Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Monday, March 1st, 2010 |
Update: The recently released Facebook application for Zune HD is experiencing some issues accessing data. We are investigating and will provide an update on the status as soon as possible.
Thanks for your patience. We are rolling out the Facebook app for Zune HD right now. It might take a bit to make it through the servers, so look for it shortly.
Update: The recently released Facebook application for Zune HD is experiencing some issues accessing data. We are investigating and will provide an update on the status as soon as possible.
Thanks for your patience. We are rolling out the Facebook app for Zune HD right now. It might take a bit to make it through the servers, so look for it shortly.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Sunday, February 21st, 2010 |
Microsoft phone system hits reset on digital music | Reuters
To date, Microsoft’s effort to address the digital music market has largely focused on its Zune player and Zune Pass subscription service, which have won favorable reviews but few customers. But with the recent unveiling of its Windows Phone 7 Series operating system at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Microsoft hopes to reboot its struggling digital music strategy.
Even the well-received Zune HD device, introduced last fall, hasn’t been enough to convince music fans to convert to the Zune Pass. The company says it has sold only 3.8 million players since 2006, and NPD Group estimated in November that it has a 2 percent share of the U.S. portable media player market, compared with 70 percent for Apple’s iPod.
So Microsoft has made it a priority to expand the Zune service to other platforms. In November, it added the Zune’s video service to its Xbox Live network, consisting of more than 20 million worldwide users of the Xbox 360 gaming console. Since then, Zune communications director Jose Pinero says the number of daily HD video downloads and streams has doubled. Now, Microsoft plans to use its Windows Phone 7 platform to bring Zune to mobile customers.
“Anybody who gets a Windows Phone 7 Series phone is going to get a Zune within that device,” Pinero says.
Tags: Windows Phone
Microsoft phone system hits reset on digital music | Reuters
To date, Microsoft’s effort to address the digital music market has largely focused on its Zune player and Zune Pass subscription service, which have won favorable reviews but few customers. But with the recent unveiling of its Windows Phone 7 Series operating system at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Microsoft hopes to reboot its struggling digital music strategy.
Even the well-received Zune HD device, introduced last fall, hasn’t been enough to convince music fans to convert to the Zune Pass. The company says it has sold only 3.8 million players since 2006, and NPD Group estimated in November that it has a 2 percent share of the U.S. portable media player market, compared with 70 percent for Apple’s iPod.
So Microsoft has made it a priority to expand the Zune service to other platforms. In November, it added the Zune’s video service to its Xbox Live network, consisting of more than 20 million worldwide users of the Xbox 360 gaming console. Since then, Zune communications director Jose Pinero says the number of daily HD video downloads and streams has doubled. Now, Microsoft plans to use its Windows Phone 7 platform to bring Zune to mobile customers.
“Anybody who gets a Windows Phone 7 Series phone is going to get a Zune within that device,” Pinero says.
Tags: Windows Phone
Posted in General | No Comments »
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 |
It seems the first reviews of the Zune phone are in and even though no and has a device in hand yet many seem positive about what Microsoft plans to offer by holidays 2010.
The Windows 7 Series Zune Phone will integrate the entire suite of Microsoft applications and services including the basic business and contact services such as Office and Outlook but also Xbox and Zune for the first true all in one device with tight integration of the separate ecosystems on 3 different screens.
It’s a long ways off and the mobile smartphone market is going to get a bit crowded with all the competing systems. Who will Microsoft take from if they want to increase marketing share? Will partnerships with existing handset makers be enough to chip away at Apple or will the Windows Phone make a real challenge to their strong position?
TMCnet | Mobile World Congress News
Microsoft is not about the let Apple enjoy the limelight when it comes to portable media players and smartphones. The company’s highly-rated ZuneHD portable media player is now a phone.
At MWC 2010, Microsoft’s press event, the Zune phone finally took center stage, welcomed by a number of approving nods from audience attendees – according to a review in CNET.
