Tag: ZUNE

Microsoft released an updated version of its iTunes competitor today. The new Zune Marketplace adds TV downloads and a bunch of new music features. Here are some of the highlights: The desktop application is integrated with the "Zune Community," allowing users to send messages and share their collections with friends Ability to drag and drop a friend's Zune Card onto your portable ...

Microsoft announced some updates to its Zune media player lineup this week, with new smaller, flash memory based Zunes coming soon. But we're much more excited about the software updates. Microsoft has revamped both the Zune firmware and the Zune Desktop software. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that if you've got a current generation Zune, you'll be able to upgrade your firmware to get all ...

Several months after Microsoft dropped its lawsuit against the developer of FairUse4WM because it couldn't find him or her, the utility has been updated to version 1.3 Fix-2. FairUse4WM strips DRM from Windows Media Audio files purchased online. The latest version can remove DRM protection from songs downloaded from Microsoft's Zune Marketplace, meaning you can play your legally purchased music on ...

Not content to just follow Apple into the portable music market with the Zune, Microsoft appears poised to follow Apple into the DRM-free music market. Music label has already agreed to sell unencrypted high quality digital audio files through Apple's iTunes Music Store. Zune marketing director Jason Reindorp told CNet that Microsoft plans to follow suit, offering DRM-free versions of EMI music. ...

What's a giant mega-corporation with a struggling digital download store to do to bring some zest into the venture? Why, hire one of the most prominent providers of business optimization software, of course! Forbes is reporting that Microsoft has hired Omniture to analyze and breath some life into the Zune Marketplace. From a Microsoft spokesman: "Omniture helps us understand what our customers ...

Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is planning to add gaming to the Zune by 2008, to better compete with Apple's iPod, which already has games on-board. Zune must add games and continue to include more and better features than Apple to be ahead of the curve, instead of trailing behind. Nothing will come close to challenging the iPod for a while, since it is so far out in front, including the ...

Sure, there are plenty of ways to grab a video from YouTube, save it as an flv file, and convert it the file format of your choice. But Zunemytube's got to be the simplest method I've seen so far. All you have to do is install the plugin for Internet Explorer and a little Zune icon will pop up in your toolbar. Then you surf YouTube, Google Video or MSN Soapbox and find videos you want to save. ...

How is this for traffic, Hitwise noted that Apple's iTunes hit a 413% increase in traffic over the 2006 holiday season over 2005's. This was mostly due to the ever increasing demand of the famous iPod, making this the third holiday season where the iPod has been at the top of everyone's most wanted list. The traffic doesn't stop there though, Hitwise also noted that iPod users helped in the 110% ...

Information Week reports that Microsoft could be unnecessarily eliminating support for Windows 2000 and older systems from new software releases. A number of new Microsoft programs, such as Office 2007 and the new Zune software won't install on Windows 2000 systems. While some programs are truly designed with newer operating systems in mind, it appears Microsoft has intentionally blocked some ...

First off, let me state for the official record, that I am neither a Zune fan or Zune hater. I can't decide. I don't own one, and I don't know if I will in the future. I like a few of the ideas and features in the Zune, but it has its drawbacks as well. One thing I find funny is how the blogosphere has largely bashed the Zune, yet according to Gizmodo, Zune is 2nd in sales behind the iPod. Of ...

What's the first thing you want to know whenever a new device comes out? Whether you can play Doom on it, of course. Okay, but the next question is usually whether you can install Linux. Well, you can't really do either with the Microsoft Zune yet, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to upgrade (or downgrade) it by replacing the preinstalled software with some open-source firmware. Rockbox is ...

So Microsoft's Zune is out, but it's still a few steps behind the iPod in terms of battery life, ease of installation, and podcast support. Doug Arrison from FireAnt has gone one step further than Microsoft, and released a free program for syncing podcasts to a Zune. FeedYourZune is an RSS reader/aggregator for audio and video podcasts. It will automatically download podcasts and sync them. It ...

We've all heard rumors and news about Microsoft's coming website and music store to accompany the Zune when it arrives, and have no fear, Zune.net is here! The site up and offers info on the Zune device, and will be the place you can download the Zune software (the actual music store) come November 14th, a mere 10 days from now. The software app looks like it will be a stand-alone download and ...

The new Windows XP Zune theme is here, and it is hot. You might mentally compare this theme to Royale Noir, it does look a bit like it, but it's not. This theme is of course to commemorate the launch of Microsoft's alleged iPod-killer in a few weeks. Whether or not you like the Zune, this theme is cool for XP regardless, sporting a black-ish slate color and an orange start button. The background ...

BusinessWeek is running a great interview with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The interview covers a ton of ground, beginning with Google's YouTube acquisition and ending with Vista. In between, Ballmer talks about the Web 2.0 valuations and "Bubble 2.0," the business transition from Xbox to Xbox 360, Microsoft's recent high-profile hires, Bill Gates' impending departure, Microsoft's competition, ...