Warning: I may have no idea what I am talking about!
There are 42 entries for the tag
zune
Amazon has Sony on board and with that the fourth and final major player has finally gone to MP3. Which leaves me with a decision to make. Now that I don't need to buy DRM music and I don't need to buy entire CDs just to get 1 song, should I drop my Zune Pass and just start spending the money to build my collection? I only have about 150 songs in my entire Zune library that I have marked as "I Like It". So, in a little over a year I would be caught up. And that doesn't include the music I have on ......
Is anyone else having issues when trying to sign into Zune from the software? It's been hit and miss the last few days and now my son is having the same problem. Here is the most recent message: Can't complete the operation because there is no Internet access. That's not always the message I get. It seems to vary. What I find funny is that right below that message is a link for web help. Could this be related to the XBOX Live Marketplace problems? Update: From zune.net Zune users may experience issues ......
Just stumble onto this while reading the CNET review of the new Zunes. CompUSA is selling the Zune 80 for $1,113.07. Take that iPod Touch. And Amazon.com and Target.com are sold out ......
It's time for another complaint post. Yippee!! First, let me say that the Vongo service itself really isn't bad. I wish it worked with the Zune but it doesn't. The only reason I am canceling is because the client doesn't work for me. I may join again if they fix it. I just upgraded to the latest version of the Vongo software and it doesn't run on 64 bit Vista. Not a big surprise but the old client did. I can't find a way to downgrade, but it wouldn't matter much because this looks like a mandatory ......
Woot just keeps pushing the floor price. Today they are $79 refurbished. And only in brown, but that's still better than white.
Join the Mayor's Welfare Zune Fund today!
So how do we turn that steaming pile of brown Zunes into a steaming pile of cash? How do we make America fall in love with brown?
The price isn't permanent, but you can get the
brown Zune from Buy.com for $99.
Here is a video of the new Zune interface. This one is a little more generic, showing off the hardware, accessories and the new marketplace. Source: http://www.iwantapinkzune.c... ......
I'm not going to rehash all the details, but the Zune 2 is on the way and all features are being backported to the first generation models. THANK YOU MICROSOFT! Personally my favorite features announced so far are podcast support and native support for h.264 and mpeg4 which is basically every podcast on the planet. (With the exception of you few losers using solely Quicktime MOV format.) I haven't seen any details on the user interface changes or the software changes. Hopefully video will be on equal ......
The Zune rumors and speculation is starting up again. Ars Technica has discovered a patent filed by Microsoft that will push content directly to your Zune based on your personal preferences and playlists. This sort of reminds me of the Tivo Suggestions feature. The patent also discusses the ability to subscribe to other peoples playlists. That would make it much easier for my wife and I to decide which Zune to use. Right now she has a playlist setup on my Zune so she doesn't have to listen to "all ......
So imagine Microsoft releases a new patch for Windows Media Player. You install it and now you have the Zune software. How many people do you think would be pissed about that? When I setup my desktop last week I didn't install iTunes because I don't really have a need for it. But I did install QuickTime and Apple Software Update. This morning Apple software update kicked in and wants to install iTunes + QuickTime to patch iTunes which doesn't exist on my computer. So I thought I would let it update ......
Before the Zune launched there was one of many rumors floating around about pricing. One of those was a $99 price point. Well, I think it's time to make that a reality. Microsoft says Zune sales are on target. But that target was not that impressive and it's time to start pushing hard. We need a Zune 2. We need podcast and better video support. But mostly we need users. The price drop on the HD-DVD drive on the XBOX has fueled those sales and that was on $20. Drop the retail price on the Zune by ......
Jim Lynch provides 9 very good reasons not to by an iPhone: Too Expensive Tiny Storage Stylish and Stupid Stuck with AT&T Edge and Not 3G No Flash or Java Support Two Year Contract and $175 Termination Fee No Keyboard Crapfari Instead of Firefox Those are all valid. When you think about the iPhone, what you are getting is a shiny interface, cool factor, a widescreen iPod (arguably the single reason to buy one), and one device instead of two if you are an iPod owner. What Jim forgot is battery ......
