Zune Archive

With the recent news of Zune 4.5 and the leaked, then announced, Zune HD 64gb, Microsoft has wasted no time in announcing the much-wanted Zune Video Pass. The Zune Pass is the all-you-can-eat buffet music service that Microsoft and Zune currently provide for $15 a month. Zune (and video) lovers everywhere have been clamoring for a video subscription service to download all the video they can for a once-a-month fee; with that has come questions of when, why not, and how much?

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Microsoft just announced Zune 4.5. Along with the aformentioned SmartDJ and codec features, the update will also bring along picks and improve the TV-out experience. As for the release date, Microsoft would only say its coming out “in the next few weeks“. No world on that mythical 64GB device either.

Smart DJ
Smart DJ works as expected, just hit the button and go. Once you do, the software will pick 30 songs from your collection and the marketplace (if you have a Zune Pass) for you to jam out too. Smart DJ playlists can be initiated from both your collection and the marketplace, just like on the PC. In addition, it looks like we will finally have the option to play all albums, nice.

[Engadget]

Picks
The marketplace picks you know and love form the PC can now be viewed on the device. Nice!

Codec Support
As we learned back in January, the Zune HD will be getting more native codec support. The new supported codecs include Xvid and AVI. For a device that is so good for video, this is huge. I expect the Zune HD will soon be a lot more popular with the BitTorrent crowd.

Marketplace TV-Out
Last, but not least, is that the Marketplace is now available via TV-Out. This is good news, because marketplace support via TV-out was glaringly missing before. Coupled with picks and Smart DJ, this update alone makes that expensive HDMI dock that much for desirable. Engadget seems to think that text input via the remote and on-screen keyboard will lead to many-a-headache, I agree (Have you ever used the on-screen keyboard on the Xbox?), however I think Zune’s excellent autosuggestion will alleviate the issue.

And That’s It
What? Just four new features? Well, it seems so. Regardless, there is no denying that these four features are major improvements to the device. But there seems to be some glaring omissions form this update. For instance, why is there still no on-device podcast marketplace/streaming ability? The alpha of WP7S has it for heaven’s sakes! And what about a better browser? What about more apps? Then again, it is still a few weeks away, and there may still be hope for new features. Furthermore, the Zune PC software doesn’t seem to be getting any updates with this. Odd.

More Coverage:
Other Zune fan sites and some blogs have more coverage and even some hands-ons!

CNet (Who has a nice photo gallery) | engadget | Gizmodo | InsideTheCircle | ZuneSpring | ZuneThoughts

Regardless, the updates are appreciated, and we should thank the Zune team for continuing to update the device!

Update: Zune.net is back up and running. Proceed as normal.

Due to issues with the service, you cannot currently log-in both Zune.net and Xbox.com. Here is Microsoft’s official statement on the situation:

You might be unable to sign in using the Zune software (including Zune marketplace). If you’re already signed in, you might experience a delay in plays counting. We’re working on the problem. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience.

Keep an eye on the Zune Support Page for further updates.

In related news, some people on Twitter are reporting that Zune.net is down completely, and that they are experiencing issues with the marketplace refusing purchases. In my opinion, it’s probably best to steer clear of making any purchases until we get an official all-clear. Also, feel free to report how things are going with you. Enjoy.

After popular music band Pink Floyd decided to take its record label, EMI, to court over single-sold song royalties, the band’s music can be pulled from digital stores altogether.

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With the announcement of Windows Phone 7 Series Monday morning, came a shocking quote by Joe (pictured): “Every Windows 7 Phone will be a Zune…” mostly because Windows 7 Phones will be able to sync with the Zune software and transfer media to and from the device. Quickly arose questions about whether or not Zune would be leaving the borders of North America.

Thanks to @Gilly2468 for pointing us to ZD Net’s Mary Jo Foley’s where she asked Casey McGee, Senior Marketing Manager, “Will Microsoft make the Zune music/video service available outside the U.S.?”

Yes, McGee said. “It will be available in all countries where Windows 7 Phones will ship.” Microsoft is not yet disclosing that list of countries.

Zune moving out of even the US was a major struggle and dragged on completely; Canada received the Zune device and software before they even received the Marketplace (a whole six months before) and any of its respective features. If in fact other countries would be getting the Zune Music and Video service, it does not completely mean that they would be getting the Zune device — or for that matter, the Marketplace. We might just have to wait another ten months before anything is disclosed.

Foley’s Q&A also featured other compelling questions such as if Windows Phone 7 will have multitasking, most with “perhaps” type answers.

[=http://mymicrosoftlife.com/2010/02/15/zune-going-international-by-year-endGilly2468′s Blog[/url], thanks again!]

Microsoft has recently released its Facebook client built in Silverlight 4.0. The application features very familiar stylization, a dark theme, and a lot of built-in functionality.
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Given the look and feel of the application, it’s certainly possible that it might foreshadow things yet to come for the Zune HD. Given that Michael Yaeger from Zune Insider has hinted that the impending Facebook App will be worth the wait, one might hope that some of this Silverlight sexiness will get cooked in there.

You can download the Facebook client for Silverlight (and the Silverlight 4.0 Beta if you don’t have it) here.

In a recent blog post from Zune Insider, Michael Yaeger states that many people were looking forward to a Facebook app for the Zune HD to be released this month, you know, mostly because it was officially announced in print at CES 2010 a few weeks ago but that they may not be getting the app because they need you (or us) to “hold on a little longer.”

The Facebook for Zune HD app was officially promised to be delivered by the end of last year in the press release that announced the Zune HD’s arrival, viewable here. Then the app was reportedly on its way by the end of this month and now it seems like getting it by Saturday is just wishful thinking.

I know we said by the end of January, but we want to deliver the best app to you and it is going to take a little bit more time.

With saying something like wanting to deliver the greatest app that they possibly can, it’s hard to hold it against them — however, in a day where apps are almost given to consumers gratuitously, it boggles the mind: how longer can they hold out? Are you still waiting for it?