In a recent email exchange with Steve Ballmer regarding the horrid state of Windows retailing I had some success having my comments forwarded on to Tami Reller for consideration. Feeling brave I followed up with some of the frustrating issues with XBOX Music. It appears they were forwarded on as I got a personal response from a Marc Whitten. It was an interesting candid omission that MS is working hard to move faster and that they acknowledge XBOX Music is pretty bad right now. Most interesting is that he seems to suggest an update is imminent. Perhaps we won't have to wait for Blue to get all this stuff fixed. I've transcribed my email and his response below to give a little hope to the community.
From Me to Steve Ballmer following up on my observations about windows retailing:
My pleasure Mr. Ballmer. I appreciate your willingness to take note of my observations. I hope I?m not overstepping here but I would appreciate it if I could add some observations on the state of Xbox Music.
Xbox Music is in a terrible state and needs an update as soon as possible. Key issues are:
- Syncing between Windows 7/8 and Windows Phone is just terrible. The metro UI app doesn?t ?sync? at all, just copies files over.
- Subsequent cloud syncing through Xbox Music Pass only works from W8 -> WP8 and not the other way
- Numerous DRM issues
- Disappearing artwork
- User interface is light years behind old Zune App. Ex. Can?t jump alphabetically to an album, have to scroll through entire collection (on Windows 8).
Here are a couple master lists the community has been making with these issues. I sincerely hope you can help get these noticed. Microsoft needs to move faster with updates to core apps. Released in October (Mail/Music/Video) and no fixes in March is too long.
Master List Of Issues With XBox Music On WP8 - Microsoft Community
XBOX Music Problems - When Will They Be Fixed? - Microsoft Community
Sincerely
Ben Lehtovaara
Personal Response from Marc Whitten:
Hi Ben ?
You are right ? it has been too long since launch without us updating the Xbox Music service issues. The team is hard at work and you will see a new update very soon that addresses a number of the issues below and on the lists you referenced. We are also working hard to go faster in improving in the future.
Thank you so much for your passion and your candid feedback here. We are going to work very very hard to make Xbox Music an experience that you will love.
Thanks,
Marc Whitten
From Me to Steve Ballmer following up on my observations about windows retailing:
My pleasure Mr. Ballmer. I appreciate your willingness to take note of my observations. I hope I?m not overstepping here but I would appreciate it if I could add some observations on the state of Xbox Music.
Xbox Music is in a terrible state and needs an update as soon as possible. Key issues are:
- Syncing between Windows 7/8 and Windows Phone is just terrible. The metro UI app doesn?t ?sync? at all, just copies files over.
- Subsequent cloud syncing through Xbox Music Pass only works from W8 -> WP8 and not the other way
- Numerous DRM issues
- Disappearing artwork
- User interface is light years behind old Zune App. Ex. Can?t jump alphabetically to an album, have to scroll through entire collection (on Windows 8).
Here are a couple master lists the community has been making with these issues. I sincerely hope you can help get these noticed. Microsoft needs to move faster with updates to core apps. Released in October (Mail/Music/Video) and no fixes in March is too long.
Master List Of Issues With XBox Music On WP8 - Microsoft Community
XBOX Music Problems - When Will They Be Fixed? - Microsoft Community
Sincerely
Ben Lehtovaara
Personal Response from Marc Whitten:
Hi Ben ?
You are right ? it has been too long since launch without us updating the Xbox Music service issues. The team is hard at work and you will see a new update very soon that addresses a number of the issues below and on the lists you referenced. We are also working hard to go faster in improving in the future.
Thank you so much for your passion and your candid feedback here. We are going to work very very hard to make Xbox Music an experience that you will love.
Thanks,
Marc Whitten