Yes, it’s been awhile since I posted here at ZuneSphere.com. There’s a couple of important news announcements regarding the Zune. First off, let’s talk about pricing.

On the hardware front, Microsoft lowered the price of the flash-based Zune players. The 4GB Zune now goes for $99; the 8GB for $139 and the 16GB $179. Unfortunately the hard drive based Zune didn’t receive a price discount at this time.

Several Zune accessories were also marked down – the Zune Car Pack is now priced at $69 dollars, the Home AV Pack is at $59 dollars, and the Dock Pack is now $39 dollars.

Now on the software/music side, a couple of major developments. First off, there’s a new firmware and software update available – so make sure to perform an update at your earliest convenience.

Secondly, the Zune Pass subscription received a nice enhancement yesterday. Starting yesterday, folks who use Zune Pass (which costs $14.99 per month) will be able to download and keep 10 tracks per month – DRM free. Microsoft signed agreements with EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group as well as many independent labels to make this happen. Microsoft also announced that soon over 90 percent of the content on the Zune Marketplace will be DRM-free and in MP3 format. This certainly makes Zune Pass much more attractive for those of you who have been waiting in the sidelines. While you’re paying for unlimited access to songs, you also get what amounts to a free album once a month.

[Check it out via PC Magazine]

Technorati Tags: Zune Pass, Zune Flash, Price reduction

I’m willing to bet that when you think of the Zune, you’re thinking of a portable media player with a software application running on the computer desktop. Well in an interview with CIO.co.uk, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sees the Zune as something slightly different.

Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software - and what you’ll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.

Pretty interesting huh?

A Microsoft rep had this to say when asked by CNET’s News.com for additional clarification on Ballmer’s comment:

“We’ve always said that software and services is a key focal point for Zune and it does make sense to extend the Zune experience to other devices.. In terms of specific timing we have nothing to announce at the moment.”

Seriously now - is this really surprising? The Zune team did something incredibly right when they created the Zune platform. They nailed the user interface spot on. In fact many in the media think that the Zune user interface is BETTER than the iPod user interface. BETTER. With this kind of popularity, why not bring the Zune back into the Windows Mobile fold - especially since the Zune already has its roots in Windows CE/Mobile. Why not extend the reach of the Zune software to encapsulate many more devices - bringing them into the Zune influence.

The Zune also helped Microsoft extend their online marketplace services. Before the Zune, we had the Xbox LIVE Marketplace where gamers could download games and movies and of course interact and play with others. With the addition of the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft extended the Marketplace to include music (although the services are still disjoint from one another - movies in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace can not be purchased or used for the Zune and vice versa with music.

Yet the platform and services should help you see the bigger picture here. Take a step back and look from way up high.  At the center of all of this are Microsoft software services such as Windows Live, Xbox Live Marketplace, and the Zune Marketplace. Think the cloud folks. Connecting to the cloud and its services are client devices running Microsoft operating systems - from PC’s with Windows to mobile phones running Windows Mobile to Xbox 360 consoles running the new Dashboard Experience, to devices running the Zune software.

OK.. so that’s how I see all of this coming together. Will they actually execute a plan like this? Who knows.. but in the short term, it’s nice to see the Zune expand further into additional devices.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Zune, hardware, Steve Ballmer

Announced last week, Microsoft released their software update for the Zune media player today - adding a wealth of new features to all Zune owners out there. The most interesting feature with the new Zune is the ability for the Zune player to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and connect wirelessly to the Zune Marketplace. From there you’ll be able to purchase and download music straight to the Zune player without needing a PC. Other new features include a new Zune Channels feature, support for Audiobook content, and a new Buy from FM feature.

Microsoft also announced that it’s working with Wayport Inc. to allow Zune users free wireless access to the Zune Markeplace from more than 9,800 McDonalds restaurant locations around the U.S.

Finally, Microsoft’s Zune Originals websites will offer online exclusive color choices for the new Zune 16 flash player including blue, red, pink and green. Zune Originals will also add 14 new custom artwork designs for customers to choose from. The new Zune 120 will sell for $249.99 while the Zune 16 will go for $199. However, if you’re an existing Zune media player owner - the updates are all FREE. Yes.. FREE.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune, Software Update, Wayport, McDonalds, Wi-Fi HotSpots

We’re nearing the third anniversary of the Zune (ok.. we’re about two months) so if you’re Microsoft, what do you do? Keep them coming of course! Unlike the last two years, you won’t see any new hardware designs for the Zune this year. Instead, Microsoft decided to release new storage capacities for the Zune and also update the firmware and Zune software application.

Let’s first cover the hardware changes which really are not changes as much as additions. There’s a new hard drive based Zune out - the new Zune 120GB model or Zune 120 for short.  On the flash front, Microsoft upped the storage amounts to 16GB there - no real surprise there of course given that iPod touch devices are already available in 16GB models. I must say it’s slightly disappointing that Microsoft didn’t announce new hardware changes to the Zune to compete more effectively against the iPod touch.. but then again, the software changes are indeed nice.

