Official Zune Insider Blog and Podcast

The New Zune Pass: Your Questions Answered

Cesar Menendez — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:54:00 GMT

Since the launch of the new Zune Pass, I've gotten a few questions from folks. For a quick how-to, be sure to check out the screenshot tutorial over at Inside the Circle. And Harv from 'rama did a great job in summarizing these - I ran his list by the product team and here's what I got:

1. What’s the catch here?
No catch. You get everything you always got with your Zune Pass (i.e. unlimited access to Marketplace subscription tracks, for as long as you maintain your subscription), plus your choice of 10 tracks to keep every month.

2. If I don’t download my ten tracks this month, can I download twenty next month? In other words, do the ten free downloads carry over from month to month?
No, there is no rollover of the ten downloads from one month to the next. Download your selected ten tracks each month; next month you’ll be able to download ten more.

3. Is the ‘free downloads’ offer retroactive from when I started my Zune Pass?
No, it starts now. Each month from this month forward, you get ten free downloads. And if you are a current subscriber, you get all your 10 tracks immediately regardless of your renewal date. Cool!

4. How do I download the ten free tracks?
Right-click on the track you want, and select ‘buy’ or ‘add to cart’. If you have a Zune Pass, each month you will have a ten-item credit in your account to use for this.

5. Are the free tracks in WMA or in MP3 format?
That depends on the song. About 90% of Marketplace tracks are available in DRM-free MP3 format. So chances are you’ll be getting a drm-free mp3

6. Can I burn the downloaded tracks to CD?
Yes! You can burn them, just like you can with any other purchased content. The downloaded track works just like one that you purchased from Zune marketplace: you can burn it, sync it to your Zune, or more

7. I sync my Zune Pass tracks to several players and PCs. How many free downloads do I get?
You get ten free downloads per account. Having several Zune players and PCs tied to that account doesn’t affect the number of downloads that you get.

8. How much does a Zune Pass cost?
No change here: it’s still $14.99 per month. For that you get access to all Zune Marketplace subscription tracks, and your ten free keep-it-forever download tracks

9. How do I get a Zune Pass? Can I get a free trial of it?
You can sign up for a Zune Pass here. You can also get a 14-day free trial.

10. When does my 1-month start? On the first, or the day I first signed up with my zunepass?
On the first day of signing up for your Zunepass

Ok - happy downloading!

Zune Pass: Now with Tracks to Keep!

Cesar Menendez — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The week just keep getting better for Zune owners: today we’re announcing some amazing enhancements for Zune Pass

Starting today at about 11:00PM pacific time, everyone with a Zune Pass gets to keep 10 tracks from Zune Marketplace each month. These 10 tracks will be yours to keep, forever. Each month that you keep your Zune Pass current, you’ll get another 10 tracks credited to your account. All this for the same price as your Zune Pass today: 14.99/month, or about the price of one CD per month. So each month as you discover and download new music in Zune Marketplace, you’ll be able to keep 10 of your favorite tracks. One quick note: there is no roll-over, so make sure you collect your 10 tracks each month.

Which brings up the second bit of good news: now approximately (90%) of the 4+ million tracks in Zune Marketplace are available as DRM-free MP3s. We’ve got MP3s from , Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, as well as indie distributors IODA and The Orchard.

And to help you decide which of the millions of tracks to keep, the Zune Marketplace team now offers a collection called “perfect 10s” – 10 must-have tracks in each of the most popular genres. And each week, you’ll see “fresh picks” – ten tracks from the best new releases each week.

Price Moves for Zune 3.0

Cesar Menendez — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:35:00 GMT

Just in time for the holidays: a flash-based device and accessory price cut for the US and Canada. You may have seen some chatter last week about lower priced devices at certain retailers, well we are happy to “officially” announce that the lower prices can be found at Zune Originals and all our major retail partners (all prices listed in USD, and are only suggested prices). Check the list:

Product                             New Price             Old Price                Change
Zune 4GB                           $99.99                       $129.99                     -$30
Zune 8GB                           $139.99                     $149.99                     -$10
Zune 16GB                         $179.99                     $199.99                     -$20
Car Pack                             $69.99                       $79.99                       -$10
Home/AV Pack                 $59.99                     $79.99                       -$20
Dock Pack                          $39.99                       $49.99                      -$10

Ok, happy shopping!

