An article by the Sydney Morning Herald has said that Microsoft is urging it’s Australian customers not to buy the Zune yet. The move comes after a retailer by the name Mwave began selling the units through their online store. The reason behind the move is because Microsoft believes that the users will not get the best possible experience if they purchase a unit designed for the US.
 A Microsoft spokeswomen made the following comments regarding US Zunes in Australia:
“It’s very flattering that Australian retailers are showing this level of interest in the Zune range. However … any Zune product purchased in Australia right now wouldn’t be supported technically, which includes a local online music store, accessory support and integration with local artists.”
 This is the same deal I believe for more of the world other that US seeing there are big differences between each country. Microsoft should come out and sell these machines worldwide soon. It has been 5 months and word of even the second generation machines is coming out. So hopefully it wont take too long.
 Cesar from ZuneInsider has revealed that new firmware will be released for the Zune in mid March (most likely 20th). The new firmware update will do the following:
Fix the skipping problem. Content acquired from Zune Marketplace will no longer skip.
Improved device and software reliability, when it comes to device detection, and an improved sync.
Changes to FM Tuner so that it doesnt drain the battery when in sleep mode anymore.Â
 So now hopefully that skipping problem that’s been reported for awhile will stop bugging you and the Zune will be slightly better than it was before. The firmware will NOT feature any major upgrades. Maybe next time.
A Zunerama member by the name of AIZEE, has discovered that songs that he purchased using Zune Pass on the Zune Marketplace were able to be transfer onto his daughters Creative Zen music player. There isn’t really any benefit from this feature since I doubt many of you have both a Zune and a PlaysForSure device. But the reverse of this may be useful for those who switched to Zune from a PlaysForSure device.
My biggest question regarding this is whether the reverse can be done. Also since these are Zune Pass songs there are more questions that arise. Such as will the songs expire and will they stay synchronized with your Zune Pass subscription.
Link to original story
  One of the biggest issues regarding digital music right now is DRM. Recently, we have seen that the industry is strongly reacting to Steve Jobs open letter concerning DRM. EMI Group is thinking about making all their digital tracks DRM-free. But what would the loss of DRM mean for Zune. We will discuss the pros and cons of DRM on Zune.
 The biggest hassles of DRM on Zune is caused due to Zune’s unique sharing feature. Currently the sharing feature is a pain for users because of the 3play/3day rule that has been implemented. We also have seen some other issues with the sharing feature, such as not being able to share certain songs. If DRM were to be removed, then we would no longer see restrictions on the music we share. But, the record industry (RIAA) may feel that this is similar to practices like P2P services and get Microsoft to block the sharing feature all together. So the end of DRM could either be positive or negative for the sharing feature depending on how RIAA feels about it. But looking at the past, chances are high that RIAA will ask Microsoft to lock up the sharing feature.
 Another issue is in regards to the Zune Marketplace. We may have to say goodbye to Zune Pass because unlimited downloads is strictly available due to DRM restrictions. If DRM is eliminated chances are that ZunePass will be a thing of the past along with other music subscription services from other providers. Ultimately this will be a loss of a great feature of the Zune Marketplace and make it exactly like the iTunes Store. However, it is expected that songs will be slightly cheaper if the DRM was removed. So this can either be good or bad for user depending on what they use it for.
 The only real positive result is that you will be able to buy your music from any provider and play it on the Zune. But from a general standing point, it appears that DRM may actually be a good thing for the Zune.
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 It appears that there is more information in the FCC document itself. The most important information that comesis that this device appears to emphasize TV Channels rather than phone capabilities. The document also doesn’t give any real confirmation that there will be phone capabilities (traditional or VOIP) in this device.Â
 This is the image that was provided with the document:
 It doesn’t give away much detail other than that it will also use a UHF TV Band Antenna and also be using 4G technologies. It also appears the use regular WiFi which is the Network Processor at the bottom of the image and it shows the 2.4GHz modem signal. I am not sure what the purpose of the CR scanner is in this model, but the other parts seem logical in transfering TV channels as it saws.
