Zune

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Zune logo
Zune
Manufacturer Microsoft
Type Portable media player
First available Flag of United States November 14, 2006
Flag of European Union S1 2007
Flag of Australia 2007
Flag of Japan TBC
CPU Freescale i. MX31L processor ARM Core
System storage 30 GB Hard drive
Screen 3 Inch QVGA LCD screen, with a resolution of 320×240
Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB
Online service Zune Marketplace
Units sold Undisclosed

Zune refers to Microsoft's digital audio player, client software, and online music store released to the United States on November 14, 2006.[1] With the device playing music, displaying videos and images, receiving FM radio, and sharing via wireless with other Zunes and via wire with Xbox 360s, televisions, or AV receivers, it connects to the Zune Software, allowing users to manage files on the player, to rip audio CDs, and to purchase songs online with the Zune Marketplace.

Contents

[edit] Device

The Zune has a 3.0" display
The Zune has a 3.0" display

[edit] Description

Before its conception, the device was created in close cooperation with Toshiba, who took an existing design mainly the Gigabeat S and redevelop it under the name Toshiba 1089 as registered with the FCC.[2] Well known overseer of the Xbox 360, J Allard oversaw a project codenamed 'Argo', who consisted of some XBox and MSN Music store developers,[3] who worked on 'Alexandria' and finalized it as Zune Marketplace,[4] then later unveiled both products united under a single brand in the U.S. market as the Zune. The Zune represents Microsoft's attempt to enter the lucrative digital audio player market created by Apple's iPod. Many of the features are similar to the iPod, including a clone of iTunes.

The Zune's casing is made from rubberized plastic, featuring a circular controller with five buttons arranged in a circle, a menu button to the left, a play/pause button to the right, and a hold switch on top of the player next to the headphone port.[5] The device has a "twist interface" that provides "two-dimensional navigation."[6] Inscribed on the back of the Zune appearing in small letters, the message "Hello from Seattle" appears, as it is similar to the iPod's message "Designed by Apple in California" also written on the back as well.[7] Some people believe it was intended to send a message to Apple themselves;[8] However, Microsoft's press release made reference to it as just a greeting.[9]

The Zune's graphical user interface (GUI) has sections for music, video, pictures, radio, community, and settings. In the music section, users can add songs to a quick playlist without reconnecting to the desktop software. Although the desktop software lacks integrated podcast support such as no podcast directory or automatic downloading through RSS feeds, podcast subscribers note that the device can play most podcast files, if they are unprotected and in a format which the Zune supports. In the picture section, the GUI can be personalized to any image as wallpaper. In the radio section, users can receive and play FM radio internally, with North American, Japanese, and European tuning ranges and show song information on supported FM stations using RDS. In the community section, users can broadcast user profile and current activity to others nearby. In the setting section, users can control backlight settings and output analog TV in NTSC and PAL but not SECAM with purchase of a separate connection. Originally the Zune came without Wi-Fi software GUI options (the send feature, the community feature, nearby Zune users listing feature) as described in FCC filings.[10][11] Firmware 1.1 allowed device to inherit sharing capabilities described by codename 'Pyxis'.

Zune does stream music, videos, and pictures to an Xbox 360 via USB or from the Zune Software via a home network, and its Wi-Fi communication allows limited sharing of songs, recordings, playlists and pictures with other Zunes up to 30 feet away. Images may be transferred from one Zune to another without restriction. But songs expire after three plays or three days, whichever comes first, unless purchased or downloaded from the Zune Marketplace online store. Recipients cannot re-send music or audio files, but can save the names of expired songs for later purchase. Many songs downloaded from the Zune Marketplace cannot be shared: the ones record companies flag as non-distributable.[12] Both the device and marketplace protect content using a digital rights management system — Windows Media DRM (WMDRM) — that is incompatible with other DRM systems and not part of the PlaysForSure platform or program.[13][14] Multimedia content is transfered though Media Transfer Protocol (MTP); however, its proprietary MTP extensions place an interoperability barrier between the Zune and previous MTP-based software and services.

