Robert McLaws: Windows Edition : Zune

The 2009 30GB Zunepocalypse. Don’t Panic.

Robert McLaws — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:44:06 GMT

Holy crap. It seems these days that no one wants to write about Microsoft unless something goes wrong. One look at Techmeme today, and you’d think that all the Zunes rose up at once, coming to life with the sole purpose of killing your mother.

In case you hadn’t heard yet, the 30GB Zune (and only that model, as far as anyone can tell) has some kind of bug that caused it to freeze on the boot up screen on December 31, 2008. Which I find interesting, since there is no (apparent) way to set the date on your Zune. But the DRM has to tell how long you have somehow, so I guess the internal calendar is managed by syncing with your computer.

I’ve seen the gamut of opinions today, from the downright stupid (“I’m going to die without music to listen to at work” [One can only hope…]) to the usual (M$ suxors, buy an iPod [recession… what recession?]) to the just plain incorrect (Microsoft’s official forums are at Zune.net/support, not zuneboards.com [hey Consumerist, it’s called fact-checking]). It’s really funny how derided the Zune is around the web, and how many people say that no one uses it, and yet the second it breaks down, there are apparently millions of users out there. Amazing how that works.

Microsoft knows about the problem, and is working on a fix. I took mine apart and pulled the battery, and now it works fine. It may very well work fine tomorrow. Who knows. In the meantime, there is no need to call tech support. Just be patient (I know, that’s a lot to ask these days) and they’ll have a solution soon.

UPDATE: Microsoft posted details of the problem and offered a solution. The problem was simply that the firmware was not able to handle a year with 366 days. The solution is, as I suspected, patience…

Early this morning we were alerted by our customers that there was a widespread issue affecting our 2006 model Zune 30GB devices (a large number of which are still actively being used). The technical team jumped on the problem immediately and isolated the issue: a bug in the internal clock driver related to the way the device handles a leap year. The issue should be resolved over the next 24 hours as the time change moves to January 1, 2009. We expect the internal clock on the Zune 30GB devices will automatically reset tomorrow (noon, GMT). By tomorrow you should allow the battery to fully run out of power before the unit can restart successfully then simply ensure that your device is recharged, then turn it back on. If you’re a Zune Pass subscriber, you may need to sync your device with your PC to refresh the rights to the subscription content you have downloaded to your device.

Hopefully all those vitriolic users screaming about class action lawsuits and threatening suicide will have calmed down by then.

Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0 Released

Robert McLaws — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:29:09 GMT

Holy Smokin Binaries, Batman! PDC2008 is not over yet, and the bits just keep flowing. Microsoft has released the final version of XNA Game Studio 3.0, which allows developers to create games for both the Xbox 360 and the Zune.

Now I’m hoping they announce how games are going to get on my Zune in the first place. I am tired of Texas Hold ‘Em already.

Zune Marketplace Coming To Xbox 360?

Robert McLaws — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:32:20 GMT

Rumor has it that Microsoft has bought 5 hours of airtime on G4TV on September 25th. According to Kombo, Microsoft will be announcing:

Free DLC for Halo 3, and paid DLC for Mass Effect and GTAIV
Six free Xbox Originals for download
A partnership with Sirius XM Satellite Radio
12 new exclusive titles, including 2 Halo games (supposedly the Peter Jackson Halo project, and the game Bungie was supposed to show off at E3)
A new music download service

The last point is the one I find most intriguing. I don't think it's a coincidence that Zune's new infrastructure is rolling out the week before this mega-relaunch. The new XNA Game Studio can target both the Xbox 360 and the Zune, meaning that the two will share a lot in common under the hood. Since Microsoft already has a game download service, it makes sense that the Zune would leverage it for the new Zune Games. It would make sense that the supposed Xbox Live Music Marketplace would use Zune's software as well. It would be really awesome if you could sync your Zune content with your Xbox 360... or even sync videos from Xbox Live Marketplace with your Zune by plugging it directly into the 360.

UPDATE: Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore confirms that the Zune Video Marketplace and the Xbox Live Marketplace are one and the same, so with the launch dates so close together, could the future Joe speaks of be closer than we think?

