I just got the WMP11 Beta 2 which really only has one major feature enhancement, Media Sharing. Zune related? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/11/everywhere.aspx#share It would be cool to stream URGE songs to my Zune anywhere in my wireless network. Merely going to the Xbox 360 or expensive standalone bridges is old hat. You guys gotta get more info out because the Zune buzz is completely submerged right now by analysts and the upcoming Apple press conference.

I tend to disagree with that quote, content is only going to be come increasingly easier to deliver online, especially as bandwidth increases. People these days are already demanding of their "high speed" internet connections what with VoIP phones becoming increasingly used and streaming video on Youtube and massive online gaming to mention a few. With Amazon's new movie service and game providers like Steam and EA are already cashing in on digital content downloads. Personally, I didn't like the idea at first since a digital download isn't something tangible really, you can't hold it in your hand. But the more I started using it the more useful I saw it really was. Most of the services that offer digital downloads keep track of what you've purchased so you can log in at a later time even if you've formatted and download the content. I know that blu ray can hold up to like 40 Gigs, and that does take some time to dl, but think how our current broadband revolutionized how we receive content vs when we all only had dialup.

The quote seems to ignore or forget that content can be downloaded overnight or during off hours, just like podcasts and everything else. Surely that's cheaper and less hassle than UPS even at current broadband speed let alone the future.

"Stay tuned to this blog and Richard's for the specifics on Zune (to answer many of your questions: yes, we'll have the details soon)." The issue is, whatever information you can provide will show up on other tech blogs (like Engadget or Gizmodo) long before you post anything remotely interesting.

Having been reading a number of articles on the iddues facing the cable companies around pushing more HDTV content I found the Mark Cuban comments interesting. On the info. on Zune, with it already being September and the holiodays not being far behind I know my son, myself, and others are a little frustrated seeing all kinds of info on Zune being released all over the net but little to nothing coming out from Microsoft itself. Heck last night I was seriously eyeballing the new Sandisk 8gb model which is pretty sweet (lot of nice non Ipod players than I think are nicer than the Ipod but have no marketing heft behind them). At any rate please let the powers that be know that while there was a lot of initial momentum and enthusiasm for Zune it seems as if the PR and marketing machines at Microsoft are letting it languish at a time when I would have thought there would be a steady build up to launch. To most of us who follow product dev and release this usually leaves the perception that there are technical or production issues arising that will adversely affect the launch. So please tell the biggies that they need to ramp things up if we are in fact releasing for the holiday. I am rooting for Zune and as I indicated on my posting today http://www.mikeysgblog.com/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=248 I have even held that out to my 15 year old as the prize he gets this holiday if he can make honor role.

I must admit, I'm intrigued by these community elements. It may be something that sets the Zune apart from the iPod enough to compete. Of course, things like Last.fm work with the iPod, but having stuff like that integrated with the hardware and included software would be kickass.

Brown IS faster than the Net. And doesn't that puncture a type of internet-centric worldview? We're paying for our corporate-driven approach to internet access. Not that corporations aren't key- it's just that they'll put off expanding infrastructure, artificially dumb down or slow down technology and otherwise eschew the cutting edge (located approximately 2 years from the bleeding edge). They can't help it-it's bred into bean counters. Stay away from the edge ... put down that paradigm-buster ... let Europe and Japan and Korea and __________ experiment, release and mass market- we'll see how it goes. Am I being just a bit unfair? Yes,but in comparison to the telco's sense of fairness, I'm justice incarnate.

I agree. They are holding the internet infrastructure back. They're scared of the power of the net and will do anything to stifle it and tax it. HD bandwidth shouldn't be that hard. They just don't want data moving that fast. They can't keep up with it.

sweet a new post!! no new info... but I will take what I can get. So Cesar am I to assume that you must have some zune news lined up for... oh I don't know, let's just say next week? Hope so, cause zune sounds awesome and don't want it to be overshadowed by whatever exciting news Apple has planned Tuesday.

JESUS GIVE ME THE ZUNE ALREADY! APPLE EVENT TOMORROW.. 100GB TOUCHSCREEN IPOD HERE I COME

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/11092006/101/microsoft-sees-apple-daunting.html Wow, that last line is a world of relief. Something tells me we weren't supposed to know that? "Lee stressed that the device won't look like a toshiba gigabeat." Jesus because if it did, this whole effort would've been all for not.

