Installing the Zune... sucked

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:38 PM EST

Article Source: Engadget

business, entertainment, technology, music, apple, microsoft, ipod, zune

When it comes to the hardware, we're pretty much set; we all now know the Zune inside and out. But how it interacts with the software, the marketplace, etc. -- that's where the magic happens. Or doesn't. We really wanted to give the Zune the benefit of the doubt. We hoped installing the Zune software and getting our player running would be as seamless and painless as getting iTunes and an iPod running on your machine, since that is, after all, what it's up against. Unfortunately, the reality of our experience with the first version of the Zune software this afternoon is much like that of many version 1 software experiences. It sucks. Read on to see what happened.

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Faruk Ates's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Distortion Free Radio, The Infinite Loop
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7.7

0.3

{"commentId":378423,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

Along with the first report of the Zune software crashing during installation, this is a pretty high-profile report of the Zune that's riddled with a (very) negative user experience.

Microsoft need to get on this fast if they're to provide a good user experience like they set out to do. A crashing install does not constitute happy customers.

{"commentId":378423,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

3 votes

#1 - Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:44 PM EST

{"commentId":378550,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

And yes, I know I'm posting about the Zune a lot, but the thing is finally seeing the light of day for real, and there's finally real reports coming in — it's not my fault they're so negative.

{"commentId":378550,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

2 votes

#2 - Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:05 PM EST

{"commentId":378576,"authorDomain":"braytek"}

Bwana

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression"

....

I'm not impressed, Microsoft.

{"commentId":378576,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"braytek"}

11 votes

#3 - Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:25 PM EST

{"commentId":378699,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

Indeed — and I think neither are the thousands upon thousands of Engadget-fans who read that post.

{"commentId":378699,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

#3.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:29 AM EST

{"commentId":379499,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379502,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379885,"authorDomain":"braytek"}

Bwana

the saying goes "You only have one chance to make a good first impression" :)

They're just words. They don't own me.

It can be said either way. I prefer my way. Thanks for playing.

{"commentId":379885,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"braytek"}

2 votes

#3.4 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:16 PM EST

{"commentId":379936,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":378631,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Hmmmmm...software problems...Microsoft...why am I not surprised?

{"commentId":378631,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

6 votes

#4 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:10 AM EST

{"commentId":378652,"authorDomain":"smallworldpodcast"}

small WORLD podcast

So the hot brown turd actually stinks?

{"commentId":378652,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"smallworldpodcast"}

9 votes

#5 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:36 AM EST

{"commentId":378695,"authorDomain":"StepTimeEditor"}

StepTimeEditor

*Pauses iPod*

*Laughs Out loud*

*Unpauses iPod*

{"commentId":378695,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"StepTimeEditor"}

13 votes

#6 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:22 AM EST

{"commentId":378786,"authorDomain":"Marriage"}

Steven R.

This is sad, just plain sad! No wonder Apple stock was up a buck 23 today, MS? 12 cents!

{"commentId":378786,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"Marriage"}

1 vote

#7 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:40 AM EST

{"commentId":378808,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

That has just about nothing to do with it.

Apple shares are far less numerous in volume. 12 cents of rise MS shares price equates to about $1.1Bn in increased company value. $1.23 of Apple shares price increase equates to just over $1Bn, ergo, less actual money.

{"commentId":378808,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:15 AM EST

{"commentId":378835,"authorDomain":"Marriage"}

Steven R.

Oh sure, take my fun away why don't cha!

{"commentId":378835,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"Marriage"}

1 vote

#7.2 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:51 AM EST

{"commentId":378928,"authorDomain":"smithco"}

smithcoDeleted

{"commentId":379018,"authorDomain":"Marriage"}

Steven R.

THANK YOU smithco! My faith in the stock market is restored!

{"commentId":379018,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"Marriage"}

1 vote

#7.4 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:00 AM EST

{"commentId":379052,"authorDomain":"smithco"}

smithcoDeleted

{"commentId":379186,"authorDomain":"jdmacor"}

jdmacorDeleted

{"commentId":379202,"authorDomain":"jpmacor"}

jpmacorDeleted

{"commentId":379237,"authorDomain":"jpmacor"}

jpmacorDeleted

{"commentId":379339,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

jpmacor,

Market share is very overrated. Apple, with its 5% market share, is quite profitable. No reason to be at 90%, really. Apples and oranges...

{"commentId":379339,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

1 vote

#7.9 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:55 AM EST

{"commentId":379508,"authorDomain":"territan"}

Territan

tcervo: Market share is very overrated. Apple, with its 5% market share, is quite profitable. No reason to be at 90%, really. Apples and oranges...

