In the wee hours Microsoft let lose update of the Zune firmware, this update is now 1.2. Zune software is following the lead with being updated to 1.2
Sadly there is no added features, like WiFi video sharing, which people were hoping for, yet they have made dramatic improvements to the usability of the Zune and the speed at which it runs. This will be noticed most when browsing through massive lists of songs/albums and viewing a slide show of pictures. They have also added Windows Vista support for the Zune with in an update of the Zune software, which will also now be 1.2.
There has not been an official release of the Zune firmware updates on the Zune site, but so far performance seems to be the only thing really improved on.
If you run into problems and wont auto update, just plug in your Zune and right click on your Zune tag and select “check for updates”.
For the first time the Beatles records will be able to be purchased digitally on the Zune MarketPlace. Is this a way for the band to stick it to Apple? Who knows, but who really cares, its just good news all around for Beatles fans.
Well took a while, but finally got word back on what the Zune warranty is going to be…
dun dun dun
And the Zune warranty will be 1 year, which covers unlimited support calls on the hardware and the software. Hit up Zune.net tomorrow/today for more details.
Well don’t know how, but guys from ZuneCorps found the Zune MarktPlace download installer on the Microsoft servers. There is no link yet on the official Zune site - Zune.net but the file is just sitting there waiting to be downloaded.
Zune MarketPlace Download
As you know the software to go along with the Zune is the Zune MarketPlace, and this was unofficially released today by a BestBuy shopper. Well here is the run down on the Zune MarketPlace and how it all works:
After the install Its time to choose your Zune tag, seems “cooper” (my name) is already taken. People work fast these days…
And then you sign into your Live account, which can be several things like a Hotmail account. By the off chance you don’t have one, then it give you the option to go off and create a new one. A word of warning thought to people out side of the US, when you try to sign in to the MarketPlace you will not be able to, unless you selected “US” in your country when creating a Live account.
Signing in….
And welcome to the Zune MarketPlace! This is what you will be greeted with on starting the program.
There are 3 section on the left: Playlist, Library and MarketPlace. Pretty obvious, MarketPlace tab is the shop side of the program which is made up of several sub categories, first one being Playlist.
And then Charts, Which have several charts available, Top Albums, Top Songs, Billboard Carts, Zune Charts
Active Downloads, Nothing really here, but this is where your downloads in progress will be.
Artists, browse songs by artists
Albums, browse songs by albums
Songs, browse individual songs with in albums
Genre, browse by genre
Year, browse by year
This is now you private section of your own music. When the MarketPlace is installed it automatically starts scanning your folders in the background for your media. The abstract purple (purple is not the only color) album art is what goes there if no album art is available. This section will be pretty firmilure to users of Windows Media Player11.
Now we come to the video section of the Zune MarketPlace. Sadly it will scan your hard drive, but will only put in the videos that are supported on the Zune, and seeing as most of my video files are AVI, I have allot of video converting to do…
The happy snap picture sction.
This is the options to the way the files are displayed (just like WMP11)
And the options drop down menu
Now this thing is pretty cool. This is what pops up when you click the minimize button down in the right bottom corner. Its a little (actual size) remote looking device that can sit up the top of your screen and let you keep control of your beats that your rocking out to.
And as said before, the MarketPlace can be downloaded by going to this page.
Wow, if I was on the Zune team, I would not be very happy with BestBuy. Continuing on from our story of the shopper who got a pre released Zune from BestBuy, this guy has now put the Zune MarketPlace installer up for download. So I will not link to the direct download from here (don’t want to get into any trouble) But I’m sure if you follow this link, you will find what it is you look for.
Want to go party down and watch some live bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, T.I. Lupe Fiasco, The Secret Machines and Morgan Heritage Band & Richie Spice.
Well there are 6 (so far) Zune Launch parties going on in 6 different cities, NY, LA, Seattle, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta. Entry is free and here is the info you will need to score your self some Zune Launch Party tickets:
- NEW YORK: Queens Of The Stone Age (9pm) FREE
As announced by BrooklynVegan.com tickets can be picked up @ Circuit City in Union Square TODAY starting @ 7pm EST on a first come first serve basis. Tickets come in pairs and you must be 21 or over. Check BrooklynVegan.com on Monday morning to find out the venue location.
- LOS ANGELES: Red Hot Chili Peppers (8pm) FREE
As announced by LAist.com tickets must be picked up @ Circuit City (4400 Sunset Blvd) TODAY starting @ 7pm on a first come first serve basis. Tickets come in pairs and you must be 21 or over. Check LAist.com on Monday morning to find out the venue location.
- CHICAGO: Lupe Fiasco (4:45pm) FREE
As announced by HipAndPop.com Lupe will be playing @ 401 Michigan Ave.
- MIAMI: Morgan Heritage Band & Richie Spice (approximately 5:30pm) FREE
Check The305.com @ 8am on Monday morning to find out the venue location.
- SEATTLE: The Secret Machines (11:50am) FREE
As announced by Seattlest.com The Secret Machines will be playing @ West Lake Plaza.
