Yes Zune fans - we can finally buy television shows on the Zune Marketplace thanks to a new set of features and capabilities introduced with the latest Zune software update. Zune users can choose from over 800 episodes of popular television shows ranging from South Park to The Hills, to Heroes, to my personal favorite - Battlestar Galactica. Each television show has a price of 160 Microsoft Points which is roughly 1.99 an episode.

But wait.. there’s more! Microsoft updated the Zune online music community with several new features. Here’s a list of the new features from the press release:

• 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.

Finally, Microsoft added several new features to the Zune software application including:

• 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.

While this release is definitely a step in the right direction, it’s still a bit disappointing that not all of the content found on the Xbox Live Marketplace is available on the Zune Marketplace - notably movie rentals. Yet despite this glaring hole, the new updates should bring the Zune somewhat closer to some of the capabilities found on the iPod and iTunes.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune software, Zune Marketplace, TV shows

A posting over at the Windows Mobile Team Blog recently went up entitled “Zune + Windows Mobile = Better Together?” asking a simple question:

“What are some ways the Zune player and a Widows Mobile device can work better together?”

If you’re an owner of both devices, then you might want to chime in your thoughts over there. I for one USED to own a Windows Mobile device but I must say that I’ve since moved over to the Apple iPhone. Would I go back to a Windows Mobile device someday? Sure - if the user interface was enhanced to the point of being productive! However, having used a Windows Mobile device before and knowing what it’s like to work with a Windows Mobile device, I thought I’d add in some thoughts here (and see what all of you thought).

In no particular order, here are some things that could be greatly enhanced:

• Network connectivity between a Windows Mobile device and a Zune. Make Zune Sharing more than sharing between Zunes - share between all sorts of devices. Using Wi-Fi is a good first step towards this but the Zune might very well need Bluetooth down the road to achieve greater compatibility with a wide range of devices. However, choosing the protocol is only the first step. Making sharing dead simple is the most important thing. Connecting to a Windows Mobile device should be AS SIMPLE as connecting to another Zune
• Simply the software needed to manage and operate a Windows Mobile and Microsoft Zune device. For devices with software ALL originating from Microsoft, things are WAY to complex. Here’s where one could learn a thing or two from Apple. Everything goes through iTunes on the Apple platform. Whether it’s the iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV - you have one device and one interface. You could make a point in saying that iTunes is a bit bloated now but it works and it’s also powerful at the same time. In order to sync with Windows Mobile devices, you need Microsoft Sync on Vista, (or ActiveSync on XP and earlier OS’s), and Microsoft Outlook for contact and calendaring. Multimedia management is then handled by Windows Media Player. Ah but then switch on over to the Zune, and you have a completely different media management system in the form of the Zune Software. Don’t get me wrong - I love the Zune Software and would love to see it be used as the central media player on Windows from here on out.. but too many pieces of code depend on Windows Media Player these days (Think Windows Media Center). Somehow, Microsoft needs to go back to the drawing boards and rethink all of this. How can we have a drop dead simple centralized system that allows us to sync all sorts of devices?
• The Zune Social is a good first step in integrating social networking into the multimedia business but it isn’t new at all. Think Last.FM and many other companies that have been working on this. What we need is a social networking initiative that is far more compelling and engrossing. Something that goes beyond just adding friends and seeing what they like to listen to. It would be cool to see things like: what concerts are my friends attending in the next few weeks, what local clubs or gigs are they checking out? What new books or podcasts are of interest to my friends which might be interesting to me. My friend is stuck at the airport and has nothing to do but twitter all day long - wouldn’t it be cool if I could get those messages or status updates on my Zune? How can a friend simply get a hold of me through a single ID somewhere? I’ve snapped a picture on my Windows Mobile device and I want to share it to my friends - no matter where they are and on whatever device that they are using.. how can I do that. Social networking to the max but yet simple too!
• Most music listeners have playlists - it’d be nice to be able to share playlists from friend to friend and device to device. Go on Zune Social, and share your overall playlist. Seeing what someone else is listening to is nice and dandy but I’d rather just download their favorite lists and see what I might be interested in. Better yet - if I have a playlist on my Zune, how cool would it be for me to share it with my friends using a Windows Mobile device?

