Music, culture, and the inside scoop from Cesar Menendez,
a Microsoft employee working on Zune - Microsoft's new music project.

November 13, 2006

Hello from Seattle: Zune Launch Party

What a day.  

The day for me started off with breakfast at Minnie's  

(I had the Benedict)

I handed out Zune devices to all the winners. (both from Crunchgear's contest and from the Secret Machines Myspace contest) and gave a little demo.

Then it was off to the Monorail for a private ride to the Seattle Center, where the Secret Machines played. KEXP's John Richards (John in the Morning) took the stage, and introduced. . . Bill Gates!

 
John sent Bill a playlist, one that he made - and one that you can download it from Zune MarketPlace tomorrow! (hang on, let me get details before you ask 1000 questions on it ;).

Then Bill invited Melanie (what's up Melanie!) from the audience to join him on stage, and he gave her the Zune device.  

The Secret Machines wrapped up their set, and then, just like that, over!

Oh, and these dudes skipped school and drove out from Bremerton for the show. Nice work, dudes:

You can find better additional writeups on Crunchgear and 'Rama. Ok, tonight at the War Room, Blonde Redhead is playing - I'm off to go see em!

(Bonus points if you get the "hello from seattle" reference).

 |  Tuesday, November 14, 2006 4:25 AM  |  18 Comments

Comments

If you would like to receive an email when updates are made to this post, please register here

Subscribe to this post's comments using RSS

Sean

Isn't the "Hello from seattle" on the zune devices on the back?

Jeff

I live in seattle, and zune really isn't getting much publicity whatsoever.  None of my friends have even heard about it...

The only reason I know about it is because my dad works for Microsoft (meaning I can get one for $225.00 =O), but I think it looks kinda cool.  I think the whole wireless sharing stuff is stupid though.

The only real reason I'd rather have one than an ipod is because it gets radio...

Alber1690

How much for that Bill Gates Zune Jacket? I will pay for it!

Shawnee

I love the look of the Zune, especially the brown one.  I'll know in 2 hours (and counting)how cool it really is; heading to the Super WalMart on South Hill in Puyallup to buy one just after midnight for my daughter's 18th birthday which is the day it's released.  I think it will outdo the iPod. It is the newest, hottest thing for Christmas.

Matt

Is that a plate of melted cheese and potatoes?  Hardly pushin the boat out man! lol

Pajamas Media

The Microsoft digital music player hits stores shelves today, and while the buzz is that it has slim-to-none chances of slaying the Ipod, Business Week suspects Redmond may have a clever business model up its sleeve. The Zune Insider Blog...

pinksage

Today is the day!!! WOOT!

Melanie Gray

Thanks a million!! Loved the entire experience from beginning to end!! AND the ZUNE is incredible!!SSooo much fun!! Havent set it down, yet!!As I walked around the city yesterday, so many people were interested in asking about it,and wanting to check it out...THIS IS BIG!!

Melanie

Pedro

Looks like Microsoft picked the wrong guy to promote Zune. Afterall Bill Gates has been saying that the iPod was destined to die because of the cellphone and that he hoped more people would agreed with him that it's the best way to carry your music!

Btw Cesar, your moderating is starting to become a dictatorship. You only want to hear what you wanna hear. I'm just repeating reality! I'm not making anything up !

Montezuma

I can't believe you ate the Eggs Benedict at Minnie's.  Everyone knows that the only safe things to eat there are the scones.

Ugh.

Good job getting John involved in the launch -- the Zune needs the cred.

du

zune stinks ipod is awesome, you will never beat them!!!!!!!! Try all you want

Chris

That's really cool.  Finally, Bill Gates can do the kind of gadget-demonstrating stuff for which Steve Jobs is famous.  Way to go!  (completely non-sarcastic, really)

josh

what is with the "hello from seattle" on the back? and please please tell me that jacket is for sale

khang

i can't install the zune marketplace software... trying for 2 hrs already. what's up with that?

Matt

STFU Montezuma, DO NOT DIS MINNIE'S I'LL KICK YOU IN THE SCONES!

And hello from Pioneer Square.

Retep.

Hey, just this one question. Erm, When are Microsoft employees allowed to get back and work on software again instead of spending all there time on zune related blogs ? I mean there is still loads of software to fix.

The sites are nice !. really, you people give a real... NEW .. meaning and feel to the concept of Cool and slick and so on, but . eh, your software  and such still is , how do I say . bug ridden GodShyte ?.

But for what it's worth, good luck with your sh*tbrick !.

Retep

skylineturner

im rockin an 80 gig ipod in redmond, my fourth funkin ipod. as much as i love em i want a ZUNE like no other.

diegooool

wats up I love the ZUNE its waaaaaay better than the fucking damn ipod & du you are a fucking liar we alreadi beated you! jajajaja

Leave a Comment

(required) 
(optional)
(required) 
Submit

About admin

I'm Cesar Menendez. I left the Xbox marketing world for Microsoft's new foray into music - Zune. Community, cool videos, music, discovering new music - these are things I love. In the past I wrote music reviews for RealNetworks, and before that I volunteered at KCMU (now KEXP). Get in touch w/ me using this email: AskZune (then type the at symbol) microsoft.com (please no solicitors)
(edit me)

Syndication

© Copyright 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.