120 GB Zune Confirmed

Not much to see here, but I just got word from Zune team member Cesar Menendez (of Zune Insider fame) that the 120 GB Zune we saw in the FCC docs is official:

"You’ve probably all seen about 120GB @the FCC- and just wanted to send you a note to confirm that is indeed part of the plan. There’s definitely more details coming in the way of new software and hardware, pricing etc."

Source: www.zunethoughts.com

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Sub Pop Launches Exclusive Content and Offerings on Zune Marketplace

Sub Pop Records, one of the most influential and prominent indie labels in history with releases from influential artists such as Nirvana, the Afghan Whigs, the Shins, and Band of Horses, is currently being featured on Zune Marketplace in conjunction with their 20th Anniversary. This focus on Sub Pop includes exclusive video podcasts, special Guestlist picks by Sub Pop staff, and of course an amazing collection of Sub Pop tunes that stretch over the past two decades. In addition, consumers can get $2.00 off every album from the Seattle independent label for a limited time.

To start things off, check out the "Sub Pop Collection: A to Z"  a definitive collection  featuring  220 standout tracks from Sub Pop’s first 20 years and amounting to over 13 hours of music. From the first Green River album to the umpteenth Mudhoney full-length, the playlist covers the entire Sub Pop catalog and is a great introduction to the label’s wide spectrum.

Next up is the Sub Pop 20 Podcasts, which include exclusive video footage found only on Zune Marketplace. The episodes include a personal tour of the Sub Pop offices by warehouse manager and Mudhoney frontman Mark Arm as well as video interviews and live performance clips from Sub Pop artists No Age, The Heilo Sequence, Kinski, Fleet Foxes, Eugene Mirman, Pissed Jeans and Fastbacks’ Kim Warnick, filmed backstage and onstage during the Sup Pop 20 anniversary festival at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington last month.

Source- Zune Press Release

Visit NBCOlympics.com on MSN and Watch the Summer Games You Want, When You Want

NBCOlympics.com on MSN is the exclusive U.S. online destination for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. A number of Microsoft Corp. teams have worked together to create a rich and immersive experience for Olympic fans that enables them to watch the summer games they want, when they want. MSN, Silverlight, Windows Media Center, Zune and Xbox all provide unique options that let viewers experience the Olympics in a way they never have before.

What: Check out NBCOlympics.com on MSN and watch more than 3,500 hours of live and on-demand video that will let you experience the Games like never before. Now, you can conveniently watch the games you want, when you want whether you are at home, at work or on the go.

•MSN. NBCOlympics.com on MSN is the best destination to catch all the action with a 24×7 Olympics module on the MSN home page, complete with the latest news, live medal counts, statistics and videos that will make catching up on your favorite event or athlete quick and easy. Now, sports fans can keep the adrenaline pumping with non-stop action, news and videos on MSN.

•Silverlight. Silverlight 2 enables NBC to provide online viewers with Olympics content in a rich, interactive viewing experience that includes some of the highest-quality video on the Web today. Users can view up to four events at the same time with picture-in-picture controls, and customize the player to capture their favorite events. In addition, dynamic overlays will provide expert commentary, and users also will be able to access statistics, play-by-play captioning, and athlete profiles through Silverlight as they watch their favorite event.

•Windows Media Center. Olympic enthusiasts can take NBC’s coverage of Olympic events wherever they go with “NBC Olympics on the Go,” powered by Wavexpress’ TVTonic Internet video, a free service that allows sports fans to download NBC Olympics video of their favorite sports to their laptops in up-to-high-definition quality. Fans who are looking for the highlights from Beijing will be able to download these videos through “NBC Direct.”

•Xbox. During the Olympics, users will have access to a daily wrap-up of the day’s events from NBC Sports. Wrap-up content will be priced at $1.99 under the NBC Network, with a complete Olympic wrap-up available at the end of the Games.

•Zune. On Aug. 8, Zune Marketplace will kick off a series of daily 2008 Olympic Games videos from NBC Sports, giving viewers special on-the-go access to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. For approximately 99 cents–$1.99 per episode (with post-Games content TBD), footage will include memorable highlights from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, “best of” compilations, “best match” replays and a post-Games wrap-up feature. Users will be able to download each episode onto their Zune device for viewing whenever and wherever they go.

•Live Search. Live Search will provide an xRank of Olympic athletes showing which athletes are being searched for the most on Live Search, who is on the rise and who is declining in search popularity. It will also provide detailed “instant answers” on Olympics-specific search queries performed at Live.com or via Web search on NBCOlympics.com on MSN. Queries to try include an athlete’s name or “Olympic medals,” or medals for <country> and/or <sport> e.g., “Medals for USA” or “USA medals for swimming.”

Source- Microsoft Press Release

Ximena Sariñana Becomes First Latin Artist For Zune Ignition Program

Mexican singer / actress Ximena Sariñana is the latest artist to be featured in the Zune Ignition program, and has released the track “Mediocre Piano” exclusively on Zune Marketplace as a companion feature to the full album download of her latest release Mediocre. Zune Marketplace is also offering fans the free track “Cambio de Piel,” an exclusive Guestlist featuring tracks hand-picked by Ximena Sariñana herself, and a track-by-track Breakdown of her new album. In addition, the video for “Vidas Paralelas” is available for free download on Xbox Live and streaming on MSN music.

