Sean McHugh at myITforum.com

Yesterday Microsoft released new firmware for the Zune.  See the details here: http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/31/zune-firmware-update-v1-4-officially-released/

I loaded it up on my Zune last night (Thanks again 1E and myITforum!! ) and found that it does seem to shuffle a bit more randomly than before, and the menus are noticably quicker as well.  Where there used to be a bit of a pause between selections in the menus, it is smooth as synthetic oil now.

I wish I could tell you more about the update, like how it now supports Audible files, and how you can now subscribe to Podcasts from the Zune software, and how you can buy TV shows and movies from Zune Marketplace, but alas, those are all things I am still waiting for. [:'(]

I really love the Zune (much more than the numerous iPods floating around my house that belong to the other members of my family) but cannot believe some of the gaping holes Microsoft has left in it on the software side.  The sound quality on the Zune rivals my Zen, the screen is fantastic, and having an FM tuner is great.  MS really got the hardware right on this one, but the software leaves a lot to be desired.  I'm crossing my fingers that the "next version" will be the one that starts plugging some of these holes.