Microsoft made an announcement about a future software update for Zune HD, making it available during spring. The new update will include a lot of features, which allows to Zune HD to be a direct competitor to iPod. The new firmware will come with native support for MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP codec, the long waited XVID format used by consumers and Smart DJ.
Zune HD will be able to play these formats both on the player itself and on an external screen via HD AV dock. Smart DJ was created as a feedback to the waves of criticism from users that sanctioned the lack of a service like Genius playlist available on iPod. Now Zune HD thanks to Smart DJ users will be able to create playlists that include content from Zune Marketplace over a Wi-Fi connection.
It`s very simple to listen music or to watch video straight from Zune Marketplace over on internet, in this way being removed the necessity to store locally media content. Zune gets more mature and with this firmware update won`t be any reason to complain that Zune HD lacks features that others have.
Zune HD
source: slashgear
“Direct competitor”, ha ha. Good one.
why the laughing? The Zune HD is a much better device. I am not saying it will sell more but people who like quality over good commercials will buy the HD in a second.
Zune hd is awesome but when it comes to apps ipod kills it right now. (like i said RIGHT NOW) I dont know about the future tho?
I wish you apple lover’s will leave Microsoft alone. What operating system runs almost every computer in the world? Windows. of course. This new apple netbook thats coming out, is a copy of HP’s new slate. The Zune HD may have little apps, but they are much more advanced than apple’s apps. Oh and did I forget to mention that the Apple iTouch took years to get as many apps as they have? Give Microsoft’s Zune HD about a couple more firmware updates and they will crush the Apple competition completley.
Zune Hd is best at being a music player, that’s where it’s strength are. Apps, multtasking, is not going to happen. The design is limited, Yes there will be games,but that’s about it, unless microsoft open up it’s operating systems, which I don’t see happening. Software is it money maker. So if you have a zune just enjoy the over 1 million songs you have asset to for just $14.99 a month, or rent a movie for on the go, however don’t expect too much more ,it seems like when the CEO of microsoft said they focusing on the music and video value they met it!