[via Xbox360Fanboy]

Zune Finally Out-iPods the iPod

Robert McLaws — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:48:10 GMT

In a move that is unlikely to silence those who ignore Microsoft products until their third revision, the software giant will launch their third-generation Zune on Tuesday, Sept 16th. This release, available through new Zune models from 120GB down to 8GB, as well as through firmware updates available to all previous-gen Zunes, has more (long-awaited) features than you can shake a stick at. They include:

Zune Wireless Marketplace: You will be able to access the entire Zune Marketplace without having to plug into your computer. As long as you are near a WiFi hotspot, you can get your tunes.
Buy from FM: Using your built-in FM receiver, you can tag songs you like off the radio, and the Zune will automatically download the track for you later. (Looks like someone from the Zune team overheard Marc Canter on the CES bus in January.)
Zune Games: In the works for months, this is a part of XNA Studio 3.0 that will probably RTM at the same time. Hexic and Texas Hold-em will be included for free.
Sync from WMC: Improved support for syncing your Recorded TV from Windows Media Center
Audible.com: FINALLY! Audiobook support lets you sync your Zune with Audible.com.

...And lots more! I'm really looking forward to this release, and I think that for the first time, Microsoft has a better feature-set that the iPod. This is all supposed to go down the day before Apple's iPod event, so next week ought to be very interesting indeed. And hey Zune guys, I'd love to get a sneak peek to put up a launch-day review!

Disneyland’s “Innoventions Dream Home” By HP & Microsoft

Robert McLaws — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:10:00 GMT

I was the first tech news site to break this story a while back, and I’m glad to finally see this come to fruition.

Microsoft has teamed with Disneyland, HP, Life|Ware, and Taylor Morrison to combine Microsoft’s “Home of the Future” with the HP MediaHome into the “Innoventions Dream Home” at Disneyland. It combines Microsoft technologies like Microsoft Surface (looks like they took my advice), Windows Home Server, and Windows Media Center, to give people an immersive glimpse into the ultimate Microsoft-powered home, and how people can leverage these technologies today.

Below are some pictures from Microsoft’s Press Release:

Disneyland’s Innoventions Dream Home kitchen displays recipes and other messages directly on to your countertop and even recognizes ingredients and tools the home cook places on the counter and suggests recipes for using them. The Dream Home features the latest technology and a glimpse at future products from Microsoft, HP and Exceptional Innovations.

Disneyland’s Innoventions Dream Home Magic Mirror projects clothes, accessories and even hairstyles onto the image of the Elias daughter. As she gestures, the clothes and pigtails move with her. The software also analyzes what clothing is in your closet, in your laundry or borrowed by friends. The mirror was inspired by technology inside the Microsoft Home, a prototyping facility on the company’s Redmond, WA campus.

You can also register your own version of the Dream Home, by home builder Taylor Morrison, starting this Friday at tmdreamhomegiveaway.com.

HP’s Brian Burch is at Disneyland today for the opening, so if you head down there (tours run from 7-10pm tonight), be sure to find him and say hi. I’m also hoping to have pictures from the event posted tomorrow.

More Information:
Disneyland Press Release
Microsoft Press Release
Disneyland’s “Innoventions Dream Home” Press Kit
Disneyland’s Official Video Tour
Interview with Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore & HP’s Phil McKenney

XNA Games Coming to Zune, Live & Live Marketplace Next?

Robert McLaws — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:04:00 GMT

At their GDC '08 Keynote, Microsoft showed off Zauri, a "top-down shooter" built using XNA Game Studio... running on a Zune 2. Microsoft's Chris Satchell did the demo, and he said that games would be portable across the Microsoft entertainment ecosystem, "from Windows to Xbox to Zune."

This is fantastic news, even though it is REALLY short on details. Hopefully it is only the beginning of the cross-platform Live news. I'm eagerly awating the day when Microsoft announces the Live Marketplace plugin for Windows Media Center, and I can either transfer Live Marketplace movies from my Xbox 360 to my Zune, or use the wireless functionality of my Zune to buy and download movies without having to hook up to my PC.

UPDATE: I've gleaned a bit more information from the blogosphere. Neil Hutson just posted a roadmap and overall featureset. It seems that this capability will come with the next version of XNA Game Studio (3.0) which will be previewed this April for RTM in the Fall. Other expectations:

Local ad-hoc wireless play with up to 8 Zunes
User can customize in-game music from whatever is on the Zune
Write-once, run anywhere... but cross-platform multiplayer is not supported (Zune users can't connect to Xbox 360 sessions, etc)

UPDATE 2: Dave "LetsKillDave" Weller has updated the XNA Creators Club site with an overview of the changes, and has also written a FAQ diving deeper into what to expect.

Why Isn't the Halo 3 Soundtrack on Zune Marketplace?

