Items tagged with Zune
I’m not ashamed to admit; I used to own a first generation Zune 30, although my particular model was black instead of turd brown. The integrated Wi-Fi was a novelty at the time and I ended up keeping it for about a year (it served me well during its tenure) before I bought a 32GB Apple iPod touch to replace it. Now, nine years after the first generation HDD-based Zune media player was released, and four years after creasing production of its hardware MP3 players altogether, Microsoft is finally shutting down the complementary Zune Music service. The Zune Marketplace was shutdown in November 2013, so we’re surprised that Zune Music lasted this long. So what exactly does this mean if you’re still...
Read more...
As we inch closer to the Windows 8 launch, taking place on October 26th, it's becoming ever-more clear that Microsoft has one seriously ambitious day on its hands. Not even taking into account the fact that Windows 8 is a major shift for Microsoft's OS, the company and its legion of partners will be unveiling the first-ever consumer Windows tablets - and I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering how those will fare next to the iOS and Android models that currently dominate the market. Clearly a sign of the company not having enough on its plate already, rumor has it that Microsoft is set to launch "Xbox Music" on the same day as the Windows 8 launch. As it sounds, this looks to be a music service to...
Read more...
And just like that, on the eve of Apple's iPhone 5 event, the Zune was no more. Microsoft's valiant effort into the world of portable media players seemed to have a snowball's chance in summer at making it, even from the start. Despite a huge marketing effort and a name like Microsoft, trying to crush the iPod, or even match it, seems to be a fool's game at this point. Years back, an astute SanDisk CEO uttered that you "can't out-iPod the iPod." He tried. SanDisk attempted to come out with a wide range of PMPs, none of which reached even a small amount of the success garnered by the iPod. But Microsoft, of all companies, had the best shot. The Zune and the Zune HD were decent players, but they...
Read more...
So, wait. The Zune HD isn't dead? Hmm. After hearing that Microsoft was transitioning away from the Zune HD hardware and focusing more on software, it seemed easy to assume that the Zune as a standalone hardware icon was dead. But that may not quite be the case yet. Microsoft made it pretty clear that Windows Phone 7 would be their focal point this year, and the media integration aspects were taking over for Zune in some sense. But now, DaveMac-MS -- manager of business development for Zune hardware -- is saying something a bit different. He claims that he still has the title just mentioned, which wouldn't be possible if Zune were dead. He was quick to point out that no one at Microsoft has officially...
Read more...
She's dead, Jim. According to a report in SAI, Microsoft has decided to kill off the Zune music player. To be clear, the company will continue to sell existing models. It will not, however, be developing new ones. The original source of the information was Dina Bass, Bloomberg News Tech Reporter. In two Tweets, she said first that Microsoft would eschew any further hardware development on Zunes, but also that Microsoft would take the Zune software and on the Zune software that's used on Windows Phones, Xbox and other devices. Zune was to be Microsoft's answer to the iPod. However, it never took off, despite some respect for its software performance. The ecosystem around iPod,...
Read more...
Given the lackluster success of the Zune line over the years, would anyone really be shocked if Microsoft pulled the plug? We sort of doubt it, and according to reports, the company may be on the verge of doing so. Numerous sites are noticing that Microsoft executives have been hesitant to use the Zune word in discussions, and it's unusual for Microsoft to distance themselves from something they care about dearly and/or are spending valuable marketing resources on. As for the Zune's future? It's all up in the air for now. There could be a rebranding, or there could be an outright execution. With Nokia now in the mix, there's even an outlandish possibility that Ovi Music technology could take...
Read more...
There can be some perks to being an early adopter. In addition to the fun that comes from having the latest and greatest gadget, AT&T plans to reward its customers who purchase a Windows Phone 7 smartphone before the end of the year with a few bonuses. New adopters will get a free Entertainment Pack valued at $29.97. In this Entertainment Pack, you'll get a new 3D puzzle game known as ilomilo, 30 days of free unlimited music service, 10 free songs to keep through one-month Zune Pass trial, and 30 days of free access to download and watch TV shows through U-verse Mobile. After the 30-day trial, U-Verse Mobile will cost $9.99 per month (though you can always cancel it). The promotion begins...
Read more...
