Yesterday I decided to try some Zune HD apps from third party developers, but it ended up in some deep disappointments towards Microsoft.
After I had installed Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and XNA game studio 3.1 I was able to load some third party apps on my Zune HD I got from zhdapps.com. I had the first app running and everything seemed fine, until I wanted to go back to the main menu. My Zune HD restarted itself.
I knew that back when the XNA Game Studio 3.0 made it possible to play games on my Zune 30 it needed to restart itself every time you closed the game, but finding out that this limitation was still present on the Zune HD made me deeply disappointed in Microsoft.
Even the reason for this given by the ZHDapps.com FAQ couldn’t satisfy me:
“Your Zune restarting is normal and it is done so you don’t crack DRM encryption on the music. This is a preventative step put in place by Microsoft and does not harm your Zune what-so-ever. Just think of it as keeping you safe.”
Why can’t a big software company like Microsoft come up with another solution than just letting your Zune restart?
This got me thinking. What’s the point of having the possibility to code games and apps for the Zune HD, but not giving developers the opportunity to put their games in a marketplace?
Zune Marketing Manager Brian Seitz said the Zune Team isn’t working on an app platform because they didn’t want to overlap the Windows Mobile team. I can understand that, you shouldn’t work separately on similar thing that don’t work together, instead the two teams should actively be working on that together.
I feel like Microsoft doesn’t know who it’s competing against.
If the Zune HD is meant to compete with the Apple iPod Touch, the Zune Team should release a full SDK for the Zune HD (XNA has too many limitations, like the inability to make internet access) and make an open application marketplace.
If the Zune HD is only targeting the niche-market of non-iPod mp3 players, than a full SDK or app marketplace isn’t necessary.
Come on, Microsoft, I know you can do it!
Who is Microsoft competing with?
Korneel De Feyter on January 18th 2010, 19:00Twitter app for Zune HD releasing today
Korneel De Feyter on December 16th 2009, 16:28
Yesterday, the Zune Team tweeted that the Zune twitter app would be available the next morning. They didn’t say a word about when the facebook-app would be available, so we’ll have to wait a little it longer for that one.
We’ll let you know when the Twitter app is available through the Zune Marketplace. To make sure you’ll be the first to know: subscribe to our rss-feed.
ZHD firmware 4.3 brings us 3D gaming
Korneel De Feyter on November 11th 2009, 13:28
Last Friday the Zune HD was given a firmware update that added a few improvements:
Zune HD firmware update: Today we released the v4.3 firmware update for Zune HD players; this update adds support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements. Enjoy!
Like you see, support for ‘upcoming‘ 3D games and apps was added, well it looks like those upcoming games are arrived at the ‘Marketplace.
The new games are:
- PGR: ferrari edition, a 3d racegame
- Lucky lane bowling, a 3d bowling game
- Vans Sk8: Pool service, a 3d Skate game
- Piano, a simple piano where you can play your own tunes on
- Audio Surf: Tilt, ride your music – you choose a song that the game will turn into a roller coaster track for you to ride
- Checkers, I don’t think you’ll need a description for this one
All these games are free, so don’t hesitate and download yours…
Update: Check a list with pictures and descriptions of the games on zune.net.