I don't plan on buying a copy of Zune for Dummies because I doubt it has much value to someone who already knows how to get videos and podcasts on the device. The rest of the book looks like basic usage instructions. But I also realize I am not the target market for the book. One big problem I have always had when trying to suggest the Zune over the iPod to anyone is ease of use. iTunes is one nice, neat little package where you can get all of your content. If you can point and click and plug an ......
I bought my first PSP back at the launch. The lack of good titles for several months drove me to want to trade it in. My oldest son liked it, so I gave it to him for his birthday along with a couple of new games. A few months later he also got frustrated with the lack of titles so I bought it back off him so he could get a video iPod. Flash forward two years, my youngest son saved his money for months and used his end of year report card money along with some game trade-ins to buy a used one. The ......
Engadget has some rumoring going on that Microsoft has a big Zune announcement today that is probably an "entirely new Zune". At this point I would be happy just to hear that we are finally getting Podcast support. New Zune at Microsoft event on Monday? Update 5/8/2007: I can't find any information on the web today about any announcement other than some new TV commercials that started airing yesterday. So I guess this rumor is a flop. Update 5/9/2007: Okay, so now it looks like some people did get ......
Zune 2.0 and a smaller flash based Zune will be sold this year. The hard drive version looks like the generation 1 Zune, but is thinner. It has a larger hard drive and still uses the doubleshot. The flash based player is video capable and he said the screen covers about 75% of the front, similar to the hard drive Zune. The flash player has Wi-Fi and also uses a double shot. Both devices have completed the design phase, although some last minute minor tweaks to the hardware will occur. Memory capacity ......
I think a person's start menu says a lot about them. So show us your start menu! It's a simple Ctrl+Alt+Print Screen. Work Running Windows XP, the company is not overall aggressive about adopting the new OS even though we are a software company. Not running a standard skin (that's the Zune skin). Using IE, not Firefox. Must be a company thing? Windows Live Writer is the top program. I post once or twice a day from work during downtime, but I don't leave the application open. Visual Studio, Notepad ......
The fix list:
- Skipping in Zune Marketplace files
- Lockups and crashes
- FM radio battery drain
Zune Insider
I have formatted the Battlestar Galactica desktop wallpapers found on the Sci-Fi site for Zune wallpaper (240 x 320). You can download them from Zune Styles.
The transmitter I use to listen to my Zune in the car is an old one that came with my XM radio years ago. It works fairly well, but when I get close to another car on the highway transmitting on the same frequency the signal goes to crap. If your having the same problem this hack will show you how to modify the transmitter and boost the strength. While it applies specifically to the Zune FM transmitter, the lessons learned could be applied to most FM transmitters. Warning: I'm not sure how legal ......
Here is a new Zune community site: Zune Styles. Right now it is pretty much just wallpapers. But they are collecting:
- Contribution by Zune Styles users. Includes homemade Zune themes, backgrounds, styles, mods, etc.
- Collection of various Zune modifications out on the Internet.
- Collection of wallpapers for your Zune!
Zune Boards has released some new software called zSkin that will change the look of the Zune software. In honor of Valentines Day they have started with pink, but expect to see more skins soon.
I've been using Soapbox for a while, but now it is available to everyone. Hopefully the content will spike.
I'm looking forward to some APIs and better Zune integration.
I stumbled upon this beauty of a song. If you are a sci-fi fan, it's a must hear. You can download the MP3 for free from Sunspot's website. You just can't go wrong with lyrics like this: Ziggy said there's a 98% chance of a broken heart. Scott Bakula never played Drakula, laid down the smackula, on the bad guys. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. If I ever run into another Zune user, I know what song they're getting :) ......
If you're like me and you have a Zune Pass (I know there are at least a few of you out there) you probably have spent more than a few hours building your library. I finally have all the artists that I own CDs for downloaded so I can get all the songs I like without buying more CDs. I also re-downloaded all my MP3s in Zune format just to keep things simple and have complete tags and album art. Now I spend time checking the home page to see what's new and also pick an artist I already have to check ......
I know, I know, too many Apple posts the last couple of days. If you haven't seen this yet, it's a letter posted on Apple's site from Steve Jobs talking about music. He doesn't do this very often so it's getting a lot of attention. It's primarily in response to the building anti-trust issues with Apple's dominance in the digital music market, which is misguided since the real problem are the music companies. To break it down: Apple won't license it's DRM because it will be cracked and the crack can't ......
