Well today is the day Microsoft rolls out it’s next iteration of it’s Zune media line of products and from the looks of thing’s its going smashingly well. The new firmware for the V1 devices is also out bringing all the goodies to v1 purchases without having to pay a dime extra.
Microsoft has expanded it’s portfolio to include the Zune 4/8/80gb versions all sporting a new improved version of the firmware which comes in at version 2.1. As many may recall what really made people excited especially me after buying a Zune30 (v1) is that Microsoft announced and today released the 2.1 firmware also for the original Zune hardware. This allows for the entire zune line of products both new and old to rock the new features like the wireless sync and revamped interface not to mention the new software package that comes with it.
The reviews of the devices have started to come in and while no one will go as far as to call it an iPod Classic or Nano killer the fact is they all seem to have 1 think in common Microsoft has a strong lineup. The new wireless syncing while not a killer feature is a great improvement and addition to the zune lineup v1 and v2 alike. The new software has been revamped and from rumors rewritten from the ground up and from what i’ve seen from using it is MUCH faster and MUCH more stable. It’s also been simplified something that I really enjoy. The addition of podcast support is also great and works quite well. Finally few have noticed it but the Zune 2.1 firmware has also added full support for WMA Lossless a big plus for those audiophiles that thrive on perfect audio.
The biggest selling point right now is that each zune in it’s own right has some great points that should put a twinkle in audiophiles heads. The Zune30 that has some of the best audio output of any dap lately, is on sale for 80-90$ in most stores and as we’ve said before is just a firmware download away from some pretty cool features all for free, this alone places the Zune 30 ahead of most of the pack especially the high priced competitors. The only draw back is the 30gb drive if that isn’t enough, and the lack of the new ZunePad that the Zune 4/8 and 80 all sport. But hey for 90$ you can’t really whine. The new Zune units seem to be getting solid reviews, with all reviewers pointing out that the system has seen a solid step forward to being a serious competitior.
I will agree however that certain things are still missing that I find distateful. Such as the fact the xbox 360 Video Marketplace and the Zune Marketplace Still have not been joined, the only videos on Zune Marketplace are music videos and podcasts, no tv shows and no movies as of yet for some reason that I don’t understand. The other issue that some people have mentioned is the fact that the Zune still doesn’t sport gapless playback yet.
Source: Gizmodo
