Jul 21, 2006
Allow Me to (Re)Introduce Myself, My Name Is. . .
by Cesar Menendez at 3:19 PM

Hi there, I’m Cesar Menendez. Like my buddy Richard, I just started working on Microsoft’s new music project, Zune.

Today, we’re admitting officially announcing Zune, via an article in Billboard. So what’s Zune? It’s Microsoft’s new, holistic approach to music and entertainment. And yes, this year, we’ll be releasing a device as part of the project. Under the Zune brand, we’re looking to build a community for connecting with folks, all to discover new music and entertainment.

So, in part, that’s where this blog comes in. Sure, I’ll have the official word on Zune, but really, I want to make this blog about music, music culture, videos, cool bands, things like that. Ok, well, here goes.

Edit: RSS is back working real nice.

Tags:
83 Comments
Comments
sweet!
Great idea for a blog, I can tell it will have some personality to it, and nice touch on the logo Cesar.
Sweet... a new MP3 player coming out soon. My just died so maybe I'll save up for the Zune... (sweet name IMO.)
I can't find an "E" on the logo. What does Zune mean anyway?
Zune is a brand, it doesn't mean anything, but it rymes with tune and sounds good with zunecast.
Hi friends, wow, parting is such sweet sorrow. You may have noticed that I haven't posted to the blog...
Sound intresting, will there be Xbox 360 and Live integration? I'm guessing you can't tell me yet :( Btw the RSS feeds don't seem to be working
My only question is will Zune be available on Linux? We've already got a plethora of digital services and devices that work on Windows and Mac's, but none for Linux.
The RSS appears to be dead...
Zune announced
Is the Zune team going to have a community podcast like Major Nelson? Having a "Zune Insider" will go a long way to getting me interested in what you guys are doing; a real person is always better than a Press Release.
A podcast would be good!
Creative labs' stock just went down by .26 cents (it's average around $5)--probably with Microsoft's Zune launch announcement. Won't Creative Labs and iRiver as well as the other MS mp3 player clients get ticked off by Zune? They might even sue if Zune used some patented or proprietary technology (remember Creative's suit against Apple). MS customers can also sue on the basis they revealed product specs, plans, etc. to MS which they're not allowed to use on a competing product. That basically leaves MS little else left for a patent-free existence. I expect these mp3 players will start going through Zune products with a fine-tooth comb looking for reasons to launch a legal attack against MS.
I know Cesar personally, Zune is in EXCELLENT hands. I can't wait to hear more from you and the project and I now have another URL to add to my list of favorite sites. Take care Cesar!
Microsoft has now officially announced for the first time ever that they are working on a new portable media device called Zune. In an exclusive first interview with Billboard, Chris Stephenson, Microsofts new GM of marketing for MSN Entertainme...
Hello My name is Steven Artlip, gt, Steve519. I'm a co-host for XBL Radio, www.xblradio.com. I'm trying to get some interviews lined up for our show to let our listeners learn more about the Zune in the up coming months. If any of this is possible, please contact me back. You can check us out at XBLRadio.com to see what we are about, and we are one of the more listened to XBox podcasts out there. Thank you Steven Artlip
If you need alpha testers, let me know ;-)
Is there any proof to show you really are who u say you are? For all we know u could be just some random saying he works fo MS.
Best of luck César!
I hope this player is using the new Sigmatel chip!
Congratulations on your announcement and position working with Microsoft on the Zune. Also, I run a Zune news and information blog located at ZuneUser.com. Would you kindly add that to your list of links on the right? Thanks!
Oh wow, it just quadruple posted. No idea how that happened, sorry. Please delete :D
Ah - have any of you seen the "film" at comingzune.com yet? Wow - if this is a real effort by Microsoft, Apple and all the other players in the MP3 and music market have nothing to worry about - absolutely pathetic marketing! Sorry folks - it is the truth ;-)
I certainly hope the Zune mp3 player will have a microphone jack and be able to record high quality audio. Being a musician, that is IMHO the only real flaw of the iPod. As J.W. Goethe once said: "Those who have no music are not human beings. Those who listen are half human. Making music makes man complete."
I have an iPod AND I LOVE IT. It would be interesting to see Microsoft try and steal all Apple's ideas once again, and try to make it seem new (ooh look, a multifinder)
'Zune' sounds like something an 'overpaid 40 year old wannabee hipster with a little loop earing in his left ear and a tiny little pony tail on the back of a balding head' would come up with. How much did you guys pay for that? Regina Spektor wants to be Fiona Apple The Zune hardware wants to be an iPod. The Zune software wants to be iTunes (even down to a feeble attempt at the name) And Microsoft wants to be Apple... But can't. This smells like the UMPC/Origami debacle. It walks and talks like it too. Sorry Microsoft, try again.
