Research Says 58% of iPod Users May Choose Zune Over iPod

Posted By: wraggster

As surprising as it may sounds, ABIResearch's latest poll says 58% of current iPod users said they were "somewhat likely" or "extremely likely" to pick a Zune player over any other player? WTF? We tried to take a look at the actual survey results, but realized they cost $3,000. Yeah, no, that's ok. We'll pass.

The survey also says that the WiFi peer to peer sharing doesn't seem to be a big draw, and that it's critical that Microsoft differentiates itself in some way (apparently not in WiFi sharing). Nevertheless, it's hard to believe that 58% of users would say they'd pick the Zune over the iPod. And without the actual survey results, we can't say anything for sure.

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Microsoft Zune player and software hands-on gallery

Posted By: wraggster

It's been a long, arduous trip prying our way into Microsoft's inner workings this past year, but we finally got a chance to sit down with all three Zunes and get some serious play time with the damned things. It may be a little early to give final impressions, but let's just say what we saw is a very decent start. The player was responsive and fast; all functions worked flawlessly and without delay. The software and storefront has a lot of new, unique features that make browsing and finding music a more engrossing, enjoyable experience. Obviously Apple is the game to beat -- and a tough game at that -- but something tells us this little player's got some fight in it. We're not going to talk too much about the device itself, namely because we'd rather show you; later today expect a walkthrough of every nook and cranny of the device, and a demo of its wireless functionality. But in the mean time, click on for loads more high res shots of the Zune family, software, Marketplace, and, um, executive briefcase.

Full Article at Engadget

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Belkin announces TuneBase, TunePower, and slew of cases for Zune

Posted By: wraggster

While Griffin hems and haws about unleashing an expected bevy of accessories for Microsoft's forthcoming PMP, Belkin's not making any bones about its intentions to deliver a fleshed-out set of Zune-specific add-ons. Up first is the $79.99 TuneBase FM Transmitter, which doesn't stray too far from its iPod-friendly counterpart, and sports a (probably unnecessary) 3.5-millimeter line-out for times when those FM signals just aren't cutting it. It also touts a "flexible steel neck" for easy in-car positioning, large LCD display, and three memory presets. In case the 12-14 hours of audio playback isn't longevous enough for you, the TunePower will reportedly extend the playtime of your Zune "by up to six hours," and add an additional bulge on its rear as well. Additionally, the device acts as a kickstand for portable video viewing as well as a protective case, and the $59.99 pricetag also buys you a separate AC adapter for charging. Sure to be amongst the hoard of similar alternatives are a few uninspiring $29.99 case offerings, including an Acrylic flavor, "Folio Kickstand," Holster Case, Neoprene Armband / Case, Sports Jacket Armband / Case, and the obligatory $14.99 ClearScreen overlay to safeguard that scratch-prone LCD. Belkin's assortment of cases are slated to hit in "mid-November," while the FM transmitter and extended battery pack will land just before the month's end.

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Microsoft Zune: Paying off the Industry One Label at a Time

Posted By: wraggster

It appears Microsoft has struck a deal with Universal Music giving them a portion of the sales from every Zune they sell. This undermines the traditional strategy created by Apple where music labels received money from song downloads, and not player sales. Microsoft has also said that similar offers are on the table for other labels as well. Way to go.

I can see why they wanted to sweeten the pot just to make sure they got Universal onboard (Universal controls 1/3 of all music sold), but why did they need to try and make this standard procedure by offering it to the rest of the industry. Once again Microsoft kills the party for everyone else.

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Zune Fact: Music Will Be Redownloadable

Posted By: wraggster

Unlike iTunes, with its draconian non-redownload policy, Microsoft's Zune Marketplace will let you re-download purchased songs up to five times (plus even more if you call up tech support). Apple has been known to let people download their purchased music library again—especially if your name is Wil Wheaton—but for the most part they recommend that you back up your music instead of rely on them to be your data repository.

This may be a small detail, but it's something that's nice to have if your hard drive ever gets corrupted

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Universal to Take a Cut of Zune Sales

Posted By: Elven6

Universal stretches out its hand and Microsoft gladly hands over the cash


Universal Music Group wants a piece of the action when it comes to Microsoft's Zune music player. Not only will the company receive a cut of each song sold, but it will also get paid for each Zune player that is sold.

The announcement could set a major precedent for mobile devices that playback music. Not only will Microsoft's Zune be affected, but future players from Apple, Creative, SanDisk and others could see a "tax" placed on player sales.

