Zune

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Zune is a Microsoft brand of portable media players, software that will drive the devices, and an online service for acquiring and sharing media. The first Zune device was released to the U.S. market as a 30 GB model on November 14, 2006, with a price tag of $249.99 ^[1]

[edit] Overview

The initial Zune device comes equipped with a 30 GB hard drive, built-in FM tuner with Radio Data System, 3.0-inch screen, and Wi-Fi networking. For audio, Zune supports MP3, WMA and AAC. Supported video codecs include WMV, h264 and MPEG4.^[2]. Preloaded music, videos, and images are included as well.

The device is available in three colors and features what Microsoft calls the doubleshot effect, with a translucent glow in a different color. The colors of mainstream availability are black, brown, and white with a doubleshot of blue, green and clear respectively. A limited-edition red Zune was put up for for auction in various stores in L.A.^[3] Additionally, pink and orange Zune devices were given to the Zune team as ship gifts with "Welcome to the Social" and "November 14, 2006" written on the back.^[4].

One of the features that Microsoft has been pushing as a key differentiator is its Zune-to-Zune Wi-Fi feature. They have enabled the limited sharing of songs, recordings, playlists and pictures with others. Tracks received from another person can be played for up to three days or three plays, whichever comes first, after which it expire unless purchased or downloaded via the Zune Marketplace online. Recipients cannot re-send music or audio files that they have received via the sharing feature. Not all songs are eligible for sharing -- record companies can flag songs from the Zune Marketplace as "non-distributable".

As part of an effort to build a closed, end-to-end ecosystem, Zune uses a new digital rights management system to protect content which is incompatible with other DRM systems including Microsoft PlaysForSure. This ecosystem includes a PC client called the Zune Software and an online store called the Zune Marketplace. Zune does not support audio-books downloaded from Audible.com

The Zune Software syncs music, pictures and videos to the Zune device. It organizes the media in its library and allows users to add to the library by ripping from CDs, and organize the metadata. It automatically pulls down album art and metadata for all content in the library. The Zune Software is also the medium to access the Zune Marketplace.

The Zune Marketplace is an online service that integrates with the Zune player. Over two million songs are available for purchase using Microsoft Points, the same currency used on Xbox Live, for per-song purchase. The Zune Marketplace can also be used as a subscription-based flat-fee service, if users purchase a monthly "Zune Pass".^[5]

The Zune is able to connect to the Xbox 360, which gives users the ability to stream music, videos, and pictures via USB.

Some accessory packs planned for the Zune include the Zune Car Pack, which contains an FM-transmitter with AutoSeek and a Zune Car Charger, the Zune Home A/V pack, which contains a dock, wireless remote, sync cable, AC adapter, and A/V output cable, and the Zune Travel Pack, which includes in-ear earphones, a dual-connect remote, a travel case, a sync cable, and an AC adapter.^[6] Each of these accessory packs will sell for $100. Microsoft's accessories are also available for individual purchase. Microsoft is working with other manufacturers like Altec Lansing, Belkin, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon, JBL, Incipio ^[7] and more to make additional accessories.

Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for the Zune project, has also said in an interview with Engadget that some phone functionality is in store for the Zune at a later date.^[8]

J Allard, who oversaw the creation of the Xbox 360, has also overseen the creation of the Zune.

[edit] Specifications

Size comparison between the 5th-generation iPod and the Microsoft Zune. The Zune's screen is 44% larger than the iPod's, but displays the same number of pixels.

• 4.4 × 2.4 × 0.58-inch (11.2 × 6.1 × 1.4 cm)
• 5.6 ounces (158.8 grams)
• 802.11b/g built-in Wi-Fi
• 30 GB hard drive
• 3-inch QVGA LCD screen, with a resolution of 320×240; comparison with iPod
• Supports a resolution of 640×480 for video-out playback^[9]
• Radio Data System enabled FM receiver
• Supports all unprotected H.264, MP3, WMA, WMV, AVI, MPEG4, JPEG and AAC
• Up to 14 hours battery life when playing music, 4 hours playing video or viewing pictures, with Wi-Fi off ^[10]
• Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%^[11]
• With Wi-Fi turned on, up to 13 hours battery life when playing music (optimal conditions)^[12]

