Zune 4.0 software is live, Zune HDs rejoice

It's time to rethink what you think you know about Zune.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft's Zune HD portable media player has been sitting in a sealed box on my desk for two weeks now. Don't worry, I haven't lost my professional fascination with portable media players. The only reason the box has stayed sealed is because the Zune HD is little more than a $219 paperweight if it doesn't have the Zune 4.0 software client to connect to.

The wait is finally over. As of this morning, Microsoft's free Zune 4.0 software is available for download. Perfect timing, too, since the Zune HD officially goes on sale today and with any luck, preorders will be dropping on the doorsteps.

So what's new in version 4.0? Well, there's a new look, a new opening Quickplay page (shown above), an updated store stocked with new HD movies, rentals, and TV shows, a Genius-like Smart DJ feature that can leverage your Zune Pass subscription for an unlimited on-demand music-streaming experience that makes Pandora look like child's play.

But perhaps the biggest part of the new Zune 4.0 experience is that Microsoft is giving Zune Pass music subscribers a way to stream music over the Web by logging into their Zune.net accounts on any Mac or PC. We're still a far cry from being able to sync a Zune with a Mac, but at least Zune Pass users can now dig into the Zune Marketplace's deep catalog and stream music wherever and whenever they want.

To see more of what the Zune 4.0 software has to offer, head over to our CNET slideshow.

Update: Some users are encountering software installation problems with the download package from Zune.net. For a more comprehensive software download (and larger file) you may want to try downloading from Microsoft's Download Center.

Zune 4.0 software--photos

[kormiko]

I was kinda hoping the web browser would be included into the Zune 80 update.

No such luck.

The 80 has Wi-Fi and a touch pad to move a cursor around, so I thought maybe ... but it was a big maybe. I just can't seem to switch from an 80 gig hard drive to a 32 gig. That's too big a drop. I don't think I would've made the switch to a 64 gig drive either, especially with apps being added soon.

I guess I'll wait a couple years for a 128 gig (hopefully, Microsoft will be smart and put out a 128 gig next year since the new iPod Touch is up to 64 gigs now, even though it's a hundred dollars more than the Zune HD 32).

[calculatorwatch]

Yeah, that brings up the question of how much support is the zune 80/120 going to get from here on out? obviously we can't expect all of the zune hd features but can we expect some of them or are the 80 and 120 going to be left out to dry? i haven't installed this update on my zune 80 so i don't know if it's got a lot of the new features or if it's just minimal

wow, i just installed the 4.0 software and the opening video was certainly fancy

[strongpimphand]

The Zune 30 is still supported...so of course the 80/120 will get non-hd features.

I personally will wait a bit for a 128gig version (or an attractive price on a 64). I know the prices are sky high right now for 'em, so I'm not frowning yet. I just hope it comes sooner than later. I wouldn't personally mind paying....350 for a 64 gig if they were to come out with one tomorrow....

[NPGMBR]

Same here. I have an 80 and desparately wanted the new HD but my 80 currently holds 5400 songs, 275 pics and 122 videos. Thas 33.86 gigs so I'd obviously be over the limit. Of course I could take stuff out but I like the idea of having all my stuff with me especially pics and music. Videos more so for travel.

So I'll wait as well.......if i can stand it! ;-)

[AaronCT123]

If I remember correctly, they've discontinued the older models, so although I'm sure they'll be supported, I doubt we'll be seeing very many new features.

[kormiko]

They have an Apps store now (not much in there). They seem to be only for the HD.
Even a small weather app is HD exclusive. There are new games as well that are only for the HD.
The reasoning is either all due to the larger screen, or due to the higher resolution, or due to the touch abilities or the processing power or simply Microsoft wanting people to upgrade to an HD or all of the above. I don't know.

One thing I do know is that my music alone takes up over 40 gigs, so a 32 gig just won't cut it. I could probably cut down on the music quality for smaller files or cut down the amount of music I own in general, but I don't want to do that.

By the way, I don't know if anyone else had this problem, but after I installed the new Zune software and hooked up my Zune 80, it started to remove EVERYTHING from my Zune. Not from the computer, mind you, just from the Zune, so be careful. It didn't bother me much since I was going to do a complete refresh with the updated software anyway. It takes a while to load everything back onto the Zune, but it's not that big a deal. It just goes to show people to be careful when upgrading to new software too soon. I was just kinda surprised to see it happening ... or was I really surprised?

