@J. Nadeau: There is a theory out there that their burgers actually are addictive. Or at least they are to kids, not through the food, but through psychological & subliminal messages in their advertising. You know, free toys. So maybe if they start selling adult happy meals with Zunes in them... wait, Zunes? Nah, I still won't eat it.

Hectorvex

Yea, like anyone actually can find a McDonalds.

TJBeck

Classier, no doubt, but if you've been listening tothe same songs for an entire roadtrip, you might be itching to switch up the playlist in a Mickey D's on the side of the NJ turnpike.

ALT

I'm sure this will make 'Zune Guy' go ditch the iPod, and buy a Zune now

phil12345

Aside from making soso, overpriced coffee, I agree that Starbucks seems "classier". But at least, burgers are not addictive.

J. Nadeau

That's right.

You're ripe for parody.

strider_mt2k

The question is how could a non-Zune owner benefit from this? What's the Zune's user agent? Or is it mac address based?

jopari

Just downloaded 3.0, am extremely happy right now. McDonalds aside, you can download songs directly to your Zune from any WiFi connection. It connected easily to my home network and I can now download songs directly from Zune.net.

Think of it this way if you have an iPod, it's like having iTunes running on your iPod.

I also have a Zune Pass (subscription) so I can download any song/album in their entire catalog anywhere I have WiFi access. All for the price of 1 CD per month (~15 bucks).

BTW - Please refrain from getting religious about iPod vs. Zune, Apple vs. Mac, WMA vs AAC. We're talking about a freaking music player, if you like the one you have, don't make a Freudian comment on your social skills by bashing what other people use/like.

johncon3

@shorty6049: Yes.
Like that one you just heard on the radio. Or the oldie but goodie that's been in your head all morning.

burnblue

(which, and it may be just me, is a far "classier" deal, no?)

stay classy kit, stay classy

stupidjerk

@Hectorvex: They used to get me in when they had Lego stuff, but they can't even do it with that anymore. It's just gross chemicals assembled into a temporarily foodlike state.

Left for too long the chemicals start to re-assert themselves as I'm sure we've all seen.
Not pretty.

My guess is that the residue from those chemicals will react on some level with the specific plastics used in the Zunes to make some sort of psychotropic substance that makes you think it's perfectly normal and okay to be doing what you're doing right now.

strider_mt2k

Next up: Free pager zones at Hardees.

General Halfshaftery

I'd be jealous, but I mean... whats there really to do on a Zune with Wi-Fi? download songs?

shorty6049

If this is like the free WiFi access at McDonald's for the Nintendo DS, then good luck. I was never able to find a McDonald's for that.

Iron Man Underoos

Zune's are like so ghetto

Maksimir is morally bankrupt

What about the most important aspect of this story?

What's the user agent for the Zune, so that my laptop can use the wifi for free?

stands2reason

If starbucks keeps closing stores, dem upscale podders are gonna be living large at Mickey D's....NOT!

fastharry

McDonald's has sweet tea. For a buck. Enjoy your $5 latte with the other meteros.

Ron-Mexico

@johncon3:
Which is a good comparison, because I have iTunes on my iPod Touch and my iPhone... You don't want us the do iPod vs Zune and refrain being religious, but you couldn't refrain yourself. Teehee much.

Bashing aside, we're less and less talking about a music player. The iPod Touch is a smartphone without making calls. The Zune will have some games soon (or now? I can't say, I'm in Canada). The only thing close to a "freaking music player" is the iPod classic, Nano and Shuffle. I gather the first generation Zunes are still at that point, but they aren't sold anymore.

Poltras

I'm no fanboy, but it's inevitable that Zune users will accumulate cardiovascular risk factors from being at McDonald's, eventually leaving only non-Zune users.

cobaltage

I'd rather go to the city dump to get free wifi with a device than go near a Starbucks.

DashTheHand

It's a cool idea if it had a web browser on it

snitch29

Um..why would you go to Mcdonalds for ANYTHING!

I mean really if your demographic is the mcd's customer you really are starting at the bottom of the food chain.

bud-strange

Man, that is sooooo stupid.

justrick

@RedwoodFlyer: Yeah but at least the world trusts us with two mouse buttons :)

Scott

@Poltras:

i love how iFans always compare the iPod Touch to the Zune...when the true comparison should be the iPod classic...both 120gb, both $249...why compare it to a product that costs 6x as much per gig? Oh yeah...because it makes your dreamboat look better, and facts are apparently irrelevant.

But...using your analogy...wow, you have iTunes on your iPod Touch? Guess what? I have full fledged OSX and iLife on my iMac. How do you like dem "apples?"

RedwoodFlyer

...this Apple user looves McDonald's, is very sad.

92BuickLeSabre

@jopari: Just a suggestion, but the non-Zune owner could benefit from this by becoming a Zune owner. Assuming that the non-Zune owner actually enjoys music and pays for the music loaded on their device (iPod, Sansa, whatever), tell them to get a Zune and a Zune Pass and they will be amazed at how the experience changes for the better.

For people like me who travel frequently, this is a big deal since I can pop into a McDonalds and top up with new music I heard on the radio or pick up anything else for the long flight home. I don't (can't) install Zune software on my work laptop, so I'm stuck with what's on my Zune if I'm on the road for a couple weeks. With this, I can get full access to the Zune Marketplace without needing any access through my laptop.

mrweatherbee

McDonalds is the closest thing we have to a shelter here in the Midwest after Ike took out our power. I was desperate for warm food and COFFEE yesterday so I found a McDonalds that had power. The parking lot was FULL with double parked cars and the line to get into the drive through was 5 blocks long. Hungry, cold, decaffeinated and in the dark, McDonalds looked like heaven.

Curves

@Ron-Mexico: You mean the syrup-based tea analog?

I'd gladly pay more for a basic beverage that doesn't require FDA approval, thanks.

strider_mt2k

@jopari: you are pondering if the Microsoft produced Zune has Mac based what now?

stupidjerk

I knew there was a reason I got the old man a Zune for Father's Day instead of an iPod.

RacecarBoobTat

@stupidjerk: A mac address. It has nothing to do with Apple.

@mrweatherbee: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Obvious Microsoft employee is obvious.

jopari

All part of Microsoft's master plan to lure the Zune Tattoo Guy back...

EBone

Whoops, hit the submit button before I was done typing. Anyway, I was going to go on to say that I have tried the Zune software and it was quite impressive--although I'm on a Macbook and don't really have a lot of choice in the matter. Not to mention that I have an iPhone and aren't in the market for a new audio player anyway.

jopari

@EBone: LOL... McDonalds and Zune...hmmm hahaha... perfect. Zune Tattoo Guy is already on his way.

Ken_Darrow

And that the fact you can hop onto any wifi and update songs on your device on the go. So go to a mom and pop coffee shop then.

There is nothing classy about Starbucks, if you think starbucks is classy then you need to clean them overalls and come on down the mountain.

Starbucks is McDonalds.

The_Red_Monkey

Well I like the hating. Soon you will be able to download tv shows and movies from your handset to your handset. On the road that is awesome. This is just a first step with a store that is ubiquitous.

The_Red_Monkey

Another reason why you shouldn't get a Zune

tripplehelix

In other news, 10s and 10s of Zune owners (who also happen to be obese) rush to McDonald's!

Protocol X

All mcdonalds around me have free wifi so...

unkpku

LOL and do what? Go on McDonaldsNet?

vgart

Will that Wi-Fi give you a heart attack too?

VideoVampire

@Protocol X: Or more aptly they waddle

jimbowyer