Using Zune as a WP7 "preview"

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Metaluna

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
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I still have a year left on my iPhone 3gs contract, but I'm intrigued by WP7. I figure by the time I'm ready to upgrade it should have been out on the market for a while, and I'll be able to look at it in comparison to the next iPhone, as well as the rapidly maturing Android. However, the media player component is critical to me and I don't know much about Zune. I can read up on it, and install the Zune software on my PC.

Even if I don't own a Zune player, would the PC software at least allow me to try porting my iTunes library over and get a feel for the environment? I realize the DRM'ed iTunes stuff won't go over, but most of my library is MP3 and unprotected ac4's, which I think should work, and especially critical is evaluating the Audible integration (if any), as I'm a heavy audiobook listener.
 
The real strength in the Zune is the Zune Marketplace. It is truly wonderful and the only real reason to get a Zune or Zune phone (in my opinion).

If the media component is critical as you say, try out the marketplace with an actual Zune device. I believe first month is free (can't remember) and no contracts. You can snag a Zune here on the forums for a decent price and then sell it if you don't like it.

The only way I'll give up my Zune HD is for another or the Windows Phone.
 
You cannot play AC4 on a Zune... but you can use itunes to convert AC4 to mp3 if you like...
http://www.ehow.com/how_6815498_do-convert-ac4-mp3_.html

Here are a list of audio and video formats that will play on a ZuneHD...
http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersguide/musicvideospictures/avcodecsandformats.htm

With a Zune Pass music subscription you can stream and download as much music as you want for $14.99 per month.* Software features such as Channels, Mixview, and Smart DJ are optimized to take advantage of unlimited access to music at Zune Marketplace and on Zune.net. Zune Pass also gives you ten song credits to redeem each month.
http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunepass/default.htm
Click to expand...
So for every month that you are a member, you get to keep 10 songs forever and essentially rent as much music and such as can fit on your Zune for 5$ a month. First 2 weeks is free.

Audible is just mp3, right? I do a lot of podcast listening... works great for that... Don't know any info on Audible in particular tho
 
If you really want to know how a Windows Phone 7 device is going to function, just grab the Developer kit at:

http://developer.windowsphone.com/windows-phone-7/

and muck around with it. The WP7 emulator provides nearly all the current built-in functionality that Microsoft is working on - additional apps catered to the individual OEMs are still missing but, at least you can get some idea of how they should work when you play around with the basic UI functionality.

A Zune HD is only going to give you experience with the media features/functions, not everything but, it's someplace to start I suppose. Check in at the ZuneBoard forums (http://www.zuneboards.com/) as that tends to be "the place" these days for any of the latest and greatest goodies. It's also where the developers that "cracked" the Zunes wide open (a few months back) hang out and discuss things.
 
Rune75 said:
You cannot play AC4 on a Zune... but you can use itunes to convert AC4 to mp3 if you like...
http://www.ehow.com/how_6815498_do-convert-ac4-mp3_.html

Here are a list of audio and video formats that will play on a ZuneHD...
http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersguide/musicvideospictures/avcodecsandformats.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks. It looks like AAC is in there, and most of my iTunes files are un-DRM'ed (I had to pay an extra fee to convert my existing library), so I might not even need to transcode.

Audible is just mp3, right? I do a lot of podcast listening... works great for that... Don't know any info on Audible in particular tho
Click to expand...

No, Audible has its own DRM format. iTunes can play it directly, and supposedly there is an app for Zune HD, but it might not have some of the features I use (bookmarking, variable playback speed). I'll have to try out the emulator in the developer's kit and see how well it's supported. A lot can change in a year so I'm not too concerned about lack of features at the moment.
 
Metaluna said:
No, Audible has its own DRM format. iTunes can play it directly, and supposedly there is an app for Zune HD, but it might not have some of the features I use (bookmarking, variable playback speed). I'll have to try out the emulator in the developer's kit and see how well it's supported. A lot can change in a year so I'm not too concerned about lack of features at the moment.
Click to expand...
This should be what you are looking for...

http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3800#zunesoftware
 
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