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zune
Is Microsoft Abandoning the Zune? Zune Guy Smells So
In his apparently final transmission, the Zune Guy reveals that it wasn't just the lack of a Zune announcement at E3 that choked the last pepperoni-scented fanboy breath out of his furry, tattooed frame. No, he "can kinda smell" that Microsoft is "slowly pulling out of a product," and "backing away from what they created." It has been pretty dry in Zuneland. Do you think it's just a temporary drought, or might he be right? Will his profanity-laden, emotion-packed video missive spur the Zune gods to quench the thirst of fanbase clearly crying out for more? Tune in, uh, next week! I guess? [Thanks Johnny!]
rumor
Ballmer Hints at Zune Phone in Memo to Microsoft Employees
In a giant memo to Microsoft employees laying out strategy and changes for the next fiscal year, Steve Ballmer spends a paragraph comparing their way of doing things (choice) versus Apple (end-to-end). Unexceptional, except he says that More »
Zen X-Fi
Creative's Zen X-Fi to Enter Ring Dominated by iPod Touch, Zune
New details have been leaked about Creative's answer to the iPod touch and Zune, a wireless music player with Wi-Fi media sharing capabilities called the Zen X-Fi. Pictures show the device sporting a chrome-and-black plastic look that's vaguely reminiscent of the iPhone, along with a nine-point directional pad. Besides certain internet features, X-Fi will also come with an SD card slot and a built-in speaker. More »
zune badges
The recent Zune Update a month or so ago added the ability to track your listening habits and reward you for them. Think of achievements on the Xbox 360, except not pedantic ones like listen to every artist that released a single in 2003. These badges are actually quite nice, and display on your Zune Card if you do whatever it is enough times in the previous month. A thousand plays isn't all that hard if you're sitting at your desk all day like us. No cheating, cause we know you'd just leave your player on repeat and turn your speakers off. [Zune via Zune Insider]
Zune Listener Badges Show Your Dedication To That Band You Like
The recent Zune Update a month or so ago added the ability to track your listening habits and reward you for them. Think of achievements on the Xbox 360, except not pedantic ones like listen to every artist that released a single in 2003. These badges are actually quite nice, and display on your Zune Card if you do whatever it is enough times in the previous month. A thousand plays isn't all that hard if you're sitting at your desk all day like us. No cheating, cause we know you'd just leave your player on repeat and turn your speakers off. [Zune via Zune Insider]
microsoft
Robbie Bach Denies Blu-ray Xbox and Zune Phone, But Hints Zune Touch, and Zune Platform May Expand to Other Devices
In an SFGate interview running today, Robbie Bach, Microsoft's president for entertainment and devices, touched on many familiar points: Zune is more than a product, it's a platform, and because of that, we shouldn't be surprised if pieces of it turn up on other devices. However, as for a Zune phone or any other iPhone competitor, Bach stressed that there is a diverse array of Windows Mobile products to choose from, and added, "We don't have any plans to make phones ourselves." As for the old chestnut about a Blu-ray-equipped next-gen Xbox, he said, "That is so far out that there isn't anything to talk about." (He probably won't change his mind by tomorrow.) Update: Apparently there's some hullabaloo over Bach saying, "Just assume that over time where there's a screen, touch will be part of it." Is that a reference to a Zune Touch of some kind? To be honest, it's a fairly un-bold prediction, given the direction of all handhelds everywhere. So yeah, sounds like a touchscreen Zune will happen, but like, duh.
It was all business as usual, but with all due respect, I do have to beat Robbie up over a few other overly precious quotes:
More »
ihome zn9
It's pretty amazing that no one's made an alarm clock radio for the Zune yet—it's been out for a year and a half already—but iHome's stepped up to the plate. The ZN9 has dual alarms, separate weekday/weekend times, backlit LCD, and of course a Zune dock. It's similar in functionality to this other iHome alarm clock we're currently testing, but this one's got an Xbox 360-like tapered case. $99 for the Microsoft fan in July. [iHome]
iHome ZN9 is the World's First Zune Alarm Clock Radio
It's pretty amazing that no one's made an alarm clock radio for the Zune yet—it's been out for a year and a half already—but iHome's stepped up to the plate. The ZN9 has dual alarms, separate weekday/weekend times, backlit LCD, and of course a Zune dock. It's similar in functionality to this other iHome alarm clock we're currently testing, but this one's got an Xbox 360-like tapered case. $99 for the Microsoft fan in July. [iHome]
zune
GameStop Squashes Its Bad Zune Habit
It was always strange seeing a video game retailer peddling MP3 players, but nevertheless GameStop has ceased selling Microsoft Zune portable media players. The breakup puts a small speedbump in Microsoft's path to wrest marketshare away from Apple's iPod line, and could slow the progress Zune made against Creative earlier this month. While the initial reaction might be doom-and-gloom for the Zune, the level-headed amongst us will remember that GameStop sells video games, not music players, and big box chains like Target, Best Buy and Wal-Mart will continue to stock it. GameStop said it will continue to sell Zunes until stock is dry, so if you're looking for a deal you might want to stop by your local store. [The Street via Kotaku]
microsoft zune
Industry numbers group NPD has just confirmed that Microsoft's Zune's sold 2 million units, just slightly under one year after it sold its first million. Where is Microsoft getting the marketshare for the extra million? Mostly from Creative, who dropped from 4% marketshare to 2% from Q1 '07 to Q1 '08. Apple's also gone down from 72% to 71%, so there might be some defectors in the fruit squad as well. Total marketshare for Microsoft now stands at a decent 4%. [PMP Today via Tech Digest]
Zune Hits 2 Million Sales, Drinks Creative's Milkshake
Industry numbers group NPD has just confirmed that Microsoft's Zune's sold 2 million units, just slightly under one year after it sold its first million. Where is Microsoft getting the marketshare for the extra million? Mostly from Creative, who dropped from 4% marketshare to 2% from Q1 '07 to Q1 '08. Apple's also gone down from 72% to 71%, so there might be some defectors in the fruit squad as well. Total marketshare for Microsoft now stands at a decent 4%. [PMP Today via Tech Digest]
zune
While at the Zune Media Event in Redmond on Monday, the media had some downtime between presentations, and naturally the conversation moved to Microsoft vs. Apple. The mix of bloggers, reporters and Microsoft advertorial/internal bloggers provided an interesting, if predictable dialogue. Then the convo turned to iPod vs. Zune, and the question of Zune's lack of Mac support came up. The closest anyone came to giving a good reason was suggesting Mac users bought Apple products more for the logo than the actual product, meaning they'd never abandon the iPod for a Zune. A fair point, perhaps, but a silly reason for a company to justify their lack of support for another platform. Here are a few reasons Zune should support OS X:
More »
Seriously, Where's the Zune Support for Mac?
