Sorry, no question today. Instead, I’m going to review the 2.2 firmware update for the Microsoft Zune. Click on to read it..

The updated Zune firmware does something nearly unprecedented in the consumer electronics industry. It actually updates the previous generation of hardware so that it has almost all the new features – including the same UI - of the redesigned hardware that the company released on the same day. Think about if Microsoft also gave out an update to XP that turned it into Vista. Maybe not everyone would want that update, but still, you would never see Microsoft offer that kind of a deal in the OS space. But over in the MP3 player space, Microsoft (like everyone else) is totally dominated by Apple’s iPod line of products. This is why competition is good for consumers. If Apple was left to dominate this DAP segment forever, they would end up just like Microsoft’s Windows did in the late 90’s; fat and lazy. Even if you never buy a Zune, the fact that Microsoft is obviously serious about being a presence in this market for the long term is a good thing for consumers.

ZUNE SOFTWARE

Before you can update your Zune to the new elegantly redesigned firmware, you have to update the desktop Zune Software, which Microsoft has also redesigned. They seriously need a better name than “Zune Software”, it’s very confusing. It’d be like if iTunes was named “iPod software.” Anyway, the old Zune software was basically Windows Media Player 11 with a Zune skin. The new V2 software has been written from the ground up and shares little or no code with WMP. Is that a good thing? I guess. The new software is certainly very slick. It’s got a completely different design philosophy than iTunes, but it’s functionally very similar. Said another way: It’s just like iTunes, only different.

The whole app is very minimal, and a lot of white space is used. The Zune Software comes with 6 skins, which is good because the default theme is a pinkish affair I’m not terribly fond of.

Main navigation is located in the top left. The very top line is a where you are, and the second line contains the different media types. Everything is laid out logically and it’s all very easy to use. It even has some nice touches, like every track (or podcast, or video) that’s on the device has a little Zune icon next to it in the library.

The biggest change in the Zune software is that podcast support has finally been added, and the Zun Marketplace now has tons of audio and video podcasts to choose from. You can also add your own podcast by adding the podcast URL right in the Zune software. That’s not something you can do in iTunes as far as I know. If you already use iTunes, you might have some wonky behavior with your podcast situation, like duplicate downloads. This is probably only the case if you point the Zune software to the same folder that you use for your iTunes podcasts, which you might do to save disc space.

The only other new feature of note is the new wireless sync feature. This didn’t work for me right away, but after uninstalling and reinstalling the Zune software, I finally got it to work. Wireless sync works two ways: First, if you are in range of your wireless network, and plug your Zune into AC power, it will automatically begin to sync. Alternatively, you can activate the wireless sync anytime in the Zune’s settings menu. It’s not he fastest thing in he world, but I like the idea of leaving the Zune plugged in on my nightstand, wirelessly syncing my new podcasts as I sleep.

Pics via zune.net, zunerama.com and Flickr

Even though it’s easy to use and I said some nice stuff up there, the new Zune Software isn’t perfect, or even great. It can be very slow and unresponsive at times. More than once after the initial install, it turned into a white box that I couldn’t use at all. Not good. I imagine the main problem is directly related to the fact that this is only technically a version 2 product. It’s actually a 1.0 product, since the old software was just a skin over Windows Media Player, and this is the first Zune software to be built from scratch. I’m expectiung it to get much better over the coming months as updates roll out to add features and solve bugs.

One of the new features of the Zune update is podcast support. This means the software is always hitting the net, checking for new podcasts and downloading them as they come in. In the case of video podcasts, it also means that every video has to be converted by the software into WMV 320 x 240. Depending on the source and the speed of your machine, this can take forever: and I’d bet it has a lot to do with why the player is so slow on my machine at times. YMMV, especially if you don’t convert a lot of video. Overall, I give the new software 7/10. It’s beautiful and dead-simple, but it’s slow and it’s also missing several standard media management features, like smart playlists for example.

ZUNE 2.2 FIRMWARE

Now that you’ve updated your desktop software, you’re finally allowed the update your player’s firmware. Other than adding the podcast menu item, the new UI is basically unchanged except for the fact that it’s prettier. The “Twist” interface remains almost totally intact, and the only real differences in the feel of the UI are some nifty transition effects and the huge main menu text.

Still, just the fact that the Zune now has podcast support is huge, and the new wireless sync feature is something even the Wi-Fi equipped iPod’s don’t offer. When combined with the new UI, I’m of the opinion that the Zune is now ahead of the iPod Classic and iPod Nano in terms of user experience. iTunes is actually farther ahead than the Zune desktop software after the new revision, which sadly removed several features, but the Zune itself is now a much improved audio and video device.

Pics via zunerama

Overall, I give the new player UI/firmware 8.5/10

MISC ISSUES

Obviously, the update isn’t perfect. One of the issues not mentioned above is that not all of the features of the new Zune players will be available on the original Zune 30.

Missing Features

Hardware - Obviously, this is only a software update, and the firmware won’t get you the Zune 80’s hardware redesign which is slimmer, lighter and better looking than the Zune 30. The Zune80 also has a bigger screen, and it’s encased in glass unlike the Zune 30’s plastic screen casing.

You’ll also miss out on the new “Zune Pad,” which is basically a laptop touch-pad in the shape of a “squirckle” (I didn’t make that word up, it’s Microsoft’s actual name for the shape of the Zune Pad).

Software - Likely related to internal hardware deficiencies in the original Zune, some of the Zune 80’s software features are not included in the Zune 30 firmware upgrade. Most notably, the update does not add support for H.264 or MP4 video, which the new Zunes have built in. That means your Zune software will still have to transcode almost all of your video podcasts into WMV format, and that’s still a pretty slow process in the new Zune software. the bright side to that is that the transcoding happens in the background and is transparent to the user.

Also, you won’t get the Zune 80’s ability to output video to a TV at 720 x 480. The Zune 30 does output video, but only at 320 x 240. Unless you play video from your Zune on a large HD display, the difference will be minor.

CONCLUSION

So, what’s the bottom line? Podcast support and wireless sync are great features, though you could argue that they both should have been features since Zune 1.0, but that’s neither here nor there.

I give the update an overall score of 8/10, very good but not great.

In terms of buying advice: If you’ve never owned an MP3 player and are looking to buy your first, the new Zunes are very competitive with the iPod Classic and iPod Nano, and are well worth your consideration. However, if you have already owned one or more iPods, and are looking to upgrade, then the Zune probably isn’t for you unless you’re specifically looking to leave the iPod-iTunes ecosystem. It’s worth noting that Microsoft currently offers nothing to compete with the iPod touch, which will likely b Apple’s big seller this holiday season. When they finally do release a direct competitor to the Touch, Apple might actually have some competition on their hands.

One Response to “Review: Zune 2.2 Firmware Update for 1st Generation Zune30”

1. matthew Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

   cool and easy

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