 Below is a screenshot of Questions and Awnsers regarding the device in the document.
 So this information continues to point out that it is targeted towards recieving TV signals and there is really nothing there that says this device is a phone. So could this just be the next generation of Zunes? Or maybe some other device that is totally irrelevent to the Zune? To me this seems to be quite similar to Sony’s LocationFree TV’s.
 Full FCC Document Available Here
 There have been many question in regards to the phone application that has been sent to the FCC by Microsoft. As I began addressing the issues, I learned abit more about the FCC filing and now there are even more questions regarding this and some doubts along with it.
 One of the biggest questions raised on the subject is why are Google, HP and Intel involved. Later on I went to learn that Microsoft, Dell, Google, HP, Intel, and Philips were also mentioned as Coalition Partners of the product. Which leads me to thinking. Could the ZunePhone possibly an addition to the Windows Mobile family? Could the ZunePhone be more software from Microsoft, than hardware?
 If we are to believe that this is the ZunePhone and all these companies are partners, then we are left to wonder what they would do with the product that competes with the iPhone. It is imaginable that Dell, HP, Intel and Philips could incorporate this device in one way or another. But Google confuses me, mainly because they aren’t into the hardware scene as the other coalition members are and are mainly focused on searching tools. But if Microsoft wants search tools why wouldnt they turn to Live Search? Then it got me thinking. Google also is behind Google Video and YouTube the leaders of Online Video, so maybe Microsoft is looking for video streaming to be integrated into the device. It seems as the only logical possiblity for a ZunePhone, and to an extend any phone this becomes.
 The others can obviosuly be seen as Hardware producers, so it appears that this device will be produced by a number of manufacturers. I hope that we will get more news about this device and if the other reports are correct that could be next month. Regardless of whether this is the ZunePhone, it is a product that has me intrigued and Im guessing that Im not the only one.
 Does anybody have other theory’s of why these companies are named in this project? And what part Google will have on the whole project?
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 Yes, news of the ZunePhone continues and this time it is regarding Microsoft sending the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) a prototype for a wireless device that is simalar to the iPhone.
 Microsoft describes the wireless device as one that uses OFDM, which is generally regarded as a 4G wireless technology. OFDM allows the use of digital TV, Voice call among devices and the ability to share files across the network. OFDM is being tested and deployed for cell phones by Sprint Nextel Corp. and should have rising coverage in the coming year. However, OFDM is not going to be as widely used as 3G technologies for now, which infact has only been in the US for a short time. So while it provides better speeds and more possibilities, it won’t be available to everyone for awhile. However, if US adopts the technology faster than they adopted 3G then it is possible.
 However, it appears that the phone will use VOIP to make the calls. So it is accually quite abit different from other phones and the iPhone. From my understanding it appears that Microsoft will use the internet connection via the phone to access the VOIP service. Regardless, it will be quite interesting to see how this is rolled out.
 Also in this report Google Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Intel Corp are all mentioned in submiting the device for testing. So it may be indication this is indeed the Zune Phone. Microsoft also said that they would avoid partnering with large cellular providers who would make demands. So I think it is possible Microsoft is going to go the way of Mobile Virtual Network Operator or at the least not offer the phone exclusively with a certain network.
 CrunchGear is also reporting that we can possibilly hear an announcement on the ZunePhone in March and possibly even have it in store by May. But I will have to disagree because it take quite abit of time for FCC to process the work and also 4G cellphone technolgies are fairly new in the US and will probably cover only 15% of the population.
 However, I think there is a strong possibility that this is the ZunePhone, and my prediction is that it will launch it late 2007. And lastly there are rumors that with the ZunePhone, you will be able to share music from anywhere. But considering that it is 4G technology full access to the Marketplace will already be included, so is wireless sharing really needed?
This news came from MarketWatch and also CrunchGear. If you’d like more detailed information check out the above links.
