Zune 3.0

[[LaW]Maverick]

Please don't turn this into another iPod vs. Zune thread...I just thought I'd post up a quick review of the Zune 3.0 highlights. I would say what I like and dislike, but so far I haven't found anything to dislike.

 

 

-WiFi Marketplace access: this is sweet! I can now download music directly to my device in any WiFi hotspot without the use of my computer. When I plug it in next, everything syncs up and I'm good to go.

-FM Radio Tagging: this is also pretty sweet, but the only downside is that I think the station needs to support RDS. However, using the the built in FM tuner to discover new music is sweet, and I don't have to jot down the name of the song to remember to download it later.

-AUDIBLE SUPPORT: The Zune now has Audible.com support which is GREAT for someone like me who enjoys audiobooks. It's about bloody time--it's the one feature the iPod had that I really wish the Zune did.

-MixView: It's sweet! Not only does it look fantastic, but it's intuitive and easy to use and actually makes GOOD recomendations.

-Games: The update only came with two, but I have about 6 on my Zune. They're alright, but nothing to get ridiculously excited about. Hexic is very addictive though.

-Streamlining: the software has been streamlined somewhat and looks good but also runs better than it used to.

 

All in all, Zune 3.0 is a pretty killer update.

 

(please note how I avoided comparing it directly to a certain other player--please have the same courtesy to others who might ACTUALLY be curious about the update)

[stutters]

what's the mixview thing about?

[shaftiel]

Avast! Arr ye talk'n 'bout candy, 'cause yer talk be filled with sweets ARRR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaftiel

Edited September 20, 2008 by shaftiel

[LoveForPriscillaChan]

mixview: [utube]ajLhKXGkGNo[/utube]

Edited September 20, 2008 by LoveForPriscillaChan

[VooDooPC]

Mixview doesn't work with some bands (no fancy pictures and text scrolling across). I could understand it doesn't work for more obscure bands, but I was surprised to find out it doesn't work for Guns n Roses or Stone Temple Pilots. Two fairly popular bands.

Edited September 20, 2008 by VooDooPC

[[LaW]Maverick]

Hmm...I haven't used it a whole lot, but I haven't run across any bands it doesn't work with. I'll try to play with it more this week. Honestly, I was more pumped about getting songs over WiFi without a computer and getting audiobooks from Audible.com.

[stutters]

that does look pretty cool - social music discovery is one of my favorite past times. but it sounds like it relies on only the zune social community; how big is that, and is it based on approved connections, or automatically associated by music preference (like last.fm).

 

btw, if you're not a last.fm user, i highly recommend it. not sure if it scrobbles from the zune, but i'd have to assume it does...somehow.

[anonymo]

social music discovery is one of my favorite past times.

 

How long has it been since I last ended our friendship?

[stutters]

social music discovery is one of my favorite past times.

 

How long has it been since I last ended our friendship?

dunno, i stopped caring after you insisted i listen to that bryan adams mixtape.

[[LaW]Maverick]

The music discovery on the Zune thus far (since I've owned one) has been fantastic--small "social" network or no.

 

The Mixview is just another way to get around it--and it's pretty slick. I must say.

 

 

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Genius on the iPod--how is it?

[stutters]

the reviews i've heard about genius are pretty good, but you do get the outlier bands that have no associations. i haven't used it - i'm too impatient for it to index my 200gb library, and i'm pretty sure there is a conflict of interest between the itunes store and my consumption preference *wink wink*

[[LaW]Maverick]

Hahaha...quite possibly...