Ah yes.. the software changes. This is certainly where things get exciting. First off, Microsoft has finally unleashed more capabilities to the built-in Wi-Fi support on the Zune. In the first iteration of the Zune, we saw the notion of being able to share music between Zune devices. Cute.. neat.. but somewhat useless considering I had to travel a tens of MILES to find the next Zune user! In the second iteration, Microsoft finally allowed for wireless syncing of the Zune. Another cool feature.. useful at times too.. but in practice, I never really used it.  Now, in the third iteration of the software, Microsoft finally allows for wireless downloads of music straight to the Zune via the Zune Marketplace. Finally - a truly useful feature of the Wi-Fi connectivity support on the Zune. What makes this even sweeter is the notion that with a Zune Pass subscription, you could easily listen to millions of songs on demand straight from the marketplace anytime you’re near a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is truly where an all-you-can-eat subscription makes a lot of sense. Sure it’s not free like Pandora.. but at least 1) you won’t have to worry about whether the service will stay alive or not and 2) you get access to WAY more titles!

Now to make this all possible, your Zune will now be able to connect to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots (w00t!). Unfortunately, since the Zune does not have a built-in web browser, you won’t be able to connect to hotspots that required browser logins.

As for navigating the Zune marketplace on the Zune, users will be able to browse lists of featured new releases, top songs and albums sorted by genre, or use the on-screen keyboard to type a song title.

If you’re a big user of the built-in FM receiver on the Zune, then you’ll probably appreciate the new “Buy from FM” feature being introduced with the third iteration of the Zune software. Buy from FM lets customers tag and purchase songs they hear on the radio directly from their Zune device. If the user is near a Wi-Fi hotspot, they can purchase and directly download the track. If they’re not near a Wi-Fi hotspot, the track gets queued for download when the user either connects to their PC or connects to a Wi-Fi hotspot later on. I’m not a big user of the built-in FM radio myself.. but this might change things finally. There are certainly many many instances where I find myself saying “Gee.. who’s this person I’m listening to?”

Think that’s it? Nope.. there’s more folks. Microsoft also announced a new “Channels” feature on the Zune software. You can view and listen to expert-created channels or you can have the Zune software create custom channels for each user based on their favorite artists and genres. If you want to listen to the expert channels, you’ll need a Zune Pass subscription to get at everything - or you can purchase songs one at a time in an a la carte fashion if you don’t have the pass.

There’s also the “Personal Picks” feature which is basically a new recommendations system for users. When you log into the Zune Marketplace, you’ll find a new “Picks” area where suggested artists, albums, and tracks will appear. This is all done via a new Zune recommendation algorithm that uses information from the Zune Social.

Speaking of Zune Social, the online music community now gets a bit more powerful thanks to the Zune Card. Previously, you could see what your friends were listening to on the Zune Social - now you can take there tracks with you on the go via the Zune Card. A Zune Card is a real-time playlist of each user’s favorite and recently played tracks. The card can be accessed from the web or within the Zune software application or synced to the Zune device. Playlists will even automatically update when the Zune connects to a wireless hotspot - very cool. Overall - this is certainly a very neat feature on the Zune. You can finally listen to what your friends are listening to - assuming of course you can get your friends to use the Zune instead of some other competing music player! (more reasons to do so now!)

Two other new features on the Zune software are:

• Mixview. Customers can select an artist, album or Zune Card to activate a dynamic, visual mosaic of related music and listeners. With each click users can take the view in a new direction, creating a fun, graphical way to discover new music. Mixview works with users’ current collection of music, in addition to tracks and albums from across the Zune Marketplace.
• Now Playing. The improved Now Playing view is more interactive and cinematic. Users can sit back and enjoy the combination of great artist imagery, colorful effects, bio information and data from the Zune online music community, all combined in a full-screen view. They can also click to dive deeper into the music behind the picture, providing another great way to interact with their collection.

Finally, on the firmware front, other small but notable features on the Zune include:

• Two free games for the Zune - Hexic and Texas Hold ‘Em. Yes.. games on the Zune are indeed real
• Support for audiobooks finally!
• Support for audible!
• Support for OverDrive

So.. what’s the catch in all of this? Nothing folks. The great part about the Zune experience for existing Zune users is the fact that EVERYONE with a Zune will get these new features for free!! So if you have an original Zune 30 - not a problem - go ahead and update the firmware next week. If you have a Zune 80 - not a problem too! There are no fees to pay, no software to buy.. just upgrade (pray a little), and go! 

Finally, the current pricing plans are as follows:

• 120GB Zune - $249.99
• 80GB Zune - $229.99
• 16GB Zune - $199.00
• 8GB Zune - $149.99
• 4GB Zune - $129.99

It’s certainly nice to see the Zune team continuing to advance the Zune on the feature and software front. Though it would have been nice to see new hardware models aside from storage upgrades, the mere fact that these new software updates are made available to ALL Zune users is certainly something Microsoft can be proud of.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune 120, Zune 16, New Zune, Zune Software, Zune three

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

I apologize for the lack of news recently. Things have been a bit hectic around here as I get back into the swing of things at work and with my sister blog site - Krunker.com. In the meantime, just in case you missed the announcement today, Microsoft released a small software update to the Microsoft Zune software application. According to ZuneInsider, Zune software version 2.3 contains no new features - just some performance enhancements with set-up, synchronization, and improvements in general reliability. In fact, the reason I knew an update was available was because of the Zune software application:

Once I clicked on “Update Now”, I got the Zune software setup dialog boxes:

The update took approximately five minutes to perform and installed without a hitch. So far, no discernible changes or speed improvements but I’ll keep all of you updated if I notice anything interesting.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Zune Software, Version 2.3