Windows 7 works fine with Zune HD, iTunes 9
Microsoft is making a selling point of the fact that the new Zune HD and associated software update are optimized for Windows 7, which is due out on October 22. I've got a copy of the final release code of Windows 7 on my work PC, and there is some useful synchronization between the two. For instance, the Quickplay menu in the Zune software--which lets you get immediately to music you've recently added, your Smart DJ stations, and any other favorites you want to "pin" to the list--is propagated into the Windows 7 Start menu. So even if you don't have the Zune software open, you can simply navigate to the Zune icon in the Start menu and all your Quickplay selections will show up.
The Zune software adds Quickplay selections to the Windows 7 Start menu.
Of course, Microsoft's had access to final Windows 7 code for a long time. But what about Apple? The company kindly sent me a new-model iPod Touch and Nano to test out, and I noticed that the boxes say they're compatible with Windows XP and Vista (and Mac OS X 10.4.11). Windows 7 isn't mentioned. I downloaded and installed iTunes 9 on my Windows 7 PC anyway, and I'm now happily syncing my music library. I haven't noticed any bugs or errors. (Your mileage may vary--this isn't a review, just my personal experience.) But this underscores my general impression of Windows 7 as a solid upgrade to Vista--not a fundamentally new OS, like Vista was to XP. As Microsoft has said, if your apps work with Vista, they'll almost surely work with 7.
Reverse-sync, one of my favorite features of the Zune software.
The more interesting question is how did I get my music library onto my work computer in the first place? Simple--the Zune software has, from the very beginning, had a reverse-sync feature. You simply drag all the songs from the Zune icon to the PC icon, and they go happily traversing your USB cable down into your PC. iTunes has no such reverse-sync, and in fact is pretty strict about only allowing you to sync with one library at a time, although there are plenty of third-party apps that can do it for you.
Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattrosoff. 
No, what confounds me is the two pronged approach Microsoft is taking to music playback on the PC. It would seem smart to me either go with the Zune desktop software as the de facto standard on Windows or WMP and have the Zune device sync to WMP. But having two different strategies that have overlap on some aspects and don't on others just seems like a mess that shows a lack of focus. Do you want the Zune to be the standard? It is regulations and legal concerns stopping Microsoft from bundling Zune desktop software on every PC they ship? Is it due to the Zune device not shipping in any other country other than the US? Is it the fear of blocking other PlaysForSure partners that have completely and utterly failed to make any dent in online music sales and the potential legal impact? (Eg: Yahoo Music, Napster, Urge, MSN Music, etc etc etc.)
Something has to change for Microsoft if they want to be a player in this space and making a "me-too" device and not seriously backing the Zune as both a device and as a service is not going to bring about any kind of real success. There's no SDK, no Bluetooth support whatsoever, there's no ecosystem (Zune in a car? Just the Ford/Microsoft Sync) - and the worst part is that they are putting all this half assed effort into a market that is starting to shrink, aka the standalone music player. Convergence, Microsoft - convergence. You know it, Steve B has talked about it, but so far, nothing's happening.
Time to fall on your sword, Ballmer. Do it for the troops, the share holders and for your dignity. You've produced nothing but years of negative equity, failed initiatives and ceded marketshare to a company that was on life support for so many years. Yet, on a positive note, Microsoft, you've had a fat kid with Zune tattoos who decided that he had enough for whatever reason and bought an iPod. Seriously, this isn't going to play out like back in the day when Netscape came out, you guys missed the web browser bus and eventually caught up and wiped them out. No, this will play out differently this time and you guys won't catch up and then the BoD will initiate real change.
BTW, does the new Zune work on Vista and XP?
MS is a big company, but I don't think even it can support three distinct OSes.
Probably not as long as MicroSoft doesn't prevent the installation of iTunes, PalmPlay, or whatever.
Crack smoking in the office much?
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/zune-hd-apps-are-here-complete-with-pre-roll-ads.ars
- by carbonboy October 23, 2009 4:54 AM PDT
- iTunes compatible with Win7? Why can't I install the upgrade? October 22 upgrade and I get this:
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(23 Comments)"Upgrading Windows will affect the following devices and/or programs:
These programs might not work properly after the upgrade. We recommend uninstalling these programs before upgrading. Cancel the upgrade, open the Control Panel, and search for ?uninstall a program?. (Note: Programs marked as* can be safely reinstalled after the upgrade.)
Dell DataSafe Online
iTunes (Please reauthorize computer prior to upgrade)
Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1*
Dell Support Center
Intel PROset/Wireless*"
Notice no * behind iTunes.