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This week Microsoft took the wraps off the next Zune, dubbed Zune HD.  It seems to be your basic next-generation touch screen only media player with the common additions of WiFi and an web browser (IE based).  There are some other interesting parts such as a HD Radio tuner, an OLED screen, multitouch, and even HD output at 720p via a dock. The most interesting part of the announcement is not the device, but rather the service.  The Zune Marketplace will now integrate with the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, finally drawing a realistic picture of Microsoft’s “3 screen” vision of the … Continue reading Microsoft Connects the Dots with Zune HD, Zune Marketplace, and Xbox

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE. REDMOND, Wash. — May 26, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is … Continue reading Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Developing… “This month, Microsoft and Netflix, the world’s largest online movie rental service, will offer software that enables Windows Mobile customers to update and view their Netflix movie queue. Changes will appear instantly on Netflix on Xbox LIVE, extending the existing service that launched in November. Xbox 360 is the only game system that lets people instantly watch thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix, many in HD.”

Consumers can now keep the tracks they love. REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 19, 2008 — Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s digital music and entertainment service, today announced landmark agreements with major and independent music labels to bring significant new value to the subscription music model. The Zune Pass subscription service currently gives consumers on-demand access to millions of tracks for $14.99 per month. Starting today subscribers will also get to select 10 tracks per month to keep and add them to their permanent collection (an estimated $10 value). Agreements have been signed between Microsoft and EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal … Continue reading Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model

Remember when I said you would hear more about Zune on mobile phones before the years end?  Well, now you have.  “Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc.,” said Steve Ballmer. Missing Remote has had a few great articles over the past few weeks including a Battle of the Windows Home Server Systems and a letter to Microsoft about what is going on with Media Center.  The article ends with a note to Microsoft asking for them to “go back to the … Continue reading Short Bits: Zune Mobile, Home Servers, TV Pack, More

Media Center users that own Zune’s can see several places where Microsoft forgot to think things through.  Those with the TV Pack installed have a few more, including the fact that Zune 2.0 software can’t do anything with WTV files.  That has now changed with Zune 3.0 software where WTV syncing officially work. Speaking of WTV, Microsoft has finally published some documentation on the format.  The document covers handling WTV files with DirectShow (that includes transcoding). (Via The Green Button).

Internet access provider Wayport enables wireless music downloads for Zune customers in Wi-Fi hot spots at more than 9,800 McDonald’s restaurants. REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 16, 2008 — Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today released its much anticipated free software update that will bring new features to every Zune portable media player. Revealed last week, the new software will allow Zune users to wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store on the go; tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio; and tap into new, personalized music recommendations and programming. To allow … Continue reading Zune Brings Powerful New Entertainment Features to Every Zune Portable Media Player With Software Release

Software update will enable Zune users to tag songs and buy music directly from FM radio and download and stream music on the go beginning Sept. 16. REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 8, 2008 — Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, again revolutionizes how customers discover and connect to the music they love, where and how they want it. Starting next week, every Zune portable media player will let consumers wirelessly download or stream millions of songs on the go from thousands of wireless hot spots around the country. Free, powerful software and firmware updates will give Zune owners … Continue reading Zune Takes Music Discovery to the Next Level With New Ways to Find and Access Digital Music

We don’t even have to wait until tomorrow to find out that the Xbox 360 isn’t getting Blu-ray.  Why?  Because Robbie Bach was asked if Microsoft had plans for Blu-ray to appear in the next generation Xbox (Via Engadget) and answered “No. There is nothing to even talk about right now with regard to the next generation. That is so far out that there isn’t anything to talk about.”  Now I’m sure some of you will tell me that he didn’t deny Xbox 360 with Blu-ray and instead just talked about the next generation, but trust me Blu-ray is not … Continue reading Bach Says No to Blu-ray in Xbox 720, First Party ZunePhone

Remember just last month when I said “I’d like to see companies embrace the fact that DVD is still the mainstream format?”  Based on a story in CED from this past week studios are starting to realize that’s the key, with one Warner exec saying “….64 percent of consumers said having a digital file gives better value.”  This story was about including protected digital copies of films on DVDs (Example) which I think is a great idea and needs to happen much more often (on all DVDs).  Now let’s also see it work the opposite way too, if I buy … Continue reading Short Bits: Digital Copy, tru2way, Big Media