Here's a game... What song should MS use to launch their Zune? I say: "How Zune is Now" - Morrissey
Let's play a game. What tune should launch zune? "How Zune is Now" - Morrissey
Congrats dude! You and Richard are probably two of the luckiest bastards on the planet. Just don't forget the little folks when you become the "zune god". Also be mindful that it's the unofficial zune sites like www.mszune.com (our very own site), www.zunezone.com, et. al. that's been generating the buzz and will continue to generate the buzz for ya'll. Deliver a great product or we'll write crap about it :).
So, are you guys going to give away a free iPod with every unit? Frankly, that's about the only hope you have of getting anyone to take these things off your hands. Hey kids, if you thought it was bad to get a Zen for Christmas because your parents couldn't tell the difference, wait till you try hiding your "ZOON" behind a pair of aftermarket white earbuds.
Awesome! Very excited for this product, hope it looks amazing (cause it needs to look really cool as well to take on the IPod). This will be my first MP3 player if everything turns out well, I 've never bought one before, but so far this seems to be a good deal/idea so I will pick it up if it appeals to me
I don't mean to be negative, but Zune's name and logo alone make me cringe. How come Microsoft can't get any of this stuff right??
Hi Cesar I found your weblog today. Great work getting on the Zune team. It's sure to be amazing. I run a popular podcast called The Gadget Show: http://gadget.thepodcastnetwork.com It won the best Australian Podcast for 2006, but to be honest the audience (as you'd expect) is international. I was wondering how I might go about contacting someone, like yourself, to do an interview about Zune. Does it go through MSFT PR? I've chatted with a few people at Microsoft before (Larry Hyrb, Robert Hensing, Scott Henson, and Robert Scoble), and have gone through your PR. So I'm guessing that might be the go. However, any tips on who the right people are would be cool. Cheers Rich
bring it
Hi Emma, I actually LOVE the logo. If you look hard enough it starts to "spell out" M, S, Z, U, N, E and whatever else you want it to make say :). The second part that I like about it is that it embraces the "integrated" them.
OMG - sorry about the multiple post! The site keeps freaking - I have no clue what happened. Please delete the duplicate posts.
is this real?
Well here it is, I guess someone’s got to be the bearer of bad news. Apparently, if you pronounce the “u” as in “tribune”, the word Zune translate to “fucked.” So is the Zune an iPod-killer? Or is it doomed to be fucked zunked like all other iPod contender before it? http://www.mszune.com/zune-in-hebrew-translates-to-fucked-2214.php
I've got an Archos Gmini. It has line in and records uncompressed 48k stereo. I use it all the time for concerts and so forth. It would take a lot for me to give that up, and without Live Arcade features, Zune isn't going to get anywhere.
If Zune allows interaction with other music listeners in a way similar to XBOX Live, you can count me in. Wi-fi for adding songs and accessing a digital music locker sounds great. But, a friends list and all that other good stuff that made XBOX Live so interesting would kill anything rotten apple has ever done.
I am a bit skeptical but will keep it on the radar. The only thing I'm wondering however is will it be able to download podcasts? I've only hear about music so far and that scares me. Music is great and all but i'm a podcast whore. If it doesn't download podcasts it won't even get a second glance from me.
Sounds cool, so what do you do Caesar, tell us a little about yourself and will zune be able to kill the labels, I'm tired of paying $15 a CD. It would be cool if they give us some discounts as fans of zune instead of just another hyped up website like all the other marketer websites. Been there, done that.
How cool, is this the next iPod, I can't wait to get one in Pink.
Leaked interface screenshot here: http://flickr.com/photos/guyguy/196027191/
I'm so stoked that the Zune has street-cred. This blog proves it! I can't wait to read about how great the Zune is, all the better to prepare me when it eventually gets released! No need for that 'can get it anywhere' iPod when Zune will be coming! Soon! And it will be great!!!!
I'm so stoked that the Zune has street-cred. This blog proves it! I can't wait to read about how great the Zune is, all the better to prepare me when it eventually gets released! No need for that 'can get it anywhere' iPod when Zune will be coming! Soon! And it will be great!!!!