Actually I totally agree with the comment that video through internet is not ready to take off. Sure for stuff like music video it will work but I doubt that it will be worth while to download a movie. I just bought a 50 inch Sony XBR HDTV. By the end of next year there will be over 100 channels which will be broadcasting in HD. And soon either Blue ray or HD-DVD will settle down. So why will I pay for a low resolution download through the web(which will take hours to download) to watch it on my HD TV. Also do not forget the DRM. If the movie I download is locked with DRM so that I can play it only through MAC/Apple or Window/PC or through some software that they want us to use then it becomes just stupid to pay for this stuff. However I do believe there are some content which will make a good download. For example I would not mind going through a TV show or a music video on my iPod/Zune device. Maybe it can create a new category of movie which will be termed as Portable Media success. But paying $7 or $8 to download a major movie…no way. May be in future when: 1. Download speed increase. 2. I can burn the download and have my own DVD. 3. No DRM restriction Rohit

Who exactly is the "you" who goes out and picks up a 50-inch high definition TV? That's the vast, vast minority, and I really hope Microsoft (or whoever else) aren't assuming that everybody just throws down thousands of dollars on a fancy TV. That knocks out, among others, every current college student, and anybody who attends a large urban college will tell you that a huge portion of the iPod's market are college kids. I think it's pretty clear that this super-high-def material is going to be a niche product for a good couple years at least, and that faster, cheaper downloading is going to get here well before you find an HDTV in my apartment. Also: I just bought a Creative Zen Vision:M, and I'm not going to even think about a Zune until they support Xvid. Just because Apple's been successful being super-restrictive doesn't mean it's the only way, and the nerds like me who think the Zune's WiFi stuff is cool are not going to be interested in a locked-media DRM extravaganza.

"...Stay tuned to this blog and Richard's for the specifics on Zune (to answer many of your questions: yes, we'll have the details soon)." huh, with every week that passes by without any info on the zune you lose customers! give people a reason to wait! i just lost my GEN 1 Dell DJ and if MS doesn't release info soon they will have lost another sale. And its not like i will purchase another mp3 right away. give people a reason to wait give people a reason to wait give people a reason to wait give people a reason to wait when you are the underdog, silence is not a good thing.

Well, it looks likely Apple will reveal a widescreen iPod and possibly an iPod enabled phone to go with movie downloads from Disney and others at iTunes - at 10am PT today. If MS doesn't have widescreen on the zune and movie downloads I think they won't be able to play catch-up. I'm really hoping they will have all that Apple is likely to have and more. http://zunearmy.com

i am back again.... just found out that the iPod 30GB is now going to be only $249!!! i am being pulled over to the dark side and your response is to say what..."just wait..we have more info coming..." a creative vision cost $300 you don't knock down the market leader by charging the same amount! throw me a bone in the next 2 weeks or its game over!

can't talk. watching the apple event ;) What does everyone think so far?

>>What does everyone think so far? Well... 2nd generation of iPod Nanos with 24 hours battery playtime New iPod video with 60% brighter and 3.5 hour battery life New iPod Shuffle iTues 7 with album artwork and ability to use the iPod to shuffles songs between different iTunes installations 640x480 video instead of 320x240 iPod games for $4.99 Movies from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax All interesting stuff but nothing especially new yet - no iPhone announced so far and no widescreen iPod mentioned. It seems unlikely now as their new, larger video will be standard ratio.

"...What does everyone think so far?" my wife just emailed me as her dell dj was stolen so now we both need to replace our GEN 1 dell dj! @$249 for a 30GB iPod (market leader) and the zune is coming out at $300 for the same size... why would the average consumer purchase a zune? give me (and now my wife) a reason to wait...thats all i ask

Here's the real shot across the bow of Microsoft. The new 6G iPod comes in at 60GB for just $249. If Zune can't match that price/storage ratio, then there are serious problems ahead for it.

My apology. It is 30GB at $249. The live bloggers got it wrong. I still think the $50 cut is big, and people won't pay that premium for Zune wireless features. If someone could give us 60GB for $299, that would be convincing.

"...Here's the real shot across the bow of Microsoft. The new 6G iPod comes in at 60GB for just $249. If Zune can't match that price/storage ratio, then there are serious problems ahead for it." couldn't agree more! you don't knock the king off by charging more and giving features that the average consumer doesn't care about.