[edit] Colors

The consumer edition was initially offered in light black, chocolate brown, and pearl white, which came with a "doubleshot," or translucent glow in a different color, of blue, green, and clear, respectively.

The limited edition came in different colors and artwork and were offered in three consecutive months. Red Zunes were put up for auction in various stores in the Los Angeles area on October 2006.[15] Pink and orange Zunes,[16] in quantities of 100 each, were randomly inserted into Zune boxes along with a numbered certificate of authenticity.[17][18] These devices were given to the Zune team as ship gifts. They had "Welcome to the Social November 14, 2006" written on the back and came in white packaging featuring Zune artwork then were released on the very same month.[19][20] "Ambassador" artwork Zunes were given to Microsoft's "Zune Master" college-student marketers on December 15, 2006.[21]

[edit] Model

Image Capacity Changes Introduced Connection Original Release Date Launch Price (US$)
30 GB First release. Available in white, black, and brown with limited edition colors orange and pink. USB, Wi-Fi USA- November, 14th 2006 $249.99

[edit] Firmware history

Version Date Description
1.0 (193) - device default
1.1 (322) 2006-11-14 performance improvements and the menu item "community" addition which allows the user to search for other nearby Zunes, see their status, and transfer music and pictures.
1.2 (434) 2006-12-19 fixes compatibility with Windows Vista and improves browsing performance and a few other things.[citation needed]
1.3 (482) 2007-03-28 prevents battery draining by the FM tuner while the device is in sleep mode, fixed a bug where music from the Zune Marketplace was skipping, and improved device detection and syncing.[22]

[edit] Specifications

  • Volume: 4.4 × 2.4 × 0.58-inch (11.2 × 6.1 × 1.4 cm)
  • Weight: 5.6 ounces (158.8 grams)
  • Screen: 3-inch (7.62-cm) QVGA LCD, 320×240 pixel resolution, 65k colors (16-bit color)
  • Hard disk: 30 GB hard disk, form factor short FF 1.8-inch; Toshiba (MK3008GAL)[23]
  • Wi-Fi: Zune-to-Zune compatible only; 802.11a/b/g (BB|RF); i/e (MAC); KeyStream (KS3021 / KS7010)[24][25]
  • TV out: NTSC, PAL, ACP (Macrovision 7); Focus FS456 (FS456LF)[26]
  • USB: USB 1.x/2.0; Philips (ISP1504)[27]
  • Radio: 76-108 MHz FM, RDS, RBDS; Silicon Labs Si4701 (4701A15)[28]
  • Battery: Discharge: 13-14 hrs music (on-off Wi-Fi), 4 hrs video;[29] Charge: 2-3 hrs (90%-full);[30] Li-Ion 3.7 V / 800 mAh; (G71C0006Z110)
  • CPU and graphics: Freescale i. MX31L — ARM, FPU, IPU; (SCIMX31LVKM5 / 3L38W / CTAU0629)[31]
  • RAM: 64 MBytes x32 Mobile SDR DRAM / 133 MHz / 90 mA; (K4M51323PC-DG75)[32]
  • Flash memory: 2 MBytes NOR, 1Mx16 boot block, 3.3V; (PH28F160C3TD)[33]
  • Bus switch: Low voltage octal FET bus switch; (CL245 / SN74CBTLV3245A)[34]
  • ATA driver: 8-bit bus transceiver/driver; (P003 / 620A5)
  • Audio: 24-bit DAC, 48 kHz (max); Stereo CODEC with speaker driver / 0.9 W power output; (WM8978G)[35]
  • Audio and power manager: 16-bit DAC, 44.1 kHz; Freescale MC13783[36]
  • Operating system: Portable Media Center / Windows CE based.
  • File support: Native MP3, AAC (.mp4), WMA: Pro (2-channel), WMV, JPEG. Transcoding needed from MP4 to WMV.[37]
  • Extras: Earphones, USB data cable, and carrying bag comes with each Zune.