Did anyone in marketing who decided to name the player "Zune" bother to research if someone else was using this name before them? The name Zune is being used by the AROS open source project already to name their "take-off" on the MUI user interface for that project. Since it's something not going on in the USA it might not have garnered notice but it sure did in the AROS community. If you want to know more about AROS and Zune for Aros check out www.aros.org.. I really think they should relaunch the player under another name considering the fact that this name is already being used ELSEWHERE.. That's not to say I don't love the player. I think it's super cool..
Did anyone in marketing who decided to name the player "Zune" bother to research if someone else was using this name before them? The name Zune is being used by the AROS open source project already to name their "take-off" on the MUI user interface for that project. Since it's something not going on in the USA it might not have garnered notice but it sure did in the AROS community. If you want to know more about AROS and Zune for Aros check out www.aros.org.. I really think they should relaunch the player under another name considering the fact that this name is already being used ELSEWHERE.. That's not to say I don't love the player. I think it's super cool..
Did anyone in marketing who decided to name the player "Zune" bother to research if someone else was using this name before them? The name Zune is being used by the AROS open source project already to name their "take-off" on the MUI user interface for that project. Since it's something not going on in the USA it might not have garnered notice but it sure did in the AROS community. If you want to know more about AROS and Zune for Aros check out www.aros.org.. I really think they should relaunch the player under another name considering the fact that this name is already being used ELSEWHERE.. That's not to say I don't love the player. I think it's super cool..
I am really excited about getting one of these players as soon as they come out. So far... nice work Microsoft!
i think many comments are fake, everyting here is fake and the name zune is just ridiculous.
My three cents: - it's gonna fail (not miserably, but fail none-the-less). Why? The name. Zune? - MS has never had an original idea in its life. - Sorry, Cesar, but it's not like this is a fan blog. MS is paying for it in every conceivable way, although you've done a nice job of registering and hosting via GoDaddy. "Thinly veiled attempt" at [viral] marketing.
It's interesting that this 'real' blog's comments page won't load on Safari (a basic 404 error, however you managed that), but works fine in Firefox. And one of your first posts is a copy/paste duplicate from the other 'real' Zune team member's 'real' blog. It's almost as bad as simultaneously reading the lyrics to an album the first time you hear the songs. Meh. And if you don't understand that, because apparently you don't, then keep on keeping on. I will be entertained at the result.
After all the Zune media player rumors, Microsoft has confirmed plans to release their multimedia Zune device this year. More than a media player, Zune is also a brand that includes hardware and software products for music, movies, gaming and
ニンテンドーＤＳ Ｌｉｔｅ (ノーブルピンク) + ソフト１本 税込18,539円 [送料無料] ・ニンテンドーＤＳのユニークで多彩な機能はそのままに、本体を薄型軽量化することで携帯性を一層高め、画面を更に明るくすることが可能な４段階の輝度調整機能を搭載した上位機.......
Wow, what a great idea! A small, hard drive based MP3 player that integrates with Jukebox style software and an online download store! It's Microsoft innovation at its best! Amazing how no other company has managed to successfully tie in these three elements to create a digital music empire. I'm sure some lame yuppie company like Apple is just gonna jump all over this and release their own product five or six years down the road, once Microsoft's already monopolized the market. One thing's for sure: it won't have a name nearly as cool as Zune. They'll probably call it iSongs or some other lame Apple-like name. If only I had a nickel for everytime Microsoft was first to market and Apple piggy-backed on their success...
Cesar, Is there a specific location where Microsoft is posting jobs associated with Zune? Are they only accepting internal candidates? I would love to be a part of this project!
question : will you buy a bag of excrements with Apple logo on it? Mac user : (excited tone) OH YES! OH YES! OH YES! GIVE IT TO ME STEVE. AH. PC user : for once in my life, yah, i'd buy an Apple product and shove it in Steve's mouth.
Oh, I hope I hope I hope Microsoft has the same ad agency do the Zune ads that did the bunny-petting thing on the Zune tickler site. That would be so sweeeeeeeet!!! Joe Apple shareholder
Who knows when the Zune device will get to market? It's always some insider that leaks a picture or an internal memo. That site Utrarealism probably knows. http://ultrarealism.blogspot.com/
마이크로소프트가 음악에 손을 댄다. 이름은 Zune. (Zune insider blog) 1. 쥰? june, 가만 있니? 변리사들 바빠질 듯. 2. iRiver 어떡하니? 마이크로소프트는 하드웨어는 잘만든다. 3. iPod와 iTunes가 70% 못넘는 나라들에 기대 만빵. 특히 한국. 사자가 없는 곳에 아가 호랑이가 왕. 앗싸.......
Great! There ya go Microsoft! Is time for Microsoft to show everybody that they also can do great things like MP3 players; I think Microsoft should work on the hardware part too. I'll be posting all information related to this project on my website www.techrepublik.org