[calculatorwatch]

yeah, the 80 doesn't seem to get any fallout from the new HD features other than being able to use the new smart dj playlists, it doesn't even get a firmware update, i plugged mine in looking for an update and it said it was up to date with version 3.1 firmware. I guess that makes sense since microsoft isn't planning on making any more money off these models, I'm happy with my 80 gig the way it is but i would've been ecstatic if we had gotten the quickplay menu or something

also i have to repeat the warning for those upgrading to the 4.0 software, when you sync your device it has all the settings on "items i choose" by default, which means it deletes everything off your device so you can choose what you want, i'm currently re-syncing half my music

[Kendokill]

@kormiko

Just a suggestion as I noticed some music was removed from my Zune after the update as well. Here's what I found it to be: I had purchased some music on iTunes a long time ago, and stored them on a removable hard drive that wasn't synced to the computer during the update. After it re-synced all of my music, it wasn't finding the iTunes folders on my laptops hard drive, and all of the purchased iTunes music that I had wasn't there. I just need to re-connect the hard drive and everything should be fine...however I'm lazy and also have a Zune subscription so I just re-downloaded it all from the Zune Marketplace. :P

Just a suggestion. Hope it might help.

[KeepItLockedIn]

Wow, that's nuts. Zune's collage-style set-up is really eye catching.
I've always loved Zune's abstract style and feel with the software and device.

But wait, let me get this;
You can put music on your Zune with the Zune Pass, by acquiring the Zune Pass via Zune.net on a MAC??

[audiodonald]

Nah, it just means that instead of only being able to stream full songs and albums through the Zune software, subscribers can now just open their Web browser, log on to Zune.net, and stream all that music online instead. So, say your Zune is synced with your home PC but you want to be able to stream all that music on your Mac or PC at work. Now you can just use any web browser to stream any music from Zune Marketplace wherever you are, without having to download any software. In truth, it's something Rhapsody and Napster have done for awhile now, but it's good to see Zune doing it as well.

[toosday]

So Zune.net doesn't actually download the music, it just syncs it? I was hoping it that when you clicked "Buy" on the Zune.net site, it would download it to your computer (a la Lala.com) but as soon as you click "Buy" on the site, it tries to open the Zune desktop software.

I was seriously getting hopeful that it would download the songs since I use Lala, a web service, for about 80% of my music anyhow. I wouldn't have mind the lack of a Mac desktop client if I could only download the songs :(

[passingthrough]

You have to first sync it on a Windows PC. But once you do that, you can download music with the pass directly from your home wi-fi to the Zune. I use Linux mainly and that is why I wanted this thing. Had to sync once to get it going on my work Windows laptop, but downloaded a lot of music last night directly to the Zune HD. Worked great. Hope not to have to boot into Windows again.

They would be smart to get that online store to do all that pre-syncing crap, but what the hey- it is now doing what I want- I just wanted to be able to download subscription music directly to the player- don't care whether my player is an IPod, Sony, Zune, whatever. Just really like subscription service. Very nice to be able to bypass the computer.

It's a great player, BTW. I guess some people are bummed it doesn't have apps, but I don't care about apps- I just want to listen to the music I want to listen to whenever I want to without much computer interaction.

[passingthrough]

toosday, it does download the song to your pc if you have the pass service (and windows grrrr). if that's what you want. i don't know anything about the site you are talking about, but with the zune subscription service, when accessing with your computer, it downloads it to the computer. if you find stuff while on the zune that you download via subscription, when you get back on your windows pc, you can download it to your pc.

[rare_one]

C'mon MS.. where the hell is the Mac client...?

[rapier1]

I keep hoping for this as well. There are two main sticking points though - porting libmtp (which shouldn't be much hassle but the associated certificates might be problematic) and that the Windows client does make use of Direct X. They should be able to write an openGL version but I think its a matter of support more than anything else.

[Random_Walk]

Donald:

Do me a favor?

Take the Zune HD and an equivalent iPod/iPhone out in direct sunlight, and let us know which screen can be more easily read - bonus points for an untouched photo of the two in that condition side-by-side.

[pooyan69]

I will do you one better:
Take both side by side and find out which one plays HD RADIO. Has HD output at 720p and a GUI that is not 1990's looking. But i await for the comment that the Ipod has 70 thousand+ apps...a Software feature.....

Now then take them outside in direct sunlight and what you will find is both of them will be hard to see.
Who the hell holds their MP3 players in direct sunlight..........

[ncalishome]

"Who the hell holds their MP3 players in direct sunlight.........."

LOL, exactly what I thought

[Random_Walk]

I realize that some of the commenters on these boards rarely leave their basements and all, but some of us do use our devices outdoors quite often, and in areas of bright ambient light. ;)

re: "Take both side by side and find out which one plays HD RADIO."

