Report: Microsoft Points Will Be Phased Out - PC Magazine
Microsoft Abandoning MS Points For Xbox Live, Zune, Windows Phone - Cinema Blend
Five New Features For The Xbox 720 - VGChartz
Is your phone faster than a Windows Phone? - ZDNet (blog)
Zune: Standing the Test of Time - Zunited
Awesome Tapes: Cassette Doc Forthcoming Via Kickstarter... Hopefully! - Spin Magazine
digital music player - CNET (blog)
The Best Music Applications For Your Windows Phone - everythingWM
Microsoft, Why Are You Still Using Microsoft Points? - FleshEatingZipper
What !f - Now Available on iTunes, Android and Zune - Cycle News
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Download Zune HD Firmware Update 4.3 to Enable Free 3D Games
Microsoft has just released a new firmware update 4.3 for the Zune HD which enables 3D gaming. Along with the update, six new free 3D games are available for download. Download the 4.3 update with your Zune Desktop software: Settings > Device > Player Update. Update now and add a new dimension to your Zune HD.
Download Free 3D Games for Zune HD
Over the weekend we pushed out a Zune HD firmware update, version 4.3, which enabled 3-D gaming on Zune HD. Today six new games are available in the Zune Marketplace. The new games take advantage of Zune HD's beautiful multi-touch OLED screen and accelerometer and some (Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt and Vans Sk8: Pool Service) utilize the powerful NVIDIA Tegra processor to deliver immersive, 3D gaming to Zune HD. As with the other games offered for Zune, these games are available for free to Zune HD users and feature a short ad at start-up.
Audiosurf Tilt: Audiosurf creates a rollercoaster ride from any song. Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect colored blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and color palette.
Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition: Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York in the Ferrari of your choice using multi touch controls and the built in accelerometer.
Vans Sk8: Pool Service: From the Admiral to the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl to skate. Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag and achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards.
Checkers: Enjoy the classic game of Checkers in a beautiful outdoor park setting. Play against the computer or against a friend.
Lucky Lanes Bowling: Bowl in different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes, all with the swipe of a finger. Choose from twenty different bowlers and twenty two different ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.
Piano: Play your own tune, or play along with your favorite music on this electronic piano.
- Videos by: Generation MP3
- Source: Zune Forums November 12, 2009
Microsoft Zune HD Hands-On Video from PC Magazine
PC Magazine takes a detailed look at the upcoming new Zune HD 32GB and all the new features in this video preview.
- Source: PC Magazine August 11, 2009Zune HD Now Available for Pre-order
Zune HD, the next generation of Microsoft Corp.’s portable digital media player, is available now for pre-order and is set to hit store shelves on Sept. 15. The player, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, is the first touch-screen Zune and includes powerful playback technology to give you a different way to experience media on the go. Combined with unparalleled PC software and online services such as Zune Pass, Zune provides a rich and meaningful connection to music, videos, podcasts and more.
Zune HD Features:
- Built-in HD Radio™ receiver.
- HD video output capabilities.
- OLED touch screen.
- Built-in Wi-Fi.
- Internet browser.
Shop for Zune HD and Accessories - Source: Microsoft August 13, 2009
Zune 3.0 New Software Update Released
The new Zune 3.0 software is now available as a free update for all Zune owners. Download now to check out all the new Zune features such as wireless music downloads, games, Zune Channels, Mixview, Picks personal recommendations and Buy from FM.
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 customers to take full advantage of the new wireless functionality, Zune today announced that it is working with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport Inc. to deliver Zune users free, wireless access to the Zune Marketplace from more than 9,800 participating McDonald's restaurants across the U.S.
Along with the new features come new Zune colors: blue, red, pink and green available online exclusively at Zune Originals.
- Source: Microsoft September 16, 2008Valgard's Fate an Action RPG for Zune
If you're a Zune gamer and a fan of the old hack n' slash classics, be sure to keep an eye out for Valgard's Fate. Follow the development of this new Zune RPG by DiNo Games on the official Valgard's Fate Blog. The work-in-progress development video below shows off the character creation and gameplay of this very promising dungeon crawler.
- September 16, 2008Zune Game Development with XNA Game Studio
Get into game design with Microsoft's XNA Game Studio 3.0 Community Technology Preview. To get started, follow the guide here, then take a look at this sample game, Alien Game.
More tips and details can be found in the Game Studio 3.0 CTP/Zune Game Development FAQ. Visit and join the XNA Community Forums to meet other game creators, ask questions and preview the latest Zune games under development. Michael Klucher's Blog also has great coverage of Zune community game development.