Great! There ya go Microsoft! Is time for Microsoft to show everybody that they also can do great things like MP3 players; I think Microsoft should work on the hardware part too. I'll be posting all information related to this project on my website www.techrepublik.org
Great! There ya go Microsoft! Is time for Microsoft to show everybody that they also can do great things like MP3 players; I think Microsoft should work on the hardware part too. I'll be posting all information related to this project on my website www.techrepublik.org
This blog = fake This blog = another attempt by Microsoft to shake its uncool image This blog = entirely paid for by Microsoft $$$ This blog = Microsoft propaganda Zune = been there, done that. It's called iPod Stupid.
Once again Microsoft is late out the gate and will simply buy its way into the market. MS products are dull. They lack the cache that Apple products have. If Microsoft wins with Zune it won't be through merit but rather through a large marketing budget. Remember....the iPod/iTunes juggernaught saved the music industry and helped spark a grass-roots medium known as Podcasting. MS will have a hard time beating that. The only thing MS has going for it is very deep pockets. Sad!
It's called "competition", perhaps you Apple people have heard of it?
I really enjoy your blogg about Zune. I and a couple of friends have tried to gather some of the information we know/have heard about Zune on our own site: http://www.ZuneInsights.com
Hi i'm just wondering if Zune have got any parts that is manufactured by Creative Techonology? I'm rather interested in the technical aspects of Zune and it's anatomy. I'm a student who loves technical anatomies. Your Website speaks volume dude! Cheers, Reactive
Nice site. Looking forward to touch a zune soon :) I'm collecting info about zune in spanish in the blog: http://www.planetazune.es
I still have not gone out and purchased my first ipod or like. I realy have the desire to do so now but when talking to my "intheknow" friends I discoved that Microsoft will be coming out with their own version. I might be able to part with $150.00 bucks for an ipod but wonder if I did wate for Microsoft, would it be way, way out of my price range? Any thoughts??? Steven
Hi! Recently, i've heard some news that Zune will have only 30gb capacity, is that true? Please, e-mail me the answer, if you could... It's really essential for me, becauser i was a happy Ipod 60Gb user, before i was robbed. So, I'm thinking of Zune now. I it will be manufactured with at least 50 gb or more onboard - I'd buy it with no doubts :)
ReginaBons
Hi, Glad to see this. I am a long-time MS/WinTel user. I did finally break away last year and purchased two iPod minis and at X-mas time, replaced my Wife's mini with a Nano. This was not without a lot of soul-searching. I generally feel the wmv file format is superior to Apples' proprietary format both in size and quality (my original foray into the digital musc format was a Creative 4gB machine that held twice the tunes as the iPod) So my biiiiig question is: I have read some industry buz that says 1) I will be able to move purchased music (iTunes) to the Zune; 2) I will be able to play wmv (logically) and Apple formated files. I do not want to have to re-rip my files which mostly consist of my own CD collection and I still want access to Podcasts. Please tell me when (if) I make this leap, my dream of using an actual MS product will come true!
Tristatemeds.com has been selling generic medicines all around the globe for over a decade.We provide generic drugs to our customers at discount price. Generic medicines supplied by us will have similar effect, if not better than the one you buy from your local pharmacist.http://www.tristatemeds.com
Zune will be in the market on Nov. 14. It is worth expecting. About the comparison between Zune and iPod, take a look at the article from http://www.dvdtozune.com/zune-vs-ipod.html

Hi! Recently, i've heard some news that Zune will have only 30gb capacity, is that true? Please, e-mail me the answer, if you could... It's really essential for me, becauser i was a happy Ipod 60Gb user, before i was robbed. So, I'm thinking of Zune now. I it will be manufactured with at least 50 gb or more onboard - I'd buy it with no doubts :)

from:

http://www.dvdtozuneconverter.com

I believe that Zune has the potential to win the market and end with a good market sales share since Ms is evitable in most of our daily life. Do u agree?

and here is a good site where i got good software to convert my dvd to Zune video: http://www.pqdvd.com/dvd-to-zune-video-converter.html

On Saturday, Zuneinsider.com will turn one year old. I started on the Zune marketing team in June of

Some cool news from the Zune community: our friends at ' Rama celebrated a second birthday . Please Join

TUbnDo

LEAVE A COMMENT
 *Required
*  
 
*  
  Remember Me
1 2 3 4
Remembering the King of Pop

We here at Zune are saddened by the news of the passing of pop legend Michael Jackson . At this time of shock and...

See All Features >



Archives
The Cool Kids
The Cool Zune Kids
RSS
©Copyright 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.