The Zune Ignition program gives recording artists with new releases a unique channel to potentially reach tens of millions of consumers. For the first time, the program features a Latin based artist, which reflects the changing music habits of its online consumers. The promotion added Ximena Sariñana to the onsite sponsorship of Zune at the 2008 Latin Alternative Music Conference, where she was hosted in the Zune lounge to conduct onsite media interviews complemented by her first US live performance at the Bowery Ballroom.

Microsoft has packaged promotional opportunities across Zune, Xbox and MSN to help artists efficiently reach consumers in all three audiences. Ignition provides a steady stream of new music through online access to exclusive content, free songs and video downloads, streaming videos, editorial features, and artist playlists. Zune is the only digital entertainment brand that delivers an all-in-one experience featuring a portable media player, online store + music community, and DRM-free Mp3s. With Zune Pass, consumers can explore millions of tracks for the price of one CD ($14.99) per month.

• Download “Mediocre Piano” from the Zune Marketplace at:  http://social.zune.net/my/ContentRedirect.ashx?mtype=Album&ArtistName=Ximena+Sari%c3%b1ana&AlbumName=Mediocre+(Bonus+Track)&mid=c54fe700-0100-11db-89ca-0019b92a3933&CampaignID=1
• Check out Ximena Sariñana’s Zune artist page at:  http://social.zune.net/artistdetails.aspx?aid=2e810d00-0600-11db-89ca-0019b92a3933
• Visit Ximena Sariñana’s official Web site at: http://www.ximenamusic.com

Source- Zune Press Release

Zune phone really in the works at Microsoft?

The success of the iPhone, both the original and the recently released 3G model, has fueled rumors that Microsoft is working internally on a similar phone built on the Zune audio player.  The Zune player has failed to compete against the iPod family as grandly perhaps as Microsoft wished but perhaps the folks in Redmond believe a phone version might change that.

We have totally unconfirmed information from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous that Microsoft is indeed working on a Zune phone.  This source had information about a meeting this week in Redmond that was planning a Zune phone to compete with the iPhone.  According to this information the Zune phone will be based on a specialized variant of Windows Mobile 7 and key functionality will be centered around WIndows Live Services.

Source: jkontherun

Games for Windows LIVE Multiplayer now FREE

Introducing Games for Windows – LIVE, the free gaming service built for Windows that makes great Windows games even better. With Games for Windows – LIVE, you get an online identity – called a gamertag – and a friends list that works across multiple games, the XBOX 360, and even the Zune music service. You can easily find and communicate with your friends online with text and voice chat. Earn achievements and Gamerscore that lets you track and compare your accomplishments.

Play multiplayer games with your friends, or play against new opponents online using our exclusive TrueSkill™ matchmaking system – with other Windows® players or with or against XBOX 360 players (in supported games.)

All of this is possible today – and at no charge.

Source- Gamesforwindows

Microsoft Takes Over The Green Button

Today is a big day for the Media Center community, and as speculated upon way too much The Green Button has become an official Microsoft web property!

So what does this mean? A few things, starting with increased Microsoft interaction that nearly everyone told us was so important. When Jessica Zahn left to join the Zune team, she collectively broke the hearts of all TGB members who lost the opportunity to get direct Microsoft feedback, but fear not increased Microsoft presence will come with the acquisition of The Green Button.

Next up on the list, ads are gone! Google AdWords and all pop-up text ads are gone (Plug: advertisers looking to target the Media Center community should consider advertising here), so everyone can enjoy the perks of a community built on members and not non-Media Center related pop-ups.

Other changes will be coming, but as the official announcement states Microsoft is not looking to shut down or limit your freedom of speech on The Green Button. I will still be a moderator as will Mike and the rest of the gang, so nothing will change in your ability to criticize Microsoft for poor decisions and have your voice heard (and as always, attacks directed at members or Microsoft employees will not be allowed).

Please let me know what you think of the change, but I think the increased funding and potential for direct communication will benefit all!

Source- Chris Lanier’s Blog

Zune Arts Unveils Graphic Novel Written by Steve Niles

Zune Arts, a creative collective curated by Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s integrated digital entertainment brand, today released “The Lost Ones,” a graphic novel written by celebrated writer Steve Niles. For the Zune-commissioned novel, Niles was paired up with visual artists Dr. Revolt, Gary Panter, Kime Buzzelli and Morning Breath to take the reader on an epic journey through time and space. Each artist illustrated a different chapter of the novel, resulting in a blend of artistic styles that is emblematic of the unique creative collaborations for which Zune Arts has become widely known.

A preview of the novel is currently available at http://zune-arts.net/lost. Two digital formats of the novel (PDF and RAR) are available free for download today, and visitors can watch the graphic novel trailer and previously released behind-the-scenes podcasts documenting the artists in action. In early July, 42,000 paperback editions of the novel will be available free at select comic book and retail boutiques nationwide. In addition, 1,250 signed limited-edition collector’s copies with silk-screened covers packaged with artwork from the novel will be produced for select distribution.

“Working with these four talented artists on this project was a delight,” Niles said. “Zune Arts was the gateway that allowed us to show what’s possible when artists of different backgrounds and unique styles collaborate to create something larger than the sum of its parts.”

Source- Microsoft Press Release