Microsoft Zune Feature Request

A Microsoft .NET API for the Zune.

Allow us to leverage the .NET Framework to create desktop apps able to interact with the Zune. Give us access to creating, editing, and deleting playlists, and adding, removing, or otherwise syncing music. I could understand if there was no support for DRM equipped music, but that wouldn't be a big deal for me (hey, I live in Canada and can't even buy from the Zune Marketplace yet :-) ).

For me, this would be a killer feature. It would allow me to fill in some of the gaps in the Zune software, such as podcast support. In fact, the first thing I would do is grab the source for one of the open source .NET feed readers (like RSSConnect, which, granted, is not as good as other feed readers like FeedReader) and add in Zune support.

Annoying Zune Flaw

According to this page, it is possible to view pictures while listening to music, and then press the back button and return to the Now Playing screen. However, this isn't what happens.

1. Navigate to and play a music track, or start a playlist on your Zune (you know, those 4 other people in the world that actually have them :-p ).
2. Hold the back button for a few seconds to return to the main screen, or press it repeatedly until you return there.
3. At this point, if you press the back button again, you will return to the Now Playing screen.
4. However, if you instead navigate to and view a picture, you will no longer be able to get back to the Now Playing screen by pressing the back button. If you follow the instructions in the page linked to above, you will return first to the main screen, and then back to the image you were just viewing.
   
5. If you really want to return to the Now Playing screen, the only way I have found to make it work is to navigate to the main screen and then wait about 10 seconds. At that point, the UI will switch to the Now Playing screen.
6. What's interesting is that at this point, if you now follow the instructions without first viewing a picture, it works, and you will return to the Now Playing screen.

What gives? Is this how it "should" work? It seems inconsistent, and, the first time it happened, it was very annoying, because I didn't know how to get back to the Now Playing screen. Honestly, I think they should fix this by just having a "Now Playing" (or "now playing" ;-) ) option on the main screen.

Apple iPhone

Check out the Apple iPhone.

It's certainly an interesting device. It probably won't be my next phone though, for several reasons:

• $499 - $599 with a two year contract is a pretty high price point, even considering what it all includes. This, of course, assumes that it is available in Canada to begin with, which I have not yet seen any information on.
  
• Supposedly it does not have a user-replaceable battery. Apple does not have the best history when it comes to battery life in portable devices. I've had many problems with iPods in the past, and this makes me wary.
  
• Supposedly you cannot sync via Bluetooth or Wifi. That's really funny considering all the hardcore Mac fans have been slamming the Zune for it's lack of the same feature.

I guess we'll have to wait for some more official reviews, or perhaps even for the release of the iPhone in July before we'll know more. I suspect that Apple will sell quite a bit of these. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be buying one, at least for this first release.


Disclaimer: I own a Zune and frequently use Microsoft technology. I've also owned many Macs and iPods in the past, and been a Mac developer before too :-)

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