Zune 3.0 - the underdog gets an upgrade
On the eve of Apple's iPod-orientated Let's rock event, Microsoft has unveiled two new additions to its Zune lineup, and detailed its upcoming Zune 3.0 software.
Officially available from September 16th, but slipping through to stores as of last week, are the new hard-drive-based 120GB model and flash-based 16GB model, priced at $249.99 and $199.99, respectively.
The Zune's size and dimensions remain unchanged, but Microsoft has attempted to freshen things up with two new colour schemes; blue-on-silver and all-black.
September 16th will also be the date upon which existing 80GB and 4GB Zunes see a drop in price, to $229.99 and $129.99, respectively, and only whilst stocks last.
The hardware, then, hasn't changed a whole lot - and this little refresh will do little to phase Apple's all-mighty iPod. Nonetheless, Microsoft is proving its intent to continue to claw away at Apple's market share and is introducing a handful of useful software features to both new and existing Zune devices.
The software, dubbed Zune 3.0, will focus heavily on music discovery. Following the Zune 3.0 update - which again will arrive September 16th - users will be able to access the Zune store wirelessly via the handset's built-in Wi-Fi.
Microsoft claims that 61 per cent of people say they discover new music by listening to the radio. To that extent, it has added a "Buy from FM" feature that allows users to tag and purchase songs they hear on the radio at the touch of a button - a feature that's likely to prove hugely popular with Zune Pass subscribers.
Continuing the music-discovery theme are Zune's new Channels. These easy-to-browse discovery tools will feature common channels such as the Billboard Top 100, as well as more specialised channels such as workout-music and genres. The all-new software will also provide recommendations for "Personal Picks" based on the music you've been listening to.
Moving away from music, Zune 3.0 will also bring games to the portable multimedia device, and popular Xbox 360 titles Hexic and Texas Hold 'Em will be offered for free.
The software fine-tuning doesn't stop at the handset, either. Microsoft's Zune PC software will be updated to include Mixview - a graphical means to discover new music - and an improved Now Playing interface.
Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at Microsoft, said:
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. With the combination of subscription, wireless access to millions of tracks, and powerful discovery features like personal recommendations and the ability to buy music from FM radio, Zune is taking the digital music experience to the next level.
The new software will be welcomed by the small-but-faithful Zune following, but it'll do little to worry Apple - who itself is expected to announce a new iPod range at its Let's Rock event later this evening.
Microsoft's Zune 3.0 isn't revolutionary by any means, but it provides a handful of very useful features for music lovers. The biggest disappointment, we feel, is that there's still no news on a potential global release, and nearly two years after launch, the Zune remains exclusive to the US and Canada.
To see what Zune 3.0 has to offer in more detail, head on over to page two for a selection of Microsoft-provided video walkthroughs.
Official press release: Zune Takes Music Discovery to the Next Level With New Ways to Find and Access Digital Music
