As a member of the U.S. Air Force I can appreciate Microsoft producing a Halo 3 Zune for the military. Microsoft is launching a new brown Halo 3 Zune exclusively for U.S. service members. The Halo 3 Zune will be available exclusively at military retail stores in August. I will check my military BX this month here in Hawaii and see if any are available.
The Halo 3 Zune player will come in a Halo 3 box, and will come installed with artwork, trailers, and music from all three Halo games. Microsoft has already given away 300 of these Zunes to the USO in Washington to be part of a special USO care package the soldiers received.
“Microsoft has been a great partner to the USO of Metropolitan Washington for several years, supporting both our U.S. soldiers and the USO’s mission,” says Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington. “From Zune devices and Xbox 360 gaming consoles to new computers with the latest Windows Vista and Office software, Microsoft’s technology has helped service members stay connected and entertained.”
In an article by Reuters, they talked with the marketing director of Zune and he give us some hints of the possible timeline for the new releases. He said that Microsoft is happy with the sales in the US to this point. The Zune took a 10.2 marketshare in the month of December according to the NPD Group.
He indicated that the Zune’s European launch is possible for late 2007, in time for the holiday season. He said that Microsoft is currently doing research wuth focus groups to modify Zune for European customers. This change will probably be mostly on the software and marketing aspect though. However, he still said that Microsoft has not given a firm release date for Europe and that it may only show up on the market in 2008.
He also indicated that Microsoft is working on new Zune’s for the US. The new Zunes should arrive for the Christmas season in the US aswell. This will probably include the flash based Zune’s mentioned earlier and an update to the hard drive Zunes. The change isn’t unexpected seeing that iPods and other portable media players also go through yearly revisions.
It’s good to see that Microsoft is beginning to reserach using focus groups in Europe. But they still have to launch the player in Canada, Australia and many other areas of the world.
Well looks like those rumors of Zune not coming out to the international market till late 07 are half being put to rest. SmartHouse.com.au are reporting that the Microsoft Zune will be launching in Australian market in the New Year which was said by the Managing Director of Microsoft Australia, Steve Vamos. This, like the US launch will be followed with range of Belkin accessories for the media player, these include TuneBase FM transmitter, TunePower, Acrylic case, holster case, neoprene sports armband case, sports jacket case and clear screen overlays to protect the LCD. Although this is not a confirmed date, “..in the new year” usually means the first quarter, fingers crossed, specially for me, who lives in Aus :)
Update: Cesar, a Microsoft Zune employee had this to say on the matter
The Australian team is saying it’s a misquote.
A bit of a shame there…
So we are now up to Atlanta, LA, Chicago and now we have Seattle pics (thanks to Zuneama.com) and a New York coverage coming up. At this Zune Launch Event was head honcho him self, Mr Bill Gates, and he was sporting a very stylish Zune jacket we must add.
Seem like Seattle was the place to be for the Microsoft people, Cesar Menendez pops up to say hello
Then there was the out side event with Secret Machines playing for the crowed.
Seemed like a pretty good day all around, with some interesting characters floating around.
Well you know what today is kids? Zune is out! So here is a little round up over the past few months to give you a hand in your decision to get a Zune or not.
Zune Launch Parties:
Zune Accessories
- Read this post for a round up of all the Zune Accessories
Zune MarketPlace
- A run down on the Zune MarketPlace here
- Download it here
Zune and Xbox 360 Working Together
- Some info on the Zune integrating with the Xbox 360 - here
Zune Review Round Up
- A round up of some of the bigger reviews on the Microsoft Zune - here
Zune Windows XP Theme
- Not enough Zune for you? Well got the Zune Windows XP theme here
And of course the 2 official Zune sites - Zune.net and Zune-Arts.net
If you are now interested in purchasing a Zune head on over to here and as always don’t forget the Zune community, come have a chat and let us know what you think of the Zune.
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Well just like Chicago and Atlanta, there was the Zune Launch Party in LA (if losing track of these events, check here) and the band to be the spotlight at this event was non other then the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The event took place at Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles with thanks to ZuneSphere.com for coverage of the event.
Here are some pictures from the LA night:
This is a little package being handed out by Microsoft employees to people at the LA event. Inside the record sized packages were two CDs full of songs, a couple of LPs, and some Zune related art materials.
And talk about your Microsoft gadget car…
And finally a video of inside the event:
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If you want more vids from the LA event, head to ZuneSphere.com, he pretty much left his camera rolling, he has that much film footage, so plenty to look at.
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Well we have T.I in Atlanta and Lupe was performing in Chicago for another one of many Zune events to come, check out the pics and vids below (thanks ZuneCorps.com)
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Looks like a pretty cool concert right there, gotta dig the crazy lighting, and check out Zune stage branding ;)
Times like this I wish I was closer to the action and not in Aus…
