I installed the new Zune 2.2 firmware today on my 1st generation Microsoft Zune player (I got one when it was on sale at Woot…).

I never was able to use the first generation Zune’s original factory firmware mainly because I couldn’t get the Zune software running on my laptop’s Vista installation (a bit silly, I know). Anyway, so even though I’ve had the Zune in my possession for about a month now, I am only just now starting to use it.

I’m really liking the new firmware — a lot. It’s so smart and intuitive. I love being able to easily change the repeat and shuffle settings without having to navigate to the home menu. This is heaps better when I suddenly want to change between ’shuffle on’ and ’shuffle off’ settings between albums or artists. The large type is another welcome change from the previous firmware versions that ran on the Zune. It makes the main menu easy to identify and differentiate without actually have to read it (even though the words on the main menu are short enough that you probably wouldn’t even be wasting any time reading it). And on top of all that, everything runs on a very visually stimulating interface with nice fade-ins and fade-outs.

The only thing I’m not really able to give some thoughts on is the “social” aspect of this device. There just isn’t anybody with a Zune here in Australia (it’s hard to find even in stores).

Compared to my iPod, the Zune runs a bit faster too and without much lag (whereas my iPod has significant lag when albums have artwork turned on). I wouldn’t be upset at all if the iPod took some cues from the Zune’s menu system.

Along with the new firmware, I was [finally] able to install the Zune software on my computer. Again, I was never able to install the original software that came on a CD with my Zune because of some odd problem with Vista (don’t ask, I really don’t know why), so I can’t really compare how it was then to how it is now. With that said, I think the software is alright. I found it a bit harder to find my way around. But after a while, it came to me.

The thing that annoys me most about the software is the way it handles syncing with the Zune device. It’s a bit slow in transferring things and generally I wish it was a bit more drag-and-drop straight into the Zune rather than having to manage a local “Collection” and then select files for syncing. Also, I keep having to push the ‘Sync’ button twice in order to get things to show up on my Zune (again, I don’t know why and I’ll probably get it sorted out eventually — at this point, I think I may be doing something wrong).

Just a note: You can’t see it in the still image above, but I like how my Zune swoops in magnificently every time I connect it to my computer via USB. It’s fun to watch.

I don’t have a lot of music in my Zune software collection at the moment, but I already love how you can go to a “Now Playing” screen and see all the album work laid out like an album quilt. Pretty cool if you ask me. I’d imagine that this would continue to look better and better as I add more music.

My biggest gripe is the fact that the Zune cannot be easily used as a hard-drive (although there are ways around this). Anyway, so far so good. I’ll be using the Zune for a while now since my iPod broke a few weeks back (the headphone jack only plays mono now). I just hope the Zune lasts a bit longer in terms of quality because this is the second iPod I’ve owned that has blown an audio jack/port.

Similar Posts on Doobybrain.com:

• Continuous song switching on the new Zune firmware
• The Zune interface is nice
• iPod Classic comes to iPod Video. Ok, but why?
• Fit an iPod in a Zune
• Zune Journey (and free music)

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 17th, 2007 at 9:23 pm and is filed under Applications, Gadgets, Toys & Things, Personal, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.