Apple, which is the dominant player in the music player market, currently doesn't pay music studios for each player sold although that could change in the future. "We were very early in working with Steve on the launch of the iPod and he's been a very good partner and done a lot for the industry. We have a current contract with him and at the end of that I'm sure we'll negotiate," said Doug Morris, chief executive of Universal.

BetaNews was able to provide these additional details concerning the royalty payments:

The formula for these proceeds will be calculated based on the number of Zune units that eventually sell through to consumers. This fact is critically important, especially since it distinguishes the type of royalty payments Microsoft will be making, and how they may be regulated under current US law. The royalty payments, UMG told BetaNews, will not be a percentage of the revenue from retail sales, but instead a flat fee based on the number of Zunes that end up in consumers’ hands...Though the spokesperson would not reveal the formula used to determine the amount of Microsoft payments, we were told it would be a flat fee, not a percentage. The fee will not be $1 per Zune sold, contrary to what The New York Times reported this morning, leaving us with subtle indications that the fee is actually higher.

It's interesting that Microsoft would agree to such terms with Universal given that the Zune will be a money-losing proposition for the company in the short term. Microsoft's 30GB Zune player is set to launch on November 14 at a price of $249. Songs will be priced at 99 cent each while an unlimited Zune Pass subscription will cost $14.99 per month.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4882

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XboxMediaCenter 2.0.1 released!

Posted By: wraggster

Team-XBMC and The XBMC Project is proud to announce the release of XboxMediaCenter 2.0.1. XBox Media Center (XBMC) is an award winning, free and open source media player for the Xbox™ game-console. XboxMediaCenter 2.0.1 point-release source code has now been set in our CVS, and all XBMC users are highly encouraged to upgrade to this version. Know that this point-release version marks the end of the 2.0 era of XBMC, there will be no more 2.0.x bug-fix point-releases. The next point-release of XBMC will be 2.1 (or maybe even 3.0), and it will probably be quite a while before that 2.1 (or 3.0) version sees the light of day with all new major features/functions we have planned for the future, (those who can not wait can always use the latest daily CVS of XBMC).

This XboxMediaCenter 2.0.1 point-release is a stable bug-fix version of the XboxMediaCenter 2.0.0 point-release, no major new features has been implemented, for a full list of fixed bugs and tweaks please read the changelog. (For a full list of all features/functions and codecs/formats supported by XBMC please visit the "XBMC Features and Supported Formats/Codecs" page in our online manual). Remember, Team-XBMC only maintain the XBMC source code, Team-XBMC does not release or distribute Xbox executable (XDK binaries), but the XBMC source code needs to be compiled with the XDK before it can be used on an Xbox, also note that XBMC requires a modded Xbox to run. Our thanks goes out to everyone who has tested, reported bugs, and helped fix them in order to make this release possible.

More info --> http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/

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Happy Birthday Xbox: Five Years

Posted By: Darksaviour69

November 15, 2001. With PlayStation 2 dominating the console market, software giant Microsoft - renowned for its Windows operating systems and PC gaming titles - takes its first, bold steps into the console gaming arena with the US launch of the highly anticipated and much vaunted Xbox.

Its release signals the start of an epic rivalry between Microsoft and Sony, two corporate giants jostling for marketplace supremacy like a pair of combatants in a coin-op beat ‘em up. Console gaming would never be the same again…

full story

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Zune Review

Posted By: wraggster

Via Engadget

Ok, we had a bit of a rough start after getting open the box and all, but we've given the Zune, and its software, sharing, wireless, etc. as good a looking over as we could hope to. We've got things we like, and things we don't; rough edges to go right along with the well thought-out niceties. We came away underwhelmed and not at all surprised -- and why? The expectations were for Microsoft to deliver a "Microsoft" player and system; maybe not too shabby looking, but not very usable, and definitely bug-ridden. But everyone hoped Microsoft had got it right this time, eschewed patterns of old and gotten a fresh start with new blood willing to think about things from outside the staid Microsoft culture. But that just wasn't the case. It's a Microsoft product (in the vernacular sense) through and through. Click on to find out why in our full review of the Zune, Zune player, and Zune marketplace.

Full review Here

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Microsoft Zune Review

Posted By: wraggster

Heres an excerpt:

The summer of 2006 was witness to two major Microsoft viral campaigns for mysterious new hardware. The first took place to promote "Project Origami," which was originally rumored to be an Xbox-Pocket or similar handheld gaming device. Sadly, the only fruit that the Origami project bore was the UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC) form-factor of not-quite-a-PDA, not-quite-a-tablet, overpriced and underpowered touch-screen computers.

