All Microsoft Zune functionality captured on video

    “We will be in this business for a long time. Many devices will be released in various categories, ”said Matt Jubelirer, product manager at Zune, at the beginning of his interview with the famous podcast Robert Scoble ( video, 40 min 27 sec; 120 MB ), where he showed in detail Zune functionality.

    The launch of the Zune platform is scheduled for November 14th. Simultaneously with the release of Zune, a specialized program for the PC will appear and the Zune Marketplace online music store will start working, where you can buy unlimited access to music content for a small subscription fee.

    Zune in action

    During his conversation with Robert Scoble, Microsoft product manager took out a small suitcase with three Zune devices in different colors. He listed all the famous features of Zune, and also talked about Zune Wireless Sharing - file sharing features. According to him, this is the main distinguishing feature of Zune, a key function with which to create a community around digital music. Today, listening to digital music is like a personal process, and with the release of Zune, the situation will change. True, Steve Jobs already laughed at this feature .

    The second important difference is the three-inch screen, which is "dramatically" larger than that of competitors. About the resolution of the screen, Matt Jubelirer chose to remain silent. The screen is covered with a protective coating, which often causes glare - this is clearly visible in the video.

    The player is easy to manage. It is carried out through a system of horizontal and vertical menus. For example, in the “Music” section, we can navigate through the horizontal menu “Albums”, “Artists”, “Songs”, “Genres”, “Playlists” - and the list of items in this category is instantly updated on the screen. So, when you select the "Albums" menu, the display shows the covers of the CDs and their descriptions.
    For each video clip or music file, you can go to the menu where there is an item "Send" and "Flag".

    After pressing the “Send” button, the built-in radio transmitter starts searching for devices that are within its radius of action. When he finds it, then after the consent of the recipient, it becomes possible to physically copy the file. Copying one MP3, WMA or AAC song takes 10-15 seconds. Video cannot be copied, although it can be broadcast to other displays. After copying the audio file remains available for three days, while you can listen to it no more than three times. All files are protected using DRM.

    Unfortunately, the protocol does not allow transferring a file to several devices at once, but only to each of them in turn. You can send the file only to another Zune, and no longer to any device. In this way, Microsoft hopes to create a user community.

    Tagging content is also one of the important functions, because thanks to it, a recommendation system works.

    Matt Dzhubelirer spoke in detail about the “wheel” on the player, which is actually four buttons in the shape of a wheel plus another button in the center. To the left and right of the “wheel” are two more buttons, so that all manipulations are conveniently carried out with one finger. This convenience is preserved if you turn the Zune 90 degrees and give it a horizontal position.

    You can make any photo a background image, so you never mix your Zune with a stranger. The background image remains translucent when you travel through the various menus.

    Built-in FM tuner accepts not only analog, but also digital signal in RBDS format. He shows on the screen the name of the radio station, its genre, as well as the themes of the current program, which is now on air. The radio recording function is, of course, absent.

    When asked if there will be any games on Zune, Matt Jubelirer said that this is not yet possible, because Zune and Xbox create different development groups. But in the future it is quite possible.

    Matt Jubelirer emphasized that Microsoft independently designed Zune from scratch, including the creation of all of its software components, which will be updated frequently. For example, support for podcasting and other features may appear in the next firmware version.

    Zune Packaging

    Microsoft Zune will go to the retail network at the very beginning of the Christmas Rush, November 14, only in the United States. It will be easy to recognize Zune on a store shelf: he has, although a small, but very stylish box.

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