While at the Zune Media Event in Redmond on Monday, the media had some downtime between presentations, and naturally the conversation moved to Microsoft vs. Apple. The mix of bloggers, reporters and Microsoft advertorial/internal bloggers provided an interesting, if predictable dialogue. Then the convo turned to iPod vs. Zune, and the question of Zune's lack of Mac support came up. The closest anyone came to giving a good reason was suggesting Mac users bought Apple products more for the logo than the actual product, meaning they'd never abandon the iPod for a Zune. A fair point, perhaps, but a silly reason for a company to justify their lack of support for another platform. Here are a few reasons Zune should support OS X:
More »
tv shows
Colbert says Zune Ownership Proof You're Crazy
On last night's Colbert Report, Stephen gave advice to George Bush on how to go "completely nutball" so Sen. McCain can distance himself from the extremely unpopular president on the campaign trail. Not only did he tell Bush to wear a tinfoil jockstrap, he said the prez should buy a Zune. Really? Sure it's market share is 4%, but what about the new software? [Colbert Report]
9:50 AM on Wed May 7 2008
By Benny Goldman
22,621 views,
83 comments
Latest by HeeroYuy01W: I have a 30GB Zune and it runs fine. It has taken a beating and still runs fine. I like more »
zune update
Zune 2.5 Update Screenshot Tour
If you haven't yet gotten the chance to update to Zune 2.5, here's a screenshot tour that takes you through the new and notable changes. A lot of the stuff is the same—it's only a point update and not one to change the fundamental features—but there are great updates in the social portion of the software. Hit the jump for the full tour.
zune update
The Zune 2.5 Spring update launches tomorrow, and with it comes purchasable TV shows and even more social networking functions. The big part is more tightly-integrated social stuff—like being able to see your friends' Zune cards inside of the Zune software instead of heading to your browser—the upside of which is automatically getting the full tracks that your friends have recently listened to if you're a Zune Pass subscriber. This takes up about 100 megs per friend card. There's also improvement in the player itself, like the return of auto playlists and the introduction of gapless playback. Wee!
More »
Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features
The Zune 2.5 Spring update launches tomorrow, and with it comes purchasable TV shows and even more social networking functions. The big part is more tightly-integrated social stuff—like being able to see your friends' Zune cards inside of the Zune software instead of heading to your browser—the upside of which is automatically getting the full tracks that your friends have recently listened to if you're a Zune Pass subscriber. This takes up about 100 megs per friend card. There's also improvement in the player itself, like the return of auto playlists and the introduction of gapless playback. Wee!
More »
announcements
XNA Hits The Zune This May
Our wait for games on the Zune is slowly coming to an end, as Microsoft has announced that XNA (an Xbox 360-light game platform) will come to the Zune this month. Not every title will be supported—Microsoft only has four XNA titles running on the Zune at this very moment—but those that arrive will support up to 8-player ad-hoc wireless gaming (as we mentioned before). Also of note, developers can use the Xbox 360 controller with the XNA software development kit and to map Zune actions to the controller.
Developers only have a measly 16MB of RAM to work with, so don't expect to see anything currayzeee. But it's good to see the Zune and Xbox 360 finally swap some spit. This is just like the series finale of Friends!!
zune
Red Zune 80 Heading to Retail Stores
According to Zune Insider, the Red Zune 80 is starting to show up in retail stores after a stint at Zune Originals. The color must be hot, hot, hot! [Zune Insider]
zune guy
Zune Tattoo Guy Asks Microsoft's Permission to Change Name to 'Microsoft Zune'
As if this Zune Tattoo guy couldn't get any crazier, he's actually starting the process of legally changing his name to "Microsoft Zune." As you'd suspect, Microsoft might have a problem with that, so Mr. Zune Tat called up tech support to ask their permission on whether it was OK. And for all of our enjoyment, Steve decided to record his call and put it up on YouTube. The result? The tech support line he talked to doesn't have any real information for him and they advise that he write a letter to legal. If you're interested, hit the jump for a tech support call that has all of the holding and none of the resolution that you'd normally get from your own tech support calls. More »
zune
Red Zune 80 Now Customizable via Zune Originals
The red version of the 80GB Zune is now customizable via the Zune Originals site. Head on over and pick out a custom design and custom text for your own Zune, which you could then use to propose to your girlfriend with. If you do use this idea, email me. I want to talk to your crazy ass. [Zune Originals]
zune 3