I made a tongue-in-cheek comment about why I don't switch to Mac OS X on a recent post to which Jeff Julian made a comment that got me thinking. What would it take to get you to switch to Apple? For me it would take a two-punch combo: Visual Studio for the Mac or an equally good development environment for Ruby on Rails. (I mostly do web development.) A music and video subscription model to iTunes. If I could get that, I would seriously consider trading in my laptop, Zune and Xbox for a MacBook, ......
Dear Microsoft, I understand that you are trying to go for a unified interface for the Zune just like iTunes. But would it kill you to add support for TV shows recorded by Windows Media Center so we don't have to do things like this? In the short term: Please add .dvr-ms support in the next minor Zune software update. It's not that hard and I'm not asking for anything special. Just have them show up under videos. In the long term: Please add a TV section to compliment Music, Videos, Podcasts (you ......
I use an Agent18 protective case for my Zune because I hate scratches. But the case itself gets scratched up very easily. I got into the case habit when I use to have an iPod, but I never needed one for my Creative Zen. So my question is, does anyone have problems with scratches on their Zune? Or can anyone recommend a better scratch proof case? I was thinking of trying the new Griffin case ......
After prolonged use of the device, their opinion has improved. First off, we have to say that the subscription service is great. Actually listening to songs on the Zune has been fine as well. Even compared to the iPod at three months, the Zune keeps charge longer when not in use. It's only one large scratch instead of millions of tiny scratches like on the iPod, so we'll say that the Zune really is a bit more sturdy. Playing back video has also been great. There were a couple of negatives, such as ......
I've been using a plug-in for IE for about a month that saves YouTube and Google videos as Zune compatible Windows Media Video files in your video directory with a single click. It has a few bugs, sometimes videos do not save correctly, but it's a great add-on for archiving online videos and carrying them around on your Zune. Download YouTube Google Video downloader for Zune ......
This forum post tells you where to get your pre-loaded content from if you removed it from your device. Personally, I think that this should be a simple download from the Zune Marketplace.
Read Topic: Pre-Loaded content at Zunerama
$25 for the centerstage Zune case is acceptable. It even includes free ground shipping. Just don't try to get it 2nd Day Air :)
I'm ranting a lot today, must be the holidays! Last night I had the pleasure of talking to the worst trained technical CSR ever. And he worked for Microsoft. If you want to skip the whole story just read the two sentences in bold. The problem was with my Zune. Over the weekend it stopped syncing. I went to the Zune site and tried every solution on the site until I got to the last (re-install the Zune software) which worked. The only problem I had was that I lost my play counts which I use to filter ......
Someone at Microsoft is getting sick of the I'm a Mac commercials. Video: Apple Mac vs. PC - Zune vs. Ipod ......
Okay, I realize the Zune is not for everyone. In fact, 9 out of 10 times, I would recommend an iPod first even though I own both an iPod and Zune and prefer the Zune. I was sold on the larger screen and subscription music and was willing to give up a bunch of other features to get it, at least temporary. The clock is ticking and I hope Microsoft keeps improving it. Otherwise, a year from now, I'll start looking again. But I honestly think this is just the beginning. But I am sick of false information ......
Get Zune skins at DecalGirl. (They also have skins for iPods, most game consoles, laptops, DS, etc.)
Well it looks like Jeff is busy writing a book, so I'll have to take this on myself. Last weekend I went to EB Games to check out the Zune in person. The manager talked me into one I talked myself into one knowing that if I hated it, I could return it. My biggest concern was Podcasts, which the Zune software has no direct support for out of the box. Here is the solution. First you need some sort of podcast receiving software. I started to try Doppler since it had limited support with Windows Media ......
Okay, Jeff here is the deal. You write a post on how to setup your Zune to sync podcasts and I promise to run out and buy a Zune. Then I'll send an e-mail to anyone at Microsoft you want telling them that you personally made this happen, change the tag line of my blog to "Jeff Julian is the Zune God" until the end of the year, and plaster a Geeks With Blogs sticker on the window of my car. Here are the rules: The podcast software can be third party, but no more than $50 to purchase. The podcast software ......
Microsoft is going to give Universal $1 for every Zune they sell. Why?
And now you know, the rest of the story.