Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Microsoft Zune Software Update Released

MICROSOFT DESIGNS

Internet access provider Wayport enables wireless music downloads for Zune customers in Wi-Fi hot spots at more than 9,800 McDonald’s restaurants.

Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today released its much anticipated free software update that will bring new features to every Zune portable media player. Revealed last week, the new software will allow Zune users to wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store on the go; tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio; and tap into new, personalized music recommendations and programming. To allow customers to take full advantage of the new wireless functionality, Zune today announced that it is working with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport Inc. to deliver Zune users free, wireless access to the Zune Marketplace from more than 9,800 participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S.

“Wayport is pleased to be working with Microsoft to make it easier for Zune users to access music on the go,” said Dan Lowden, vice president of business development and marketing for Wayport. “Our ability to enable and manage applications and devices over converged networks creates exciting new opportunities for our clients to attract new customers whose digital lifestyle extends beyond their home and office.”

More Colors and Custom Designs
Zune Originals, the online store designed to let consumers customize their Zune player with laser-engraved art and personal text, now also offers exclusive color combinations. In addition to the recently announced Zune 16 and Zune 120 available in black at retailers nationwide, Zune Originals (http://www.zuneoriginals.net) also will offer the Zune 16 in blue, red, pink and green as an online exclusive. In addition, Zune Originals is refreshing its collection of custom artwork with 14 eye-catching new designs from artists such as Rolito, MWM (Matt W. Moore), Ippei Gyoubu and Aya Kato to give consumers more options to personalize their Zune experience.

The Digital Content Consumers Want
In addition to launching Zune Channels, which push new music to subscribers’ collections each week, and personalized music recommendations, Zune Marketplace also offers editorial features such as the Zune School Music Masters Program and the Xbox Gamer Central pages, as well as Instant Collections playlists to help consumers explore specific themes and genres. Zune Marketplace now offers more than 4 million songs, 80 percent of which are available as digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s; 8,500 music videos; 3,000 episodes of popular TV shows; and more than 6,000 audio and video podcasts.

Zune

Zune customers have a choice in how they acquire music — they can pay per track or choose a Zune Pass subscription. Zune Pass subscribers can download or stream music from their Zune or computer interchangeably, all for a flat rate of $14.99 (U.S.) per month. To give people a chance to experience Zune Pass subscription, Zune is offering a free, 14-day trial to all new customers. More information is available at http://www.zune.net/setup.

Zune also now supports audiobook content from leading distributors including Audible Inc. Zune users can now explore more than 50,000 books, magazines and newspapers from more than 600 publishers and content providers at audible.com and sync it to their Zune. To commemorate the addition of audiobooks, Audible is offering all new and existing Zune owners a free copy of “Black River” by bestselling writer Dean Koontz.

New Software and Firmware
The Zune PC software is a free download that provides rich discovery and media management capabilities to help consumers make the most of their existing music collections in addition to providing access to the Zune Social and Zune Marketplace so they can add to it. To experience new features such as Buy from FM, wireless music downloads, Zune Channels, Picks personal recommendations, games and more, the new Zune PC software and device firmware are available for free download at http://www.zune.net.

Estimated retail pricing for the Zune device is as follows:

About Zune
Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, the Zune Social online music community created to help people discover music, and the ZuneOriginals.net online media player customization store. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

1 A limited number of 80GB and 4GB devices remain in the channel, and those remaining will be available at this price.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Rhino Quadio #7 Albums

Music

These Quadraphonic albums have been digitized from analog four-track Quad mixes and are now available on Blu-ray discs.

Audio Technica ATH-R70xa In Studio Audio Technica ATH-R70xa In Studio

New Products

Designed for studio applications the ATH-R70xa and R50x provide audio clarity while providing all-day wearing comfort for less than $400.

Chord Company PhonoARAY Chord Company PhonoARAY

Audio Cables

At £1,000, Chord Company's PhonoARAY can minimize external interference and ground issues that may affect turntable performance.

Advance Paris A12 Classic Integrated Amplifier Front Lifestyle Advance Paris A12 Classic Integrated Amplifier Front Lifestyle

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Advance Paris brings its range of affordable hifi components to the U.S. market, which feature blue VU meters and tube amplification.

Optoma UHZ68LV Projector Front Angle Optoma UHZ68LV Projector Front Angle

New Products

With a 5,000-lumen light output the Optoma UHZ68LV home theater projector can work with screens up to 300-inches.

DALI PHANTOM M-80 A in-ceiling speaker and PHANTOM CI AMP-4750 Amplifier DALI PHANTOM M-80 A in-ceiling speaker and PHANTOM CI AMP-4750 Amplifier

In-Wall Speakers

DALI expands its architectural product line with the Phantom M80 A In-Ceiling Speaker and CI AMP-4750 4-Channel DSP Amplifier.

Gift Ideas?

Super Bowl LIX Gift Guide

Gift Guides

Experience the full impact of Super Bowl LIX in your living room with both a big picture and big sound.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers