Sep 16 2008
Zune 3.0 to debut with ‘extra value meal’
Zune 3.0 to debut with ‘extra value meal’ | Latest Microsoft News - CNET News - CNET News
Zune users are going tog et free WiFi to access the Marketplace and Social at McDonalds - no joke!
Archive for the 'Zune' Category
Sep 14 2008
New Zune Update Sept. 16
Amazing….free firmware upgrades for all Zune devices (generations 1 and 2) as generation 3 Zune (120 GB) comes out this week, Sept. 16.
Some new features include:
- Purchase music from FM radio
- Purchase music from the Marketplace from your device (using WiFi)
- Clock (a lot of people wanted this, but isn’t that what your cell phone is for?)
- Games (Not a big deal to me, but you know, people must have their games)
- Desktop software and Marketplace upgrades
The video gives brief overviews of several of the features.
May 06 2008
Zune 2.5 Firmware Update Out Today
Today is another reason why I am huge Microsoft Zune fan - another free firmware upgrade, this one seems based primarily on user feedback. Highlights of the release include:
New updates to the Zune online music community include the following:
| • | Syncing Zune Cards to a device. Consumers simply drag and drop Zune Cards from friends to a Zune device and get updates on what friends are listening to every time they sync. If the song is available with Zune Pass, subscribers automatically have the full tracks on their Zune while nonsubscribers have full album information and artwork. If consumers hear something they like, they can add it to their collection with one click. Next time the user syncs his or her Zune, he or she will be asked to confirm the purchase. |
| • | Enhanced friends search. Consumers now have the ability to add their name, location and bio to their Zune music community profile, making it easier than ever to find their friends. |
| • | Instant friends. The true power of the Zune online music community is unlocked when friends are added and consumers can follow the music they’re listening to. Now, when new Zune owners join the Zune online music community, they’ll find the top music editors from the Zune Marketplace team already added to their friends list, giving them a head start in finding new music. |
| • | Artist and album reviews. Inside the Zune music community, members have the ability to write and post their own reviews for artists and albums, providing another community-driven feature to support the exploration and discovery of music. The music community helps to find and recommend the best music. |
| • | Reputation badges. Now members of the Zune community can earn badges that are displayed on their Zune Card showing they’re passionate fans or active members. |
| • | Windows Live connections. Windows Live Messenger contacts will now be able to see what users are listening to via the Zune software. Clicking on the tracks displayed in the “Now Playing” feature will connect the Windows Live Messenger friend directly to that artist’s page on the Zune Social. |
| • | Auto playlists. Users can create an auto playlist that updates itself automatically as new music is added. |
| • | Browsing videos. Consumers can browse their video collection by genre and series, plus they can preview videos before they play them on full screen. |
| • | Editing album and track information. Users are able to edit track or album information (metadata) quickly via multi-select and drag-and-drop. The advanced metadata editing features make it easy to edit multiple tracks or survey albums and artist information. |
| • | Organizing collections. In addition to sorting by artist or album, consumers can now sort by genre. While browsing by genre they can further sort music by artist, album or release year. |
| • | Gapless playback. Consumers will now be able to listen to an album without the brief gap between tracks, both on their Zune and in the Zune software. This is a must-have for live-concert recordings and compilation albums. |
| • | Syncing groups. Zune software now syncs to multiple Zune players simultaneously. Users can prepare which content on their computer to sync even when their Zune isn’t connected. Consumers can create custom sync groups for music, pictures and videos. |
| • | Zune reminders. Experience is improved when a Zune player’s memory is nearing capacity, via an easy-to-use tool. |
More information on Zune and related images are available at http://www.zune.net/press.
Mar 22 2008
Red Zune 80 is Back
In what has occurred as a nearly unnoticed event, Microsoft brought the Red Zune 80 back to the Zune Originals line-up this week.
Zune Originals still offers free engraving for up to 5 lines of text (up to 30 characters per line) but now charges $10 for any combination of text or their “tattoo” art.
Additionally, Zune originals feature the Zune premium headphones, free shipping, a large pouch which contains the box in which the Zune is shipped and free shipping.
You can test drive the custom engraving at Zune Originals to try on different text and artwork for size. Here are a couple I test drove. Due to the size of the screen cap and the limitations of my blog template, I broke each section of the screen down so that it can be viewed in better detail.
Full Page View
Design Pane
Design Preview (sized at 50%)
Details Preview
Jan 15 2008
Limited Edition Red Zune
I know the big news today is supposed to be about the mini-mac notebook (I am sure it will cost like $3 gajillion dollars and people will flock in drives to buy them), but for me, the big tech news of the day is the limited edition red Zune.
The Red Zunes (80gb) can be ordered through Zune Originals and customized with text or art. Red might just be the color to get me to make the plunge. I wouldn’t mind one of these myself.
Microsoft is smart to sell it through Zune Originals. It will help prevent the black market effect the Wii has faced from people buying them up and then selling them at outrageous prices.
