2CattleCall: You mean a sleep timer? That would require the Zune to have a clock. Don't believe Microsoft has figured that one out yet.

Marty_MacFly

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @Kaiser-Machead: You nailed it, Kaiser. It's a power play, not the money at this point... but the end game is about money.

With iTS being the dominate force NBC had no control over pricing. They may be getting less with the Zune Marketplace but if it upsets the iTS dominance that ushers in the content providers controlling the market then it was worth it.

The thing is we know that it won't work and this shows that Hulu probably isn't working out NBC like they hoped. The fact is, all they've done is lost a source of income and pissed off a lot of customers.

It's a different world and they failed to change (again) and now have lost even more control by trying to force the entertainment world into an antiquated business model.

Leonard Nimrod

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @diabolusunknown: Perhaps, but NBC made a big stink about the pricing model, yet are now emerging in a rival distributor with identical pricing. I don't know about you, but these silly power plays that ultimately screw the consumer suck ass on a stick.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Please please add a auto-off sleep function...please!

Also, I'd really appreciate if, in the same way Nintendo let all Wii owners get a grip for free, Microsoft were to let all Zune to get gags/cyanide to get the iSheep to shut TFU!

LUV2CattleCall

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Kinda excited about this but I can only think of a a few updates (the earlier ones) where I didn't have issues. Pretty sure that was all a hardware issue though and now i've got a new unit (thanks microsoft)

bobide

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Gapless playback? TV shows? Smart playlists? "Now Playing" in Windows Messenger? WHOA, THE PACE OF INNOVATION IS ASTOUNDING!

Oh wait, I've had that on my iPod/iTunes/iChat for how long now?

And I'm with Kaiser - NBC pitched a royal fit about Apple's $1.99 pricing on TV shows and pulled out. Yet here they are on Zune for $2? Hmm. I guess that extra penny made all the difference.

"Its been 1 and a half years. Starting from nothing is hard." - diabolusunknown

Nothing? Nothing??? Dude, they have Apple blazing the trail for them. How hard is it to imitate the feature set of iPod/iTunes and add a bit of socializing?

Microsoft has been knocking off Apple stuff for years. So it can't be hard at all - they have it down to a science.

Microsoft: The Freedom to Innovate (TM). Or copy iPod/iTunes, whichever is easier.

LagunaSol

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Finally! Drag and drop will be a boon.

velglarn

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @diabolusunknown: Bah. NBC whores they is.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> @kiffallen: Its been 1 and a half years. Starting from nothing is hard. Just ask Apple. Look how long it took them to get where they are. Even Creative, which has been in the business the longest, still doesnt have all the features that others have.

diabolusunknown

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Holy Fuck, Finally!!!

The most listened to achievement is bullshit. Someone can just leave the Zune software player on all day while they are away. Its been 5 days in May and some asshole already listened to Dimmu Borgir 609 times. Cheaters!

While the updates are nice (especially AutoPlaylists), i wish they would re-introduce auto-conversion of audio files. I have my library as lossless on my PC, but as soon as you play it on the Zune 80, the battery life plummets due to the increased hard drive usage. I would like 320Kbps WMA on my Zune, but lossless on my PC (as an archive of all my CD's). Keeping two libraries is a pain in the ass, as im buying new CD's all the time, which would require Lossless conversion using one piece of software, then 320WMA conversion using the Zune software.

I guess you cant get it all.

@Kaiser-Machead: Microsoft gets less of a cut? MSNBC? Maybe they get no cut at all. Maybe this was the point of the iTunes drop after all.

diabolusunknown

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> sweet jesus, I can't believe it! I knew it was coming but I expected to be waiting a few more months...

kibets

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> yay!
I can finally have all those cool features I've been looking for in a player like gapless playback, drag and drop, and playlists!

...

hmm. I still feel empty inside. why don't I suddenly feel like one of the cool kids with new features? ... oh yeah...

kiffallen

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> FINALLY GAPLESS!!!!!!!

Sebastianbf

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> I see NBC is joining in. If the prices of NBC's shows and season passes remain the same prices formerly seen in iTunes, where was the issue to begin with?

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features]]> Gapless playback! About time.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

]]>