[edit] Preloaded content

The device initially released came with the following songs, videos, and images that may have been erased upon synchronization:[38]

[edit] Audio tracks

Title Artist(s) Label
"Wicked Gil" Band of Horses Sub Pop
"The Mating Game" Bitter:Sweet Quango Music Group
"Alala (Microsoft edit)" C.S.S. Sub Pop
"At the End of the Sky (edit)" Darkel Astralwerks
"Munich" Editors Kitchenware Records
"Signs of Life" Every Move a Picture V2 Records
"Can't Let Go" Landon Pigg RCA Records
"Stay" Small Sins Astralwerks
"Tell Me Tell Me" The Adored V2 Records
"Open Book" The Rakes V2 Records
"A Pillar of Salt" The Thermals Sub Pop

[edit] Music videos

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

[edit] Short films

Film Company Sport
"A New York Skateboarding Minute" 5 Boro Skateboarding
"Kranked -- Progression" Radical Films Mountain Biking
"The North Face" TGRTV Skiing/Snowboarding

[edit] Images

The device initially came with 12 classic rock posters from Art of Modern Rock,[39] 8 pictures of Records and DJs, and pictures of graffiti art.

[edit] Accessories

Zune accessories sold separately include:

  • Charging devices (car adapter, AC wall-socket adapters, external battery).
  • I/O adapters (A/V composite, FM transmitters, headphones, USB data cable).
  • Docks (charging, multimedia large speaker, vertical hands-free assist).
  • Protection (glass screen protection, hardened/cushioning material case protection).
  • Carrying cases (standard issue, armband type).
  • Replacement parts and upgrades (battery, hard drive, LCD, etc.) .

Among the firms that make Zune accessories are Microsoft, Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research.[40]

Some third-party accessories carry the Designed for Zune logo.[41]

[edit] Software and Zune Marketplace

The Zune Marketplace
The Zune Marketplace

Zune Software functions as management software for the device and library and as a client to the online music store. As a modified version of Windows Media Player, with additional DirectShow decoders for AAC, MPEG-4 and H.264, it supports the following formats — for audio: MP3 (.mp3), AAC (Low complexity) (.mp4,.m4a,.m4b,.mov), WMA (.wma); for video: MPEG4 (.mp4,.m4v,.mov), H.264 (.mp4,.m4v,.mov), WMV (.wmv), ASF (.asf); and for still images: JPEG (.jpg). It synchronizes music, pictures, and videos to the device. It streams files to the Xbox 360. It organizes the media in its library and allows users to add to the library by ripping from CDs and to organize the metadata. It receives from the Zune Marketplace which it uses to automatically pull down album art and metadata for all content in the library. There is also an inbox feature in the desktop client software as well on the device, which keeps track of flagged music (for later purchase) as well as songs swapped with other Zune users.

Zune Marketplace is an online music store that integrates with the device. Over two million songs are available for purchase using Microsoft Points. However, some selected albums and tracks are not available to the subscription service and can only be purchased with Microsoft Points. The store can also be used as a subscription-based flat-fee service, if users purchase a monthly "Zune Pass."[42] 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. The unlimited "Zune Pass" costs US$14.99 per month. Individual tracks (in protected WMA format) currently cost 79 points. This works out to $.9875 per song (at an exchange ratio of 80 points per US dollar). Points must be purchased in blocks of around $5. The actual cost and minimum purchase for these points varies due to differences in foreign currency exchange rates and taxes.

[edit] Sales and marketing

[edit] Marketing

Microsoft had launched several campaigns to jumpstart the Zune. The company had planned a $100 million campaign to promote Zune with "music the way it wants to be" as a major theme.[43] Also, the company had enlisted about 300 "Zune masters" to advertise the device on American college campuses, to promote the item, and to run Zune-related events as expected. In exchange, they have received free merchandise, including a Zune.[44]

[edit] Sales

NPD Group
Zune's Hard Disk Unit Share
D '06 J '07 F M
10.2% 9.9% 8.7% N/A

At its initial release, the Zune was met with mostly consumer indifference. Sales were not terrible, but the heavy marketing failed to launch Zune as a genuine threat to the iPod.[45] A survey of 40 retailers conducted by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster found only 8% of the salespeople recommended Zune, far less than the 75% who recommended the iPod, and that most of the salespeople did not even know what Zune was or who made it.[46]