Microsoft's Zune platform has been fading from view in most accounts. Apple is still marketing their iPod family heavily, but Microsoft has seemingly given up on pushing the Zune line of music players. Just like everyone else. It has proven extremely tough to even compete with Apple at all in the music business, and even Microsoft has all but conceded. But that doesn't mean that Microsoft is giving up support of those who still believe in Zune. Along with the Windows Phone 7 launch this week, Microsoft also released Zune Software version 4.7, which adds support for the new mobile operating system. Zune Marketplace version 4.7 media player and synchronization software (v4.7) is now available,...
Read more...
Microsoft's Zune HD sure has seen a difficult road. No matter how hard the company tried, they never could gain ground on Apple. The iPod has proven too strong for even Microsoft's marketing powers, and now it's rare to hear anything about the player at all. Microsoft is still making them, but they're hardly marketing it; at this point, the iPod has simply taken over, and as SanDisk's CEO pointed out a few years back, it's hard to "out iPod the iPod." But that's not to say the Zune HD is dead. United Airlines has just given the media player a new lease on life thanks to a partnership that will place Zune HDs into the hands of patrons. Reportedly, United will host around 500 Zune players on extra-long...
Read more...
Netbooks, smartbooks, mobile devices, and tablets were a major focus of Computex earlier this month but the number of Tegra devices on display was surprisingly low, given how much weight NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has thrown behind the company's mobile platform.The Microsoft Zune HD was supposed to be the first of a series of high-profile Tegra devices—rumors that the next-generation Nintendo 3DS would be NVIDIA-powered were dispelled recently when dark horse candidate Digital Media Professionals (DMP) announced that its heretofore unknown Pica200 GPU would provide the handheld's 3D hardware. There are still Tegra and Tegra 2 devices in the pipeline from various manufacturers (NVIDIA claims...
Read more...
As if oftentimes the case, where there is smoke, there is fire short behind. Just a few days after the rumor-mill began to suggest that Microsoft's J Allard, who was senior vice president of Design and Development for Entertainment & Devices, would be leaving Microsoft, that is exactly what has become official. But that's not all. Microsoft has this week revealed that J Allard is indeed heading for the exits after 19 years at Microsoft, but rather than heading out for good, he'll be taking "an official role as an advisor in a strategic role for CEO Steve Ballmer and his leadership team." Ballmer had only kind words to say about J when making the announcement, saying that "J has brought a...
Read more...
When you hear "Microsoft," you probably think of a few things: Windows, for one. Bill Gates is another. Maybe even Steve Ballmer, the company's current CEO. But unless you're a loyal follower of the company, you may not be familiar with J Allard. But you should be. This guy has had a hand in many, many Microsoft projects, and a lot of those have hit the retail world. In other words, he has more impact in how your Microsoft product looks and acts than most people realize. His official title, even now, is "Chief Experience Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Entertainment and Devices Division." That's a long and fancy way of saying that he's way up the totem pole when it comes to molding Microsoft's...
Read more...
Microsoft plans to launch a 64GB version of its Zune HD on April 12th via the Zune online store. With this new model, Microsoft claims you'll be able to store up to 16,000 songs or 20 hours of high definition video on the media player. With the announcement of the new model, Microsoft is also lowering the estimated retail price for the 16GB and 32GB models by $20, making them $199.99 and $269.99, respectively. Microsoft also mentioned a v4.5 firmware update that will add the ability to browse, stream, and acquire music from Zune Marketplace on your TV; Smart DJ auto-playlists; and expanded codec support. Unfortunately, the company didn't give us a release date, only saying more news about the...
Read more...
If you have been looking to free your mind of daily troubles and drift away into Xbox LIVE land, you should probably do it soon. Microsoft is sending out announcements ahead of time in order to let its loyal fanbase know that all Zune Marketplace services will be down for around a day or so, starting this evening. Your existing video library will remain available, but for 24 hours starting at 10PM (PT) tonight, you won't be able to buy new content, play games, download certain updates, etc. So don't flip out when things go down, okay? This is supposed to happen. Just go ahead and pound that into your head (though it won't make living without your precious Zune Marketplace for a full day any easier).As...
Read more...
So look, Microsoft's Zune HD looks promising. Really promising, even. But promising enough that it shouldn't give the general population any other choices in the Zune range? That's evidently the case, as news has surfaced asserting that Microsoft is planning to kill off its entire Zune range save for the forthcoming Zune HD. At first take, this seems like a really odd decision. The Zune HD is great for high-end users who will appreciate an OLED display and a premium design, but what about lower-end users who just need a basic music player but would love to give Microsoft $14.99 per month in order to have access to the Zune Pass music subscription service? Even Apple, a company notorious for giving...
