Add a Playlist to Your Zune – Not As Easy As You Think
Last Updated on Saturday, 14 August 2010 09:41 Written by Alan Sunday, 15 August 2010 08:00
A few days ago my daughter decided to add a playlist to her Zune. She came to me shortly after this and asked if I knew why it wasn’t working. I asked what she did, she ran through the steps, and I had to agree that it was exactly what I would have told her if she’d asked how to do it.
Well, it turns out that it requires a step that seems, well, not counter-intuitive, but unnecessary.
Logic would dictate that one would create a playlist, save it, and then drag it to the Zune. As it turns out, that will add the songs in the playlist, but not the playlist istself. The last step is actually a bit different. So, here’s what you do.
1. Open you Zune software, click on Collection and then Playlist and then click New Playlist at the bottom left of the screen.
2. Create your playlist by dragging and dropping songs to the right column or right-clicking on a song and choosing Send To.
3. When you are done adding and ordering your songs click Save Playlist.
4. Now, logic would dictate that you drag and drop your playlist to the Zune icon at the bottom left. You can do this and it will add the songs from your playlist are not already on your player (it will not duplicate songs), but it will NOT add the playlist itself. In order to add the playlist you will need to click on Device and the Start Sync.
That is all there is to it. As I said, it’s just that last step that seems to throw people. You would think that dragging and dropping a playlist onto your player would add it, but in Zune’s case it’s not that easy.
What Will Be In Zune 5.0?
Last Updated on Monday, 26 July 2010 09:40 Written by Alan Tuesday, 27 July 2010 08:00
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.
Zune Downtime
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 March 2011 08:22 Written by Alan Monday, 25 January 2010 08:00
From ZuneInsider.com
The Zune service (Zune Pass, Zune Marketplace, Zune.net streaming and Zune video on Xbox LIVE) will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. The Zune service will be offline for up to 24 hours starting at 10:00 p.m. PST on Monday, January 25.
As with previous service updates, we recommend you download any new music, video rentals or purchases and sync Zune Pass content prior to the downtime. Content that is stored on your PC or Xbox 360 HDD will remain available during the downtime.
Once the Zune service is restored, you will be prompted to update the Zune PC software. Additionally, older Zune device firmware (4, 8, 16, 30, 80, 120 GB) will need to be updated to allow continued connection to the Zune service. Zune HD owners will not have to update the device firmware.
Monday’s update is focused on maintenance of the Zune service. Smart DJ on HD and AVI/XVID video are coming later this Spring.
Thanks for your patience!