[edit] Hardware

• CPU: Freescale i.MX31L processor; ARM Core, FPU (SCIMX31LVKM5 / 3L38W / CTAU0629) [1]
• RAM: 64 MBytes x32 Mobile SDR DRAM / 133 MHz / 90 mA (K4M51323PC-DG75) [2]
• Flash: 2 MBytes NOR flash, 3.3V, 1Mx16 Boot block (PH28F160C3TD) [3]
• FS456LF: PC to TV video scan converter (Macrovision 7)
• Audio: Stereo CODEC with speaker driver / 0.9 W power out (WM8978G) [4]
• FM Tuner: Silicon Labs Si4701 single-chip radio tuner (4701A15) [5]
• TV out: Focus (FS456) [6]
• USB: USB2.0 Philips (ISP1504) [7]
• bus switch: Low voltage octal FET bus switch (CL245 / SN74CBTLV3245A) [8]
• ATA driver (?): 8-bit bus transceiver/driver (P003 / 620A5)
• WiFi: RF/BB/MAC 802.11g WiFi (KeyStream) module (KS3021 / KS7010)
• Power manager: Freescale MC13783 [9]
• Battery: Li-Ion battery 3.7 V / 800 mAh (G71C0006Z110)
• Hard Disk: Toshiba 30 GB hard disk, 1.8" (MK3008GAL) [10]

Close similiarites to the Toshiba Gigabyte S [11]

[edit] Features

• Ability to send photos, and some music files (not all music files may be shared) from Zune-to-Zune via WiFi. Sharable music files can be played only a maximum of three times, and expire after three days whether they are played or not. Recipients cannot re-send music that they have received via the sharing feature. Photo files may be shared without restrictions. ^{[13] [14]}
• Ability to flag tracks received from Zune-to-Zune transfer, a tool used so that a shared song may be purchased from the Zune Marketplace after it has expired.
• Ability to play videos and view pictures
• Updatable firmware
• "ZuneTags", a field changeable username/profile visible to others who wirelessly scan the area for fellow Zune users.
• The wallpaper on the Zune can be changed to any user specified image.
• The Zune will play standard podcast files, which are usually available in unprotected MP3 or AAC format. However, the Zune software lacks full podcast support, such as a directory and automatic downloading via RSS feeds. A Zune team member has stated that in the future "We'll ship podcasting, and we'll call it "Podcasting" when we do." [12] ^[15][16]
• The player software will automatically convert audio and video in a format not supported by the Zune into a format that is. (e.g. a video with a resolution of 720x540 will be converted to a resolution of 320x240 if necessary).^[17]
• Able to show other Zunes nearby what you are listening to or doing through advanced settings.
• Support for Zune Digital Rights Management (DRM) (incompatible with Microsoft's PlaysForSure, Apple's iTunes FairPlay, RealNetworks' Helix, Audible.com audio books, and other DRM schemes)
• Able to create on-the-go playlists without reconnecting to the Zune software
• Built-in FM radio, capable of showing song information on supported FM stations

[edit] Preloaded content

The first generation of the Zune will include some pre-loaded content. As of November 2006, the following will be preloaded.^[18]

[edit] Audio tracks

• Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil” (Sub Pop)
• Bitter:Sweet, “The Mating Game” (Quango Music Group)
• CSS, “Alala (Microsoft edit)” (Sub Pop)
• Darkel, “At The End of The Sky (edit)” (Astralwerks)
• Every Move A Picture, “Signs of Life” (V2 Records)
• Small Sins, “Stay” (Astralwerks)
• The Adored, “Tell Me Tell Me” (V2 Records)
• The Rakes, “Open Book” (V2 Records)
• The Thermals, “A Pillar of Salt” (Sub Pop)

[edit] Music videos

• 30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill” (Virgin Records)
• BT, “1.618” (DTS Entertainment)
• Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops” (Sub Pop)
• Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool” (Ninja Tune)
• CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above” (Sub Pop)
• Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away” (Sub Pop)
• Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself” (V2 Records)
• Hot Chip, “Over and Over” (Astralwerks)
• Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home” (Quango Music Group)
• Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia” (Sub Pop)
• Paul Oakenfold featuring Brittany Murphy, “Faster Kill Pussycat" (Perfecto Records)
• Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics” (Playlouderecordings)

[edit] Short films

• 5boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)
• Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)
• TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)

[edit] Images

Variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from Art of Modern Rock, 8 pictures of Records and DJs, and 9 pictures of Records.

