Pulse2 Technology and Social Media News » Microsoft Zune http://pulse2.com Sun, 27 May 2012 19:13:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Microsoft Windows Live and Zune Seem To Be Winding Down With Intro Of Windows 8 http://pulse2.com/2012/02/24/microsoft-windows-live-and-zune-seem-to-be-winding-down-with-intro-of-windows-8/ http://pulse2.com/2012/02/24/microsoft-windows-live-and-zune-seem-to-be-winding-down-with-intro-of-windows-8/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:13:39 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=57014 Continue reading →]]>
Microsoft appears to be winding down the Windows Live and Zune brands as Windows 8 is being introduced. Windows Live applications are being rolled into preinstalled apps that work as the core of “Windows Communications” applications for Windows 8. Windows Live ID will be replaced by Microsoft Account. And the Zune will be replaced with Store, Music, and Video applications. But Zune Pass functionality will still exist.

The Microsoft Xbox team is handing the management of the Metro style Video and Music apps within Windows 8. The full transition away from Zune will happen over the summer when more of the company brands will be consolidated. According to The Verge, this is what the branding will be in Windows 8:

Microsoft Account (Windows Live ID)
Mail (Windows Live Mail)
Calendar (Windows Live Calendar)
People (Windows Live Contacts)
Photos (Windows Live Photo Gallery)
Music (Zune Music Player)
Video (Zune Video Player)

It is also rumored that Microsoft will be replacing Zune with a service that is similar to Spotify later this year.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2012/02/24/microsoft-windows-live-and-zune-seem-to-be-winding-down-with-intro-of-windows-8/feed/ 0 Microsoft Announces Discontinuation Of Zune To Focus On Windows Phone http://pulse2.com/2011/10/04/microsoft-announces-discontinuation-of-zune-to-focus-on-windows-phone/ http://pulse2.com/2011/10/04/microsoft-announces-discontinuation-of-zune-to-focus-on-windows-phone/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:41:26 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=51731 Continue reading →]]>
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has officially announced the end of the Zune. According to a support article on the Microsoft page:

“We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.”

The company insists on consumers buying a Windows Phone 7 device for the Zune experience. The Windows Phone 7 devices have a Zune-like music and video player.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2011/10/04/microsoft-announces-discontinuation-of-zune-to-focus-on-windows-phone/feed/ 0 Microsoft To Stop Producing New Versions Of The Zune http://pulse2.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-to-stop-producing-new-versions-of-the-zune/ http://pulse2.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-to-stop-producing-new-versions-of-the-zune/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:21:01 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=44812 Continue reading →]]>
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is going to stop introducing new versions of the Zune according to a source with Bloomberg. Microsoft is focusing on putting Zune software on mobile phones instead. The Zune music player launched in 2006 in an effort to compete with the Apple iPod. “We have nothing to announce about another Zune device — but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via the Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America,” said Microsoft in a statement. “We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.” [Bloomberg]

]]> http://pulse2.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-to-stop-producing-new-versions-of-the-zune/feed/ 0 United Airlines Switching Sirius XM Radio To Microsoft Zune Channels http://pulse2.com/2010/06/07/united-airlines-switching-sirius-xm-radio-to-microsoft-zune-channels/ http://pulse2.com/2010/06/07/united-airlines-switching-sirius-xm-radio-to-microsoft-zune-channels/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:03:43 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=32319 Continue reading →]]>
United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAUA) is replacing Sirius XM Radio with Microsoft Zune channels. The contract with Sirius XM ended May 30 and United Airlines decided not to renew. About 21 Zune channels will be available on every in-flight entertainment equipped United aircraft across various genres. [Fool.com]

]]> http://pulse2.com/2010/06/07/united-airlines-switching-sirius-xm-radio-to-microsoft-zune-channels/feed/ 0 Microsoft Launching 64GB Zune HD On April 12th For $350 http://pulse2.com/2010/03/31/microsoft-launching-64gb-zune-hd-on-april-12th-for-350/ http://pulse2.com/2010/03/31/microsoft-launching-64gb-zune-hd-on-april-12th-for-350/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:15:21 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=27766 Continue reading →]]>
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has announced that they are releasing a 64GB version of Zune HD on April 12th. Zune fans can buy the device through the Zune online store on the launch date. Retail partners will receive the device later on. The MSRP of the device is $349.99. As a result of the new device’s introduction, the 16GB and 32GB Zune HD will see a $20 price cut on the MSRP to $200 and $270, respectively. The full press release is below [Engadget]:

We’re excited to share that Zune fans will be able to purchase a new 64GB capacity of the popular Zune HD device for $349.99 starting April 12th through ZuneOriginals.com. By increasing the Zune HD capacity to 64GB, users will be able take up to 16,000 songs, or 20 hours of high definition video from Zune Marketplace, or 25,000 pictures* on the go! Customers will be able to customize their Zune HD 64GB through ZuneOrginals.com, available in their choice of Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta colors.

In addition to introducing the new 64GB capacity, we are also reducing the prices of the 16GB and 32GB devices. Starting today, price lists are being distributed to retailers, setting the Estimated Retail Price (ERP) for the Zune 16GB device at $199.99 and the Zune HD 32GB device at $269.99.

With its OLED multi-touch screen, built-in HD radio, HD video out capabilities and Internet browser, Zune HD is a full-function media player which has received accolades from press and consumers. We’ve also announced details of an upcoming firmware update which will add even more features to the device, such as Smart DJ auto-playlists directly on the Zune HD, ability to browse, stream and acquire music from Zune Marketplace on your TV (while the device is connected to a TV set through the A/V dock) and expanded codec support allowing users to play more video formats natively from the device.

