Zune Insider

Zune Insider Podcast: Episode 2

2008-08-28T18:49:00Z

Welcome to episode 2 of the Zune Insider Audio and Video Podcast!

Topics covered this week include: Zune’s sponsorship of the New Media Expo in Las Vegas, and we sit down with Jessica to answer some of your questions about the Zune software update release process and more. We also discuss what is coming in next week’s show.

Download the MP3 directly here.
Direct Podcast RSS Feed here
Zune Marketplace Deep-Link here

Zune Marketplace Freebie this Week: She Wants Revenge

2008-08-28T17:10:00Z

Head over to Zune Marketplace this week for a cool freebie She Wants Revenge has offered up their single "A Hundred Kisses" from the maxi-single Save Your Soul.

Enjoy!

Zune and Janelle Monáe

2008-08-28T05:03:00Z

Zune is partnering with futuristic alternative/blues and soul artist Janelle Monáe to bring you some exclusive content in Zune Marketplace. You can visit a special feature page to access an exclusive live version of the single “Violet Stars Happy Hunting,” as well as a track-by-track Breakdown of the new album in the artist’s own words. Janelle then takes goes deeper into her alternate universe with an exclusive Zune Guestlist, where she has chosen songs that have touched her emotions, created unforgettable moments, and inspired her to become what she is today. For more details, check the media alert.

Zune Development Interview Podcast: What do you want to know?

2008-08-26T01:36:00Z

In this week's podcast, we're going to be interviewing our buddy Jessica from the Zune team. Jessica is a program manager on the Zune Social, so here's your chance to ask questions about Zune software dev and the process by which we design, develop and release features. What would you like to know? Drop a comment!

Edit: Ok! The podcast is recorded! Thanks for your questions, and stay tuned tomorrow for the release!

New Music Friday: Seventy-Fourth Edition

2008-08-22T23:14:00Z

Welcome, dear blog reader, to another exciting edition of New Music Friday. High five! Ready for some free n' clear music for your zune?

Heading off this week is a free track from The Cold War Kids, over at new cool site Social Circle (rock)
And check The Shaky Hands, giving away a free MP3 at Beetstro (rock).
Let's keep the free rock going with a Melvins track, courtesy of 'tracks
Best name for a band this week: Ra Ra Riot check the MP3 over at Stereogum
You might know that to me a good remix is like a cake filled with pies. Well check this Ratatat remix of Notorious B.I.G., over at GorillavsBear: MMM. . . piecakes. (hip hop/rock remix)
And last but certainly not not-awesome: MOKB has a fresh new track from Zuneinsider favorite TV on the Radio

Ok, enjoy the free music and have a great weekend everybody!

Quick Recap: Zune at the New Media Expo

2008-08-22T21:38:00Z

Last week a few folks from the Zune team went down to Las Vegas for the New Media Expo. It’s the premiere event for new media content creators and podcasters, Zune was a top-level sponsor of the event. In addition to the both, we also organized a meetup at the Hilton, communicated through twitter, Zuneinsider.com and through word-of-mouth at the show. Thanks to everybody who came out!

Paul Colligan has some very insightful and detailed recaps of the Expo if you're interested in the podcasting space. And we'll have more details and video from the Expo in our next podcast!

What We're Listening to (Right Now): 4th Edition

2008-08-22T17:35:00Z

Welcome, dear blog reader to the third edition of: So HOT Right Now: what the Zuneinsider Editors are Listening to (right now). Check it:

Justin: Radiohead – In Rainbows. At their concert in Seattle this week, I was out on the lawn and drenched to the bone and shivering in the rain, but that didn’t stop me from dancing and totally rocking out to their amazing performance.
Matt: “Yung Berg’s new album Look What You Made Me is chock full o’ singles, but “Where Do We Go” featuring Twista takes the cake for me. This album is much better than I expected; any hip-hop lover should give it a listen.”
Cesar: People Under the Stairs' record The Om Years. If you like smooth intelligent hip-hop, check PUTS out! And I went to the Radiohead show too (photo) - loved it.
Jessica: "August is a busy month in the Seattle clubs! I continue to listen to the DJs and producers I’m going to see soon. This week it’s 4 Strings, and next week, Max Graham."

Ok, enjoy the recommendations and have a great week everybody! And stay tuned for New Music Friday, coming later today.

Also, one note about the podcast: we're a bit swamped with our day jobs, so the podcast is a little delayed. It's gonna be a video podcast, and should be coming out soon!

What happens to a kid when Mom works for Zune

2008-08-22T01:24:00Z

My life pretty much revolves around music. Obviously work does, but so does my social life, whether it be going out to clubs or shows or just hanging out with friends. It’s been a hoot to see how this music focus rubs off on my eight-year-old, Gabriel.

Gabriel on his desire to see Gareth Emery at a club in Seattle last week: “Why can’t they put a fence around the bar, and let anybody in? It’s not fair that you have to be 21!”

On Bumbershoot, a Seattle music festival: “How many days can we go? I really want to see Paramore and Stone Temple Pilots. Please?” (When I said I’d take him to one day only, he started making lists of all the bands he wants to see to determine which day has the optimal line up.)

On the forthcoming Rock Band 2 video game: “Mom, can you download all the songs in Rock Band 2? I need to start listening to the drum and guitar parts.” (Thank goodness for Zune Pass - that's a lot of songs!)

