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Microsoft updates Zune with new social aspects

7 May 2008 13:05 by Dave "Davedough" Horvath | 9 comments

Trying everything in its power to catch up to the market leading Apple iPod, Microsoft has released a new update for their Zune player that attempts to bring more social aspects into music file sharing. The portable media player received yesterday an update that allows users to download the last nine songs played by their friends as well as up to nine songs flagged by their friends as favorites.

This update to the Zune software that synchronizes the player with a person's music library on the PC and Microsoft's own Zune Marketplace is a clear indication that Microsoft hopes to snag a bit of that market share away from Apple. They feel that building a social network with these media players will attract more customers to their side of the fence. Last November, Microsoft launched the website Zune Social where users could browse each other's playlists and share opinions on the songs and bands contained. This update is the next step in that evolution.

In order for users to trade songs with one another, they need to subscribe to Microsoft's mobile music service called Zune Pass. This service costs $14.99 per month and allows the user to download any of the 3.5 million songs in Microsoft's library to their Zune. A contrasting payment policy when viewed against Apple's $.99 per track option.

Of course many researchers believe that Apple's dominance in the portable media player market is far too strong for any real competition to be formed. Only time will tell if Microsoft's new direction takes away any of Apple's 71% market share.

Portable Media Players

Microsoft Zune 80

Apple iPod classic 160GB (6th gen)

Apple iPod touch 16GB

Sandisk Sansa e260 4GB

Portable media players

Permalink to this article | Topic: MP3 & Digital Audio

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Discuss this article!
Hardwyre (Newbie) 7 May 2008 16:42
I love my Zune. I have 3500 songs and 25 full-length movies on my 30 gig and i've only used %40 of the full space. The Zune software will automatically convert almost any video file on my hard drive to the Zune format (Divx, Xvid, ffdshow, mpeg, etc.), and I can view/sync/play any file on my Zune from any of my computers in my network and my xbox360, wireless. Honestly, I haven't even touched my 80gig iPod Video in months. [ + quote]
iluvendo (Senior Member) 7 May 2008 19:19
Social Aspects ????? If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]
SSSJDanny (Newbie) 8 May 2008 0:15
*Originally posted by iluvendo:* Social Aspects ????? Zune Social is better integrated, and users with Windows Live Messenger can display which song is being played to people in their buddy list. [ + quote]
iluvendo (Senior Member) 8 May 2008 3:01
*Originally posted by SSSJDanny:* *Originally posted by iluvendo:* Social Aspects ????? *Quote:* *Zune Social is better integrated, and users with Windows Live Messenger can display which song is being played to people in their buddy list* . Some social aspects. That's like having a beautiful hot babe at your side and all u can think of is her knees. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]
Hardwyre (Newbie) 8 May 2008 8:34
Well, put it this way - $14.99/month for being able to legally download unlimited songs that are DRM-free, or $.99/song for music you can only play with the iPod or that virus of a program, iTunes. [ + quote]
glassd (Newbie) 8 May 2008 12:16
Can you pay the $15 for a one month subscription and download all of the songs that you ever wanted and cancle the subscription the next month? Will Zune down loads work on other MP3 Players? If so, sounds like a deal. [ + quote]
iluvendo (Senior Member) 8 May 2008 15:33
*Originally posted by glassd:* Can you pay the $15 for a one month subscription and download all of the songs that you ever wanted and cancle the subscription the next month? Will Zune down loads work on other MP3 Players? If so, sounds like a deal. Most likely No to both questions. Hey M$ is greedy, not stupid. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]
Mez (Member) 12 May 2008 9:28
iluvendo, I am certain they are both greedy and stupid, but not that stupid. Microsoft can and will kill the DRM support making your tunes unplayable when ever they feel like it. They are shutting down a DRM server making all the music bough from them years ago worthless. It would have been easy for them to just swap out servers if there was a problem with the server. They are just scum bags. Also in that update, they are installing cyber police into your computer and Zune. You will not be able to watch videos unless they were purchesed through Microsoft. They have announced that twist but I bet they have a music attack on the self. If they get away with the videos, music will be next. Hardwyre, still love your Zune now? You will need to insulate your self from the internet when using your Zune software and turn off automatic updates if you what to continue to watch those videos. Whe you turn off the internet you will discover the Zune was sending information back to Microsoft. It gets real nasty if you try to sync with out being able to access the internet. Don't be surprised if you have the police knocking at your door with a warrent. [ + quote]
Hardwyre (Newbie) 13 May 2008 12:16
Ha, I love my Zune. There is NO way the Zune program could connect to the internet the way I have it set up. The computer it's on is local-internet only and isolated on a private IP range that doesn't touch ISP service. But Microsoft has not officially announced ANY regulation on the zune media. There never has been one, and any songs you get via Zune Marketplace have always been DRM-free (the videos have a protection on them, though). They're not going to add any additional protection software, because that would conflict with Zune+xbox360 compatibility, which is their bread and butter for the Zune. Yes, I still love my zune. [ + quote]