OK.. I’m running out of ideas but I’m sure there’s more brewing in my head. What are some of your own ideas? Post them up on the Windows Mobile Team Blog!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune, Windows Mobile

The next time you walk into a school classroom, you just might happen across students using the Microsoft Zune for of all things, learning! That’s right.. learning! Eric Langhorst, a social studies teacher in South Valley Junior High School in Missouri, is working with Microsoft to see how the Zune could be used in classroom learning.

Langhorst, who won Missouri’s Teacher of the Year award, has already been “recognized nationwide for incorporating technology to enhance student learning”. He’s known for creating what he calls “studycasts” which are basically podcasts which can then be downloaded and viewed on a PC, an iPod, or of course, a Zune.  Now, Langhorst is working with Microsoft to see how the Zune can be used to further education in the classroom.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Eric Langhorst, Zune, Microsoft Zune, Education, Classroom, Studycasts

Some interesting news for Zune owners - we’re finally getting games for our favorite portable media player! That’s right - game developers can now develop and distribute games for the Zune platform thanks to the Microsoft XNA Studio platform which allows developers to create games for both the Xbox and Windows platforms. According to this article over at News.com, games on the Zune will have access to the wireless capabilities of the Zune (a.k.a. multiplayer capabilities) and will also have access to the music library on the Zune (think soundtracks). First generation Zunes will also have game support though some games might be incompatible with first gen Zunes (if they need the touch pad etc). Other notes from this Wired.com article on the Zune include:

• Games on Zune will be limited to 16MB for code and content
• Control pad/rocker will make a good joystick replacement interface

Engadget had an early hands-on look at a game demo (Zauri) and had this to say in addition:

• Game distribution not clear yet - whether through the Zune marketplace, Zune software, or individual installers
• Beta development tools will be coming out this Spring
• No plans for game sharing as of yet

You can see a gallery of pictures of a game running on the Zune over at Engadget.com

Technorati Tags: Zune, Gaming, Games, XNA Studio, Microsoft

Just in time for Valentine’s day, Microsoft is now offering a red version of the Zune 80 GB portable media player at Zune Originals. You can also choose from a selection of all new Zune tattoos (20 new ones). Remember you can purchase a customized Zune media player from Zune Originals - whether it’s a 4GB, 8GB or 80GB model and the customizations are all done for free. One more reason to buy from Zune Originals - free shipping!

So with Valentine’s coming up, pick up a red Zune 80GB or a red or pink version of the Zune flash player. I’m sure your loved one will appreciate it!!!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune, 80GB red, Valentine\'s day, Zune originals

Hey folks - I’m finally back from my trip to CES 2008 in Las Vegas. I was only there for a few days but man.. it was tiring. I wish I had more time there to be honest with you but I can only take so much of Vegas sometimes. Maybe next year I’ll spend even more time in Vegas.

In case you missed it, I covered Bill Gates’ pre-keynote speech at CES here at Krunker.com. Most of the speech was about the concept of the digital decade - what Microsoft has done with the first digital decade and what is to come for the second digital decade.

Some of the more notable Zune related announcements were as follows:

• The Zune is doing very well with it’s second release - though no official sales numbers were given
• The Zune will be sold outside of the US for the first time in the Spring with Canada being the target country. No word on Europe yet.
• The goal is to build a "Social Experience" and the new Zune Social is exactly that
• Zune Social now has 1.5 million users

As for the Zune Social, it’s all about "People powered music discovery". There was even a little plug for "The Shins" at CES 2008.

Microsoft also demo’d the Zune connected inside a car using Ford’s Sync system. Here’s a picture of that:

That was the gist of Zune related news at CES 2008. I’ll be posting more Zune pics shortly.

