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Posts Tagged “

Zune

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microsoft zune

Zune Hits 2 Million Sales, Drinks Creative's Milkshake

Industry numbers group NPD has just confirmed that Microsoft's Zune's sold 2 million units, just slightly under one year after it sold its first million. Where is Microsoft getting the marketshare for the extra million? Mostly from Creative, who dropped from 4% marketshare to 2% from Q1 '07 to Q1 '08. Apple's also gone down from 72% to 71%, so there might be some defectors in the fruit squad as well. Total marketshare for Microsoft now stands at a decent 4%. [PMP Today via Tech Digest]

5:10 PM on Mon May 12 2008
By Jason Chen
4,462 views, 68 comments

Latest by B: Zune is the new Vista. Vista is the new Zune. more »

zune

Put Games On Your Zune Now: XNA 3.0 Preview Arrives

XNA 3.0 tech preview is out, and with it, you can dev or install some homebrew games on your Zune right now, like Alien Aggressor and Galactic Wars 3. The directions are at [Zuneboards, thanks IPXX]

9:28 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Brian Lam
7,013 views, 28 comments

zune

New Zune Colors Make the Beast With Two Black Backs

If you've got time and absolutely nothing better to do, you can graba resource explorer and dive into the Zune software. What would you find? Some images of two new Zunes, both with a black back. The current black 80GB and red 8GB Zunes have a silver back, which are also pictured, so these would be new new. It looks like just bad lighting, but the resource item actually says "black back." We don't know whether these are retail colors or just limited edition Zunes for employees, but we'll probably find out soon. [Zunited News Center]

7:25 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Jason Chen
2,681 views, 36 comments

Latest by B: @LucettaLolzordz: "That's because Microsoft has a history of going after companies head on, and usually winning". That's why, when they miserably fail (Zune, Vista...) it is funny as hell!!! more »

zune

Microsoft Developing Copyright Filter for Zune, Will Block Pirated Content

Yesterday, NBC jumped aboard Starship Zune after its protracted breakup with iTunes. It's clear why—and going with NBC's pricing was only part of it. Saul at the NYTimes says that Microsoft has agreed to develop a copyright filter that would block pirated content from being played on Zunes. Which is exactly what NBC was demanding from iTunes. Sucks, right? Well NBC's president of digital distribution just thinks you don't know what's good for you. Update: Microsoft says NBC was speaking out of turn, and there's nothing like this in the works for Zune. Phew. Update 2: As I suspected, Microsoft's denial actually isn't that black & white, details on that below. More »

6:40 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By matt buchanan
4,576 views, 69 comments

Latest by B: @TOWken22: Zune was never cool, not even for 10 seconds. It was to be the iPod for nerds. Too bad it failed even there, because there are better mp3 players for nerds. more »

z4z

Zune Owner Uses Craigslist for Love Connection

One lonely Zune owner in West Hollywood is searching Craigslist high and low for one of his own—a simple lady to "rocket sweet tracks up each other's Zune slots." Isn't looking for a Zune-using soulmate the technological equivalent of being the last unicorn, fervently searching Earth for a companion, but ultimately settling on a one night stand with a horse* on its way to the glue factory? We mean, what was meant to be a one night stand. Before her kids moved in. Of course, if this is a viral ad, it's far less funny. And it probably is.

*Admittedly, we have to place in our Zune-unicorn metaphor for the role of the horse. So you can just assume the Zune owner resorts to herpes-covered prostitute who uses a Rio or something. [Valleywag]

5:40 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Mark Wilson
3,392 views, 39 comments

Latest by Sleeper_Service: @nutbastard: Indeed. We're used to the amusing European mark up that countries outside the EU like to apply to us. We like to think it's some kind of economic revenge for centuries of colonial oppression. more »

zune

Seriously, Where's the Zune Support for Mac?

