Though Microsoft left their new Zune hardware relatively untouched, the firmware and corresponding software got a few nice upgrades that add a bit of functionality.

In the firmware, Marketplace is now available over Wi-Fi, while FM Tagging lets you mark songs you hear on the FM Tuner, and have them added to your Marketplace cart automatically.

On the software side, Picks compiles a list of songs for purchase in the Marketplace based on recent listening habits, Channels offer what amount to preselected podcasts based on your tastes, Zune DJs or selected partners. Meanwhile Mixview lets you visually explore new music by seeing an artist/album's related works, influences and top listeners. Of these new features, the Wi-Fi Marketplace is a solid, necessary addition, and Mixview is a few tweaks away from being downright awesome.

Gizmodo's posted a pretty in-depth look at the latest update to the Zune software suite. They really liked the Mixview feature, praising its Genius-beating interface and likening perusal of the results to "Oxycontin mixed with crack". While never having experienced either of those substances in the wild, I'd say that, after some highly scientific Wikipedia reading research, Mixview may lead to significant physical addiction, blistered or cracked lips, deviated septa, loss of blood pressure, repiratory arrest, and/or death.

On a much less silly note, it sounds like the Wi-Fi Marketplace is a big winner here. Combined with the Zune Pass all-you-can-eat subscription, it makes me wonder why others aren't offering this kind of thing. Being able to drop by your local coffee shop / McDonalds / Neighbor's Wi-Fi hotspot and load up your player with a bunch of new tracks without dropping thirty or forty bucks each time sounds awfully attractive.