iLounge are spreading yet more Zune rumors and Engadget seems to believe them:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/09/new-zune-s-in-the-works-flash-larger-screen-may-be-on-the-way/

BTW Cesar are there any more zune ads on the way?

Ray - the "this is why I rock" ad is the only one I know about.

New ad is not on Zune.net?????

nerd - I think the ad will be on Zune.net tomorrow

admin, why you sound doubtful almost all time ?

Are you sure about your job at Zune marketing?

Come on, dude. Your blog is called ZuneInsider.

/me *shakes head*

oye Ricardo porque siempre tienes que acosarme haci? ;) claro que si trabajo para Zune!

ok. admin. I will stop. But at least give us a better "inside" scoop on the Zune..ok ?

He can only forward information given to him. It's not like he sits in the room and eyes the developers of the Zune. He may know more than he lets on, but he can only tell what they allow him to know.

He's been very open with the community, moreso than any company I've seen do before (short of OSS) and that's something I appreciate.

more like zune "outsider"

Anyway, so my post won't get deleted, I have 4 things to say:

Welcome to social

Agreed.

You can listen to Mims' "This Is Why I Rock" feat. Purple Popcorn here... http://microsoftmims.blogspot.com/2007/03/this-is-why-i-rock.html

'oye Ricardo porque siempre tienes que acosarme haci? ;) claro que si trabajo para Zune!"

Something about why must you bug him and it is clear that he works for the Zune.

lol

------------

Thanks for the clearification Cesar.  I wasn't sure if the Zune arts had been older commercials or not.

Th cookie is my favorit to ^.^.  I also think the one with the two big monsters is cool.

I don't know why but I still somehow feel the need to pass on all these engadget rumors!:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/10/zune-to-get-wireless-downloads-version-2-hardware-flash-player/

I liked the ones with the firebirds the best. The first time I saw it - I went wow (even though it was on windows xp :) )

Cesar, Have you heard about TimeWarner (RoadRunner Cable) blocking access to signing in to the Zune Marketplace? Whenever you attempt to sign in it says Page Not Found. I can't use my Zune at all because of this problem, all my music is from ZunePass.

This post from Gizmodo might interest people- it claims to have an email from a ms employee who says something "BIG" is coming on June 1st:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/zune_a_go_go/rumor-zune-flash-and-zune-20-on-june-1st-zune-track-purchases-over-wifi-259378.php

ray..thats very cool. The screen shot looks to be of the download page so it will be interesting to see how polished the experience is browsing/searching albums, etc.  Got my fingers crossed that Media Center format support and video downloads will come sooner than later.  If true, this would be a huge advancement of the Zune platform.

honestly it just seems foolish and very indictive of the M$ upper CMG managment to produce such awesome zune-art promo's, which actually are great and can stand tall next to apples best marketing, but let it languish on a random URL that isnt even linked on the main zune site from what i see...

I mean really, how frusterated must the Zune Buzz and AD marketing people be, "check it out this is totally awesome and ground breaking"

"NOPE we need to show people using the product and smiling!"

ghaaaaaa!

that said i own a zune and i like it, but man!

Apple will inevitably release an iPod with all the features the Zune has plus more.  So why is Microsoft giving info to the press only and asking them to sign an NDA.  Release the new software and hardware as soon as possible.  

It makes more sense to me to let all know what the Zune will do and set an estimated release quarter when you are absolutely positive that you can meet the release.  

If version 2.1.4 is ready and will indeed do all that it is Rumored to, then stop the Rumors and release the info.  The XBOX team confirms way in advance what will be included in a given release.  I think most of us will be somewhat satisfied with confirmation of the rumors.  Plus it gives us something to look forward to.

Admin, please confirm or have someone officially confirm or deny these Rumors!!

Thanks and The ZUNE IS HOW AND WHY I ROCK!!

mac - I haven't heard about that. send details in email (contact info below) thanks for reaching out!

Shouldn't this blog be called Zune Outsider as Amazon and Engadget were first to confirm the public release of the pink Zune ??

