Zune into the future
Get more from your digital media player
By Catherine Wood
You’ve got your media player in hand and you’re scrolling through your vast playlist. You overhear a cool tune on someone else’s player and start bopping along, wishing you had that song, too.
You can have that song in mere seconds — if you have a Microsoft Zune.
IN THIS STORY
Moving to a wireless beat
Zune-to-Zune sharing lets you wirelessly pass your favourite full-length tracks, playlists, pictures and podcasts to other Zune users nearby. When it comes to music, you get to listen to the passed track a few times. If you still like it, you can go online to download.
The wireless technology also allows your Zune to instantly update with new material when you’re within your wireless network. No plugging in is necessary. “It’s especially useful if you’re constantly getting new content, like daily podcasts,” explains Elana Zur, Zune product manager for Microsoft Canada.
Subscribing to podcasts means you can get your info-fix whenever you have a break. This feature speaks directly to Beaconsfield, Que., mom Valerie Demers, who is in the market for a new media player.
“I don’t have time to sit down and watch the news on TV when I get home from work, but I could really see myself taking in a podcast on the train or when I’m travelling on business,” she says.
Demers could also catch the news through the player’s built-in FM tuner — just pre-set local stations and listen on the go. The Zune searches for stations, as well, and displays station ID and the song that’s playing.
Getting started
No one has time to deal with convoluted setting up, organizing and programming. Zune software is intuitive and easy to use.
Step 1: Visit zune.net/setup to create an account. Choose a Zune tag — the name that identifies you in the Zune social community. Zur suggests picking a name — maybe one with a musical theme — than means something to you.
Step 2: Download the software. Once it is installed, choose between the default and custom settings that tell the software where to find music, pictures and videos on your computer.
Step 3: Plug the media player into your computer’s USB port. The cable included in the box charges the Zune’s battery each time you connect. You can also charge the battery with AC power accessories (e.g., Zune AC Adapter, Home AV Pack or Dock Pack, or speaker docks).
Step 4: Start loading! Zune software lists all the media on your computer and will automatically import any media free of digital rights management. Or manually load your Zune by dragging and dropping items to the Zune icon on your computer screen.
Going social
Discovering new music is supposed to be fun and exciting, but many people find it a daunting task. A Zune study by Kelton Research found more than half of respondents got frustrated looking for new music. Eighty-seven per cent said they’d trust the opinion of a friend or relative over that of a music critic.
“I usually rely on critics or posters and ads to learn about new music, but it would be nice to review critiques and recommendations from the community,” says Demers.
That’s where Zune Social comes in. Social’s community members can chat and write reviews about new music. Plus, your profile page lists the music you’ve been listening to, so friends can check out what you’re into.
To spread the word about your music choices, you can take your profile to go with the Zune Card. “It’s like a real-time playlist or snapshot of your musical preferences in the past month, and you can post it to Facebook, blogs, etc.,” says Zur.
Personalizing your player
Sure, the media you load onto your Zune says something about you, but so does creating a whole new look.
Go graphic. At Zune Originals you can make your device one of a kind through text, laser-etching and wallpapers. There are more than 40 designs to choose from, including several from Canadian artists such as Vicki Wong, who designed the 2010 Olympic mascot.
Get cultured. Another spot to check out is Zune Arts. Here you’ll find cutting-edge animated shorts and artwork that you can download and share with others.
Now get grooving to your favourite tunes, get up to date with the latest news, and do it all in your own personal style!