This Windows Phone 7 Series is truly more than simply a Zune HD with a phone added to it. This portable device actually combines some of Microsoft’s most successful products, such as Windows Mobile, Zune, Xbox and Microsoft Office – who wouldn’t want this device?
Tags: Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, Zune Phone
It seems the first reviews of the Zune phone are in and even though no and has a device in hand yet many seem positive about what Microsoft plans to offer by holidays 2010.
The Windows 7 Series Zune Phone will integrate the entire suite of Microsoft applications and services including the basic business and contact services such as Office and Outlook but also Xbox and Zune for the first true all in one device with tight integration of the separate ecosystems on 3 different screens.
It’s a long ways off and the mobile smartphone market is going to get a bit crowded with all the competing systems. Who will Microsoft take from if they want to increase marketing share? Will partnerships with existing handset makers be enough to chip away at Apple or will the Windows Phone make a real challenge to their strong position?
TMCnet | Mobile World Congress News
Microsoft is not about the let Apple enjoy the limelight when it comes to portable media players and smartphones. The company’s highly-rated ZuneHD portable media player is now a phone.
At MWC 2010, Microsoft’s press event, the Zune phone finally took center stage, welcomed by a number of approving nods from audience attendees – according to a review in CNET.
This Windows Phone 7 Series is truly more than simply a Zune HD with a phone added to it. This portable device actually combines some of Microsoft’s most successful products, such as Windows Mobile, Zune, Xbox and Microsoft Office – who wouldn’t want this device?
Tags: Windows Mobile,
Windows Phone,
Zune Phone
Posted in General | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010 |
Episode 56 dated Feb 19th, 2010 of the Zune Insider Audio Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).
Show notes:
We talk about the Windows Phone 7 Series name (0:00 – 1:30); Michael Yaeger introduces the Microsoft MVP program (1:31 – 3:55); The Great Room – and bathrooms (3:56 – 5:00); Introducing the Zune MVP's (5:01 – 14:30); Solar257 talks about the forums (14:31 – 16:12); Zune MVP's talk about not talking about cool stuff and the Summit (16:13 – 25:53) What got the MVP's interested in Zune? (25:54 – 32:18); The Music Zune MVP's like – and their guilty pleasures (32:19 – 47:11).
The mp3 file is 33 MB and runs for a 47 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.2 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it
Episode 56 dated Feb 19th, 2010 of the Zune Insider Audio Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).
Show notes:
We talk about the Windows Phone 7 Series name (0:00 – 1:30); Michael Yaeger introduces the Microsoft MVP program (1:31 – 3:55); The Great Room – and bathrooms (3:56 – 5:00); Introducing the Zune MVP's (5:01 – 14:30); Solar257 talks about the forums (14:31 – 16:12); Zune MVP's talk about not talking about cool stuff and the Summit (16:13 – 25:53) What got the MVP's interested in Zune? (25:54 – 32:18); The Music Zune MVP's like – and their guilty pleasures (32:19 – 47:11).
The mp3 file is 33 MB and runs for a 47 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.2 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it
Posted in General | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010 |
Microsoft’s Mobile Update May Use Zune Software and Lack Flash, Says Report – Mobile and Wireless from eWeek
Microsoft’s smartphone-related rollout at Mobile World Congress on Feb. 15 could be a mobile operating system with a flashy Zune-like interface and lack of Flash support, according to online rumors. PPC Geeks is reporting through unnamed sources that Microsoft’s offering will include no multitask support and that Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Microsoft has kept the subject of its announcement under wraps, but executives have nonetheless suggested that it will be a major update to the company’s struggling mobile operating system franchise, currently facing intense competitive pressure from the likes of Apple’s iPhone and Google Android.