However; as to not letting this comment be deleted (like the last one ...nothing like freedom of speech in the US!!); Welcome to the social & Zune is great - but if it hasn't been released in Europe in August then I'll buy an iPod, my patience is running out

Zune looks like it might be posed to rock the boat.  Lots of rumors floating around in the past week.  Latest says that 360 might get a music download service sometime this year(http://www.xe360.com/article/Xbox_360/3836.html).  NOTHING has been announced but if there is some truth to all these rumors then I can start to see the direction Microsoft is going.  I would say the goal is to make the MarketPlace available everywhere and optimizing the experience depending on how the customer accesses it.

Zune Software: The only way to get Zune MarketPlace content today

Zune Device: recent rumor that marketplace might be accessible directly on the Zune device via WIFI

XBox 360: rumor (ref. above) that says music download service might be coming to XBox.

Mobile: ??? missing

Media Center: ??? missing

I think Zune Arts is an awesome idea, but I am curious about how to submit art for consideration.  Also, Nelson puts it well, you are under NDA, so any news short of a press release you can't really elaborate on.  But you do a great job, and it is cool that Microsoft has bloggers like you, Bill, Larry (Major Nelson), and such, that are part of the crew.  I can't wait to see what becomes of the Zune in the future.

P.S.  When is the bachelor party? :P

@John

There is some really great offers on ebay and the weak dollar is making them very cheap compared to if you were going to buy it in a shop.

When will there be real video downloads from Marketplace, and I don't mean advertisements about the Zune. Why in the world would I want to sit there and watch videos about a product that I already own?  The "Social" is turning out to be a very big disappointment and to even be seen with a Zune I am finding is an embarassing experience. I hate getting hit with questions like "I heard it can do this or it can do that" and after explaining what it really can do. I usually get "So basically you have wifi which there is no use for unless you can find one of the other five people who bought this and it has an FM Tuner...which is cool...I guess, but you can't even download videos for it yet???"  "Updates", news about Zune, and fixes for things that should have been fixed BEFORE it left the assembly line are taking wayyy too long. Finally, there ARE other sites that beat Zuneinsider, "Zune's official blog", to the punch on a lot of news. Stop dragging your feet "admin" and start getting to work on letting us know when these issues will be addressed, and if you don't know then start asking people who do know.

You want rumors on the Zune, go to Engadget or iLounge :), You want to complain about your Zune and bug Cesar about fixes/updates, then Welcome to the Social.

BTW: Still waiting for podcast support before I buy. Hopefuly Zune 2 will allow for podcast to update and sync over wifi. So much potential with the wifi, yet......

@ray

not considering all the import taxes and general taxes and more and more and more taxes that are added to the orginal ebay price - summing all those up, it's more expensive to buy a Zune than buying an iPod from a local store!

Not a single soul here has a Zune and it's getting more and more likely that I'll not be the first

@ray

I've checked on Ebay very frequently, often daily, and with all the taxes that will be put on it in customs, it will be cheaper for me to buy an iPod in my local store!!

And if the Zune breaks down I don't want to get in the hazzle of finding out whether he's in warranty and where

@John

What country do U live in? I'm in Ireland so the euro currency conversion may be different. What I have seen on ebay are zunes selling for 189euro with the premium headphones. Now compare that with the ipod video 30gb which is selling in the shops for an absolute minimum of 289euro, so sorry but it's pretty obvious which is the better offer when you take into account that the zune also has more features. What taxes are you talking about btw cause where I've bought gadgets from ebay before and never been charged customs duty?-maybe it's different for each country. The seller I have been looking at is called digigood who seems to sell loads of them- I am still debating whether to get one because of all the rumors about zune2 etc.

Also about the warranty issue- I've read the small print of some ebay zune sellers which says there is a one year manufacturers guarantee.

I haven't been to Zune-arts since the Zune was first launched. Wow! There are a lot more great video shorts there now. I think some of the ads have a great different approach to them (i.e. your favorite "Endless Cookie"). Much different than the current Zune and iPod advertisements. I actually think they should maybe use some of these ads in their TV spots.

I'm having the same Issue Mac was having.  I try to log in, and it says page not found, but my wife can log in just fine.  Other than that the internet connection is fine, and I've been able to log into the marketplace for going on 5 months now.

And I'm running on Comcast.