Robert McLaws — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:15:25 GMT

So the new Halo 3 soundtrack came out over a week ago, and I've been really excited to hear it. I wanted to buy it on Zune Marketplace, and it shows up under the search, but you can't buy it. Hey Microsoft, what gives? Having the soundtrack up there is like a no-brainer, especially given the fact that you have a Halo 3 Zune that comes preloaded with the soundtracks for 1 and 2. Where is the love, guys?

Having Zune Power Issues?

Robert McLaws — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:08:02 GMT

If you've just upgraded your Zune 30 to the new firmware, have you found that your battery isn't lasting nearly as long? Zune-Online.com has the answer. Turn on the WiFi, crank up the screen brightness, and turn on the radio until the battery dies. Then fully recharge it (overnight if you have to), and then reboot it by holding up and back at the same time until it resets. After that, you'll be good to go.

[via Engadget]

Zune Team Thinks GamerCards Trump a WiFi Store

Robert McLaws — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:31:27 GMT

The Zune Team made their huge announcement today, launching the new Zune 2's and the rewritten Zune Marketplace. While I'm not going to belittle the work they've done in that respect, I have to wonder... ZuneCards? WTF?!?!? How in the world is that more important than being able to buy stuff over your WiFi connection? How long is Microsoft going to let Apple have the uncontested lead in that space? Yeah, WiFi sync is pretty cool, but I'd rather have WiFi store. And while we're at it, what about Xbox Video Marketplace integration?

All in all, today's announcement was pretty disappointing. I could have lived with the WMP11 version of the Marketplace if I could have played with tighter Xbox Live Marketplace integration. I'm not sure I like the new Zune UI either. My Master Chief background won't look quite as cool on it after the upgrade.

One question I have outstanding is whether or not HDTV recorded off of CableCARD tuners will be able to be synced to the new Zunes. If they can, that might help deflect some of my disappointment, seeing as how right now all that content is trapped on my Media Center.

Review: Microsoft Zune - Halo 3 Special Edition

Robert McLaws — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:46:00 GMT

DISCLAIMER: This review was not solicited by Microsoft, the equipment was purchased with my own money.

Recently, my girlfriend Nicole surprised me with a rather unexpected birthday present: a brand new Special Edition Halo Zune. I had never experienced a Zune before, so I was really excited to try it out. I've had it for about three weeks now, and I wanted to report my take on this device.

My previous music player was a Creative Zen MicroPhoto, which was a pretty decent device, but had a really crappy battery life. I had also used a couple different iPods before, but never owned one. So I have a little bit of experience with PMPs, but there are a bunch out there I still haven't messed with.

Unboxing
I have to say that Microsoft did a fantastic job with the packaging of this product. The outer packaging is clean and very attractive, and it opens up very nicely.

I posted some unboxing shots here to do the talking:

I think this is the kind of experience Microsoft was going for when they redesigned their software boxes for Vista & Office 2007... if only they weren't harder to open than a bottle of Advil. It's a good thing they got it right this time, and it was really fun to open.

Installation
Getting my Zune connected to my Vista machine was pretty straightforward. I really liked how it tried to download an updated version when it installed. I say "tried", because it failed the first time, and I had to download the new installer manually. But after I did that, setup was a breeze. It even updated my firmware right away, which I liked a lot.

User Experience - Device
I absolutely LOVE the device. The UI is very responsive, and (mostly) intuitive. The screen is bright, and the contrast is easy to see in any light. It feels great in my hand, and the matte finish is a welcome change to the cold lifeless feeling of the Zen. And it's practically impossible to get smudged up, unlike the iPod.

I do have some issues with the UI though. For one thing, it takes WAAAY too many clicks to start playing a specific song with the "Enter" key. Yeah, I know you can scroll the song list and then hit the play button, but that wasn't the most intuitive way to do it. Also, you can't delete stuff off the device. Which is super annoying... more on that in a minute.

User Experience - Marketplace
Truth be told, the Zune Marketplace experience is pretty bad. I think it's really lame that you can't play media that is stored only on your Zune inside the Zune Marketplace. And you can't browse the device physically (with the hardware buttons) when it's connected. That, coupled with the lack of a delete button or keystroke on the device, makes it nearly impossible to delete anything off of it with confidence. I have to first browse the device, write down the artist and title of what I want to delete, connect it up, and then delete it from the Marketplace. That really stinks. Especially since it came with a ton of crap from people I had never heard of.

Other than that, it's relatively easy to find artists and buy songs. I just wish you could pick the "Advanced" option of just using WMP11. A lot of the software just feels like an URGE ripoff. And seeing as how it's all powered by MediaNet Digital (formerly MusicNet) anyways... seems kind of stupid that enthusiasts can't have a little more choice if they know what they're doing.