<edit> - added $.99 on each post

New Zune TV Spot Starring Common, Afrika Bambaataa, feat. Mixview

Cesar Menendez — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:07:00 GMT

If you watched Heroes last night* perhaps you saw the new Zune 3.0 TV spot. Miss it? Check it here. The TV spot, besides showcasing the Zune software and mixview, certainly gave me a new appreciation for Afrika Bambaataa!

You can also catch the spot this week during NFL games (next Sunday and Monday), and then on MTV, MTV2, Comedy Central, Adult Swim, and other networks. And for a little more context, check out this story by Jessica Mintz from the AP

*If you did see it, don't tell me what happens; I'm a heroes fanboy and haven't seen it yet.

Zune 3.1: Update Your Zune!

Cesar Menendez — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:20:00 GMT

The team has been doing a little extra work heading into the holiday season; in fact this week is a busy one. You are going to see some pretty cool things coming for Zune that we thinks you'll enjoy…Aside from the sweet Common commercial – Afrika Bambaataa!

Starting today, Zune gets a little update which will bring a handful of free games, a refresh to Zune Social and incremental improvements to the software.

On the games front, we are giving away three new additions, Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle, plus a new multiplayer mode and single player difficulty levels for Texas Hold’em.

The team also did some great work the Zune Social visual refresh to make it easier to navigate, as well as adding a new feature called “like minded listeners,” which will let you see how compatible your music tastes are with other listeners and friends.

On the more techie side we focused on improving overall stability and performance in the Zune PC software and device firmware, such as improved play count reporting and content synchronization between the Zune software and the Zune device.

To get the new update, use the PC software, just click settings: check for updates.

If you’re new to Zune, you can download the software for free at www.zune.net.

Enjoy and stay tuned! I'll leave you with some screenshots:

(sudoku)

(Hold 'em)

(Checkers)

PBS comes to Zune

Paul Davidson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 GMT

Sometimes thinking is good when it comes to TV, and that's why we're so glad to be able to bring the PBS network to the Zune Video Marketplace. Effective today you'll be able to download such shows as: Ken Burns Jazz, America and American Lives; NOVA, Wired Science, Scientific American Frontiers and later this week, Carrier. Enjoy!

zune insider audio episode 13: holiday advertising kicks off

Rob Greenlee — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:07:00 GMT

Welcome to episode 13 (audio) of the Zune Insider Podcast co-hosted by Cesar Menendez and Rob Greenlee. This audio episode was recorded the Zune building on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA.

Topics covered this week include: Holiday Advertising kicks off next week, Upgrade Your Zune Software podcast subscribers switch your podcast subscription to the Zune Insider podcast feed, Discuss Latin Grammys in Houston earlier this week, CBSi release a new webisode series “Novel Adventures” as a Video Podcast, New TV Networks like G4 "Attack of the Show" and others added to the video store.

We also discuss 5 of your emails and blog comments. Visit Zune.net (19:02 min).

Download the (13 MB MP3) audio file directly here - Direct RSS feed - Zune Subscribe

Recap: Zune Celebrates the Latin Grammys

Cesar Menendez — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:16:00 GMT

As you know from last week, Zune had a solid presence in Houston this week celebrating the Latin Grammys. First up, congratulations to all the Grammy winners this year.*

Here's what we were up to: Zune created an exclusive venue, Zune Houston, to host several events throughout the week. The first event on Tuesday was a music showcase, Zune Música: Celebrating the Nominees, with Grammy-nominated artists Ximena Sariñana, Circo, and Kudai. Zune Originals artwork by Catalina Estrada, along with the Zodiac Series devices, were on display in a gallery room, in conjunction with custom Zune Originals Gibson Guitars, later given to the performing artists.

