Windows Media Player instead of Zune Software

[bccarlso]

I have always used windows media player and I have liked all the changes that have been made over the years. One of my biggest gripes about the iPod is using iTunes. and managing two libraries.

One enhancement that I wish the Zune would have had would be to work directly with Windows Media Player instead os the Zune software. I think they didn a nice job with the Zune software but I would like to use one interface for all of my media. Rather than monitor the usage of my Zune does anyone know of good way to express positive ideas for improvement to Microsoft?

[Tertius]

That is one of, if not the biggest, gripes I have about Zune.ÂÂ*ÂÂ*It would be typical if it were a third party company (iTunes, WinAmp, etc.), but it makes no sense why Microsoft would create a product that:

1. Competes with a product they bundled within Windows.
2. Compete with a new version of Windows-bundled product they released less than a month previously.

I wonder if anyone knows why they didn't add it as another store/service within WMP 11?ÂÂ*ÂÂ*It even has it's own blurb on WindowsMedia.com.

Originally Posted by woodsman22

I have always used windows media player and I have liked all the changes that have been made over the years.ÂÂ*ÂÂ*One of my biggest gripes about the iPod is using iTunes. and managing two libraries.ÂÂ*ÂÂ*

One enhancement that I wish the Zune would have had would be to work directly with Windows Media Player instead os the Zune software.ÂÂ*ÂÂ*I think they didn a nice job with the Zune software but I would like to use one interface for all of my media.ÂÂ*ÂÂ*Rather than monitor the usage of my Zune does anyone know of good way to express positive ideas for improvement to Microsoft?

[berdon]

Quoted indirectly from Groux:
The Zune software was meant to be used instead of Windows Media Player because WMP made it to easy to do RIAA Unfriendly things.

[Groux]

Originally Posted by berdon

Quoted indirectly from Groux:
The Zune software was meant to be used instead of Windows Media Player because WMP made it to easy to do RIAA Unfriendly things.

I don't know if the exclusive Zune software is meant to sway pirating but I do believe that it is meant to help bolster song/album sales... I think they believe if people get familiar with the Zune software they'll crack open the Zune Marketplace and go shopping. I think integration with Windows Media Player will come as will tons of other improvements to the software, but I think Microsoft was on such a short timetable with the Zune's project time that they had to skip a few steps and just get it out the door.

Of course all of this is speculation but if one thing MS has taught us is they rely heavily on integrating all of their services into one package, such as the Xbox Live Marketplace with the Zune Marketplace.

[Tertius]

Originally Posted by Groux

Of course all of this is speculation but if one thing MS has taught us is they rely heavily on integrating all of their services into one package, such as the Xbox Live Marketplace with the Zune Marketplace.

True, this is all speculation, but you've hit it on the head with the part about integration. If WMP was the problem, they could simply have patched it, i.e. the back-and-forth with the FairUse4WM hack within Zune Market place as the replacement for MSN Music. Considering how close the release dates were for both applications (and Zune more than likely began in development earlier) integration could have been easier. WMP is also an easy in-road to users by familiarity alone.

However, Zune software is almost a pre-release of WMP or (I feel badly even typing this) what WordPad is to Word: The core functionality is there, but that's it. None of the "cool" things can be done with it - download the Alien Invader skin for WMP from The Skins Factory website and you'll see what I mean.

The rough part is seeing Zune advertised on MS' website as a "latest" release, and trying to explain to the person next to you that they're incompatible.