Syncing
Holy crap, I've never seen a music player sync that fast. I put nearly 2GB on the device in a little over a minute. That would have taken almost an hour on the Zen. Now, if I could only sync wirelessly...

Overall Opinion

So rumor has it that V2 hardware is on its way soon. ~~One of the things that makes the Zune waaaay better than the iPod is that it's software-updatable~~ (I didn't realize the iPod had firmware updates, I had heard you had to buy new iPods to get new features) I'm really looking forward to seeing what capabilities the V2 software brings to the table. Some things I'd love to have:

Wireless Sync - already mentioned and self-explanatory.
Wireless Purchases - I want to be able to purchase and download music straight from an access point to my device. It would be really cool if Microsoft partnered with T-Mobile to offer free WiFi access to their hotspots if they're browsing the Zune Mobile Marketplace.
Wireless Media Center Extender - I'd like my Zune to be a full-blown Vista Media Center Extender. That way I could watch HDTV on my Zune without dealing with the DRM that my CableCARD applies to all of my recorded TV shows.
Wireless Xbox 360 Connectivity - I think I should be able to listen to music from my Zune on my Xbox 360 without having to directly connect it to the console.
Xbox Live Video Marketplace Support - I want to be able to copy SD movies rented from the Xbox 360 Video Marketplace to my Zune. That way i could load it up with movies before a trip and watch them on the plane.
Napster Support - I'm already paying for a Napster subscription for the Zen MicroPhoto, it would be really nice if I could use it with the Zune too. I understand the whole "closed system" thing (and the Zune Subscription), so you don't need to take me to task for it... it would just be cool.
Zune Phone - I love the way the Zune feels in my hand. I love the device experience. It would be great if I could get this same experience in a phone. (Don't even say anything about the iPhone, I've used it and I'm not interested.) Yes, I understand this would require additional hardware... unless the headphone jack already supports the same type of headphones-with-a-mic that my cell phone has.

So anyway, that's my opinion. How's your Zune treating you?

The Vista Daily #16

Robert McLaws — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:09:53 GMT

<sigh> I wish American Idol would let you vote to boot people instead of keep them. Then Sanjaya would have been sent home a while ago. That's why 13 year olds shouldn't have cell phones. But I digress. Anyway, here's what's been going on with Microsoft in the last 48 hours...

Second Life has traced their Vista compatibility problems to a bug in ATI/AMD's OpenGL drivers, and a fix will be available by the end of the month.
For all the crap Symantec dished out about Vista and security, it couldn't help but declare Microsoft the winner in addressing security threats. Windows in general only had 5 fewer vulnerabilities than OSX in the 2nd half of 2006, but Microsoft fixed their bugs 3x faster. [via Roger Halbheer]
And speaking of vulnerabilities, self-proclaimed Microsoft security guru Jeff Jones has compiled a report on vulnerability disclosures in the first 90 days of OS availability. Vista had 5 issues disclosed and 1 fixed, XP had 14 disclosed and 10 fixed. Red Hat 4 had 181 issues disclosed and 96 patched, while OS X 10.4 had 20 disclosed and 3 fixed. As Jeff so aptly puts it, "[Apple's] data just doesn't support their marketing." [via Jeff's Technet Blog]
David Lem wonders aloud what Windows 'Cloud' might look like. For those of you that don't remember, Ray Ozzie and Jim Allchin talked last year about more OS services moving into the Internet 'cloud'. No, he's not saying it exists, so don't read too much into it.
Remember Chris Pirillo's video about Linux's XGL? Chris Salmon has built Yod'm (Yet anOther Desktop Manager) that mimics that functionality on Windows XP and Windows Vista. I wonder if the Vista version uses the DWM. [via Laurent Duveau]
Microsoft has returned MSN SoapBox to private beta mode, to deal with copyright protection issues. A wise move in the wake of the Viacom-Google billion-dollar squabble.
Speaking of betas, it looks like Microsoft's not the only company that delays operating systems. Apple doesn't even have a launch date for Leopard. Says one of the sources: "I'd say it's barely beta, not Final or Gold Master." BTW, Leopard will also "break a lot of shareware and commercial software that currently makes use of [the InputManager] control. Looks like incompatibility in upgrades is not just a Redmond specialty.
Sure to be a hit with the ladies, Microsoft is releasing a Pink Zune in May. Maybe now my girlfriend will want that instead of an iPod.
Chris Pirillo has a bada$$ demo of a noise cancellation demo from Microsoft Research. The Windows Media Encoder team needs to get that in their product ASAP.
And finally, Microsoft has been blaming end users for Xbox Live account hijackings, but is Xbox Live Support to blame? Microsoft need to teach it's outsourced helpdesk that pretexting is now illegal. [via Krunker]

That's all for today. Another week come and gone. Dang it. See you next time!

