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Zune 4.0 now available - existing Zune owners, get your update!
Despite the Zune not being available in Europe, I confess to having owned a Zune 30, Zune 80 and a Zune 8GB... all devices i've been very happy with. One thing I particularly like about the Zune experience is how Microsoft continue to update the software and extend the featureset (where possible) for all the devices, ensuring that even those with the oldest Zunes enjoy the latest developments... for free. I'm pretty sure I can think of another music player company that could take a leaf out of Microsoft's book.
In keeping with that tradition, Microsoft have just released version 4.0 of the Zune software (in line with the Zune HD launch) and it's available to download now, free, for all Zune owners.
The new software release adds 'quickplay' - instant access shortcuts to your recently downloaded or played music, videos and more, 'smart dj' - an automatically generated playlist of relevant music from both your own collection and the whole Zune marketplace, 'mini mode' - a small size, unintrusive view of the player and 'mixview' - a way to discover a 'mosaic of connections to other artists, albums, and fans'.
An interesting feature of the new update is that Mac or PC users can leverage their $14.99 per month Zune pass in a new way, by streaming any of the Zune Marketplace's huge catalogue direct to their machine. Who needs Spotify you might argue?
Sadly there is still no way to actually SYNC your Zune with a Mac... version 5.0 perhaps Microsoft?
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsEric D.Sep 16th 2009 11:33AM
Got it yesterday... works pretty slick. Now just waiting for my pre-ordered Zune HD to arrive...
RocketboySep 16th 2009 12:38PM
I have to say, as much as I hate WMP, I love Zune the same amount. The only update I'm happy to have is the Smart DJ, and how it can make playlists. The other updates don't do much for me.
Now if they could only fully intergrate the Zune into the 360. Why does it have to scan EVERY TIME you want to play music off of it? Why can't it read from the database?
MichaelSep 16th 2009 4:02PM
Seriously, no Mac syncing? I have a Macbook and want to get one to replace my iPod, but I won't be able to sync it.
Microsoft, wake up. If you want this to sell, you are going to have to be a bit more flexible.
BebeSep 17th 2009 12:13AM
well this works perfectly with my Zunes. no problem at all. On the other hand, Apple has to wake the fuck up and make iTunes work properly for windows 7. That stupid shit crashes each time i close it and is not even smart enough with the taskbar when is minimized. Bunch of crap only gives you links to buy music.
bjdibbernSep 17th 2009 9:43AM
I'm loving the new software. It's incredibly fast compared to what I'm used for music management, I never considered using it because I didn't have a zune. But if you haven't seen the new features in action, you should check them out in this brief overview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeKqt7aSgVM
JohnSep 18th 2009 2:16PM
Does the software finally support unicode, not mess up your tags even if disable the option and recognize genre tags properly?+
ThomasSep 21st 2009 9:59PM
@Michael: Think about it. Why would Microsoft waste time trying to pander to an audience that probably is already biased against them? You're probably one of the very, very few Mac users that actually want a Zune (in comparison to those who like their iPods). Microsoft doesn't want to waste time and money on an audience where probably less than 5% would actually pay attention.