Countdown to MVP Summit: Topic 5 - Zune hardware

[Zunerama Ed.]

As the MVP global summit nears - it's April 14-17 - I'm going to start several threads to gather our community's thoughts on different aspects of Zune.

I want to accurately represent the members of this forum, and our collective (although often differing) needs/desires/opinions.

To help organize myself, I'll start different MVP Summit threads on discussion areas that I expect to be involved in with the Zune team.

Note: I will be under NDA at the MVP summit, so will have to respect that in terms of what I can report back!

I welcome your thoughts. Thanks all..!

This topic: Zune hardware (e.g. the Zune players)

[Jander]

Is it in the plans to allow deletion on the player itself?

Why isn't there paid repair service for problems outside the warranty? I cracked my screen on my 80 (LCD screen is fine, just a small crack in the glass screen itself) and when I called Support they told me there was no service in place to pay to repair, or a way to actually get my Zune repaired. Only third party repairs handle such things I've found. That kind of sucks.

[Blackie]

I want a 80 Gig Zune with a 30 GB harddrive. AKA updated Zune 30...

[Anon1mus]

I'd like to see EQ added to the Zune hardware. I really, really would.

[rmonk64]

Normalizing filter, device-manageable playlists and deleting.

[tbird]

Is it in the plans to allow deletion on the player itself?

Why isn't there paid repair service for problems outside the warranty? I cracked my screen on my 80 (LCD screen is fine, just a small crack in the glass screen itself) and when I called Support they told me there was no service in place to pay to repair, or a way to actually get my Zune repaired. Only third party repairs handle such things I've found. That kind of sucks.

I will put in a second for a deletion option on the device and some sort of support after the warranty.

[Soundtweaker]

gapless playback

[tbird]

gapless playback

Good point! I forgot about that. I will second that suggestion as well.

[kilroy79]

I agree with all said above, gapless playback definatly. dark side of the moon doesn't seem the same without it..lol.
-better support for ebooks (both audio and text) sorry if I'm repeating myself from the software thread.

-better playlist options , ability to save/edit/delete playlists from the player itself.

- support for more media types (I.E. AVI,divx,) in the hardware. I know this isn't going to happen but I figured it's worth a mention. if microsoft knows everyone uses AVI anyways and most video going on Zunes was converted in some way or another, why not incorperate that into their firmware/software!

-we have wifi, so why no browser? It could work! and I don't see why it hasn't been mentioned yet. how cool would it be to check  e-mail on my zune! download a song from market without ever plugging it in! and we know microsoft would cash in on this, selling zune keyboards, ect maybe plugging into it? just a thought

thats all I can think of for now. if I come up with more, I'll post

[Ricardo Dawkins]

Give me more battery life.....
gapless...
full OTG playlist features
fine grain control on the volume levels (where is the 1-40 volume level shown on those pre-launch videos ?)
Enable the line-out from the dock/sync port.
Keep the Excellent sound quality coming from the headphones out.
Can we get the screen bigger with better resolution on the next generation ?

[jaxim]

I think the options should STICK more while scrolling with the touch pad. It's too easy to go past an option you're aiming for, especially on the flash based Zune. Maybe you should be able to control how sensitive the scrolling is similar to how you can adjust your mouse settings on your computer.

[Kaiser]

I think the options should STICK more while scrolling with the touch pad. It's too easy to go past an option you're aiming for, especially on the flash based Zune. Maybe you should be able to control how sensitive the scrolling is similar to how you can adjust your mouse settings on your computer.

I'm told that Creative Zens allow you to do this, so that you don't get too frustrated with the vertical scrolling pad, particularly on the solid-faced Zen Micro.

-we have wifi, so why no browser? It could work! and I don't see why it hasn't been mentioned yet. how cool would it be to check  e-mail on my zune! download a song from market without ever plugging it in! and we know microsoft would cash in on this, selling zune keyboards, ect maybe plugging into it? just a thought

Browsing the internet on a Zune sounds absolutely painful. Without a keyboard, or even a virtual keyboard to be operated via touch, there's only so much internet access can get you. A rudimentary WiFi store or perhaps internet radio can be implemented, but without the ability to properly input text without resorting to pecking an on-screen pad with the D-pad/Zunepad, it just sounds too cumbersome. Also, I'm pretty sure that a full web view is not in the cards for this kind of device. Mobile web variants sucks. 

[JohnCz]

1. Did you originally intend to put a screen larger than 1.8" in the Zune 4/8 models?  If so, what happen?

2. Since Zune's debut the device has had FM radio.  Have there been any thoughts on using the FM radio to support some type of MSN Direct service?  For example, to get Sports Updates or receive Zune Social updates.  That would be an incredible Zune Pass value-add!

3. Is the Zune team working with Media Extender team in addition to XBox to find ways to create cross platform appeal for Zune?  For example, having Zune act as a Sideshow Remote Control.

[JohnCz]

How successful have you been in building new partnerships? 

Why haven't we seen a Microphone accessory on the market as of yet?  For Zune's demographic, you'd think recording an audition or lecture would add alot of value.

Does the Zune team look down on giving Zune some utility applications or is it just a priority thing?

[rich3327]

Not sure if this is a hardware or firmware issue, but it'd be nice to be able to tap on the pad to select something. I owned the zen vision m that had a touch pad that did this, so I constantly do it with my 80 (I'm an idiot, I know). Since there is a touch pad, why do I have to physically push the thing down to select?