My Ideas for Windows Sideshow

Robert McLaws — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:58:11 GMT

Long Zheng reminds us that Windows Sideshow is (still) coming. His last picture shows one of the prototype detachable devices that can dock to the lid of certain notebooks. We've been seeing this one for a while, and the next few months will show if anyone is actually going to ship these to consumers.

This led me to an idea... how cool would it be if you could get a Zune dock as an option on your laptop, and your Zune could also run Windows Sideshow? Between that and the Xbox 360 integration... I think it would be a "must buy" product for a decent percentage of people. And the orange already matches the Zune UI. Not convinced? Here's some Photoshop fun:

Wouldn't THAT be sweet :). Is it a coincidence that the Sideshow device and the Zune are almost the exact same size? I don't think so.

Anyways, here's one more Sideshow device that I'd pay for... a Picture Frame that could double as a WiFi connected Media Center display that I could use to watch TV through while I'm working on my computer, without sacrificing screen real estate. Here's what it might look like, using the Living Picture momento 100 as an example:

Those are some of my thoughts. There are plenty of other Sideshow devices coming, like remote controls, drive-mount displays, and keyboards. But I think the best use would be a Sideshow-integrated wall-mounted home security/automation system. Think about it. Give it a keypad and mount it to your wall, and after you enter your security code, you can check to see if the kids left any messages, check which TV shows are recording tonight, and set the music you want to listen to while you get dinner ready. Now THAT would be cool.

Oh yeah... what ever happened to the PocketPC/Smartphone version of Sideshow? I thought a beta was supposed to be released a while back? I'd really like to be able to see this on my phone (not Photoshopped):

Alright. I'm done with the gratuitous pictures. For now ;). What device would YOU create for Windows Sideshow?

Woo Hoo! TV Shows on Xbox Live!

Robert McLaws — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 02:39:00 GMT

In less then three weeks, and virtually coinciding with the PS3 launch, Microsoft officially took any remaining wind out of Sony's sails today by announcing that Xbox Live will become a major payer for video content, with the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. For the record, I totally called it.

I'll let these pictures, courtesy of Microsoft and CNET, do the talking.

Pictures not enough? Let Larry Hyrb ("Major Nelson") walk you thought the how it works. From the video's title, I can gather that the Dasboard update was codenamed "Pegasus".

From C|NET:

Henson told CNET News.com that pricing for the new content has not yet been finalized, but that TV shows and movies downloaded via Xbox Live would be "competitive" in the marketplace. HD content will cost somewhat more than that in standard definition.

While he did not say so, the competitive marketplace includes Apple's iTunes music store, Netflix, local video stores and other outlets.

So what can you expect to watch? According to the Xbox.com Press Release

The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own and feature films available for download to rent will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of content that will be available on the network by the end of year include the following:

“Robot Chicken” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” from Adult Swim
“CSI,” “Survivor” and “Star Trek” from CBS
Emmy and Peabody award-winning “South Park” and “Chappelle’s Show” from COMEDY CENTRAL
“The Real World” and “Pimp My Ride” from MTV
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” and ”SpongeBob SquarePants” from Nickelodeon
“Skyland” and “The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival” from Nicktoons Network
“M:i:III,” Nacho Libre” and “Jackass: The Movie” from Paramount Pictures
“Carpocalypse” and “Raising the Roofs” from Spike TV
“Race Rewind” provided by NASCAR.COM
Select episodes of the original season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and the “UFC: All Access” shows from the UFC
“Breaking Bonaduce” and “Hogan Knows Best” from VH1
“The Matrix,” “Superman Returns” and “Batman Forever” from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Make no mistake, Microsoft has officially declared all out war on your television. And with 5 million units already in the marketplace, they are poised to win.

Now I want to hear more about the Vista Media Center and Zune integration story. There's no way Microsoft's not going to take advantage of the raw potential there.

Reactions:
Engadget
MajorNelson.com

Is Zune Marketplace Just a WMP11 Skin?

Robert McLaws — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:25:00 GMT

You be the judge (roll over image for comparison):

Yeah, I know the Zune Marketplace one is hard to see. Blame Engadget.

Note the locations of most UI elements are practically identical. Also the shuffle and repeat buttons are the same, and the button layout is identical too. The only really notible differences are the "options" and "sign in" buttons next to the search box, and the lack of a toolbar at the top..