Redmond (WA) - Microsoft today posted the new Zune 3.0 software, providing new features for all Zune models, including the original first-generation Zune. The software wireless music downloads and purchases from the Zune Marketplace, the ability to tag and purchase songs played on the built-in FM radio, the new Zune Channels, etc. Microsoft also revealed new Zune colors and announced that Zune owners will have free wireless access in 9800 McDonalds restaurants across the country.
Zune 3.0 zoomes to Zune owners as a 30 MB download, which installs a new version of the Zune media jukebox application on a PC and updates the firmware on Zune players. The two separate installs work in tandem to enable new features like the ability to wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store on the go and "Buy from FM" feature that enables Zune users to tag and purchase songs from the built in FM radio, directly on the device. Microsoft also included free Wi-Fi access in 9800 McDonald’s fast food restaurants through ISP Wayport, mirroring a similar deal Apple has in place with Starbucks.
Other new features include Zune Channels, a podcasts and playlists mashup that allows users to subscribe to channels such as Billboard, The Fader, radio station channels and celebrity channels. New music is pushed to subscribers' collections each week. Zune 3.0 also comes with two games, highlighting Microsoft’s first careful steps to enable gaming on its Zune players.
All Zune devices can take advantage of these new software features, including the original Zune model. Users simply download and install the new Zune 3.0 software, connect the media player to their computer and let the Zune jukebox software automatically update device firmware. The Zune 3.0 software is a free download and requires a free Zune account to enable access to the Zune Marketplace content. Users who have registered for a Windows Live ID account before can use this account as their Zune account.
Microsoft also announced that new Zunes will be available in new colors, in addition to the black color model announced for the flash-based Zune 16 GB and the HDD-based Zune 120GB model. New colors available for the Zune 16 GB include blue, red, pink and green. Microsoft said that the new colors are offered only at the Zune Originals website that also lets customers customize their Zune device with laser-engraved art and personal text. Also, there are more art designs that can be applied to a Zune: Microsoft added 14 new artworks from artists such as Rolito, Matt W. Moore, Ippei Gyoubu and Aya Kato.
The Zune Marketplace offers more than 4 million tracks, according to Microsoft, as opposed to the 8.5 million tracks available on the iTunes Store. However, Microsoft stresses that 80% of the tracks on Zune Marketplace are now available as DRM-free MP3s.
The service also offers 8500 music videos, 3000 TV show episodes and more than 6000 audio and video podcasts. Microsoft added 50,000 books, magazines and newspapers available as spoken word from Audible. Unlike the iTunes Store, Zune Marketplace also offers an all-you-can-eat music subscription model called Zune Pass that allows subscribers to download or stream music from their Zune or computer for $14.99 per month.