[Rumor] Zune HD 2 is happening… perhaps

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Michael Collado

Mary Jo Foley, of AllAboutMicrosoft.com and ZDNet, is reporting that a reliable source says Microsoft might just have another Zune HD up its sleeve, Engadget is endorsing the rumor.  Or at least trusting the always-faithful Mary Jo.

While Mary Jo’s insider doesn’t have any information about how the device will look, its price, what features it will have (physical or otherwise), she seems vaguely sure that it will “sport an ARM processor.”  Aside from that, it may borrow a few UI changes from Windows Phone 7.  The device could even be called “Zune HD 7″ if Microsoft is so inclined, Mary Jo jokes.  (Though, if you want to be technical: First Zunes (1), Slimmer Zunes Gen 2 (2), Glossy Zunes (3), Flash Zunes (4), Special Editions/Larger Capacities/Originals (5), Zune HD (6)… and the next one would be?  Of course that’s just us loving conspiracies and such!)

Also no word on how Microsoft might position such a device if it ever comes to market: Would it be more like a “Windows Phone 7 Lite”/iPod Touch? A gaming-focused handheld? Or more like a mini slate/tablet?

As some Zune enthusiasts note, a firmware update for existing Zunes might make more sense than another new ZuneHD model.

We’re just hoping for fireworks after today’s Zune-esque Apple announcement (Ping-wise, some have mentioned).  As always, we’re holding out for a new device… as long as it isn’t just glossy.

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7for7: #6 – Carrier variety

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Michael Collado

This is the second part in our seven-week series of 7for7, seven reasons to wait for Windows Phone 7 debuting later this Fall.

Carrier variety may not sound all that compelling to get a phone, but when you begin to shop around you’ll start to notice just how important it is.  And while this may be a “feature” that rivals only the iPhone, it’s still reason enough to be on the 7for7 list.

Comparing to just the iPhone, which at the time of this article is still heavily-rumored to be on Verizon’s network by early next year, and its exclusivity deal with AT&T we can work with prices from the other three big carriers in the United States (sorry International folk, I don’t know prices outside the US).  For this article’s sake we decided to just look at AT&T’s iPhone pricing and look at comparable plans on other carriers. Continue reading →

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Xbox LIVE Gold will cost more starting November 1st, buy now!

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Michael Collado

Xbox LIVE Gold members will have to pay more for their subscriptions starting the first day of November for those who live in the United States, the UK, Canada, and Mexico.  Microsoft announced today that they will be increasing prices across all tiers.

In the United States: monthly subscriptions will increase from $8 to $10, three months will go from $20 to $25, and yearly subscriptions will be raised from $50 to $60.  The increases are about the same in all other respective countries listed above.

Larry Hyrb states that since the launch of LIVE services, in 2002, Microsoft has kept the prices the same while continually adding more content like Netflix streaming, Zune Video, and the inevitable Hulu Plus service coming early 2011 (even though a separate $10/month must be paid to Hulu).  The price hikes come at quite the convenient time, just before Kinect, where new consumers will see the LIVE service fees for their first time.

Microsoft, however, is allowing current customers to lock in inexpensive prices now, with a $20 discount (from the new price) for a yearly subscription.

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Editorial: “Friends. friends. FRIENDS. and most importantly: FRI€ND$!”

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Michael Collado

In one sentence: Kin was stupid.  We all knew that, well everyone except Microsoft.  The idea sounded good but then it actually debuted and the marketing campaign began and it all went downhill.  No one actually understood what Kin was or why it didn’t do this or do that (like IM)… the result of all of it was its death, something we got over quite quickly.  But lately, blogs and online news sources are claiming Windows Phone 7 is just going to be Kin Part Deux.

Why?  Well before we get to that, let’s just say: they’re crazy!  Okay, now let’s get into why.  They–and by “they” I mean the likes of PCWorld, John Dvorak, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among others–claim that Microsoft’s fat initial marketing bill, ranging anywhere from $400 million to $1 billion, might show signs of weakness in how much they believe in the product.  Aside from that, they are sure that the way Microsoft is handling licensing its software to handset manufacturers is a way of the past; Apple and RIM make their own hardware and Google’s Android is open sourced and thus free.  But could a $15 initial fee cost Microsoft a shot to be back in the game? Continue reading →

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Microsoft will spend more than $400 million on Windows Phone 7 marketing

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Michael Collado

Jonathan Goldberg, a telecommunications analysts, told TechCrunch that they estimate Microsoft will spend more than $400 million (other sources say closer to half a billion) on a marketing campaign to make sure Windows Phone 7 is a hit this holiday season.

“This is make-or-break for them. They need to do whatever it takes to stay in the game,” says Goldberg. “It’s still wide open. They don’t have to take share from Android or Apple, so long as they can attract enough consumers switching from feature phones.”

Goldberg claims that when he visited Redmond last month, Microsoft executives told him that Microsoft plans on spending billions–yes, with an S–of dollars in first-year marketing; $1 billion will supposedly be spent just on its debut.

