Is Microsoft preparing a Zune update?

(Credit: Zune.net)

UPDATE (12:35 p.m. on 5-03-08): To include reference to possible ties to Zune VideoX.

A reader of a site dedicated to Zune news has posted photos of what are claimed to be new features at Zune's Marketplace, including flash animation and a new video section.

The photos were posted at Zunerama.com and are said to be of flash animation and two new tabs. One of the tabs is called "video" and the other is "listeners."

Speculation on the site is that Microsoft is possibly preparing to update Marketplace and is testing some new features.

A Microsoft spokesman said that the company's policy is not to comment on speculation. He added that Microsoft has not announced any upcoming changes at Marketplace.

The person who posted the photos questioned whether the "listeners" tab may be some kind of social-networking feature. If you have any information, we'd love to know.

UPDATE: Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet e-mailed me and said she wonders if the photos found on Zunerama are tied to "the coming-out party for Zune VideoX" she has written about lately. Foley has a source who told her that Zune VideoX is "a Video store that bridges Xbox, Windows, Zune and Pink."

According to Foley's source, Microsoft wants to play it up it's video, which it sees as better than iTunes' offer. Go here to read more.

[ballmerisanape]

I can honestly say..

I have never seen a Zune in "the wild"...

Just thought I would share that.

[Earl Benzar]

Haha

I have never seen a Zune in the wild either. I saw one in a store once, and it was underwhelming in all its glorious brown color.

[coryschulz]

HAHA

On campus I have seen a Zune twice ever since they came out. When I did see them I laughed. It was hilarious!! I've seen many more iPhones and iPod Touches than Zunes. I found this the other day and thought it was funny. The frightened look on his face says it all:
http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/zune-tattoo.jpg

[jumpjetta]

I saw one once...

Friend of mine had it from December of last year to February.

Guess what he has now? An iPhone.

Where's the Zune? Who cares.

[rapier1]

In the wild

I have never 'seen' one in the wild either. Of course I've never seen
an archos, zen, or sansa in the wild either. Probably because most
people keep them in their pockets and all you see are the
earphones.

[zarrik]

there out there...

It's rare to see any MP3 player that's not an iPod!

The Zune is out there, and I have one... The Zune 80 has actually been selling well, but no way near the number of iPods sold... Keep in mind the Zune is also only available in the US, but that's about to change.

[MCOjerry]

LOL

Zune = piece of junk. Microsoft should just give up.

[onlyauser]

Fix your battery cahrge time issues first

worst in the industry --- rated @ 30 hours play time per charge but only gets around 12 hours in stand-by mode.

Microsoft - 1
Consumers - 0

[thurston24]

What is a Zune?

I googled it, i know what it is now. When did the zune come out? Xbox 360, Vista, now this? Is Amtrak running Microsoft now? These products are train wrecks. I own a 360 (well, on my second replacement) and that thing is terrible. I need to call to get the one i have now fixed but its such a hassle, and long wait. But the year is almost up, and warranty repair cost them money, so i guess ill do it soon. Since buying a 360...i have replaced my HP with a macbook, and bought my second ipod, and vista...well it was on my HP. Oh, I forgot one other disaster they had this year: HD-DVD. Lets just all hope MS doesnt announce plans for a nuclear power plant, or space station.

[zarrik]

re: What is a Zune?

thurston24-

First off, this article is about the Zune. Your Vista-bashing comments don't belong here. Go buy your Macbook and iPod, and be a happy lemming.

Now, to answer your question "When did the zune come out?"... The Zune came out in 1996 with one model. As usual, Microsoft was beaten up in the press about it's release. There were a lot of issues with the 1.0 software which were addressed, and the 2.x series works fine. The Zune is priced comparatively to the iPods but includes a larger screen, and built-in WiFi. Games are coming later this year.

[Chameleon81]

i thought i was dead

Do they still produce it? I never someone with it. It is a big failure for Microsoft. ( I' m not an anti-Microsoft guy :) )

[Xtolyrexes]

Like your brain?

And yet it wasn't as big of a failure as the succession of English teachers who tried to instruct you in the ancient art of grammar.

I have an 80GB one and love the hell out of it. If for no other reason, just for the fact that I can go to bed at night knowing I am not a sheep who mindlessly buys whatever crap Apple puts out because it's the "cool" thing to do.

[zarrik]

not dead

The Zune is far from dead... With the release of new models last year, the Zune is starting to gain popularity (and will soon start selling in other countries). It will never over take the iPod, and I don't think anyone really expects it too. But it's an excellent product that's equally as stylish and functional as the iPod.

[ballmerisanape]

irony...

By going with the zune for those reasons.. that actually makes
you more of a fanboy than the apple "lemmings" you speak of.

Most rational people would say that choosing an inferior product
in-order to adhere to "party" lines is the definition of fanboyism.

The zune has proven to be an inferior product. Some would
argue windows is also an inferior product.. at least the base
code and interface... but still.. people still feel compelled to use
them out of principal.. Now who is the fanboy?

[Norseman]

Let's see...

Zune = bust
Xbox = bust
Vista = bust
Surface = ?

I keep hearing that there are lots of smart people working at Microsoft, and I have no reason to doubt that. So how do you explain this list of disasters? Sure looks like the problem lies with Microsoft's leadership, doesn't it? Ballmer should step aside (as soon as he consummates the Booboo/Yahoo marriage-from-hell!).

[TheSmellyMoa]

Hey, Please the List Goes On Forever - Try Naming One Success Since . . .

Mommy and Daddy Gates advised little Billy on how to handle his licensing deal with IBM.

Really, the Boy Fuhrer from Duncan Hines isn't doing anything different than what we could expect from his college chum Billy.

[The_Decider]

How does putting lipstick on a pig help? nt

nt

[Vegaman_Dan]

It keeps you posting?

:)

[onlyauser]

The Zune Store is a Pig! Needs a little lipstick

Sure the Zune store not a pig most would like to kiss even with lipstick but maybe the pig will be a little less shocking. Maybe not.

Maybe worse (like Vista). LOL

[AppleSuxLeo]

Lipstick on a pig...

is a John C Dvorak copyright.

[The_happy_switcher]

The 5 people on the planet

that actually own a Zune will be happy.

[jackisgoodguy]

Well,Guys, You wrote very interesting article
I am Jack and my space is http://jackisgoodguy.spaces.live.com

[billmorgan53]

I'd like to say that this article is very interesting.
My name is Bill Morgan and my web page is here

[benjaminstraight]

benjamin straight writes: Zune is always updating.