Don't look now, but there's a Zune 4.5 update in the distance!

What's up, ZuneNation?

Everyone's been chomping at the bit about what's going on with the Zune 4.5 update? Turns out we now have some information to share. As it stands the Zune 4.5 update is primarily a firmware update for the Zune HD. With it, however, comes some great things to make your music and video experience that enjoyable and intuitive

What can you look forward to? Let's take a quick look:


Smart DJ - A popular feature on the Zune Software now comes to the device. You'll be able to create your own dynamic playlists, built around your favorite artists or albums. When you're viewing your artists or albums, the familiar Smart DJ icon will appear. One press of that button and you'll get your instant mix on.

Zune Pass subscribers, connected to WiFi will be able to pull from the collection on the device as well as music in th Zune Marketplace. Non-Pass subscribers will get a mix using stritctly music that is on the device.

Picks - Yes, you read that correctly? Now through your Zune HD, you will be able to get recommendations based upon your listening habits and how they collaborate with other listeners in the Zuneosphere.

Zune Marketplace on the TV - When connecting your Zune HD to the AV Dock, you'll now be able to browse the Zune Marketplace for music (music only, folks). Once again, if you're connected to WiFi (like in your house, for example), you can opt to either download songs directly to the Zune HD or stream them through your home theatre system.

Specifically you'll be able to browse New Releases, check out recommendations from your Picks page, search for a specific song or artist, or even create a new Smart DJ playlist on that 50" television you have!

Video Codecs - Zune will now officially support MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP)  -- whew, say that 5 times fast -- including XVID and AVI support.

Then there's the question of when this is going to be available. Well first off it's free (we all likes us some free) but the official word from Zune is that it's coming 'in the next few weeks'. Until then, discuss amongst yourselves which of these things you are looking most foward to. Or drool at the picture, that's perfectly fine too...

Oh, and sorry legacy device owners, none of this seems to be making its way to your players.