PCWorld rounds up just how much Microsoft has spent on marketing campaigns in the past: on XP, Vista, and Xbox, Microsoft spent around the same $500 million; Bing saw up-to $100 million; and while there’s no real, solid number, estimates for Windows 7′s marketing campaign are near $1 billion.

Windows Phone 7 is rumored to debut later this year, in October.  (Read our mini-column, 7for7, based on 7 reasons in 7 weeks why you should wait for Windows Phone 7.)

Not to derail the story, but why couldn’t Zune get some of the pie?

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Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sues Apple

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Michael Collado

The Wall Street Journal reports that Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft and left the company over 20 years ago, is now suing Apple, Google, and nine other companies by claiming they are illegally using the technology that was created in the Valley.  What’s more?  Allen did not create or pioneer any of this technology but he owns the patents.

This is just the latest in ongoing “Patent Wars” that have practically taken over the tech world: Apple sued several mobile handset companies over iPhone patents they owned, Microsoft was sued by i4i–and gave them a run for their money–over XML patents, and countless other incidents.

“Paul thinks this is important, not just to him but to the researchers at Interval who created this technology,” said the spokesman, David Postman. “We recognize that innovation has a value, and patents are the way to protect that.”

Funnily enough, many would argue that patents actually impair innovation, an opinion wildly endorsed by the Zunited Podcast.

Apart from Apple and Google, the suit includes “AOL Inc., eBay Inc., Facebook Inc., Netflix Inc., Office Depot Inc., OfficeMax Inc., Staples Inc., Yahoo Inc. and Google’s YouTube subsidiary.”

The spokesperson begs that the suit has nothing to do with Allen’s current finances (who is a major investor in Microsoft, conveniently absent from this suit) and that companies are actually making money from patents… licensing them, anyway.  Allen’s team has been reviewing his patents “for years.”

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[Rumor] iTunes to offer $0.99 TV show rentals? We need Zune Video Pass!

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Michael Collado

Bloomberg is reporting that Apple is in “advanced” discussions with News Corp. (owners of Fox channels, FX, and MyNetworkTV) to offer their television shows for a 99-cent downloads, which consumers would then keep for 48 hours.  According to Bloomberg’s source, they’re also talking to CBS Corp. (CBS, The CW), NBC Universal (NBC, USA Network), and Walt Disney Co. (Disney Channel, ESPN, ABC), to offer the same type of rental service for their content, as well.  Something I’m sure they’re all behind.

Episodes will be available to Apple’s rental service within 24 hours of their air dates and will be commercial-free, one of the people said. Apple plans to hold a San Francisco event Sept. 7, two weeks ahead of the start of the new prime-time TV season, to unveil the service and an updated line of entertainment products, two people said.

Sure, it’s commercial-free, but can that compete with Hulu’s own Hulu Plus service, an all-you-can-eat stream for $10/month.  Hulu Plus is available on all of Apple’s mobile devices and while they don’t have CBS Corp. shows on their side just yet, strong rumors are circulating that they’re in talks with them.

Most importantly: where’s the Zune Video Pass already?  I know we’re all asking this question; a buffet-type download, commercial-free (or even with limited commercials) could possibly blow both out of the water.  Possibly.

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7for7: #7 – Windows Phone Live, SkyDrive, and the cloud

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Michael Collado

This is the first part in our seven-week series of 7for7, seven reasons to wait for Windows Phone 7 debuting later this Fall.

Every competitor has got one: a cloud service for their mobile phones and other devices.  Google’s Android devices actually require you to have a Gmail account set up to use their phones, Apple’s own offering of MobileMe is not as strict when it comes to the iPhone but they both offer more or less the same contact sync and email services.  Apple steps up the game a little bit more, though, with actual storage to keep pictures, videos, and other documents up in the “cloud.”  The same is true for Windows Phone 7 with SkyDrive, but there’s a reason SkyDrive has the advantage here.  Read on to find out exactly why. Continue reading →

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Zunited Spotlight: Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Jared Marino

Katy Perry 'Teenage Dream'


 Katy Perry’s new album “Teenage Dream” was launched today to the eager listeners! I have been listening to it all morning and must say that I absolutely LOVE it. Katy Perry is back.

Continue reading →

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7for7: A new mini-column about Windows Phone 7

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Michael Collado

7 reasons.  7 weeks. That’s basically the idea for a new mini-column that we’re starting here at Zunited, called 7for7, where we will mention seven great reasons to wait until later this Fall for Windows Phone 7′s debut rather than going with an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry device.  You might remember that we asked you why you should get WP7 on Twitter and we will be taking those into consideration when generating our detailed reasons that might just hold you over until the device(s) actually come(s) out!

So what are the seven reasons?  Well, that’s part of the fun!  Every Tuesday we’ll reveal and review a new reason to wait until mid-October.  So join us and be part of the debate: Reply in our comments sections every week, communicate over Twitter, or discuss with like-minded (or even opposite-minded) people in our Forum!  And hopefully we can win those over who don’t think Windows Phone 7 is worth the wait.

We hope to begin tomorrow but all things considered we might have to start Tuesday, August 31st.

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