Similar to the proverbial tree falling in a forest... If a Zune beacons in a forest of iPod users and no one has a Zune to hear it, did it really make a sound?

i am closer to making my mind up and i am sure my wife will follow.... the zune HAS to be cheaper than the $249 iPod else why would NEW customers even bother? its like going to the auto dealer looking for a BMW and a sales person from GM says...hey, i can give you cadillac for only $10,000 more...whaddya say? is it a deal? Oh...yeah...a little information about the zune would be helpful. At first the leaks about the zune was 'cute' now its turning me off... when i make a purchase i like to do it based upon reason/fact but the intentional lack of info/details is irrating, almost spiteful! i have no mp3 player now and i need to purchase one soon... i guess my cries and interest in zune is fallin on deaf ears... ...to bad, i was willing to give MS/Zune a chance but they...

Hey andre, I feel the same frustration at the lack of info because my Creative player has just taken its near fatal knock. However, I bet there are high level conversations going on right now and you will indeed see news from Cesar and Company within the week. My guess is that the Apple press conference made them hold their cards close for a week, but are ready to counter attack. Give Microsoft a few more days before deciding and you'll be glad you did. Just to reiterate, the engadget report was incorrect. The iPod is 30GB for $249.

"...Give Microsoft a few more days before deciding and you'll be glad you did..." fair enough jim, i will wait until sept. 22 and then i am heading out to bestbuy or the apple store to sadly "join the dark side" now if the 30GB creative vision m: is being sold for under $240 then i will off course change my mind :-)

Black 8gb nano has my name all over it. ( not sure I want the sansa anymore, call me fickle, but those nanos looks hot!!! ) I am still looking at Zune for my big video player ( cause 5.5g isn't good enough for me ) but I really want to see what ace MS has up their sleeves to knock ipod back down. also did anyone notice how apple took a page from MS and added Letter scrolling for ipod and album art view like wmp11 ( very needed, cause itunes interface sucked compared to wmp11 ) great store but had seriously wonky interface.

Well, Apple didn't release anything today to squelch the Zune debut. No Wi-Fi. No 3" screen (the new video iPod is 2.5"). A modest increase in capacity. No wonder Apple's shares fell slightly. Harvey http://www.Zunerama.com

Is Microsoft going to announce Zune details to the press this Thursday? See quote below from SeattleWeekly.com. Surely we'd get a little tidbit from ZuneInsider before Microsoft does a tell-all with the press... wouldn't we...?? :( > Link: http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0637/zune.php

Can you confirm this? http://www.zunemax.com/the-zune/zune-us-trademark-application-filed

hello...is anyone home?

Great post Zunerama! Hadn't seen that article before. Could've meant November instead of September, though. Who knows. I agree w/the person who said that M$ is in a dungeon preparing to strike in the near future. But by near future I mean a month, month and change...just because folks here (including myself) are salivating over details doesn't mean its "losing steam" or "losing interest." In any event, I'm still excited to see this thing, especially if that report I linked to a ways up is accurate and it will NOT look like the sh*tty Toshiba Gigabeat in the patent filling.

I know y'all are on the outer edge of hip, but you might want to remember that a lot of the target crowd, let's say 14-24, don't have a lot of disposable income and the ability to have subscription music will be key. In addition, there's an increasing number of people who, like with movies, don't see a real need to "own" the majority of music they listen to- if it's that important, they'll drop the .99 from Urge or the .79 from YMU for the full meal deal. I think it's time people started to wake up and smell the red bull- subscription music is going to go over BIG. Naysayers ... enjoy the turbulent wake of being passed by- it's going to reach critical mass within the next 2-4 years. It's inevitable. The ability to instantly gain access to more music than you could EVER play, 24/7/365, is too big to ignore. It won't kill sales, it won't kill the niche markets, it'll just be ubiquitous- like cable/satellite tv. If your MP3 player doesn't allow you to subscribe it's gonna be JUST LIKE no internet access for a computer today-unthinkable.

Wow, I love the comments on this post. So. . . where to start. You're right, it's about time we had some Zune news! You're also right, you'll see some news from me within the . . . ok fine, tomorrow. Dave, you raise a v. interesting point re: subscription service vs. individual downloads. Having personally used a variety of different services, I could probably make a case for either/both. It's good to remember that it's about more than just a device; it's about the music, service, about an experience, especially a social experience. More later (check the blog tomorrow).

thanks for responding ceasar! you can't imagine how painful it is to sit at your desk with no music when you are used to it. now i have to hear worthless noise from around the office all day.

