RSSMicrosoft makes FM radio the center of new Zune feature
By Ed Oswald | Published September 9, 2008, 1:02 PM
In the latest attempt to further differentiate itself from the iPod, the Zune will now be able to tag songs from FM radio and purchase the music directly from its marketplace.
Microsoft's latest enhancements to its forthcoming Zune models take advantage of two previously included features: the wireless connectivity and built in FM tuner. Called "Buy from FM," the listener will be able to use the RDS data to identify tracks and download it if a wireless connection is available.
Microsoft is also making the Zune Marketplace accessible directly from the device via a Wi-Fi connection. Like the iTunes Music Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch, users will be able to browse and buy from featured releases and top songs sorted by genre.
Zune marketing chief Chris Stephenson seemed to be taking direct aim at Apple and iTunes, and its apparent resistance to offer a subscription and lack of other signature features claimed by Zune, in comments to the press.
"Digital music services really come alive when they help people find not only the music they know they like, but the music they didn't know they would love," Stephenson argued.
No doubt, the social music experience has been Microsoft's key differentiator when it comes to the Zune. However, it has not been enough to appreciably dent Apple's lead in digital music players, and this is somewhat of a problem. Without a large uptake by consumers, some of the Zune's key features -- such as its wireless music sharing and the like -- don't really strike home, leaving Microsoft with weaker selling points.
Competitive pricing may help. Starting September 16, two new models with capacities of 16 and 120 GB will be sold for $199 and $249, respectively. These models will replace the phased out 4 GB and 80 GB, which will sell for $129 and $229 while supplies last.
An 8 GB Zune will also continue to be available, retailing for $149 -- down $30. New all-black and blue-on-silver color schemes will be added across the lineup, Microsoft said.
In addition to these changes, Microsoft is also shipping a new version of the Zune software. A feature called "Channels" will help users locate pre-programmed lists of music based on various genres or moods, while a feature called "Picks" will recommend new music based on the music listeners are already enjoying.
Another intuitive feature called Mixview will allow users to explore music by beginning with a song, artist, or Zune Card. The display will show a visual mosaic of listeners and the music which relates to them, which the user then taps as a way of exploring new avenues of music.
I think this is a great idea However I have to ask with the way the FCC so poorly makes decisions making it harder for everyone to enjoy a free PUBLIC airwave system, How long will FM exist at all?
It seems they should have included a XM system or something to allow those poor idiots paying a subscription for Radio to get what they pay for. I say that cause if my grandfather would have been told he was someday going to have to pay to listen to the radio I know for a fact he would have thrown a fit. Especially considering the public tax dollars that paid for all that infrastructure.
IDK seems to be a good step, but it also seems to say to the public that the machine is already dated and your going to need something else in a few years.
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|they should of went a few steps ahead and make it capable to receive satellite radio. but with sirius/xm with there own PMP with that i don't think it will happen
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|Something tells me that if others wanted to become XM/Sirius clients and generate new customers, they would be open to the suggestion and be able to work something out amicably.
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|What no DAB? or DAB+?
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|Apple (well HD Radio makers) have been doing something like this for a while. My HD Radios now come with "iTunes tagging" which allows you to "tag" a song you like when you hear it on your HD Radio and then you can buy it later in iTunes. If MS wants to make the radio a bigger part of the Zune they really should add at least HD support if not XM and/or Sirius.
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|They need to make the device menus configurable, add an eq, and allow linux and even mac support. I regret buying one.
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|Agreed on all counts. There are several EQ presets, but an EQ front end would be nice. Lack of Linux support is one of only a few reasons why I'm not using the OS. I predict that Microsoft will eventually relent and give us Linux software, and/or a clever Linux magician will work it out. Presently, Fedora 9 recognizes the device as a Zune and labels it thus, but cannot read it. Makes me wonder if it's in the works.
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|This is a great idea, but to be honest I don't think most PMP users listen to the radio. This is still a clever idea.
As someone mentioned below, an AM tuner would be beneficial for those who listen to talk and sports.
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|Microsoft has really pampered the Zune owners for a change. I bought a 80g like 7 months back and I have got 3 upgrades with increasing feature set each time.
This time I get the games officially (I have had games in zune for the last 4 months part of XNA 3 beta)
Seriously, Zune is way way ahead in all departments as a media player. I was listening to ipod that my friend has and the sound quality is so bad compared to a zune...forget all the other differences for a second, if the sound quality sucks...then the primary focus of a PMP is lost...ipod is so yesterday and lost...
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|My Creative Labs Muvo can record FM, so ask me if I care if they'll help you buy what I can get for free.
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|Great idea. Can't tell you how much I wish my iPod had a radio. Genuinely.
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|I've spent less than five minutes using the FM feature of my Zune. I'd *rather* the tuner have an AM section (or both), so that I might listen to talk radio while waiting for appointments, or lying in bed with insomnia. Some of the large markets carry talk on FM, but not this part of the country(ND).
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|Would these new features be available as firmware upgrades on the older 80GB and 4/8GB flash players or only apply to the new 120GB and 16GB version?
I think what Zune needs to do is make the zune software more easy to use, and more like iTunes so that people can more easily switch from iPods. If zune is gonna get more users they are going to have to steal them from Apple and then they need to make that switch as attractive and easy as possible.
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|A radio?
Radical! Spectacular! That'll show 'em!
Its becoming readily apparent what the Vista boys, the virtualization camps and the folks behind the Seinfeld ads have been preoccupied and why so many other projects have been delayed. They have all been brainstorming to come up with this strategic marketing feature.
Gee, this will sink Apple! And those arrogant Apple folks think they are soooo innovative.
But not so fast folks, I can foresee the FCC folks, fresh off the Sirius/XM merger, being concerned that it does not receive XM/Sirius!
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|What?
No-one in your worldview listens to the radio anymore?
That's gotta suck for the HD radio folks....who amazingly enough seem to be doing quite well considering no-one apparently uses them.
This is simply the "Zune" version of iTunes tagging.
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|Not where they go out and buy a $149-$249 low/medium-fi radio, they don't - not unless they buy Bose...
That is not a strategic marketing feature!
They can already by a $29 portable radio with the ~same form factor.
Gee, can they fit a cassette and/or 8 track into that thing too? ;-)
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|Just icing on the cake when you can buy a 120gb Zune for $249.00.
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|The Zune has had a Radio since it first was born on Nov 2006
This adds more features to a radio station that allow you to tag the song for later to download
with artist name and song title
MS needs to market this to the myspace, facebook users as the social aspect would be intriguing to this group
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|I think someone didn't read the article before she posted. Tsk tsk.
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|Sorry we went too fast for you...the reference was to the radio being made the 'center' of the Zune.
That reading for meaning can be pretty tough, can't it?
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|The headline is BetaNews', not MSFT's.
It's an additional feature. You and BN are really the only folks here making a big deal about it. ;)
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|Don't many people buy PMPs to avoid listening to the garbage broadcast over most of the FM stations?
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|Hey, remember where we are!
No common sense answers! ;-)
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|I am sure many do.
My wife, regardless, isn't one of them.
She has a Zune now, and unfortunately, has yet to let me put any of her music on it. She still sues the darned thing as a 1980's Walkman.
Some people just don't get it...
I may have to actually buy her this new one (unless the functionality is upgradeable on older models?)...it might be just the trick she needs to get her into the 21st Century. ;p
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|Yes, all updates to the Zune device are backwards compatible including the original 30 gb
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|The new update for all zunes is being released next Tuesday (the 16th).
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