Zune 3.1 released, Zune now cheaper than iPod
Microsoft has released firmware version 3.1 for all models of their Zune MP3 players.
The 3.1 update adds three new games: Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle. A new multi player mode for the existing Texas Hold ‘Em card game has also been added. The multi player mode uses the Zune’s Wi-Fi, letting players connect to each others Zunes. The new Checkers game also supports multi player.
The Zune Social online community was refreshed with a little UI visual action and a new feature called "like minded listeners," was added. The feature allows you to see the Zune cards of those with compatible music tastes.
The Zune PC software received an update too which includes software stability patches and performance improvements. To download the free Zune software and firmware update, open up the Zune PC software, click on Settings, and select Check for Updates.
Separately, Microsoft also announced price cuts for the Zune range. In an interview with Cnet, Zune marketing director Adam Sohn said moves were being made to "ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season." The prices put Zune’s flash players cheaper than Apple’s iPod Nano range.
The prices are as follows:
- Zune 4GB: from $129 to $99, a saving of $20
- Zune 8GB: from $149 to $139, a saving of $10
- Zune 16GB: from $199 to $179, a saving of $20
Source- Neowin
Live Search Launches “Big Ticket” promotion
The Live Search team has just launched a new search promotion to encourage people to use Live Search. Dubbed “Big Ticket Search,” this promo is a contest that will run from October 31st through December 31st. Every time you perform a search at bigticketsearch.com, you have a chance to win prizes every hour, 24 hours a day. The prizes that will be given away include 2 new Mitsubishi Lancers, Raptors VIP package, Home Entertainment Systems, Laptops, $10,000 cash, Ticketmaster Gift Cards, Zunes, Xboxes, Raptors Season Tickets and Raptors Memorabilia.
After you enter in a search query in the box provided, you’ll be taken to a search results page where you’ll be informed as to whether your search was a winner or not. With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s a great time to try this out because - who knows? – you might just win some cash to go shopping with!
Source- Channel 10 Blog
Microsoft Store USA - Now Online - Shop Till You Drop!
Microsoft has just launched a store containing the entire line of Microsoft Products which includes all software, hardware, and peripherals.
With this launch, Microsoft customers in the U.S. are able to buy first-party software and hardware directly from Microsoft in a comprehensive online catalog. On our store, you’ll find products from many categories, ranging from Office 2007 Home and Student and Zoo Tycoon 2 to Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers and the new Zune with that cool Buy from FM feature.
You may now shop! - http://www.microsoftstore.com
Source - winoscentral.com
Zune Originals Adds New Artwork for Consumers to Customize Their Zune
Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today added 46 new designs from leading artists to its customization Web site, http://www.ZuneOriginals.net, for the holiday season. For those looking to customize a Zune player for themselves or as a personalized gift this holiday season, the new Zune Originals designs include a Zodiac Series featuring exclusive artwork of Eastern and Western astrology from Catalina Estrada and Iosefatu Sua. An expanded line of regular Zune players, popular Zune accessories and Zune Marketplace gift cards are also available for purchase through http://www.Zune.net just in time for the holidays.
“Zune Originals infuses pop culture, style and art into digital entertainment to help consumers turn their Zune into a personal statement,” said Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at Microsoft. “We’re excited to add beautiful new designs from these incredible artists and to introduce them to a broader audience.”
In the Zune Originals online design studio, consumers can customize a Zune by choosing artwork and adding personal text that is laser-etched on the Zune player they choose. Zune is refreshing its Zune Originals Artist Series, adding 12 new eye-catching designs from artists such as these:
•Dalek. This graffiti artist works extensively in both fine arts and the skateboard industry.
•Motomichi. A graphic designer, he is known for his widely exhibited animation and live video mixing.
•Daniel Jackson. This artist and DJ from Surface to Air, the creative art collective made up of artists from Paris, Barcelona and New York, produces cutting-edge designs for everything from clothing to jewelry to skate decks.
Source- Microsoft Press Release
XNA Game Studio 3.0 is LIVE
We did it! XNA Game Studio 3.0 is here and you can download it now!
Our ultimate goal with XNA Game Studio 3.0 is to continue to provide easy-to-use, approachable tools for hobbyists, academics and indie game developers capable of producing the best games to be shared with the world on Xbox 360, Windows PC and Zune.
XNA Game Studio 3.0 is required to submit games to Xbox LIVE Community Games. Visit our Quick Start guide if you’d like to know more about how to submit your game.
It is important to begin submitting your game for playtesting and peer review as early as possible to be sure they’ll be available to the millions of Xbox LIVE gamers at the launch of the New Xbox Experience on November 19!
Many people worked really hard to bring this to you and it would not have been possible without your input! Thank you all so much!
Source- XNA Team Blog
Zune and Univision Online Launch One-Stop Music Download Offering
Univision Online Inc., the interactive subsidiary of Univision Communications Inc., the nation’s leading Spanish-language media company, and Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today announced the launch of an exclusive music download service via Univision.com, to be powered by Zune. The new service will be branded Baja Zune Música en Univision.com (Download Zune Music on Univision.com).
“Music has been at the forefront of Univision.com’s offerings, and this new partnership is part of a number of steps we have taken this year to enhance the music experience of our users,” said Cesar Conde, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, Univision Communications Inc. “This partnership brings two industry leaders and their recognized brands together to deliver innovative, relevant entertainment content and services across all genres and further enhance our current music options. By offering Zune’s music catalog and cutting-edge features, we are delivering a comprehensive online music subscription platform experience via the most-visited Spanish-language Web site in the U.S.”
As a result of this relationship, Microsoft is the exclusive integrated online music download and subscription provider on Univision.com in the United States, including Puerto Rico. The comprehensive service offers Zune music charts, artist profiles and access to more than 4 million songs through the online music store called Zune Marketplace.
Source- Microsoft Press Release
Will Zune Marketplace be available in Australia before Christmas?
There’s been a lot of rumours going around that Zune Marketplace will be available globally in 2008 - well, we’re in 2008 already and nearing the last quarter as well.
so it stands to reason (with some logical deductions) that we’ll be seeing Zune Marketplace in Australia before Christmas this year.
Now, taking into consideration that the Zune has already had it’s first anniversary we’re a little bit behind over here. I’ve always been wondering if the reasons for the "delay" has been legal or even competitors tieing down resources to get their "virtual music stores" up and running first.
One big company that does spring to mind, is the company everybody loves to hate in Australia - namely Telstra. They released their own online music download service some time back and i wonder if that hasn’t been one of the reasons for the delay (yes i know, conspiracy theories).
Or could it be that MSFT wanted to ensure that they didnt’ roll out another "ITunes Store". Everybody i know that doesn’t own an IPod has the same reason "It requires me to install ITunes" - so maybe MSFT is trying to ensure that it doesn’t come with the same problems that’s been around for the ITunes Store?
Source- MSMVP’s Blog
Microsoft confirms Zune coming to Windows Mobile devices
It has been long rumoured that Microsoft would introduce Zune software onto the Windows Mobile operating system.
In an interview with CIO magazine Steve Ballmer confirms that Microsoft is looking to port the software to Windows Mobile devices.
When questioned why Microsoft developed the zune, Ballmer replied:
"At the end of the day, one of the big trends is that all content is going digital. And if we don’t have the software and services that are useful, helpful and valuable for the consumption of music and video, we are sort of not really a player.
Now, we built the Zune hardware with the Zune software - and what you’ll see more and more over time is that the 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."
This is the strongest indication that Microsoft will be porting the software. We’re not sure when exactly but you can bet that Windows Mobile 7 will have it included.
Source- Neowin