True, but if you've got the 90%, it can be loads of fun bullying the other 10%.

Plus, people look at that 90%, figure you're not going anywhere, and want the other 10% to disappear just so everything "works the same." (And I curse my father for confirming that people who "think" this way actually exist. BTW, his typing speed is just shy of being measured in minutes-per-word.)

{"commentId":379508,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"territan"}

#7.10 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:02 PM EST

{"commentId":379565,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379621,"authorDomain":"jpmacor"}

jpmacorDeleted

{"commentId":379764,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379788,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

and Escort...Lamorghini...are you f'ing kidding? obviously not a car guy. unless you're of the mind that you just need to have something to get you from point a to b, then this is quite possibly the stupidest thing i've ever heard. i love my scion tC a lot, but that doesn't stop me from missing the hell out of my jaguar x-type, for a variety of reasons, most notably the luxury.

You entirely missed his point...

He's saying that just because Lamborghini or Jaguar x-type (OS X) doesn't have double-digit market share doesn't mean that you're better off getting a Ford Escort (Windows.)

{"commentId":379788,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

1 vote

#7.14 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:28 PM EST

{"commentId":379826,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379828,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379850,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

"If Microsoft wants to get into hardware, and it has had success with the XBox"

Has it? I thought the Xbox division has never made money.

{"commentId":379850,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

1 vote

#7.17 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:59 PM EST

{"commentId":379881,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

Has it? I thought the Xbox division has never made money.

It hasn't so far; that part of MS is still losing millions each quarter.

{"commentId":379881,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

#7.18 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:13 PM EST

{"commentId":379938,"authorDomain":"hallo"}

Daniel A. HalloDeleted

{"commentId":379128,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

So -- let me get this straight. The Zune Music Player Software is only useful in conjunction with the Zune?

These guys don't even -want- to kill the iPod.

The nice thing about iTunes: I had tons of fun with it ages before I ever bought an iPod. I bought music from the iTunes store -- I listened to CDs -- I ripped CDs.

When it came time to buy a DAP -- the iPod choice was a no-brainer because I was familiar with iTunes.

{"commentId":379128,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"brianford"}

3 votes

#8 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:05 AM EST

{"commentId":380145,"authorDomain":"krisr"}

Kris Richardson

You can use the Zune software without owning a zune player. The model is almost identical to iTMS.

iTunes only works with iPod players
Zune only works with Zune players

Both can rip, import, burn, and play music and video. The only apparent difference I see is that iTMS installs on both platforms while Zune is only Windows-compatible.

{"commentId":380145,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"krisr"}

2 votes

#8.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:12 PM EST

{"commentId":380243,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Most of the installation steps seemed to center around syncing it with a Zune -- which is why I was curious.

{"commentId":380243,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#8.2 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:21 PM EST

{"commentId":379130,"authorDomain":"territan"}

Territan

"What do you call version 1.x of a Microsoft product?" "Beta testing."

I'll give Microsoft some credit for being able to learn from their mistakes (except that whole "first release of anything sucking" thing--they never get that right).

The VHS wasn't technically superior to Betamax. What made the VHS the victor in that particular format war was ubiquity. And ubiquity is strongly on Microsoft's side in this particular format war.

Microsoft can still pull this off, if they can build up their music catalog more and get a proper version 2 out the door soon. Whether it's actually good that they do is still up for some debate, though.

{"commentId":379130,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"territan"}

1 vote

#9 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:07 AM EST

{"commentId":379272,"authorDomain":"PeteZaHutt"}

Pete ZaHutt

Porn is what helped VHS beat Betamax in the format war.

{"commentId":379272,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"PeteZaHutt"}

3 votes

#9.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:23 AM EST

{"commentId":379546,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

That's true. Maybe that's why Microsoft is using pictures of orgasming girls for their Zune install screens…

{"commentId":379546,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"faruk"}

2 votes

#9.2 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:35 PM EST

{"commentId":379855,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

""What do you call version 1.x of a Microsoft product?" "Beta testing.""

Excuse me-- this is AT LEAST version2.x. Remember "Plays for Sure"? the suckers that bought into that surely do.

{"commentId":379855,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

#9.3 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:02 PM EST

{"commentId":379252,"authorDomain":"tschreck"}

tschreck

microsoft is very clever.

they have trained their users to accept the crashing of their computers so that they can spend less time making quality products.

very clever.

