Today Zune realised the new Zune 4.0 software. Here are my initial impressions…. (this is by no means a full review)

I like:

• The new Zune mini player (Zune 1.0 had one and it was one of the best things about the program, but for some reason they got rid of it in Zune 2.o, I am happy that its back)

• The new Zune mini bar. (If you mouse over it you get a display a lot a lot like the mini player)
• The Smart DJ feature. (Its a feature that’s really neat and is original to Zune)

What I do not like:

• Movie rental. (The fact that some movies can only be rented. The fact that you can not rent them and play them on your Xbox + PC and the fact that older Zunes cannot play them.)
• The new app store. (Not clear how individuals can submit stuff and only new Zunes are supported.)

My overall impression:

The software got some much needed improvements and took some of the best things about Zune 1.0 and put them back into the software. But something that I think that Zune got really wrong is the fact that they got rid a lot of the support for older Zunes. Even thought the Zune HD is dramatically different I am sure that old Zunes would be able to play movies and certain apps just fine. The fact that older Zunes were so well supported was something that separated Zune from Apple and made them way better.