Zunes News
Google's music download store could come by Christmas - HitFix (blog)
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Zune Pass For UK Unveiled - I4U
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Hands On with Apple iTunes Ping - PC Magazine
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Rumor Alert: Microsoft Developing New Zune HD Model - Erictric
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Jobs demos iPod, iTunes, Apple TV updates (video roundup) - CNET (blog)
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Apple patches 13 iTunes security holes - ZDNet (blog)
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The Most Disappointing Sansa Fuze+ Unboxing Ever - Anything But iPod (blog)
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What's hot (and not) about Windows Phone 7 - CNET
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Microsoft launches Bing search app for Android - CNET (blog)
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How to Tell If Your Boss is Lying - BNET (blog)
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Find where to Buy a Cheap Zunes!
Info on Zunes:
Zunes is an umbrella term from
Microsoft that will cover the upcoming portable media player, the software that
will drive the device and a service for acquiring and sharing media. The project
was previously known as codename Argo. The Zunes is currently under production at
the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
It was previously thought that Zunes was one of Microsoft's media players under
"Project Argo", similar to Apple's iPod family. However, it now seems that the "Zunes"
brand will be used for all media players and other services, throughout the new
project.
In an interview with Billboard, Chris Stephenson of MSN Entertainment Business
affirmed that first device is planned to include Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless
Internet access, with the ability for users to transfer files wirelessly and
share files between each other. Billboard also reports that other devices are
planned for release under the Zunes brand, including a portable video player. A
rumored portable gaming device has not been confirmed.
Xbox branding
Certain reports have suggested that the Zunes will carry the Xbox branding. These
reports also suggest that there is a portable gaming system in the works, much
like the Sony PSP. Analysts predict that Microsoft will debut a portable console
in 2007/2008. This device is speculated to be released as part of the Zunes
initiative.
J Allard, creator of the Xbox 360, is rumored to be overseeing development.
iTunes
Microsoft is said to be offering the chance to swap already-purchased songs from
the iTunes Music Store, in exchange for WMA versions, for playback on Zunes. This
would help iPod and iTunes users move to Zunes, as Apple's FairPlay content
protection scheme that protects iTunes Music Store purchases is not available on
any non-Apple software or device.
One intriguing rumor is that Microsoft would offer iTunes Music Store's
customers the option to repurchase all the songs they've bought as protected
Windows Media files. This would certainly be a bold move that would remove one
of Apple customers' barriers to entry, but it smacks of the kind of
win-at-all-costs freebiemania of the dotcom era. Surely, there are already
customers who have spent hundreds of dollars or more at the iTunes Music Store.
Completely reimbursing those customers would essentially amount to giving the
player away. Imagine if Microsoft had offered a free Xbox game for every
PlayStation 2 game purchased when it entered the video game console market.
Online store
Microsoft is rumored to have plans for an online music service. It would offer
two options, the first being a monthly subscription where users could listen to
any songs in the Zunes music store library for as long as the user is subscribed.
Also, subscribers to this option of service would also be able to share their
own music and playlists with other Zunes subscribers. The other option would be
like every other music store where individual songs could be purchased for
permanent download.
The Zunes service is also intended to give artists many ways to connect directly
to the service's users such as having weekly updates from the artists to fans.
Hardware
In the week-and-a-half since the rumors sprung up, all sorts of details about
what is being dubbed the Zunes have emerged. Reportedly, the player will have a
click-wheel interface similar to that of the iconic iPod. However, the hardware
inside is reportedly much beefier. It will run Windows Mobile on a 400MHz DSP
processor, contain a 30GB hard drive, and built-in WiFi.
Price
If the rumors are true—and our sources at Microsoft have chosen to remain silent
on the issue—we can expect to see a full-featured mobile device from Microsoft
that's tied into its URGE music venture and will support music, video, playing
games, and possibly even satellite radio. The price point is rumored to be
US$399, the same as the high-end iPod, but the Zunes will only have a 30GB drive
inside. If Microsoft actually is developing an iPod killer—and we think there is
a large dose of truth to the reports—expect to see it just in time for the
holiday shopping frenzy. Whether it will be enough to grab 20 percent of the
iPod market, as Microsoft reportedly hopes, remains to be seen.
Hype campaign
On July 21, 2006, several news sites reported that Microsoft launched a viral
video marketing campaign for Zunes. The site, ComingZunes.com features a short
animation of a man, a rabbit, and a very small person with Regina Spektor's song
"Us" in the background, followed by the official Zunes logo and a form to sign up
for updates. Various claims have been made that the site is a fake, and not
associated with Microsoft.