During its launch week, the Zune was the second-most-sold player with a 9% unit share of portable media devices; far behind the market-leading iPod's 63%.[47] According to hourly updated data on online retailer Amazon.com site,[48] the most popular Zune model (the black one) was ranked "7 out of 10" on the "top 10 best-selling MP3 players list" compared to a number of competing products on launch week by analysis from Munster.[49]

For the holiday shopping month of December 2006, the Zune captured 12% of drive-based player market according to market research firm Current Analysis but did not earn top 10 spot against Apple and Sandisk in overall sales, tracking sales from "Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Staples and RadioShack" but doesn't include many other outlets such as Wal-Mart and Apple stores.[50] Another analysis by NPD Group, retail market researching group, revealed that Zune showed 10.2% unit share for hard drive music player market, figures from Microsoft themselves.[51]

For the month of January 2007, Microsoft was third ranked in the MP3 category with 3.2% unit share followed by Sandisk's 8.9% and Apple's 72.7% for "top retail computer hardware sales" according to NPD Group.[52][53] Another analysis of NPD Group data revealed that Zune showed 9.9% unit share for hard drive music player market, figures from Microsoft themselves.[51]

For the month of February 2007, the Zune showed 8.7% share for hard-drive based portable music players in the United States according to numbers by NPD Group, figures from Microsoft themselves.[54][55]

[edit] Company insight

The company has stated several open motivations behind the creation of the product before its launch. Chris Stephenson, Microsoft general manager for marketing, said, "we see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."[14] Another employee, Dave McLauchlan of the Windows Media Devices Group who is not a member of the Zune team, said that "there are really two strategies in the market right now: cross-brand ecosystems PlaysForSure (PFS) and singular brand ecosystems (Apple). The former is gaining in share and units sold, but the latter has enormous share and won’t give that up easily."[14]

[edit] Criticism

[edit] Digital rights management

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which opposes DRM, wrote, "Microsoft's Zune will not play protected Windows Media Audio and Video purchased or 'rented' from Napster 2.0, Rhapsody, Yahoo! Unlimited, Movielink, Cinemanow, iTunes, or any other online media service. The Zune will not even play content previously purchased from Microsoft's own MSN Music service. That's right — the media that Microsoft promised would Play For Sure doesn't even play on Microsoft's own device."[56] The EFF calls this "a stark example of DRM under the DMCA giving customers a raw deal."[57]

DRM critics say Zune's wireless-transfer policy is restricted and unfair. They claim the Zune is more restrictive than the face value of this common phrase — "three days or three plays whichever comes first."[58][59][60] Because among other things, restrictions are applied to songs for which the recipient owns a paid-for and current Zune Pass;[61] to material that is self-recorded automatically wrapped in 'three-days three-plays' DRM but previously released under Creative Commons licenses or similar licenses with stipulations of unprotected DRM which "does not violate the letter of the CC license but it certainly violates the spirit of the license" said Creative Commons general counsel Mia Garlick;[60][62] to a song that expires in three days even if it has not been played at all;[citation needed] to playing just a portion of a song — within few seconds of a song,[63] or pausing/stopping the song,[59] or the intentional standard of one minute into the song or halfway into the song whichever is shorter[64] — counts as one "play"; and to prevent someone attempting to re-trade a traded song.[64]

DRM critics also note that researchers have reported that about 40% of the most popular Zune store downloads cannot be shared, which trigger the message "cannot send some songs due to rights restrictions."[65] A Microsoft spokesperson attributed the problem as being a "new experience, and its implementation is in a version 1.0 stage" and saying that the company "is working to expand the number of songs that can be shared."[66] Initially, observers criticized two music publishers, UMG and Sony, for what was assumed to be an intentional restriction, while criticizing the Zune Marketplace for not disclosing which songs could not be shared.[67] Music publishers denied having placed any such restrictions.[66]