Technorati Tags: Zune, CES 2008, Bill Gates, Canada

Here are two recent reviews of the new Zune media players which I feel should be highlighted here at ZuneSphere.com. First up, David Pogue posted his look at the new Zune player over at the New York Times and guess what folks? He actually found it a "pleasure to use." Yes, while Mr. Pogue is sometimes criticized as being biased towards Apple products, he actually does compose a well-balanced review of the new Zune players. Here’s a blurb from the review:

The bottom line: the iPod is still a more versatile, compact and beautiful machine. But the Zune has come a long way in very little time. Already, its potential audience is no longer limited to a sect of irrational Apple haters. It’s now a candidate for anyone who values its unique powers — excellent built-in FM radio, scratchproof case and wireless auto-synching — more than they value the richness and choice of the iPod universe.

Not bad..

Meanwhile the folks at CNET have published their "CNET prizefight" between the Apple iPod Classic and the Microsoft Zune 80". Three different reviewers assigned numbers between 1-5 for five different categories: Navigation, Sexiness, Compatibility, Sound and Science, and Wallet Factor. The final verdict? A TIE!! Not bad! Actually, the Zune came out ahead in 4 of the 5 categories except in the "Compatibility" category where it got trounced by Apple. Here’s a blurb from the article:

The fact that the Zune even tied the mighty iPod Classic should be enough to send Apple’s most devout fans into a reactionary hissy-fit.

Technorati Tags: Zune, Microsoft, Zune 80, Reviews, David Pogue, CNET

Are you still looking for a Zune 80? How about getting yourself a Zune 80 Original instead? Yup - the Zune Originals website is finally listing the Zune 80 as an option to customize. As mentioned earlier, you can do one of three things:

• Add text to the back of your Zune player
• Add a combination of art and text
• Add a custom background image from an artist

Best part of it all? The customizations are entirely free of charge. Zune Originals states that the Zune 80 will ship 5 to 7 business days from the time of order. You can also customize Zune 4 and Zune 8 flash based players.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune Originals, Zune 80,

Hey folks - I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I took a short hiatus from blogging for several days but I’m now back in action. Stay tuned for reviews of the new Zune 80 as well as a detailed look into the new Zune software application. In the meantime, let’s try and catch up on some of the more recent interesting news bits.

Perhaps the most telling sign of the rising popularity of the new Zune media player is from Black Friday sales. According to this article over at Wired.com, the Zune player (both Zune 30 and Zune 80) was the second most purchased item on the web for Black Friday. This was right behind the Nintendo Wii which was the most sought after item for Black Friday for the second year in a row (not surprising there). The data was gathered by online retailers, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, and eBay. What’s not entirely clear is what percentage was for the older Zune 30 vs. the new Zune 80 player. Since the Zune 80 is still relatively hard to find, it’s safe to assume that many people are going after the older Zune 30’s - especially since they’ve become rather affordable over the last month. First generation player combined with the latest software update makes for a successful media player finally.

One final note from the Wired.com article - it should be noted that final numbers from the likes of Amazon.com and other retailers have not come in as of yet.. so the Zune may still fall down the list. However, it’s still not a bad start to the holiday shopping season for Microsoft and the Zune team.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Black Friday, Wired.com

David Becker of Wired.com has a hilarious posting up from a few days ago entitled "Hands On: Original Zune Not Deadly After All". Yes.. Mr. Becker decided to get an original first generation Zune 30GB player for a mere $70 bucks including a free upgrade to overnight shipping and guess what? His "initial experience has been fine" thus far. Of course a fair amount of this is probably due to the following scenarios:

• He’s been using an Archos Gmini 400 media player for quite some time (and yes.. their GUI is indeed horrific)
• He’s experiencing the latest Zune Software package as opposed to the first version that came out last year
• He got the unit at $70 bucks

But hey - at least he’s having a good experience with the player now right? Compare this to some of the brief postings he’s written in the past about the Zune.. say this one or this one.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune, Microsoft Zune, David Becker, Wired.com