Zune Marketplace at Zune, Xbox 360 & Windows Mobile Phones

Zune Marketplace

64GB Zune HD coming soon, $20 reduction now in 16GB and 32GB models

Apr 062010

64GB Zune HD coming soon, $20 reduction now in 16GB and 32GB models | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

Today, Microsoft announced they are bringing a 64GB Zune HD model to the ZuneOriginals.com site for $349.99 while also lowering the price a bit on the 16GB (from $219.99 to $199.99) and the 32GB (from $289.99 to $269.99) models. The new prices start today.

The new 64GB model will be available in Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta colors with a range of custom back designs as well. With the 64GB model, Microsoft states you could carry up to 16,000 songs, or 20 hours of high definition video from Zune Marketplace, or 25,000 pictures.

Zune – It’s a Revolutionary Gadget!

Zune No Responses »

Apr 062010

In the recent days, Microsoft has managed to release its latest Zune. With the release Microsoft has managed to combine the cloud computing method with the digital media successfully. Microsoft was looking for some of the most enhanced entertainment value so that it can offer the customers one of the most striking aspects. This time Microsoft has collected things easily, gently, successfully and professionally. Well, it’s the Apple on the other hand is making iPods with larger capacities. However, Microsoft has proved that the size of the hard drive doesn’t matter with the release of Zune. Well, it’s the ability to access songs and movies that exactly matters and with Zune people can get the right access for their favorite songs and movies from anywhere, anytime. It’s a kind of promise the Zune has delivered for its customers.

So, how exactly Zune and cloud computing works! In order to get the full details we need to understand what exactly the cloud is computing? Cloud computing is all about a general term for anything which is involved in the delivering process of hosted services on the Internet. A cloud service is what that will be sold on demand of the user. On the other hand users can get little of such services. All customers require is the personal computer and the Internet access for it in order to the right service.

So, applying such concept for Zune was a revolution. You can see that the hosted services in the Zune marketplace, which is exactly higher in numbers. More than six millions songs and music videos along with the podcasts, the Zune marketplace is going high on demand. This marketplace is also loaded with standard and high definition movies.

The Zune users can get straight access for these unique and in demand contents for just $14.99 per month. The Zune pass is also there to bring you access for more music. You can now eat music buffet easily!

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Zune HD firmware v4.5 now available

Zune HD 1 Response »

Apr 062010

Zune HD firmware v4.5 now available – AfterDawn

The long-anticipated Microsoft Zune HD firmware v4.5 is now available to Zune HD owners, bringing native XviD support to the device as well as streaming Smart DJ.

The player will now has native support for the MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP codec, and the player will playback XviD videos, which is still the codec of choice for most videos downloaded online. The format will play via your HDTV as well if you own the Zune HD Dock.

Smart DJ playlists, a “Genius”-esque song playlist creator, is also available on the player and not just the desktop software. If you are connected via Wi-Fi you will be able to to create Smart DJ playlists that incorporate streamed content from the Zune Marketplace, besides the songs already stored on the player.

Zune 4.5 firmware coming zune

Zune Firmware No Responses »

Mar 302010

Microsoft details Zune 4.5, still mute on 64GB Zune HD

Microsoft is planning to release the free Zune 4.5 firmware update sometime in the next few weeks. The company confirmed four new features the update will include: Smart DJ on Zune HD, Picks on Zune HD, music browsing and streaming from Zune Marketplace on your TV, and expanded video codec support.

The Zune software currently has two music recommendation features: Picks and Smart DJ (added last fall). As expected, both are coming to the Zune HD device as well. Users will be able to choose a song or artist from their collection or from the Zune Marketplace catalog and then hit the Smart DJ icon to build a new mix based on their selection. If you have a Zune Pass subscription, music will be pulled from the Zune Marketplace catalog as well as your collection. For Picks, the algorithm analyzes what you listen to and compares that to millions of other Zune users to make personalized recommendations. These automatic recommendations will available directly on the Zune HD device as well as the Zune software.

Microsoft working on disappearing Zune Pass music issue

Zune Pass No Responses »

Feb 192010

Microsoft seems aware of the disappearing Zune music issues many of us have faced and they seem to be addressing it as best they can. Zune Marketplace has shown a significant decrease in the number of songs available on the Zune Pass music subscription service because of issues related to the licensing of music.