{"commentId":379252,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"tschreck"}

6 votes

#10 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:19 AM EST

{"commentId":379260,"authorDomain":"tom"}

tom

does the Zune player have the equivalent of CTRL ALT DELETE on a PC?

i'd really like to know what it is ...

{"commentId":379260,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"tom"}

4 votes

#11 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:22 AM EST

{"commentId":380155,"authorDomain":"schwab"}

Schwab

i have no idea about the zune, but any decent mp3 player has a reset. on most ipods you have to hold down the menu button and scroll wheel for a few seconds. my iriver has a pin hole reset button...

{"commentId":380155,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"schwab"}

1 vote

#11.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:18 PM EST

{"commentId":379262,"authorDomain":"PeteZaHutt"}

Pete ZaHutt

What a mess. Hopefully people will see this review before they make the mistake of buying one of these things. Great seed.

{"commentId":379262,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"PeteZaHutt"}

2 votes

#12 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:22 AM EST

{"commentId":379449,"authorDomain":"cwhittier"}

cary whittier

at this point the Apple's iPod is so far ahead of the game that any other Mp3 or compact music device just seems so 3rd party. im sure there will be better machines made by other companys but at the end of the day ask 4 people if they know(or own) what and iPod is and then whatever is its latest competitor is, ie 'Zune' today...and i'll bet iPod wins!

{"commentId":379449,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"cwhittier"}

#13 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:36 PM EST

{"commentId":380524,"authorDomain":"yray"}

chinoyray

of course. iPod will win if you ask people. Zune is still making a name. iPod's name is already established.

{"commentId":380524,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"yray"}

#13.1 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:58 PM EST

{"commentId":380175,"authorDomain":"snaxiB"}

SnaxiB

Interested by this article, I looked into Zune Reviews and found that none of them had any installation problems whatsoever. So i read deeper into this specific review and noticed something. the Zune didn't like to be installed on a computer running a RAID 5 (to my knowledge its not a very widely used RAID, and only is now getting significant MoBo support (e.g the brand new 590 Intel ed.)). It is Possible that either the AID was setup incorrectly, or that the software doesn't like dealing with a RAID. Of course this is just a theory, but I think that this one incident (which I have not noticed in any other reviews) should not be the pivotal turning point in a decision. Lets say someone was testing the 5.5 gen iPod and when they tried installing iTunes their computer crashed, would anyone care? No, it would be blamed on any number of non-iTunes/iPod things, so why blame this one incident on Zune Network/Zune? Just some Food for thought for you.

{"commentId":380175,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"snaxiB"}

#14 - Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:32 PM EST

{"commentId":380687,"authorDomain":"smithco"}

smithcoDeleted

{"commentId":380892,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

What, exactly, is the value proposition of the Zune?

Cheaper than the iPod? well....no.

Bigger capacity? ....No.

Bigger screen? Yea-- but same number of pixels.

Wireless? So you can trade acid hip-hop with the little old lady on the bus?

{"commentId":380892,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

3 votes

#14.2 - Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:02 AM EST

{"commentId":380964,"authorDomain":"braytek"}

Bwana

Lets say someone was testing the 5.5 gen iPod and when they tried installing iTunes their computer crashed, would anyone care? No, it would be blamed on any number of non-iTunes/iPod things, so why blame this one incident on Zune Network/Zune?

Uhhh, iTunes 7? Have you forgotten the insane uproar when iTunes 7 started causing problems for people? Yes. People do care. People care when software fails, whether its Windows or Mac OS X.

{"commentId":380964,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"braytek"}

4 votes

#14.3 - Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:49 AM EST

{"commentId":384113,"authorDomain":"snaxiB"}

SnaxiB

Uhhh, iTunes 7? Have you forgotten the insane uproar when iTunes 7 started causing problems for people? Yes. People do care. People care when software fails, whether its Windows or Mac OS X.

My point was this: It didnt cause people to say, well, iPods and iTunes now sucks because of it, so I am not going to buy it. That is what this review feels like.

{"commentId":384113,"threadId":"54530","contentId":"440488","authorDomain":"snaxiB"}

#14.4 - Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:45 PM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"54530","isPrivate":false}

Apple teams up with airlines for iPod integration - Engadget	Engadget	Tue Nov 14	3
4GB iriver clix announced for $200 - Engadget	Engadget	Thu Nov 16	0
Trying Out the Zune: IPod It's Not	The New York Times	Sat Nov 11	22
Zune install screen raises eyebrows	Faruk Ates	Sun Nov 12	93
Zune on early sale at BestBuy	-	Sun Nov 12	1

FARUK ATES

Backyard

Installing the Zune... sucked

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