What Will Be In Zune 5.0?
This fall, probably in conjunction with the release on Windows Phone 7, we will probably see a refresh to the Zune software. It could possibly be called Zune 4.7, but I would think the update will be more comprehensive and be known as Zune 5.0. What will it contain?
That is pure speculation at this point. Microsoft has said nothing, as far as I have been able to tell. We can make a few educated guesses based on what has been learned of Windows Phone 7 so far. The new phone syncs via Zune and right now Zune software will update music, podcasts, pictures, videos and games.
That’s not everything the phone will need to sync though. What about apps, to-do lists, contacts, calendars….?
I haven’t found out yet, and Microsoft didn’t send me the the review phone. But, I think if you use Windows Live then it will sync up automatically and wirelessly. But if you are in the Google-verse I am not sure how well, if at all, the sync will work. They need to add that though, because many of us use Google and Yahoo for these things. The current Windows Mobile does recognize Gmail and downloads push email from it, but for everything else you need to install the Google App – it’s not native.
So, will Zune include Calendar, To-do, etc.?
What about the App Store? Microsoft has one for Windows Mobile 6+. But it should really be integrated into Zune.
So, now we are putting together a wish-list for the next version of Zune and here it is:
- The ability to rearrange the menu
- The App sore fully integrated
- A menu item for Audio Books
- Sync with calendar and contact from multiple sources including Google and Yahoo
- Tabbed browser
And those are just the highlights. I would think that at least some of this will be included. Hopefully all of it.
Related MakingWindowsEasy posts:
- Zune Downtime
- Software Review – SyncMyCal
- Zune Reserved Space
- Website Review – Soocial
- Zune Video Podcasts in Media Center