About the same ratio of automobile radios, one suspects. As in, nobody listens to HD Radio.

(and seriously - we could play this game all day if you like: Take both side by side and show me which one has an actual applciations store" ;) ).

"Has HD output at 720p"

...on the screen? Nope - it doesn't. you get the downsampled stuff. Oh, you meant the output cable? Well gee - wouldn't it make more sense to use, you know, an actual 1080p-capable media player if you're going to plug it into your television?

[ncalishome]

Maybe you should have said "bright ambient light" the first time instead. You would have sounded somewhat brighter, no pun intended.

[Sabroson]

How about this ... take both side by side in direct sunlight .. then go to the App store and tell me which one has more apps?

Or ... put them side by side in direct sunlight and connect to Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, with them...

Or ... side by side .. subscribe to Rhapsody ...

Or download more than 28,000 games ...

I can tell you this, I have NO PROBLEM looking at my iPhone in direct sunlight ... ZERO. iTouch screen = iPhone screen.

Zune HD is an incomplete, crude, way behind product that is destined to be sold in eBay for pennies to the dollar.
Buy one and waste your money.

[markdoiron]

Take the Zune HD and an equivalent iPod/iPhone out in direct sunlight and let us know which one has access to the larger music library for $15 per month. --mark d.

[lmychajluk]

Question - Will the Zune software allow me to sync music ripped from CD and stored on a NAS device? I currently keep all my media on a Buffalo TeraStation, and it streams just fine from it's built in media server to an XBox360 and WMP, but I can't sync the music through WMP to a Toshiba Gigabeat w/o the files being local to the PC I'm syncing from.

[rapier1]

I think you can but an easy way to figure it out is to install the Zune software and point it at your collection. If it sees it then it will be able to sync it. The Zune software is a free download so no reason to not give it a shot.

[calculatorwatch]

i'm not sure if it works the same way but i've used the software to play and sync music on another pc over the wireless network and it worked perfectly and treated the music the same as any of the music actually on my pc. So if what you have works like a pc on the network i'd say it'll definitely work, otherwise i'd say there's a pretty good chance

[lil-yankee]

Umm finally, the day music techies have been waiting for. The awaited release of the first true competitor for the ultimate billion dollars music (apple) business. Behold zune HD. I have an iPhone so there is noway going to get this, but seen lots of reviews about it and I am more than tempted to play with one a little. I suggest and immediate price fight on cnet tv, and hopefully when the last round (sexiness) comes arround, it can stack up, because that's the only round apple has never lost. Music quality (Walkman). I guess apple also has best browser, best app store and guess they never lost there either. So actually, give zones browser opera, upgrade the crappy zune place and maybe, you will get a slice of the pie. I think zune has a somewhat equivalent to winmo 6.5 so the opera thing is more that possible. Don't screw this one micro$oft, looks like a legit chance

[jasonbeckett]

I just updated the ZUNE software and I love it! The updates are clean and welcome. I loved the software before and it's far more intuitive than iTunes. Quickplay is great and the DJ mixes have already introduced me to some great music I would never have found on my own. My new ZUNE HD is sitting at my house waiting for me, so I' really excited to see how they work together!

[f4denz]

I just picked mine up and it is syncing now, interesting that unlike the previous zunes no real loaded content other than a couple pictures and the intro video. It is actually smaller and thinner than I expected and after using a Zune 80 it is so much lighter. Same small packaging, don't really care for their headphones. It was funny as I plugged it into my PC there is already a device update.

I am at work so I can't tell you how it looks in the sun but the display is very bring and the colors are incredible so far. I downloaded the software early this morning and it is much nicer and more responsive than the older version.

I have to say I'm pretty disappointed that the Zune team is focusing on Zune HD and not adding ANY new functionality to the older players. There's a comment from Matt Akers on one of the Zune forums that those of us with "older" devices had a pretty good run (i.e., don't hold your breath waiting for anything new for that Zune 120 you bought a few months ago). Anyone else consider it a mistake to kick your loyal fan base to the curb?

[nickha0]

I'll tell you what's kicking your fanbase to the curb. Releasing a product then 1 year later making a firmware update that won't work on it.

Oh wait... that's apple's strategy.

Every single update thus far has worked on every single zune ever made, and they are all FREE. Microsoft knows what they're doing on the software side.

[Kendokill]

It's good for business to make a better product that'll make your fan base want to buy. It's a business model that Apple exploits as well, and in even more dramatic fashion. I owned an iPod before, and never received menu changes or anything with the releases of the new iPods, despite all of their new upgrades. Re-introducing new products people will want to BUY, not mimic for free on an older device is good for business.