Read more...
There's little doubt that the hype surrounding Microsoft's Zune HD far exceeds that which surrounded the original Zune. The design is far superior, the technology is cutting edge (HD Radio, OLED display, etc.) and far more is at stake. Microsoft didn't exactly hit a home run with the original Zune, but if the Zune HD crashes and burns in much the same way, who knows if the software giant will even bother to try its hand at Apple's game again? In order to really launch an all out assault on Apple's iPod touch, Microsoft has also enlisted the help of NVIDIA. An odd partner in the portable media player business, but one that could prove all the more viable in the coming months and years. Unlike...
Read more...
Well, well--turns out those pricing leaks from Amazon the other day were legitimate, and now Microsoft has stepped in to confirm what most of the tech-savvy world already knew. The company's next-generation Zune, and arguably the iPod's most serious competition to date, will begin to ship to US customers on September 15th, or just over a month from today.For those who can't wait to get in on the action, a slew of retailers and e-tailers are offering consumers the ability to pre-order the device, which will be made available in 16GB and 32GB capacities. The world's first touch-screen Zune will boast HD Radio support (a first for a portable music player outside of Insignia's NS-HD01) and it will,...
Read more...
Amazon.com has, via a pre-order page, confirmed already leaked prices from a Best Buy tipster for the upcoming Zune HD. The price will be $220 for 16GB and $290 for 32GB. The highlights of the new device, which still appears headed to a Sept. 8th intro, from Amazon's page, are: Touchscreen: Get quick and instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3-inch screen and vivid 16:9 OLED display (480x272 resolution), premium entertainment is at your fingertips.HD Radio: Tune into your favorite stations with crystal-clear reception. With an integrated HD Radio receiver, you can access a variety of HD Radio stations at no additional cost. Plus, tag the songs you like for later...
Read more...
A high-definition version of the Zune, Zune HD, which we wrote about earlier when images and specs were leaked to the Web, has been finally confirmed by Microsoft. For more on our earlier speculation, check out our own Daniel Beguns' conversation with TechVi's Randall Bennett and Macworld's David Chartier here. As far as official word from Microsoft goes, the Zune HD appears targeted at Apple's iPod Touch. For one, the Zune HD will finally get a browser. Microsoft also notes that Zune HD will feature an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, but if leaked specs for the next-gen iPhone are correct, it won't be long before the iPod Touch has a similar screen. Other highlights, according...
Read more...
After images of Microsoft's supposedly forthcoming Zune HD leaked out to the web this past weekend, many technology critics have spent the past few days debating whether or not the mythical device has the chops to knock Apple from its throne. Or to even give it a scare, really.Our very own Daniel Begun sat down with TechVi's Randall Bennett and Macworld's David Chartier to discuss this very topic, focusing on what software and hardware changes Microsoft would need to include in the Zune HD for it to be considered a formidable rival. We won't spoil the fun for you, but we will direct you down to the video below for what Mr. Begun had to say. After you've tuned in, why not chime in with a few ideas...
Read more...
In what is the first such bug we can recall, where devices of one type worldwide have seemingly frozen, 30GB Zunes globally are freezing. Reports are the freezing issue is only affecting 30GB Zunes. It has also been reported (though unconfirmed) that the freeze is isolated to the 3.1 firmware.This has to be the greatest New Year's gift ever for a large tech company. Wait, it's not New Year's yet, you may say. Ah, but it would be, if it were not for Leap Year. And that is a solid theory that has been posited. Some are theorizing that the bug is because of Leap Year, due to the almost synchronized wave of failing Zunes crossing the world as the time zones all entered...
Read more...
Swiss air rescue organization Rega says that an MP3 player was the key to locating two lost French tourists. No, the two weren't found by rescuers listening for music. Rather, the light from the display of the MP3 player was enough for rescues to home in on. Rega said it received a distress call from the French tourists late Friday. Unfortunately, the phone battery went dead before they could be located. The tourists, one a skier and one a snowboarder, got themselves lost late Friday outside marked runs near the resort of Savognin in southeast Switzerland. According to Gery Baumann, Rega spokesman: "The two winter sports enthusiasts were found by the crew of the Rega helicopter shortly after...
Read more...
