Zune review: Yo DJ! Spin that Zune…but no so fast!

When the patent filing was done by Microsoft for the Zune player, the released PDF document was explaining what would be the features of the Zune Wi-fi connectivity. The Zune to Zune sharing was certainly an attractive aspect of the feature. But there was another aspect that was quite interesting and it’s the "DJ mode". As explained in the document, a Zune owner could act as a DJ for a maximum of 4 Zune friends. What is does is broadcasting the song you are playing on your Zune to other Zunes around you.

Since we did not heard anything about that feature since the release of that document we asked Microsoft (Cesar Menendez) if this was still a feature of the Zune. “I would say that wireless is a critical part of Zune, and putting wireless in every device enables several ways that it will help bring music and content to life on the Zune device. At launch, Zune to Zune wireless sharing provides consumers with the first of many wireless features, and offers a compelling new way to connect with friends.”

Cesar Menendez also added “The built-in wifi also provides a foundation to support new shared experiences around music and video in the coming months and years, including the idea of wireless DJ. Through updates to the Zune software, Zuners will be able to enjoy new scenarios as they become available.”

The reason why the DJ feature was removed from the Zune is not clear. But we can suspect that Microsoft had to reduce the maximum distance that you can connect a Zune to another one to ensure respectable battery life duration. If that distance is to short, the DJ feature would become useless. DRM may also be an issue when streaming content from one Zune to another Zune.

The interesting news is the door seems to be opened for wi-fi software updates in the “months” following the release of the Zune in November. What would be the first update? Video sharing? PC to Zune synchronization? Any thoughts?

Check these other Zune reviews.

Comments

[Garyboy]

One more of these and the Wi-fi will be completely useless!

[Chris]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, first no on device store via wifi (without pc), then no wifi syncing, and now no wifi dj???? WTF is going on microsoft give us our wifi features!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zunermaa]

Zune is a baby step in wireless, but c'mon folks it's a step in the right direction.

I expect the wireless features will grow steadily after launch. I'd wish for them in this order:

1. Wireless connection to Marketplace
2. Wireless web browsing
3. Wireless sync to PC / Xbox
4. Wireless "DJ" feature

- Harvey
http://www.zunerama.com