I can't imagine, you're absolutely right. Unbearable. Do yourself a favor, put on some headphones and hear my favorite band right now. http://hype.non-standard.net/artist/Tokyo+Police+Club

In all fairness to Cesar I am under the impression that the Zune slipped out just a little to early for them and they were truly ill prepared for it. This device is not geared towards many of us. This device is more styled towards a younger less concerened crowd. I'm sure they needed to keep things quiet until after Apple conference just to make certain they can offer a device that competes. Lets remember that a majority of the information leaked thus far has been just that leaks and most are rumors and assumptions and that of course makes it even worse. Cesar told us long ago he would tell us what he could when he could. He is obviously stuck in a very difficult situation right now. His boss won't let him talk about it and he has a damn cool job to be losing it over a bunch of cry babies squeeling I want it now. Dude gets banged up so bad he can't even post to the blog for fear of being hammered by the press and every putz with internet access. He holds no management title and is just as stuck as the rest of us. He is powerless in a room full of powerful people. Andre, do you honestly think MS gives a damn about you and your two player purchase? They have much bigger fish to fry my brother. You can go buy an iPod and stop jamming Cesar because they really don't care about losing a few whiners. Do any of us think that hammering Cesar will change things? Bigger wheels in motion here than the 50 or so of us commenting on this blog. Microsoft always enters the game late and moves swiftly towards the top. There has been no official announcements on pricing. They can retail it for $250 and give you a $50 in store rebate for all we actually know. Microsoft has a 3-5 year plan in place and a billion cash to burn. $50 per unit is chump change to open the door and they'll gladly eat it to stop Apple. This battle goes back to the foundations of the digital era and it's personal folks. Every move each of them makes is stylized to surpass or suppress the other. Don't let it fool you there is no doubt MS will compete. I'm no fanboy and I'm not here to defend Cesar. I just don't see the sense in smacking him around for something he can't control. Cesar. I bet you regret the title Zune Insider right about now. Keep your job and let the babies cry. Its good for lung development.

Hey, thanks for all the comments, I love 'em. and I love the enthusiasm and energy around Zune. I only ask one thing: please don't knock each other. Knock me (or Zune) all you want. Trust me, you gotta have a pretty thick skin to launch a blog like this. but I'll throw down the banhammer on you if you get all fight-club w/ each other. Hey, and you can also email me anytime: cesarm(then type the "at" symbol)microsoft.com.

Cesar, you write: "Having personally used a variety of different services, I could probably make a case for either/both." I see it a little differently- I don't see how anyone could make a case for either/or. You lose out too much. All the subscription based players offer both. There's no drawback, only gain. I think the social networking aspect of Zune will play big if it's set up right. Try a variant of MySpace meets Urge with a little instant messenger, share the playlists, do the party music via zune wifi or share the love on the road or via laptop. It's "let me share/discover this music that really excites me" and, perhaps,get into collaborative playlist/entertainment. The music junkie as entertainer.

Please tell me that these pix are not of the device's final form factor, Cesar: http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1993

go to www.comingzune.com and theres a new animation/ teaser music video up! If ceaser is so 'close knit' within the marketing dept. for zune, why hasn't he announced this yet?!?!?!?!? this is getting ridiculous. MS should have increased the leaks so that the apple conference didnt get so much publicity!!!!! now after a 30GB ipod video will be going for $250 (zune is though to be going for $300 with same capacity) MS has no chance now! If they drop the price to $150 - $180 then they will really be on to something here (as they said they were willing to make a huge loss like they did with xbox!). if not, bye bye zune!

Chill out Marlow. He said "wait until Thursday." Today is Thursday. Get w/it.

"...andre, do you honestly think MS gives a damn about you and your two player purchase? They have much bigger fish to fry my brother..." sure they do :-) , not to the point where they would send a helicopter to my house or even give me a free zune :-) but i fit one profile thats important to them. in my small circle i have advised at least 8 other people on which DAP to purchase (of course i look bad that DELL has canceled their DAP program) and they did. so if/when i get a zune they will likely follow when their DAP fails. i am an early adopter and these people are vital to the launch of any product. so they don't care about me specifically, but they do care about the type of consumer that i represent. you really do need unpaid product evangelist. people who create websites about your product and etc. furthermore, when you are not the big fish in a sector do your really believe that they can afford to blow off people? yes there are still millions of people who don't have a DAP so the there is still opportunity to sell a lot of DAP...but poor service and a bad attitude will only help people to do what they have been doing..buying iPods. in other related news... thanks once again ceasar for the update. i am grateful that we have a specific date for new info coming out.

Question of the day: I have good confirmation that Apple will be releasing a gorgeous 3.5 inch iPod with all the bells and whistles in about 3 months. Would one get the Zune or wait for the iPod? Hmmm.....

Sooo. . . How have you beeee'eeeen? I'm back from LA. I was going to draft up a comprehensive review