Microsoft has hired a new firm to manage their content license and music rights acquisitions and industry insiders claim they are making a wise move if they intend on keeping the music subscription service rolling forward in to the new Windows Mobile Phones programs.

Microsoft hires new firm for Zune Pass | MP3 Insider – CNET Reviews

In what is likely a reaction to recent complaints of disappearing music in the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft has hired an outside firm to help clear music for its Zune Pass subscription service.

In an announcement today, Music Reports Inc. revealed an agreement made with Microsoft to “administer the music publishing licensing and royalty accounting for the Zune Pass subscription service in the United States.”

2 Million Xbox fans link up to Facebook and Last.FM

Xbox 2 Responses »

Nov 242009

As many as 2 million Xbox fans have logged into the Facebook app on Xbox Live and posted updates through the service. Thats about 10% of all Xbox Live subscribers and a decent chunk of people using the new social media tool. I was one of those 10% who logged in and used the service once but I have yet to follow up on using it much. It seems a bit of a drag using the Xbox controller to update Facebook when I have my laptop so close to the Xbox.

I imagine it will get more use in the future when they add new features and better integration but for now a 10% adoption seems strong.

News: 2 million used Xbox Live Facebook – ComputerAndVideoGames.com

At least 2 million Xbox Live users have logged into their Facebook accounts through Xbox 360 since it launched last week, Microsoft claims. That’s 10% of all Xbox Live users.

The impressive statistics, given to Cnet by Microsoft spokesman David Dennis, show that while Facebook has had the biggest adoption out of Xbox Live’s new social network features, in its first 24 hours more than half a million accounts were created for Last.FM.

Xbox Live users have streamed 120 million minutes of music through the service, says Microsoft, while a massive 1.7 million Xbox live users have watched a video on Zune Marketplace.

Zune HD 3D Games

Zune HD No Responses »

Nov 152009

Zune HD Free 3D Games Released

Microsoft has released six free 3D games through its Zune Marketplace downloading service. But the company has clarified that it is restricted to the U.S. markets only.

Zune Marketplace is used by the company to offer new games and softwares. But the most startling fact is that it is offering the six video games free. Those video games include PGR: Ferrari Edition, Lucky Lanes Bowling, Audiosurf Tilt, Piano, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Checkers.

PGR: Ferrari Edition provides a feeling of the racing circuits. The gamer can select a car from a list of 12 cars and can drive through the popular circuits in London, New York and Tokyo. There is one Carreer Mode, which offers an option to choose from 33 events along with competing with three other racers.

Audiosurf Tilt is a game which prompts the gamer to collect roller coasters for taking a ride. The user can shape the track, speed up or change the mood of the track using the song. The users must tilt to collect the coloured boxes.

Lucky Lanes Bowling is an interesting game which offers five different bowling options. The user is prompted to select any one bowler from the 20 existing bowlers and one bowling style from 22 ball styles. Blackjack, Golf and Exhibition are the game modes to select before playing any game.

Vans Sk8: Pool Service gives the gamer a test of skating skills.

Piano is better a music related app, which can be played with 88 labeled keys associated with it.

Checkers is there to play the game remotely.

All of the games provide enough fun and this is an initiative from the company to compete with Apple’s App stores.

Zune FM Radio saves my mind

Zune No Responses »

Oct 232008

I spent 6 days in the hospital with a broken leg and if it were not for my trusty friend MAX the original Zune player I think I would have lost my mind. I have had this trusty old Zune for almost two years now and never was I so glad to have it with me then the time spent in a hospital in Montego Bay recently.

I was in a car crash and spent the first two days moving about but once I settled into Cornwal Regional in Montego Bay I requested my wife bring me my Zune so I could listen to my music which I gladly did for the first day or so until I realized how bored I was with all the songs I had on it. It’s been two months since I used the Zune and it’s got lots of my old faves on it but no new music. I was in the mood for something fresh and with no net access the built in FM radio was my best choice.

I ended up using the radio a lot over the 3 or 4 days I spent on my back waiting for doctors to tell me what was wrong and what we should do. In the end I got a cast and I’m back home listening to my old Zune again but this time I’m using the Zune Marketplace to download songs from some of the music I heard on the radio. I wish I could tag songs on the radio here like listeners can in select merkets around the States but I can’t. For now I’m forced to figure out who it is I am listening to and then I have to go search for what I want to hear.

The Zune is proving to be a great music discovery device and I am glad to see Microsoft so focused on the music.

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