On the recent Paul van Dyk concert at Pier 54, Hudson River Park, in New York: “If the show is in a park, can kids go? Can you take me next year?”

On whether the Armin van Buuren song “Going Wrong” contains an acoustic guitar part: “No, that’s not a guitar. It’s a mandolin. A guitar doesn’t have enough high strings to make that sound.” (He’s actually wrong, but you couldn’t convince him of that!)

And finally, on whether he wants to be in a boy band: “No way! They don’t play instruments. I’m going to be a drummer in a rock and roll band! Can you help me find some bandmates?”

It’s everything a music-loving mommy could hope for!

(Pictured: the kid rockin' out at Zune's own Rock Band competition. The band dumped their original drummer - my boss's boss - in favor of my son. Career limiting move for me, perhaps?)

RSS Back Up and Running

2008-08-22T00:23:00Z

Ok, we've got the RSS back up after the redesign. Thanks to everyone who sent this in or left comments!

An Interesting Take on Zune

2008-08-20T23:05:00Z

A few of you might have read over the last few weeks in Slate or the New York Times on why some people are attracted to Zune. Grahm over at AnythingButiPod has an interesting take on Zune and why people may or may not want to purchase one.

So I figured I would go straight to the source: You, dear blogger: what's your take on this question called out in the abi article:

Is Microsoft positioning the Zune as the anti-iPod, and are people buying Zunes because they’re not iPods?

I would say no, but I didn't exactly *buy* my Zune. . . ;)

And btw - anyone going to Radiohead tonight? I'll be in the pit (General Admission) - wearing shiny blue adidas- if you're there!

Cool Site to Check Out: Inside the Circle

2008-08-20T16:59:00Z

Here's a cool site on the Horizon: Check out InsidetheCircle.net, a site written by some Zune Social all-stars, like Tromboneforhire, Julio Angel Ortiz, Solar 257 and more. If you're interested in finding (free) music, insightful musings on Zune, and community (like I am), head over there! Tell 'em Cesar sent ya!

New Music Friday: Seventy-Third Edition

2008-08-15T18:59:00Z

Welcome, music lovers and blog readers, to another exciting edition of New Music Friday. High five! Ready for some free n' clear music for your zune?

Heading off this week is some Latin Alternative: Drea from Beetstro posts a Plastilina Mosh MP3.
'Tracks post a song from Alejandro Escovedo (alterative country/rock)
Put on your dancing shoes and click through to ArjanWrites, for a collaboration between DJ/producer Ryan Farish and multi-platinum recording artist Donna Lewis
Let's bring the Hip Hop: GorillavsBear has a Cool Kids MP3.
I missed this before but I'm making amends now - Stereogum posts a remix from my most favoritest band, Tokyo Police Club! (rock).
And last but certainly not not-awesome: our friends at MOKB post a few tracks from The Whigs, along with a bunch more MP3s from different artists, including CSS!

Ok, enjoy the free music and have a great weekend everybody!

What We're Listening to (right now) - 3rd edition

2008-08-15T09:58:00Z

Welcome, dear blog reader to the third edition of: So HOT Right Now: what the Zuneinsider Editors are Listening to (right now). okletsgo:

Justin: "HAARP by Muse. The only way Muse could sound more epic is by performing live in front of adoring fans--which is why this live album is awesome."
Rob: Watching athletes go for the gold at the Beijing Olympics this year!
Matt: "Jay-Z’s classic album The Blueprint is back in my rotation this week. The whole album is amazing, but check out “Never Change” and “Heart of the City (Ain’t no love)” both of which were produced by Kanye West before he really blew up…"
Cesar: Why, the new CSS record of course. It's called Donkey and it's not to be missed! Long time readers will know that I'm a huge CSS fan, from way back to 2006!
Jessica: "This week, surprise surprise, I'm listening to electronic dance music! In preparation for his show today (Friday) in Seattle, I'm listening to Christopher Lawrence, and I'm also completely obsessed with Matt Darey's Nocturnal. He's got a full CD out by that name, but also a weekly podcast in the Zune Marketplace. Check 'em out!

Ok, enjoy the recommendations and have a great week everybody! And stay tuned for New Music Friday today!

Come Meet the Zune Crew in Vegas!

2008-08-14T23:00:00Z

Greetings from Las Vegas! As Rob mentioned, we're here at the New Media Expo this week. Are you in town? Head over to Quark, the Star Trek restaurant here in Las Vegas. Come by, have a drink, say hello, ask about Zune - anything. See you there!

Zune and the New Media Expo

2008-08-14T09:23:00Z

The 4th Annual New Media Expo (formerly called the Podcast & Portable Media Expo) starts today, August 14-16 in hot Las Vegas. I am sitting in the lobby of the Hilton next to the Las Vegas Convention Center and podcasters from all over the country are coming to town to meet-up with old friends and are here to learn about what is new with podcasting. This year, I have been able to pull together a major Zune sponsorship and exhibition at the show. This is a great opportunity to for Zune to establish itself as an important player in the podcasting industry as it has been less than a year since the Zune launched support for podcast content. We are doing this to give the podcasting community and opportunity to touch and experience a Zune. I have found that many in the community do not know very much about the Zune player and Zune Marketplace client software. If you are attending the event this year then please do stop by the booth we have and experience the Zune and its great support of podcasting.