Why does MS have to create a new zune-specific desktop software when they already have WMP11 (which is really a great program). So now, we're going to have two different desktop media players each with their own unique interface and different stores...why make things more confusing?

I sure MS doesn't want to be Apple, but they should of rebranded WMP11 into the new zune media player and announced it at the same time as the new zunes. One media player to rule them all....

It seems like MS strategy is to create something and then abandon it. There hasn't been any updates or improvements to WMP11 since it came out of beta close to a year ago.

Also, from the press release it seems like the zune will finally sync over recorded content from Media Center, but only Vista Media Center...which stinks!! What about all the MCE2005 folks?

I think the new Zune will sync with MCE2005. The new Internet TV option works for MCE2005 and with XP getting a long lease on the sales floor, I'd be stunned if they didn't sync with it.

Now my Zune 2.0 disappointment is that it doesn't have a clock with an alarm and sleep timer. I was shocked when I was at the store and asked the sales geek where the clock was and he just looked at me like "The iPod is over there, get that if you want a clock."

I tend to listen to tunes while I work and the sleep timer is a great feature to let me know when it's time to stop and take a stretch break. Plus just about all the major players trying to take out Apple have one. Maybe it had to go for the WiFi but the iPhone and iTouch both still have it.

Why a big deal over such a small feature in the larger scope. It's all in the UX.
I love to fall asleep to music with my Shure SE 210's in (yes you can really sleep with those things in your ear) and I need the alarm to get me up after the sleep timer puts me to sleep. If I'm going to drop $300 for a device, it better meet my experience needs.

BTW, I hate the iPod but had to admit that since neither does Playforsure (its a dead horse but I still wish it would support it), the iPod has the clock.

For now, it looks like I'm going to grab a Zen.

@opuntia:

The Zune 1.0 software *was* a rebranded WMP11 and it was a very poor fit for the Zune. The experience felt very flat and of course they were stuck with all the bugs that are currently in WMP 11.

The screencaps of the new software look great, I'd rather have a new program that gets updated rather than an old one that doesn't. I also wonder if there is a legal issue with using WMP with the whole anti-trust, bundling debacle. Or maybe someone just lost the map to the WMP team and that's why the entire project just seems dead.

I'm looking forward to the new software the most, the player has always been rock solid for me while the software never felt right.

When can we get them in the UK? Wireless syncin of Recorded TV sounds great

Shawn,

I'm sure the new player is great, but why don't they then make that THE MS media player instead of now having two MS players to deal with. MS should of rebranded WMP11 into the new zune software. Like I said in my first post, there's been nothing new in WMP11 since it came out of beta. If you're not going to support and enhance it, then get rid of it.

I've spent a lot of time in WMP11 (which I really do think is great), making sure my MCE2005 works well with my music library (which it does), I wonder how the zune software will integrate with MCE2005?

According to Ars Technica, the new Zune won't sync with MCE2005, only Vista...bad move MS:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071003-an-in-depth-look-at-the-new-zune-lineup.html

can some one tell me where to go and how to upgrade my windows media center 2002 to media center 2005 so the kids can use their zune? thank you.

All you have to do is download the updates from windows update. Even though it says version 2002 where you are looking, it will say version 2005 in the media center. Which I bet you already have 2005.