Though the technology press was somewhat put out after being whipped into a frenzy over Origami, the next viral campaign launched only a few months later at comingzune.com. The little flash movies on the site were undeniably stylish, and blatantly teased an upcoming iPod competitor. After months of rumor followed by the usual blurry spy-shots, the Microsoft Zune has finally hit the street. Is it a legitimate iPod-killer or just another ineffectual volley destined to bounce off Battleship-Apple's hull? From a reviewer's point of view, the Zune is an interesting combination of real strengths and real weaknesses. While it is sure to be the general consumer populace that will make or break Microsoft's attempt, read on to see what the biggest threat to Apple's hegemony is all about.

Zune Hardware
The Zune project was launched by Microsoft's Xbox division and, over generations of products, is planned to become an integral portion of Microsoft's ever expanding family of hardware products. The current Zune is the first edition of the family, and to a degree, it shows. The hardware is based upon Toshiba's Gigabeat S10, a critically well received yet rarely purchased mp3 player. Microsoft obviously needed to get hardware and name recognition on the streets as early as possible, and so chose to rely upon Toshiba's base of technology in this first edition. Microsoft designed and engineered products are surely already in development for future generations of the Zune line.

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How to bump your Zune to 40GB

Posted By: wraggster

Despite our personal reservations on the topic, if you're rocking a Zune, we say more power to you, and we thought we'd let you know about this simple method to upgrade that little player of yours to 40GB. Ironically, iPodMods did the honors: turns out the Zune uses the same battery as that of the 60/80GB iPod, and while they were mucking about they also discovered that an upgrade to a 40GB Toshiba drive is relatively painless as well. The player also supports 60GB and 80GB drives, but you can't get the back cover back on with those bulkier drives in place, so no dice there. But if an extra 10GB is worth the price and hassle to you, then by all means grab your Xacto Knife and get hacking!

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Zune hacked for USB drive use

Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft won't let the Zune function as an external USB drive? Fine. We'll make it function as an external USB drive our damn selves. Looks like the fine chaps over at ZuneBoards have divined a method to make the non-MSC non-MTP Zune open the hell up and act like a real drive for god's sake. They haven't yet posted the tutorial on how to do it (so as far as we know this might be a hope-shattering Thanksgiving-day hoax) but we're kind of thinking those guys wouldn't let us all down like that, so watch out here for further developments.

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Zune USB drive hack 'splained

Posted By: wraggster

As promised, we have journeyed into the deep recesses of the internets and returned with golden Zune-bustin' instructions. Turns out the hack is just a clever bit of RegEdit action, so you shouldn't have much trouble following along at home and setting your Zune free to load whatever dang files it chooses over USB. The best news is that after renaming your .zip file full of super-secret Thanksgiving recipes to a .jpg, you can transfer it via WiFi to all your Zune-toting pals. Now if you only had some Zune-toting pals...

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Zune hacks: run it on XP Pro x64, change desktop icon

Posted By: wraggster

Via Engadget

Gather round, 'cause we've got some Zune hacks to get your Sunday going. First, a fellow named Kristof has informed Zune-Online about a way to get the Zune software running on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (there's also a Vista hack too, which we saw earlier). The site has exact step-by-step instructions on how to pull off this one, but the short of it is, it essentially involves editing the Zune.inf file. For our next trick, we'll point you to a site that shows you how to change the Zune icon as seen in Windows. For that one, you'll need to first pull off the USB drive hack that we showed you before, and then you'll need to use Regedt (Registry Edit) to find the appropriate registry value, an ICO editing program (like IcoFX), and patience when drawing on an icon that's 48 x 48 pixels. But you'll have our eternal love and respect if you change your Zune icon to the Engadget "e" logo. As usual when trying something like this, do be sure to backup any strings that you edit so you don't end up bricking your Zune.

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Zune AV cable dissected, just like iPod's

Posted By: wraggster

AnythingButiPod took a look at the Zune's AV Cable and surprise, surprise... found it to use yet another unique pinout configuration for pumping audio and video out to the TeeVee. However, this time you don't have to get locked into the vendor-specific accessory game since the Zune AV cable shares the same ground location of both the iPod (video) AV Cable and better yet, those off-the-shelf camcorder cables you probably have sitting around the house. As a result, you can use the other cables as long as you route the cable colors correctly for AV-hookup to your TV: iPod AV cable, swap left and right audio; el cheapo camcorder cable, swap video and right-audio. Unfortunately, in yet another drubbing for PlaysForSure devices, the AV cable which works interchangeably between Archos devices, the Zen Vision Series, Cowon iAudio, and even Toshiba's other DAP -- the Gigabeat -- won't work with the Zune. Not without the help of a Xacto knife, anyway.

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