Terry and Dave from the Zune team opened our day by giving a brief overview of the device’s history, interface, 2.5 update, software, and models. A detailed overview was given of the Zune “my social | my profile” page on the Zune site, exploring the networking aspect of the player and discussing ways that it will more deeply explore the whole “social” aspect. They have also added quite a bit of playlist functionality and user experience upgrades in the Zune software, and they are adding ways to connect with networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, etc..
“They are not trying to be the next Facebook, they are trying to integrate with the spaces people are already going.”
I started Gear Diary on September 30, 2006, and my goal was that this not be an easily labeled site. We all have gear that we use daily – some of it electronic and some of it organic. I think it is fascinating to explore the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. My hope is that Gear Diary visitors will find this site to be a comfortable and friendly place to discuss interesting topics – and not only those that are tech related, as well as a location to discover various types of gear – whatever that term may end up implying – that they never knew existed. My specialty is in-depth reviews written in a layman’s terms, because everyone can understand technology, sometimes it just takes a little translating. +Judie Stanford
I dunno. DO we REALLY need this with the Zune? Does anyone? I mean it’s kind of cool, but why??
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
Joel, it’s simply not for you. But it is about choices; it is important to have options, and to never have only one major player. I am glad that MS is trying to compete.
Joel McLaughlin
Well, I will give them one thing…at least they aren’t doing the Microsoft thing and trying to compete with MySpace and Facebook.
In the past, they used to come up with their own wacky thing that, well, quite frankly, sucked.
At least now they are kind of working with others and that’s a good thing I guess!
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
I know that was a big concession coming from such a huge Linux guy. Nicely done.
Joel McLaughlin
I used to be a iPod guy, but I don’t even like those anymore.
I detest vendor lockin with a vengeance. It’s to the point if anyone asks me what kind of portable video player they should get I will tell them: Get a Eee PC. Don’t be controlled by the manufacturers choice of video codecs.
My Eee PC can show ANY video thanks to vlc. I am not constrained to Xvids, Quicktime or whatever.
Freedom is good.
http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz
Love the MacBook Pros in the picture…
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
Did you see my twitter on the laptop stats? Of the 19 of us attending, there are: 8 macs, 3 eee pcs, 1 shift, 1 redfly, and 5 laptops, and 1 itty bitty panasonic.
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
BTW, the closest Mac is Lisa Gade’s Air. It is SEXY. :drool:
Joel McLaughlin
The Eee is sweet. The more I use it, the more I love the little thing!
3 Eee’s? 2 running Linux…..at Mobius. I am encouraged!
Don’t get me wrong….I don’t hate Microsoft. I hate Windows. There’s a difference!
I’d love that advantage or any Windows Mobile phone.
reidme
I also was wondering what MS thought of all the fruit on their table, and these are the opinion makers they’ve invited.
http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett
I think that you all would be surprised about how open minded they are and have always been about that.
doogald
What caught my eye was the two Macbooks!
I think that the social pieces of the latest Zune update are the coolest thing to come from the Zune team. Doing a “me too” player and software will not be enough to gain much market share in this space.
Heatwave316
I’m happy to see MS is really working to make the Zune a better experience. I do love my Zune…:) I was worried MS wasn’t fully comitted to it. I’m not a Mac hater. Actually, I’ve gotten over my dislike of Macs. In grad school, we all had to use 1st gen imacs, mine was green, and all of the crashing made me nuts. Plus, the reboot tended to be to unplug it from the wall, and I wasn’t all that excited about crawling behing my desk that often. Anyway, I think the newer macs are pretty nice, but I just don’t like the iPod. I’ve used one, and its not my thing.
Oops, where I was going with this is that I’m happy about the software update, but I wish it was more backwards compatiable with older OS. I have the older version of XP media center that came with my computer. However, the Zune software will not work with it, so I needed a ‘hack’ to use my Zune. That is annoying!!!
If you see the Zune guys, tell them to fix that because I don’t have the extra cash to buy a newer version of XP or Vista. Plus, I don’t even think my computer has enough RAM for Vista. I have a gig, and I know they recommend 2, but friends tell me you really need 3.
