Nov 29th, 2:53 am
Laura Stylez in Las Vegas
Microsoft is really targeting the Latino market. Here is a nice video of Laura Stylez of Zune.net in Las Vegas for the Latin Grammy Awards.
Nov 26th, 6:12 pm
Zune the 2nd Hottest item for Black Friday
The Zune is the hottest item behind video game consoles this holiday season. From Yahoo News:
The hottest category was video games, with sales up 134 percent, said comScore. Within the video game sector the hottest product is Nintendo’s Wii. Consumers in search of the Wii hit both retailers and eBay. The online auction site saw 358 sold at an average price of $412, which is about $100 cheaper than from online retailers.
Microsoft’s Zune music player was ranked the second most popular gadget online by PriceGrabber, eBay and Shopping.com, although the sites saw differing levels of demand for the 30GB and the 80GB versions.
Here are some nice details of how the Zune stacked up against the iPod:
The Microsoft Zune beat all models in the Apple iPod line in searches this year. Interest in the Zune, has increased 246 percent in recent days and receives 13.3 percent of all inquiries in the MP3 market. The Zune offers a lower price point compared to similar players and includes a built-in FM Tuner.
Top-selling Products (online) on Black Friday
1. Nintendo Wii Console
2. Microsoft Zune 30GB Media Player - Brown
3. TomTom ONE 3rd Edition GPS
4. Activision Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock Bundle
5. Canon PowerShot SD1000 Silver Digital Camera
6. Microsoft Office 2004 Student and Teacher
7. Western Digital My Book Essential Edition External 500GB Hard Drive
8. Magellan Maestro 3100 GPS
9. Canon PowerShot SD750 Digital Camera
10. Canon EOS Regel XTi Black SLR Digital Camera
Nov 23rd, 5:37 am
Zune Podcast Basics
Podcasting is one of the best new features that was added to the new Microsoft Zune Firmware 2.2. This new Firmware 2.2 is available for any of the Zunes to include the first generation Zune 30 and second generation 80, 4 and 8. last I looked there were 130,000 Podcasts available for download on the Microsoft Zune Marketplace with new ones being added literally each second.
Podcasting is not new, but is just now hitting the mainstream. It was made popular by iPod users (thus the name “pod” casting), but is used to refer to digital videos or media that are syndicated over the internet for use on your computer or portable media player like iPod, Zune or PSP. Typically, users find a daily, weekly or monthly video feed and subscribe to it. Many savvy podcast subscribers set it up so their subscriptions are downloaded to their device while they sleep and it is available for viewing when they want to view it during the day.
I hope to show Zune users the best way to use their Zune to subscribe and download podcasts to your Zune.
The first thing you want to do is start your Microsoft Zune software on your computer. Then click on the “Podcast” link at the top of the screen.
Microsoft really hit a homerun with the podcast feature on their Zune Software. You simply find a Podcast that you want to subscribe to and simply click, drag and drop the Podcast with your mouse to your Zune, writable CD/DVD or to your play list. Here is an example of the three icons at the bottom left of your Zune Podcast screen.
The Zune Podcast area offers several ways to find a Podcast that you may enjoy. First, at the top right is a simple search box. Type in some keywords and you are sure to find great Podcasts. Second, there are 15 standard categories you can browse through like Music, News and Politics, Entertainment and other broad categories.
Once you find a Podcast that you want to add to your Zune or computer simply click on the Podcast title and it will bring you to an information screen with options for download. For my example I downloaded the VH1 Best Week Ever Podcast. It is currently the #2 most subscribed to Podcast on the Zune marketplace and is FREE.
It is very intuitive and Zune Podcasters can download individual Podcasts and/or subscribe. Once the Podcast is downloaded simply grab it with your mouse and drop it to the Zune icon. Then go to Podcasts on your Zune and enjoy!
Nov 18th, 6:59 pm
Common Appears in New Zune Commercial
http://www.youtube.com/v/asKxbHQKoCE&hl=en&fs=1
The video shows Common who has his CD, Universal Mind Control, coming out next month as he shows how his music is connected to other music. It’s interesting that the new video shows more of the social features of the Zune rather that just talking about them. It should also be noted that Kanye West’s new album, 808s and Heartbreak is also shown.
Nov 13th, 4:30 pm
Microsoft to Acquire Musiwave
Red Herring is reporting that Microsoft is in talks to acquire Musiwave who operates the music download stores for mobile operators Orange UK, T-Mobile, and Leap Wireless.
In Microsoft’s news release, Pieter Knook, senior vice president of mobile communications at Microsoft, said the acquisition would let the company explore “untapped†areas and bring it “key assets,†combining Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers, and mobile operators with its own Zune devices and Windows Mobile operating system.
Here are some details from the Openwave Press release.
Microsoft Corp. today announced it has entered into an exclusivity agreement around its intention to acquire Musiwave SA, an Openwave company and a leading provider of mobile music entertainment services to operators and media companies. The acquisition would bring Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators that deliver digital entertainment to consumers, together with Microsoft’s Connected Entertainment technologies and services, including Windows Mobile, Zune, MSN and Windows Live. Should the transaction proceed, Musiwave would continue to operate out of its current headquarters in Paris.
“Microsoft and Musiwave share the same philosophy in working with hardware and mobile operator partners to deliver great experiences for mobile device users,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. “Bringing Musiwave on board would provide an opportunity for Microsoft to explore new areas in the mobile space previously untapped, and to showcase the power of software plus services. This contemplated acquisition reflects Microsoft’s recognition of the software and technology expertise in Europe.”
“Musiwave would bring key assets to us as we continue to bring our vision of Connected Entertainment to life,” said J Allard, corporate vice president in charge of music at Microsoft. “Its software expertise and extensive relationships with operators and music companies would help us take our products and services to the next level, giving people access to whatever entertainment content they want, whenever and however they want it.”
Looks like the future is looking up for the Zune and getting music on the go!
Nov 9th, 6:50 pm
Guy applies to change his name to “Microsoft Zune”
It looks like the Microsoft Zune division has its biggest fan and his name soon could be Microsoft Zune. Most people remember this guy as getting several Zune Logo tattoos.
Here is the official release from Microsoft Zune (the guy, not the company!)
“I am currently looking up the legal side of changing my name. And if you haven’t guessed yet yes I do wish to change my name to….
(drum roll)
Microsoft (First name) and Zune (Last Name)”
This guy may need an intervention soon!
Oct 30th, 7:50 pm
Zune 80 Tops Cnet’s “20 Most Wanted Products”
At one point in the day the new Microsoft Zune 80 topped Cnet’s “20 Most Wanted Products”. When I just looked it was #2 behind Nintedo’s Wii. This mean the Zune 80 beats out the Playstation 3, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod Touch, Halo 3 and a dozen other most wanted gadgets this week! You can see the details on the Zune 80 and even pre-order on Amazon here.