[markdoiron]

In reality the Smart DJ Mix is a pretty good upgrade to the way all of the Zune players synchronize with the Zune Marketplace. It's like Pandora on steroids. No, it didn't take new firmware for the old players to take advantage of it, but that doesn't lessen the utility and impact of it. And it distinguishes it from the iPods. --mark d.

[Chowderpilot]

It seems to be a trend these days, quickly phasing out older products by not providing updates for them.

[TheTiredGuy]

I bought a 120gb Zune a few months ago. It sucks that MS might discontinue support for it. The Zune HD looks nice, but it doesn't have enough storage for me. I also don't like the fact that it looks like you have to use two hands for a lot of the navigation. It might sound stupid, but I really like being able to navigate my Zune with one hand. I really think that the Zune 120gb's navigation control is better than the Zune HD's touchscreen.

[ot40505]

My 80gb Zune broke a few days after it's warranty expired, Please help should I take the upgrade to 120gb or just replace my 80gb with another one. The 32gb HD just doesn't seem like enough considering I had used about half of the 80gb???? Suggestions anyone???

[Rapol12]

Buy the 32gb and use the 32 to satisfy your fingers and keep the 80 close to you if you want to keep all of the songs. I think having like 30 gb of songs is just..ridiculous. And if you have like 10 movies in it you are not going to watch it at the same time. Cut gigs and take a 32. And keep your 80.

[austingalaviz]

Damn, if having 30 gigs of songs is ridiculous then I'd hate to see what you'd think of my collection. My Zune 120 is 110 gigs full with only music.

[TheTiredGuy]

Yeah, one of the reasons why I like a higher capacity player is because I can put more music on it that has been ripped at a higher bitrate for better sound quality.

[osumsp]

I'm loving the new Zune software! I think the interface looks slick and I love the new features that were added. I just made a short video review of some of the new features if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WTbhTm54ZU&feature=response_watch

I do wish that those of us with older Zunes would get a firmware update....I can't resist the Zune HD though, I really want one!

[AppleSuxLeo]

Notice Apple didn`t ban the Rhapsody software from the iPhone ? It`s because they know they would have a massive anti-trust hit in the millions of dollars if they did try to block it.
Fact: the awesome new Zune software will be found on a multitude of devices...including the iPhone/touch , phones from other manufacturers , and tightly integrated with XBOX/Windows.
Apple aint seen nothing yet. Let the anti-trust lawsuits begin for Apple !

[Kinayas]

Dissapointed with the software it keeps crashing on me and it is nice and shiny and interesting but there is not much that it does that I can't do with regards to creating a playlist since I listen to my music and the music of friends. I don't think the Smart DJ feature is that useful so far but I guess I will have to see. I will say this the software is visually sexy, I haven't had the option to play with a Zune HD, but 32 gigs ain't gonna cut it I have a 120, 90 gb of which is music and podcasts, 32gb means I have to delete my collection down to a third....and what about content other people want to send me or let me borrow or whatever it is 32gb? from 120gb? M$ *** were you thinking with that? IPod Touches are not for true Audiophiles....and a touch screen is useless to me as I am not constantly trying to poke my Zune to change songs...I like the music I have, also if that touch screen fails not only do I have a broken screen my MP3 player is gone.....

[bmw3wags]

@Kinayas I'll tell you what Microsoft was thing. It is just way to expensive for flash memory at 64gb and 128gb so they wouldn't very afforadble(more so for the 128gb).

[bmw3wags]

@Kinayas I'll tell you what Microsoft was thinking*. It is just way to expensive for flash memory at 64gb and 128gb so they wouldn't very afforadble(more so for the 128gb).

[highway61]

Hey Kinayas,

At least you can get it to install. I can't get to install on my machine and the original software won't run since it directs me to the new software. Real bummer man. How can i update my Zune?

[mngmikes]

I have one question... what is up with all the damn bunnies?? when i tried to look up my friends list it came back as saying friends list can not be found right now and a box with bunnies popped up... it's like bunnies everywhere ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Kinayas]

yeah its like bunnie moonrape on that thing and it scares me. Its cute but scary. And BMW I don't care about flash memory the tech is brand new and too expensive due to its newness and likely expense to produce I will take a hard drive that is decently sized any day because of that. I didn't ask for any flash memory, I also didn't ask for a music program that doesn't work and crashes all the time I am disappointed because of it...

[Itsiliii]

ugh no such luck yet with zune being compatible with a mac
darn :p
hopefully microsoft changes that though