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Monday, October 11, 2010

Zune Desktop Software Client Update to 4.7

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Zune Software" @ 10:20 AM

http://www.zune.net

Today is Windows Phone 7 launch day, and as such, there's a new Zune desktop client ready for you to download; it's version 4.7, and it brings with it a lot of user interface tweaks. I've just installed it and am checking it out now...and I'm seeing more than a few ugly surprises. Here's the official word from the Zune's PR people:

"As you may know, the Zune experience is built directly into the Music+Video hub on every Windows Phone 7, providing a great media experience on the handsets for personal media collection playback, as well as the ability to stream millions of songs wirelessly with a Zune Pass subscription in the US, UK, France, Italy and Spain. In addition, the Zune software will serve as the Windows-based PC sync client for the handsets allowing a user to manage and transfer their media between PCs and Windows Phone 7 handsets.

In support of the forthcoming availability of Windows Phone 7, we are beginning to roll out the updated Zune PC software (version 4.7) today. Zune PC software will be available to download for free from Zune.net. By having access to the software now, consumers around the world can familiarize themselves with all that Zune has to offer and get ready for Windows Phone 7.

The Zune PC software provides a best-in-class experience to manage, discover and enjoy digital media with a variety of exclusive features including new enhancements such as:

• First Connect: provides a simple out-of-the box experience for Windows Phone 7 customers with automatic updates to Zune content upon initial connection

• HD Streaming Video: enables instant-on HD video streaming available on your Windows-based PC for many rented and purchased videos

• Photo Sync: allows a smoother process for transferring photos from a Windows Phone to your Windows-based PC

• Sync Media: lets users purchase music and videos through Windows Phone 7 and sync content with their Windows-based PC

• Parental Controls & Rating on Videos: gives parents more control of available content streamed or downloaded to a phone

Additionally, customers in the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain will also be able to use the Zune software to access the Zune Marketplace - a one stop shop for music, videos and more. Customers in the UK, France, Italy and Spain will also be able to subscribe to Zune Pass for £8.99/9.99 to get unlimited downloads and streaming access to the Zune music catalogue using the Zune PC software.

For more information around the international availability of Zune services, click here. For more information on the new Zune PC software, please visit www.zune.net"

More to come...


Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Can a New Zune Survive in the Wild?

Posted by Damion Chaplin in "Zune Talk" @ 02:00 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20070427/tc_pcworld/131337;_ylt=AuSi2.0FScWEzp9jE.hezjEjtBAF

"More types of Microsoft Corp. Zune music players are in the works, but some analysts are unsure whether new form factors or functions will significantly boost Zune's popularity. Microsoft sees three main categories in the sector, and all of them are important as the company develops new Zunes, said Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Zune. The three categories include higher-end video players, mid-range music-centric devices such as the iPod Nano and low-end USB devices such as the iPod Shuffle, he said. "We think of [the Zune] as a broad entertainment offer that is driven by music at the moment," he said. "We will start to play more aggressively in a broader number of categories." The current Zune is just the "tip of the iceberg," he said. In the next month or so, Microsoft plans to reveal more about its vision for the future of Zune, he said."

Do we need more Zune options? Yes. Should they be clones of the Shuffle, Nano and Video iPods? Not necessarily. There's no doubt that a $99 Zune 'shuffle' would sell well, but I really think the people who buy Shuffles are looking to buy the cheapest unit that carries the name iPod. I'll admit the Nano is just about the perfect audio-centric MP3 player and there really should be a Zune equivalent. The current Zune could be considered the contemporary of the iPod Video, though that's arguable. So yeah, I think additional Zune models would be beneficial, though I have my doubts about a Zune phone. Please just don't orphan my current Zune.

Tags: video, nano, shuffle, new, model

Thursday, April 19, 2007

New Zune Features Announced on May 1st?

Posted by Damion Chaplin in "Zune Talk" @ 12:00 PM

http://www.cliczune.com/2007/04/new_zune_featur.html

"We know that May 1st was the targeted date for the Pink Zune. For some unknown reason, the date was preceded by two weeks. We also learn from Jason Reindorp that a new marketing campaign was going to be launch in May and a watermelon red Zune should be expected a few weeks after the launch of the light-pink Zune. David Caulton (Zunester.com) said that new features should be expected during spring 2007 and that podcasts are a top priority. What we didn't know is that Christina Calio, Director of Music Marketing for Zune, is going to make an important speech at the Digital NARM on May 1st at 5pm. Digital NARM is a two-day event to be held as part of InSights & Sounds.07 in Chicago on May 1st and 2nd. What is even more important is that her speech's title says: "Attendees will hear exciting updates on developments in Microsoft's new innovative device." Exciting? What could be considered exciting? Podcast support? New content on the Zune Marketplace? Videos and Movies? Microsoft points rewards for sharing?"

"Exciting updates on developments"? Now why doesn't that inspire confidence? They're not even saying a new feature will be announced, just a progress report on their progress. But maybe I'm just being cynical. So, let the speculation begin! What features do you think they'll announce? Wi-Fi implementation that temps me to actually turn the wireless radio on? One can only hope...

Tags: features, new, narm

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

NYT Attacks DRM

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Talk" @ 05:15 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/business/yourmoney/14digi.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

"Even if you are ready to pledge a lifetime commitment to the iPod as your only brand of portable music player or to the iPhone as your only cellphone once it is released, you may find that FairPlay copy protection will, sooner or later, cause you grief. You are always going to have to buy Apple stuff. Forever and ever. Because your iTunes will not play on anyone else’s hardware. Unlike Apple, Microsoft has been willing to license its copy-protection software to third-party hardware vendors. But copy protection is copy protection: a headache only for the law-abiding. Microsoft used to promote its PlaysForSure copy-protection standard, but there must have been some difficulty with the “for sure” because the company has dropped it in favor of an entirely new copy-protection standard for its new Zune player, which, incidentally, is incompatible with the old one."



Randall Stross at The New York Times has written a two-page article that attacks DRM - in particular, that of closed ecosystems such as the iPod/iPhone and Zune. Have a read through it and tell us whether you agree or disagree.


Friday, December 1, 2006

Hello World!

Posted by Michael Boutros in "Zune Thoughts Site Updates" @ 12:30 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Michael Boutros and I am the latest Contributing Editor-in-Training here at Zune Thoughts. I am from Alexandria, Egypt, but live in Toronto, Canada, and I am madly in love with all things technology. I am currently a student, but most of the time I'm not studying. :P

I started out as a Zune-hater. I labeled that ugly "thing" as some iPod knock-off. However, I soon started reading more and more about the Zune, and I am now an official addict. Since I'm a Canuck I don't have a Zune just yet, but plan to pick one up when I head stateside for my vacation.

I am honoured to be given this position to write for Zune Thoughts. Since I am a bit of a newbie, please forgive if my first few posts seem a bit blurry. Rest assured, I'm working on it!


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