Tags: The Zune
Microsoft’s Mobile Update May Use Zune Software and Lack Flash, Says Report – Mobile and Wireless from eWeek
Microsoft’s smartphone-related rollout at Mobile World Congress on Feb. 15 could be a mobile operating system with a flashy Zune-like interface and lack of Flash support, according to online rumors. PPC Geeks is reporting through unnamed sources that Microsoft’s offering will include no multitask support and that Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Microsoft has kept the subject of its announcement under wraps, but executives have nonetheless suggested that it will be a major update to the company’s struggling mobile operating system franchise, currently facing intense competitive pressure from the likes of Apple’s iPhone and Google Android.
Tags: The Zune
Posted in General | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010 |
Microsoft seems aware of the disappearing Zune music issues many of us have faced and they seem to be addressing it as best they can. Zune Marketplace has shown a significant decrease in the number of songs available on the Zune Pass music subscription service because of issues related to the licensing of music.
Microsoft has hired a new firm to manage their content license and music rights acquisitions and industry insiders claim they are making a wise move if they intend on keeping the music subscription service rolling forward in to the new Windows Mobile Phones programs.
Microsoft hires new firm for Zune Pass | MP3 Insider – CNET Reviews
In what is likely a reaction to recent complaints of disappearing music in the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft has hired an outside firm to help clear music for its Zune Pass subscription service.
In an announcement today, Music Reports Inc. revealed an agreement made with Microsoft to “administer the music publishing licensing and royalty accounting for the Zune Pass subscription service in the United States.”
Tags: Windows Mobile
Microsoft seems aware of the disappearing Zune music issues many of us have faced and they seem to be addressing it as best they can. Zune Marketplace has shown a significant decrease in the number of songs available on the Zune Pass music subscription service because of issues related to the licensing of music.
Microsoft has hired a new firm to manage their content license and music rights acquisitions and industry insiders claim they are making a wise move if they intend on keeping the music subscription service rolling forward in to the new Windows Mobile Phones programs.
Microsoft hires new firm for Zune Pass | MP3 Insider – CNET Reviews
In what is likely a reaction to recent complaints of disappearing music in the Zune Marketplace, Microsoft has hired an outside firm to help clear music for its Zune Pass subscription service.
In an announcement today, Music Reports Inc. revealed an agreement made with Microsoft to “administer the music publishing licensing and royalty accounting for the Zune Pass subscription service in the United States.”
Tags: Windows Mobile
Posted in General | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 |
Thank you everyone that participated in the last Zune Tune, we had a great response and compiled your feedback into a playlist filled with R&B hits that can be found here. We also included the names of the people that had made the suggestions of the songs in our playlist, so go check out the Zune Marketplace, download the playlist, and see if you were one of the contributors. And if you dont have a Zune Pass, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a 14-day Zune Pass trial right now for free!
This time around, our third Zune Tune is focused on bringing you the best Metal songs of all time. Let us know what songs you think should make the list. Reply to us on Twitter @zune with your favorite Metal songs and use the hashtag #zunetune. We'll create a playlist based on your suggestions and shout out all Zune community members that contributed to the final list!
Thank you everyone that participated in the last Zune Tune, we had a great response and compiled your feedback into a playlist filled with R&B hits that can be found here. We also included the names of the people that had made the suggestions of the songs in our playlist, so go check out the Zune Marketplace, download the playlist, and see if you were one of the contributors. And if you dont have a Zune Pass, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a 14-day Zune Pass trial right now for free!
This time around, our third Zune Tune is focused on bringing you the best Metal songs of all time. Let us know what songs you think should make the list. Reply to us on Twitter @zune with your favorite Metal songs and use the hashtag #zunetune. We'll create a playlist based on your suggestions and shout out all Zune community members that contributed to the final list!
Posted in General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 |
Zune services going global with Windows phone | MP3 Insider – CNET Reviews
To anyone who has looked at Microsoft’s highly-rated Zune HD portable media player and wished it were a phone — your prayers have been answered. Yesterday, at Microsoft’s press event for MWC 2010, the long-rumored “Zune phone” was finally thrust into the spotlight and treated to approving nods by many in attendance.
