MS Zune / Alpine Headunits

[Psyence 10+ year member]

Anyone heard anything about Alpine coming out with a module for the Microsoft Zune (Like they have for the Ipod)?

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[Bolognablake 10+ year member]

Eh, I don't think you'll ever see one.

My guess is Microsoft is either going to completely redesign the current one in about a year, or drop it completely.

 

[zSnb 10+ year member]

why would Microsoft redesign it? is it faulty?? just curious.

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

MS isn't going to leave all the suppliers who built stuff for the Zune out in the cold. My guess is the protocol will carry over into new gear if they make new stuff.

Juan

 

[Pickler 10+ year member]

LOL Microsoft will not drop the Zune. They will probably redesign it in about a year though, and add more battery life and maybe like thinner or something. I give it a year though until Alpine/Pioneer has to connecter for Zunes.

 

[zSnb 10+ year member]

yeah i was about to say...i played with a Zune for a little bit and its way cooler than the iPod and i own an iPod! Now if they could just get the Zune to support Bluetooth.

 

[Bolognablake 10+ year member]

Microsoft has strangled the Zune with DRM.

Even online music that carries the Windows "Plays for sure" logo won't work on the Zune. Also, the Zune Marketplace is pretty weak, not much music, even less video content.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Zune is a great piece of hardware, and has a lot of potential. But Microsoft has killed it with wonk DRM that the average user isn't going to be able to get around.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

The zune looks like gates took a dump on an ipod, took a picture, and told his people to make it.

 

[RSVCHAD 10+ year member]

Anyone heard anything about Alpine coming out with a module for the Microsoft Zune (Like they have for the Ipod)?

You mean something like this?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product_acc.php?model=KCA-620M

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

You mean something like this?
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product_acc.php?model=KCA-620M

Uh, nope. Pretty sure out of the box you can't treat the Zune like a hard drive. There are hacks out there, but as it stands I don't think that would work.

Juan

 

[RSVCHAD 10+ year member]

The patch to run the Zune as an external HD is readily available from places like zunescene.com. I'm not sure why this would not work?

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

The patch to run the Zune as an external HD is readily available from places like zunescene.com. I'm not sure why this would not work?

How many people are doing that though? The patch/hack I saw didn't look very easy to do for the average consumer (by average I mean whoever would pick a Zune over a Ipod).

Juan

 

[jjski78 10+ year member]

Probably won't happen. I can pretty much guarantee that Apple will have contracts in place with automakers and aftermarket audio manufacturers for exclusivity for at least a couple of years. Kinda like they do with the movie studios. It's their way of giving Bill Gates the big FU and choking the Zune to death.

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

Nice thought. Who do you think is making the software that is driving a lot of the in car navigation, etc.? Microsoft is. Microsoft was in the car before Apple.

Juan

Probably won't happen. I can pretty much guarantee that Apple will have contracts in place with automakers and aftermarket audio manufacturers for exclusivity for at least a couple of years. Kinda like they do with the movie studios. It's their way of giving Bill Gates the big FU and choking the Zune to death.

 

[Team Hammer 10+ year member]

Nice thought. Who do you think is making the software that is driving a lot of the in car navigation, etc.? Microsoft is. Microsoft was in the car before Apple.
Juan

Microsoft did not invent the software for Nav Units. Its a Unix based OS.

It's the microsoft Motto "Copy what others invented" They have not come up with a Orignal Idea from day one. They run out and either buy it, Or Copy it!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

It's one reason Apple is making big gaines in Desktop, Mobile and handheld Unit sales in that last 15 months. Not to mention after market support.