While at the Zune Media Event in Redmond on Monday, the media had some downtime between presentations, and naturally the conversation moved to Microsoft vs. Apple. The mix of bloggers, reporters and Microsoft advertorial/internal bloggers provided an interesting, if predictable dialogue. Then the convo turned to iPod vs. Zune, and the question of Zune's lack of Mac support came up. The closest anyone came to giving a good reason was suggesting Mac users bought Apple products more for the logo than the actual product, meaning they'd never abandon the iPod for a Zune. A fair point, perhaps, but a silly reason for a company to justify their lack of support for another platform. Here are a few reasons Zune should support OS X: More »

3:25 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Adrian Covert
9,011 views, 113 comments

Latest by prnlsls: Mac users buy Apple products because they know Apple products are going to work perfectly with Apple products (at least they're supposed to). Nobody wants to buy non-Apple product and hear from tech support "OSX? Which version of MS Windows is more »

tv shows

Colbert says Zune Ownership Proof You're Crazy

On last night's Colbert Report, Stephen gave advice to George Bush on how to go "completely nutball" so Sen. McCain can distance himself from the extremely unpopular president on the campaign trail. Not only did he tell Bush to wear a tinfoil jockstrap, he said the prez should buy a Zune. Really? Sure it's market share is 4%, but what about the new software? [Colbert Report]

9:50 AM on Wed May 7 2008
By Benny Goldman
20,841 views, 82 comments

zune update

Zune 2.5 Update Screenshot Tour

If you haven't yet gotten the chance to update to Zune 2.5, here's a screenshot tour that takes you through the new and notable changes. A lot of the stuff is the same—it's only a point update and not one to change the fundamental features—but there are great updates in the social portion of the software. Hit the jump for the full tour.

12:10 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Jason Chen
6,839 views, 29 comments

Latest by quikboy: 2.5 is awesome. My Zune's working better than ever now, and the software doesn't suck so much (but still doesn't compare with WMP 11). I hope the Fall update is just as great, since the Zune is doing the Spring/Fall big more »

nbc loves zune

NBC Coming To Zune After Ditching iTunes

While NBC decided that Apple's $1.99/episode mandate was not for them, the company has opted to give Microsoft's Zune store a shot to host their content. Apparently the decision comes because Microsoft is more flexible in their pricing. And while Microsoft still retains the right to set a show's ultimate price, they claim to be "open to understanding which episodes can be priced lower and how we may introduce premium content which may be priced higher than $1.99," according to Zune Social general manager Julio Estrada. But something tells me that NBC is more interested in that "premium content" than the lower priced stuff. [infoworld]

9:28 AM on Tue May 6 2008
By Mark Wilson
1,754 views, 36 comments

Latest by B: @Sam_Zebian: no, in fact the Zune is a huge smash hit! All those people sporting Zunes everywhere, all those iconic black earpieces, a great cultural phenomenon that redefines portable music. GREAT SUCCESS, like Borat says. more »

zune update

Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features

The Zune 2.5 Spring update launches tomorrow, and with it comes purchasable TV shows and even more social networking functions. The big part is more tightly-integrated social stuff—like being able to see your friends' Zune cards inside of the Zune software instead of heading to your browser—the upside of which is automatically getting the full tracks that your friends have recently listened to if you're a Zune Pass subscriber. This takes up about 100 megs per friend card. There's also improvement in the player itself, like the return of auto playlists and the introduction of gapless playback. Wee! More »

11:28 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Jason Chen
14,568 views, 70 comments

Latest by quikboy: This is a great update. Much better than the last one. I hope the Fall update is just as good (maybe with Zune 3?) more »

zunephone

Zune Finding Ways to Work with Danger = Zune Hiptop?

After a presentation at Microsoft's Zune media event, Chris Stephenson, GM of Marketing for Zune, offhandedly mentioned that they're finding ways to integrate and work with Danger's 250-man staff. As a reminder, Danger, who Microsoft bought, is strictly a consumer handset OS maker. No one has officially confirmed the Zune Phone project's existence until now, without a retraction. But this is a step in the right direction.