We are excited to be offering a great range of storage capacities for the Zune HD at a competitive price point and will be sharing more news on the availability of the 4.5 firmware in the coming days.

*Music estimates based on 128 Kbps WMA files with length of 4 minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size; video estimates based on 500 Kbps WMV files with 128 Kbps WMA audio tracks.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2010/03/31/microsoft-launching-64gb-zune-hd-on-april-12th-for-350/feed/ 1 Microsoft Cutting Off The Original Zune http://pulse2.com/2009/09/07/microsoft-cutting-off-the-original-zune/ http://pulse2.com/2009/09/07/microsoft-cutting-off-the-original-zune/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:05:59 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=19913 Continue reading →]]>
Microsoft Corporation will be cutting off the original Zune when the Zune HD is released on September 15.  The Zune HD will cost $220 for the 16GB and $290 for the 32GB.  If you want one of the older Zunes, then it is highly recommended that you buy one now.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2009/09/07/microsoft-cutting-off-the-original-zune/feed/ 0 New MSFT Ad: Filling An iPod Costs $30K, ZunePass Costs $14.95 http://pulse2.com/2009/05/13/new-msft-ad-filling-an-ipod-costs-30k-zunepass-costs-1495/ http://pulse2.com/2009/05/13/new-msft-ad-filling-an-ipod-costs-30k-zunepass-costs-1495/#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 00:48:33 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=15185 Continue reading →]]>
The advertising war between Microsoft and Apple is back on. Earlier today I wrote about the new Apple advertisement that parodies Microsoft’s Laptop Hunters. Recently Microsoft released an advertisement that focuses on the costs associated with buying music on iTunes versus the Zune Pass.

In the above ad, Microsoft uses famous financial planner Wes Moss to talk about the difference between filling an iPod versus filling the Zune. Interestingly Zune Marketplace is not mentioned in the commercial. The problem with the Zune Pass is that you can only keep 10 songs per month so if you wanted 30,000 songs, you’d have to wait 250 years as pointed out by Ars Technica.

[Ars Technica]

]]> http://pulse2.com/2009/05/13/new-msft-ad-filling-an-ipod-costs-30k-zunepass-costs-1495/feed/ 0 Microsoft Looking To Bring The Zune To The Living Room As Job Posting Reveals http://pulse2.com/2009/04/02/microsoft-looking-to-bring-the-zune-to-the-living-room-as-job-posting-reveals/ http://pulse2.com/2009/04/02/microsoft-looking-to-bring-the-zune-to-the-living-room-as-job-posting-reveals/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:29:44 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=13500 Continue reading →]]> zune-logo
A job posting on the Microsoft website reveals the company’s plans for the Zune music player. The job is based in Redmond and the title is Software Development Engineer.

“The Zune team is looking for a qualified software development engineer to help deliver great digital entertainment features into the living room, including on demand music and video,” states the job posting. “Primary responsibilities include development of innovative user interfaces for delivering a rich, deep interactive media consumption experience in a living room environment. Experience with online services API development is a must, product will provide a rich online media experience delivering music and video from the cloud. A passion for UX and digital media is a must.” The software engineer has to have 3 years of C++ and C#.

I recall earlier that Steve Ballmer specifically mentioned that consumers should not anticipate a “Zune Phone.” Instead Microsoft will be focusing on developing software for a wide range of mobile devices. This job posting implies that Microsoft has more of an interest in designing software built around other consumer devices that complement the Zune. What Microsoft means by media consumption in a living room environment is anybody’s guess.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2009/04/02/microsoft-looking-to-bring-the-zune-to-the-living-room-as-job-posting-reveals/feed/ 4 Microsoft To Bring Zune Market To The TV http://pulse2.com/2009/03/01/microsoft-to-bring-zune-market-to-the-tv/ http://pulse2.com/2009/03/01/microsoft-to-bring-zune-market-to-the-tv/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:32:02 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=11351 Continue reading →]]> zune-tv
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has plans to take the Zune media player and online store to television sets.  The Zune online store is called the Zune Marketplace sells millions of songs, podcasts, music videos, and TV shows for downloads.  The Zune market made about $85 million in revenue during the Christmas quarter.

The Zune has a way to go in terms of competing with the iPod.  iTunes pulled in about $3.5 billion during the Christmas quarter and almost 200 million iPods have been sold.  Only about two million Zunes have been sold as of May 2008.

Steve Ballmer stated that Microsoft is “bringing our Zune Service, not the Zune hardware but the Zune entertainment service, to all three screens, PC, phone, and TV.”

[via PCW]

]]> http://pulse2.com/2009/03/01/microsoft-to-bring-zune-market-to-the-tv/feed/ 0 Microsoft Zune Commercial Featuring Keri Hilson Seems Pretty Bland http://pulse2.com/2009/01/26/microsoft-zune-commercial-featuring-keri-hilson-seems-pretty-bland/ http://pulse2.com/2009/01/26/microsoft-zune-commercial-featuring-keri-hilson-seems-pretty-bland/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:40:57 +0000 Amit Chowdhry http://pulse2.com/?p=10173 Continue reading →]]>
It looks like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) hired Keri Hilson to promote the Zune. The problem with this commercial is that it seems pretty bland. If I hired an R&B artist to promote my music device, then I would have had her do more than just list a bunch of artists that she likes. Heck, the commercial would have been a lot better if they had people break-dancing to Timbaland’s song featuring Keri Hilson, The Way I Are.

Feedback for Microsoft: Make Zune ads more creative.

]]> http://pulse2.com/2009/01/26/microsoft-zune-commercial-featuring-keri-hilson-seems-pretty-bland/feed/ 0