- September 16, 2008Joy Division Limited Edition Zune Player
On June 17, Zune will release a limited edition, Joy Division-themed 80GB media player designed by legendary Factory Records artist Peter Saville. The Zune player, which utilizes an adaptation of Saville's artwork for Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures
The 80GB Joy Division player -- of which only 500 will be sold -- will retail for $399, and will be available through Zune Originals.
- Source: SPIN June 5, 2008
Zune 3 Third Generation Coming to Europe in 2009
Microsoft is gearing up for a worldwide release of the Zune 3 in 2009, according to reports.
The Zune is currently only sold in North America, but according to Les Echos, Microsoft France's director Francois Ruault says that will change with the worldwide release of Zune 3 in 2009.
According to the report, Microsoft will also be opening a new version of its Zune Marketplace and, intriguingly, the paper goes onto suggest that owners of Windows Mobile 7 devices will also be able to utilise Zune content and services, though details remain sketchy.
- Source: PC Pro March 15, 2008Windows Mobile 7 Touch and Motion Gestures Details Leaked
Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast.
Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not. It will not use an intricate and complicated series of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead, it will use the camera on the phone to detect motions and create appropriate actions. You will be able to shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone and get things done
- Source: InsideMicrosoft March 15, 2008New Zune Second Generation Players Available - 80GB, 8GB and 4GB
Tomorrow, consumers ready for a richer, more connected and more personal entertainment experience will have the first opportunity to get their hands on sleek new Zune players, redesigned Zune software, and new online services including the Zune Marketplace and Zune Social, an online music community. The players -- along with dozens of accessories -- will be available at retailers across the United States, while the new Zune software will be available for free download at http://www.zune.net.
For the first time, consumers also will have the option to customize their Zune player with laser-engraved designs and personal text through a new Web store called Zune Originals. Customers will be able to purchase a Zune player directly from Microsoft at http://www.zuneoriginals.net and choose from a collection of laser-engraved artwork designed exclusively for Zune by 18 internationally recognized artists.
- Source: Microsoft November 12, 2007Zune DVD and Video Converter - Free Download
Download the Free Trial version of this easy-to-use Zune Video Converter Suite. With this Zune Video Converter Suite, you can convert both DVDs and video files to the Zune video format. Enjoy all your favorite DVD and video files on the go with your Microsoft Zune player!
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Zune on MySpace - Add Zune Widgets to your MySpace Page
Check out the new widgets on the Zune MySpace page. You can add a Zune player photo viewer and a music player to your MySpace page. Click here to add Zune to your MySpace Friends.
- Source: MySpace November 19, 2007Download the New Zune Preloaded Content
If you've deleted content that was preloaded on your Zune 4GB, Zune 8GB, or Zune 80GB, you can download it from Zune.net, add it to your collection, and re-sync it to your Zune.
- Make sure you have at least 450 MB free storage space.
- Right-click here, select Save Target As, and choose a folder in which to download the compressed WinZip file.
- Double-click the downloaded file to open it.
- Copy or move each of the main subfolders--Pictures, Podcasts, Videos, and Zune Gems (music)--to a folder that the Zune software monitors for each media format, adding the Pictures folder to a monitored folder for pictures, and so on.
- To view or update your monitored folders, go to the Zune software's collection settings.
- Connect your Zune and sync your new content.
Zune 80GB 2nd Gen Details
For uncompromised portable video and audio playback, Zune 80GB combines a beautiful 3.2-inch screen, innovative touch controls, wireless capabilities and premium headphones with storage for up to 20,000 songs, 25,000 pictures or 250 hours of video.2 Enjoy your music, videos, pictures and podcasts -- wherever and whenever you want. Listen to your favorite radio station with the built-in FM tuner or wirelessly share tracks with your friends3 to discover new music on the go. Browse the Zune Marketplace to choose from millions of songs, albums, DRM-free (without digital rights management) MP3s, music videos, podcasts and more.
Buy the Zune 80 GB 2nd Generation Now
Zune 4GB and 8GB 2nd Gen Details
Super slim and ultra-portable, Zune 4GB and Zune 8GB make it easy to take your music, videos, pictures and podcasts wherever you go. Listen to your favorite radio station with the built-in FM tuner or wirelessly share tracks with your friends2 to discover new music on the go. Browse the Zune Marketplace to choose from millions of songs, albums, DRM-free (without digital rights management) MP3s, music videos, podcasts and more.
Buy the Zune 8 GB 2nd Generation Now