How to the Use the Zune
- 1). Check the "Hold" state. The Zune won't do a thing if the "Hold" function, which deactivates all of the control buttons, is engaged. Control the "Hold" state with the slider button on the top of the Zune. It's marked with a padlock icon. Push the slider toward the padlock to engage "Hold" and push it away to release it.
- 2). Learn the button controls. From left to right on the front of the Zune:
The first button, which has a left-pointing arrow, navigates back.
The middle button, which is large and blank, is called the Zune Pad. It functions something like a joystick. Press at the 12 o'clock position for "up," 3 o'clock for "right," 6 o'clock for "down" and 9 o'clock for "left." The center of the button selects the highlighted item in a menu or list.
The rightmost button is "play/pause." Power up the Zune by pressing the "play/pause" button once. - 3). Get to know the settings. The final item on the main menu is "settings." Click on each setting to learn all the player options.
- 4). Press the center of the Zune Pad to select a media type. Still using the Zune Pad, press left or right to navigate the options at the top of the screen: playlists, artists, genres, and so forth in music; by folder or by date in pictures; or by movies, TV, "other" or "all" in the videos section. Then press up or down to navigate through the list. Click on an item to choose it and view further options.
While playing music and video selections use the up and down buttons on the Zune Pad to raise and lower the volume. The left and right buttons skip back and ahead; tap to change tracks, press and hold to rewind or fast forward. While in video mode, rotate the Zune 90 degrees counterclockwise and the controls on the Zune Pad will rotate as well; what was "up" is now "left."
When viewing a picture, press the center of the Zune Pad to see more options, such as setting that picture as your menu background. - 5). Navigate through the main menu to the selection for the Zune's FM radio. Press the center of the Zune Pad to set the seek function to on or off. Navigate to a station, then press the center of the Zune Pad to add it to the preset list. If you've set up a shopping cart with the Zune Marketplace (done through the PC software, not the Zune device), you may buy the track currently playing by pressing the center of the Zune Pad and selecting "add to cart."
- 6). Use the "podcast" selection in the main menu to access any podcast subscriptions. Select "audio" or "video" from the top, then scroll down to make a selection. You may find and subscribe to new podcasts using the PC software. Look under "Marketplace."
- 7). Use the main menu to navigate to the Zune's five free games: Checkers, Hexis, Space Battle, Sudoku, and Texas Hold 'Em poker. Each game includes clear instructions. You may listen to music, podcasts, or the radio while playing.