4:53 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Adrian Covert
3,398 views, 21 comments

Latest by Kamenwati: @LagunaSol: Indeed but wait isn't that what apple does hell don't they all do it more »

announcements

XNA Hits The Zune This May

Our wait for games on the Zune is slowly coming to an end, as Microsoft has announced that XNA (an Xbox 360-light game platform) will come to the Zune this month. Not every title will be supported—Microsoft only has four XNA titles running on the Zune at this very moment—but those that arrive will support up to 8-player ad-hoc wireless gaming (as we mentioned before). Also of note, developers can use the Xbox 360 controller with the XNA software development kit and to map Zune actions to the controller.

Developers only have a measly 16MB of RAM to work with, so don't expect to see anything currayzeee. But it's good to see the Zune and Xbox 360 finally swap some spit. This is just like the series finale of Friends!!

3:59 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Mark Wilson
1,487 views, 7 comments

Latest by quikboy: @YoMommaIsMyMomma: Probably because Apple loves being very closed source. :)@Kaiser-Machead: It's confirmed that this will also work for Zune 30.@Josh: Like I said, it's confirmed to work on the Zune 30. more »

zune gaming

Video: Zune Multiplayer Games In Action

There's a Zune event going on up at the Microsoft event today and the Zune team showed off a few demos of games. Two cool aspects are that Zune XNA games supports 8-player ad-hoc wireless game play, and while there is no 3D hardware acceleration, it can use software rendering for 3D. The demo for the first-person shooter, Potato Chase, put these features on display. More »

3:32 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Adrian Covert
5,350 views, 38 comments

update

Creative Zen Getting Bubblegum Pink Makeover

Looks like the Zune isn't the only PMP to be getting a color makeover, Creative's Zen is in on it too. The new model was spotted at Wal Mart, where it is retailing at $69.99 for a 2GB unit, with no other capacities listed. As far as we can tell, the pink Zen is ready for immediate shipping, despite the fact it is not available at Creative's own online store. The new addition has me thinking it is time for a pink gadget in my arsenal; admit it, you want one as well. [Wal Mart via Geek&Hype; Thanks, pickupjojo!]

11:30 PM on Sun Apr 27 2008
By Haroon Malik
1,409 views, 15 comments

Latest by swerdfeger: @legacye: Ahh, I just looked, and you are correct. Thanks. Poorly planned product shot then... more »

zune

Red Zune 80 Heading to Retail Stores

According to Zune Insider, the Red Zune 80 is starting to show up in retail stores after a stint at Zune Originals. The color must be hot, hot, hot! [Zune Insider]

4:46 PM on Fri Apr 25 2008
By Sean Fallon
1,890 views, 18 comments

microsoft

Windows Sales Way Down, Microsoft Makes Less Money (Vs. Last Year)

Here are the meaty bits in the cold platter of numbers that is Microsoft's quarterly earnings report. Windows sales are way down (the client division, which makes Windows, saw sales drop by 24 percent vs. last year). Office is doing alright, but they're losing their ass on online services. The entertainment division (Zune and Xbox) is balling, with revenue up 68 percent, making Xbox and Zune profitable for almost a year now. But bottom line, Microsoft's income was down 11 percent from last year. [Microsoft, WSJ via Valleywag]

6:33 PM on Thu Apr 24 2008
By matt buchanan
4,199 views, 55 comments

Latest by GadgetPlay: @Brian Lam: No, but I am in the market for a slightly used Ban Hammer. more »

zune

Zune Getting Audible Audio Book Support As Literacy Sheds Another Tear

Paul Thurrott of Microsoft loving fame got a confirmation email from Zune tech support that says Audible compatibility is coming soon. Hurray for people who love listening to words. Here's what the email said: More »

4:00 PM on Mon Apr 21 2008
By Jason Chen
3,073 views, 35 comments

zune

Allen Iverson Special Edition Zunes

Following up on the Joy Division Zune that hit recently, here's an Allen Iverson edition Zune that comes with a pair of Reeboks. Only 60 will be made, highlighting the limited edition nature of this set. UPDATE: Person who submitted this story to Digg says: "Like people who buy Zune watch sports." [Zune Insider]

8:49 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Jason Chen
4,657 views, 26 comments