To be fair, the Windows Phone 7 Series is more than just a Zune HD with a phone slapped in. We’re finally looking at a portable device that melds some of Microsoft’s most successful products, including Windows Mobile, Zune, Xbox, and Microsoft Office. But make no mistake, there’s a whole lot of Zune in the Windows Phone mobile OS. Everything from the touchscreen keyboard, to the “twist” style user interface, look and behave just like Microsoft’s latest Zune HD portable media player.
Tags: The Zune
Zune services going global with Windows phone | MP3 Insider – CNET Reviews
To anyone who has looked at Microsoft’s highly-rated Zune HD portable media player and wished it were a phone — your prayers have been answered. Yesterday, at Microsoft’s press event for MWC 2010, the long-rumored “Zune phone” was finally thrust into the spotlight and treated to approving nods by many in attendance.
To be fair, the Windows Phone 7 Series is more than just a Zune HD with a phone slapped in. We’re finally looking at a portable device that melds some of Microsoft’s most successful products, including Windows Mobile, Zune, Xbox, and Microsoft Office. But make no mistake, there’s a whole lot of Zune in the Windows Phone mobile OS. Everything from the touchscreen keyboard, to the “twist” style user interface, look and behave just like Microsoft’s latest Zune HD portable media player.
Tags: The Zune
Posted in General | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 |
DailyTech – Windows Mobile 7 is Zune, Mobile Xbox, and Phone in One Chic Package
New mobile OS from Microsoft to launch this holiday season, hardware will be consistently high quality
There’s a sort of beautiful symmetry in Microsoft’s mobile phone operating system announcement which aired today at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Holiday season 2009 Microsoft unleashed Windows 7, a desktop operating system that turned people’s preconceptions upside down and fueled unprecedented sales. This year it will look to do the same, with the release of Windows Mobile 7.
Tags: The Zune
DailyTech – Windows Mobile 7 is Zune, Mobile Xbox, and Phone in One Chic Package
New mobile OS from Microsoft to launch this holiday season, hardware will be consistently high quality
There’s a sort of beautiful symmetry in Microsoft’s mobile phone operating system announcement which aired today at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Holiday season 2009 Microsoft unleashed Windows 7, a desktop operating system that turned people’s preconceptions upside down and fueled unprecedented sales. This year it will look to do the same, with the release of Windows Mobile 7.
Tags: The Zune
Posted in General | No Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010 |
Music in the next Windows Phone | Digital Noise: Music and Tech – CNET News
At long last, the Zune Phone is here. Microsoft isn’t calling it that–apparently it thought the name Windows Phone 7 Series rolled off the tongue a bit more easily–but the next generation of Microsoft’s smartphone software not only features the entire Zune HD software and services experience (just like the iPod became a component of the iPhone), but the entire user interface itself bears a close resemblance to the Zune HD.
To be clear, Microsoft isn’t building the hardware like it did with Zune–rather, partners like HTC, LG, and Samsung will do that work. But a lot of what the company learned from several iterations of Zune design has been rolled into its mobile platform.
Tags: The Zune
Music in the next Windows Phone | Digital Noise: Music and Tech – CNET News
At long last, the Zune Phone is here. Microsoft isn’t calling it that–apparently it thought the name Windows Phone 7 Series rolled off the tongue a bit more easily–but the next generation of Microsoft’s smartphone software not only features the entire Zune HD software and services experience (just like the iPod became a component of the iPhone), but the entire user interface itself bears a close resemblance to the Zune HD.
To be clear, Microsoft isn’t building the hardware like it did with Zune–rather, partners like HTC, LG, and Samsung will do that work. But a lot of what the company learned from several iterations of Zune design has been rolled into its mobile platform.
Tags: The Zune
Posted in General | No Comments »