Leo Laporte, technology reviewer of G4techTV (Canada), said in his November 11, 2006, radio show that Zune may be the "beginning of the end" for DRM as a business tactic.[68]

[edit] Usability

James Kim, a senior editor for CNET, criticized the Zune for failing to: play TV shows recorded using Windows Media Center's digital video recorder (DVR) software, function as a hard drive, wirelessly sync to its host computer, support seamless music transitions with gapless playback, and playback exact high quality renditions with lossless audio.[69][13]

Michael Kaplan, the technical lead from globalization infrastructure, fonts, and tools at Microsoft who works on collation, locales, unicode, and native language support claims the Zune can only display English text and can't even get his music files to properly describe themselves on the device.[70]

The Zune is restricted to specific Windows platforms,[71] with its proprietary MTP protocol rendering it unusable with Mac OS X or GNU/Linux. Initially, the Zune Software had been criticized for faulty device detection and buggy installation.[72] Web 2.0 users find that a lack of podcast support, gaining popularity as a medium for information, disappointing as it is not part of the Zune Software package found in competing products. They also find it disappointing that there is no support for Audible.com's audiobooks found in competing products.

Zune users frequently have difficulty finding others with whom to wirelessly share files, with the "no nearby Zune devices found" message appearing.[73] Ina Fried, CNET reporter, took two rounds through San Francisco to locate one Zune to share after two weeks of the device launch.[73] Technology journalist Steven Levy conducted a survey "in the wild" and within Microsoft's events and found only one Zune user out of a crowd of many in both occasions are willing to share music.[74][75]

American shoppers find it cumbersome to work with the music store's Microsoft Points system. As columnist Andy Ihnatko jokingly put it, "The Zune Marketplace doesn't even take real money."[76] To illustrate this confusion, a song costs 79 points, which corresponds to $0.99, which gives the impression that songs cost 79 cents; points can only be purchased in blocks of at least 400 points, leading to possible over-purchase and unused points.[63][77]

[edit] Speculation and rumors

Many have speculated on a European release date. Czech Business Weekly claims a scheduled date for "the first half of 2007."[78] UK site Tech.co.uk, in an article dated January 15, 2007, mentioned the Zune is coming to the UK in "two-to-three months."[79]

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.[80]

At the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Bill Gates said little about the Zune; a ZDNet reporter summarized it as "no Zune news", told readers not to expect any new Zune devices soon, and inferred from Gates' remarks that Microsoft will promote the device at its own Zune-specific events.[81] At the same event, however, Peter Moore, vice president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment and Devices Division, mentioned that the Zune will support videogames by mid-2008.[82]

Starting mid-May,[citation needed] the Pink Zune will be available alongside the original Brown, Black, and White Zunes.[83] More colors—Red, Pink and Orange, differing in hue—are being added to the Zune line, outside of special edition.[Who says this?][citation needed]

A third party is working to port Linux to the Zune.[84]

[edit] References

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  23. ^ MK3008GAL. Toshiba.
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  26. ^ FS•45X Family. Focus Enhancements.
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  84. ^ Zune Linux.

[edit] See also

Portal:Microsoft
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[edit] External links

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Technology Active Directory • DirectX • .NET • Internet Explorer • Windows Media • PlaysForSure • more…
Web properties Windows Live • Office Live • MSNBC • ninemsn • MSN • Hotmail • Live Messenger • Spaces • Groups • Live ID
Gaming Microsoft Game Studios • Zone • XNA • Xbox • Xbox 360 (Elite) • Xbox Live (Arcade • Marketplace) • Games for Windows (Live)
Hardware Zune • MSN TV • Natural Keyboard • Keyboard • Mouse • LifeCam • LifeChat • SideWinder • Ultra-Mobile PC • Fingerprint • Audio System
Education and recognition MCPs • MSDN • MSDNAA • MSCA • Microsoft Press • Microsoft MVP
Board of directors Ballmer • Cash • Dublon • Gates • Gilmartin • Hastings • Marquardt • Noski • Panke • Shirley
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