Wednesday, Zune partnered with Xbox to host a Celebrity Challenge playing the new game “Lips”. Artists like Flex, Frankie J, Paula DeAndra were able to challenge one another and see who could score the highest vocal score. Later that Wednesday evening, Zune Houston opened its door for the Official Person of the Year After Party.

Look for videos from the event next week! Thanks to everybody who came out!

*Ok, so it's not like Gloria Estefan reads this blog. But hey, I can still congratulate her! It's like people clapping at the end of a movie they see in the theatre. Sort of.

G4 comes to Zune

Paul Davidson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:29:00 GMT

All those gamers out there will be stoked to know that, starting today, we've added the G4 network to the Zune Video Marketplace. On launch today you'll find Attack of the Show, X Play, Code Monkeys and The Block. Enjoy!

What's new in video

Paul Davidson — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:57:00 GMT

New shows abound!

Cartoon Network: Chowder, The Secret Saturdays, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Codename: Kids Next Door

Logo: Rick & Steve, Season 2

MTV: 50 Cent's The Money & The Power, Real World Road Rules Challenge 16: The Island

NBC: SNL Best Of Politics

Nickelodeon: True Jackson, Unfabulous, The Naked Brothers Band

Starz: Hollywood Residential

zune insider video episode 12: zune dunktank and zodiac art

Rob Greenlee — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:37:00 GMT

Welcome to episode 12 (video) of the Zune Insider Podcast co-hosted by Cesar Menendez and Rob Greenlee. This video episode was recorded on the 6th floor rooftop in downtown Seattle on November 6th, 2008.

Topics covered this week include: Microsoft Zune Giving campaign executive dunktank event that was held outside of the Zune building in Redmond, WA (4:22), We speak with new Zune Originals "Zodiac series" artist and Zune graphic designer Iosefatu Sua (8:40).

We also discuss your emails and comments. Visit Zune.net (20:15 min).

Download the (201 MB MP4) video file directly here - Direct RSS feed - Zune Subscribe

How To: Clear Everything from your Zune

Cesar Menendez — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:04:00 GMT

A few folks have asked me: how do I erase all the content off my Zune? Let's say you're giving your Zune away to your friend. And let's say your friend has completely horrible different music taste. Here's how to easily clear everything from your Zune.

Warning though: this will definitely erase all your content. All your pictures, photos, videos, everything - gone.

Ok, still with me? Good. Here's what you do:

1. Set the Hold switch to unlocked.

2. Press and hold the Back button while you press the top of the Zune pad. When the Zune device begins to start, release the buttons

3. Immediately after you release the buttons in step 2, press and hold the following combination of buttons, depending on your Zune model:

- If you have a Zune 4GB, Zune 8BG, Zune 16GB, Zune 80GB, or Zune 120 GB device, press and hold the Back button while you press the Play/Pause button. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message:

Clearing contents. Please wait.

note: If you have a Zune 30GB, press and hold the Back button while you press the right side of the Zune pad and the center of the Zune pad. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message:

Clearing contents. Please wait.

Ok - again, use at your own risk! For more go here.

The logo network comes to zune

Paul Davidson — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:42:00 GMT

Just a heads up for all those LOGO fans; today the network was added to the Zune Marketplace. Launch shows include The Big Gay Sketch Show, the animated Rick and Steve, Shirts & Skins and Noah's Arc.

nickelodeon's true jackson exclusive and free on zune

Paul Davidson — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:22:00 GMT

Launching today on the Zune Marketplace is none other than Nickelodeon's brand-new live-action show True Jackson. The comedy, about a fifteen year old who gets to run her own fashion label, doesn't even premiere until next week -- but it's available exclusively this week on Zune and nowhere else. And it's for free.

Heading To Houston for the Latin Grammy Awards: Meetup

Cesar Menendez — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Live in the Houston, TX area?

Zune will be celebrating the Latin Grammys this month, and we'll be throwing a party in Houston to kick off the festivities! Check the details (including RSVP info) here:

It should be a lot of fun! I'll be bringing my Gears of War Zune to show off, too.

Drop a comment if you can make it!