[edit] Additional details

The device is a handheld media player similar to the 5th-generation hard drive based video iPods, although slightly larger and heavier. Built by Toshiba, it is a modified version of the Toshiba Gigabeat S with a re-arranged controller layout^[19]. The device uses the twist interface on a Freescale 400MHz DSP processor, and contains a Toshiba 1.8 inch 30GB hard drive.^[20]

The device features a five button controller arranged in a circle. A menu button and a play/pause button are to the left and right, respectively. However, when the Zune is flipped horizontally the controls remain in the same location, despite a different orientation. A hold switch is featured on the top of the player, next to the headphone port. The entire system casing is made from rubberized plastic^[20] .

[edit] Integration with Zune Marketplace

The Zune Marketplace, taking advantage of Windows Media Foundation.

The Zune jukebox software hosts the Zune Marketplace, where users are able to purchase individual tracks (in protected WMA format) for 79 Microsoft Points (at an exchange ratio of 79.8 points per dollar).^[21] Users must purchase blocks of points in $5 increments.

Alternatively, unlimited tracks of music may be accessed through a subscription, known as a "Zune Pass", for a monthly fee of US$14.99 or for three months for $44.97. The Zune software includes an inbox, which keeps track of flagged music (for later purchase) as well as songs swapped with other Zune users. The inbox shows up in the Zune software as well. All music downloaded under the subscription plan becomes unplayable if the user lets the subscription lapse. Songs downloaded under a subscription are not burnable to CD without paying an additional charge per track.

[edit] Advertising campaign

According to Brandweek, Microsoft plans a $100 million campaign to promote Zune with "Music the way it wants to be" as a major theme. [13]

[edit] Speculation and Rumors

It was previously thought that Zune was one of Microsoft's media players under codename "Project Argo" ^[22][23]. However, it now seems that the "Zune" brand will be used for all media players and other services, throughout the new project.^[24]

The European release date is tentatively set for late 2007 or early 2008.^[25] There has been no official word on Zune launch outside the US.^[26]

[edit] Criticism

• Many industry pundits [14][15][16] have criticized the Zune for its features and functions (see below) based on a side-by-side comparison with the iPod. Meanwhile, others[17][18][19] have criticized its DRM and the market's potential responses, especially given that it will compete with Microsoft's own early-adopters of the PlaysForSure DRM scheme. Technology reviewer Leo Laporte (formerly of TechTV) said in his Nov. 12th 2006 radio show that Zune may be the "beginning of the end" for DRM as a business tactic.[20]

• Though the Zune is a Microsoft product, it is not compatible with players and online music stores using Microsoft's PlaysForSure technology. This includes music purchased from Microsoft's MSN Music store.[21]

• The Zune is not compatible with the release candidate of Windows Vista and is not expected to initially be compatible with Vista when released to OEM and Volume License customers. However, Microsoft plans to fix this by the time the operating system is released to the consumer market at the end of January, 2007.[22][23][24]

• While the Zune has built-in WiFi capabilities, it can only connect to other Zune devices; it can't wirelessly sync with its host PC, nor can it wirelessly connect to the internet and download new music via a Wi-Fi hotspot.[25][26]

• Songs wirelessly transferred from one Zune to another can only be played three times. After three days, the song expires – regardless of whether or not it has been played. Just playing half the song (or one minute, whichever comes first) counts as one "play." You can never resend a song to the same friend, nor can a song received from someone else be passed on to a third person. These limitations apply to all songs, whether they are copyright free and self-recorded or protected with DRM. There are no limits on sharing photos, however.[27][28][29][30]

• Not all songs purchased from the Zune Marketplace can be shared via WiFi with other Zunes (see [31] note 1).

• The software that supports the Zune seems to be very unstable on some Microsoft Windows configurations (including Windows XP) [32] [33] A resolution to this problem has been found [34]

• Unlike many hard-drive based music players, the Zune cannot be used as an external hard drive.[35]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Online music stores
• Digital Rights Management

[edit] External links

• Zune.net (official site)
• Trying Out the Zune: IPod It’s Not - November 9, 2006 New York Times article