Zune 2.5 Software Release... now with more Social

Max — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:00:00 GMT

In today's Spring update, bringing us to version 2.5, the Zune software takes a big step forward in the "social" experience particularly. The improvements can be seen throughout the web, the local client, and the device itself.

The main features added include:

The ability to transfer a friend's Zune Card to your device which will keep an up to date list of that friend's most recently played songs, favorites, and top plays. If you have a Zune Pass, then you will be able to play the songs from your client and they will automatically be synced to your device. Best of all, it will keep this list updated so you can think of this as an automatic DJ playing your friend's tunes for you.....
Video store to download and take TV shows etc. on the go
Client/Player enhancements like creating autoplaylists, no gaps in the playback, multiple Zune sync, and easier editing of track information

Some really cool scenarios come to mind with these new features. For example, my best friend Nick and I have similar taste in music but he is usually a little faster at finding the good stuff. If I just sync his Zune Card, I am all set to get the best and latest music that I have a much better chance of liking than if I try to find just the overall top 40 songs from the radio.

There are even going to be "super" friends that you can add--which won't take up one of your 100 maximum friend slots--that will be experts at choosing music based on certain genres. I'm imagining it like a radio station on-the-go, but will have to try it to find out.

The video you see is the new TV ad that is about to hit airwaves... I like it much better than other Microsoft TV ads (can you say "the 'wow' starts now??").

Some screen shots:

Now you can see more social information directly in the Zune client... And yes, that's a "friends of friend" row at the bottom for you to further explore

The "autoplaylist" feature helps quickly put togther music based on artists, genres, etc.

The video section will have some of your favorite shows like "The Office" or "Heroes."

Even the Zune Social homepage got a little visual tweaking...

Zune Rocker shows us Zune Social and the new FaceBook application

Max — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:01:00 GMT

I'll be the first to admit that the first generation Zune was not my favorite digital player... I have two of the Zune30 models and they serve their purposes in my car or on long plane rides, for example... but for everyday out and about use, I much prefer my new smaller, touch pad controlled, shiny red Zune8. Oh and did I mention wireless syncing?? NIIIICE.

Anyway, Cesar Menendez (my favorite Zune Rocker) has shown me how the Zune team has taken music back to its pre-digital roots when people used to gather at record stores and tell each other about the latest and best ways to rock out--or mellow out, depending on your style. It's called the Zune Social and it really is an interesting concept that leverages the back end from the XBox Live infrastructure and allows you to create a profile that displays your songs played, favorites, and friends. From there you can find out what others are listening to, get a taste of it, and share it with others... very cool stuff.

My favorite part is when Cesar sent me a recommendation for a band he likes... it came as a message to my Zune Social section in which I ended up purchasing the album all within 30 seconds.

And to top off the Zune Social with a nice cherry: you can now add it to your FaceBook or MySpace profiles. Cesar shows you how, so check it out and let us know what you think!

Entries tagged with zune social - Channel 8

Zune 2.5 Software Release... now with more Social

Zune Rocker shows us Zune Social and the new FaceBook application