Nice Zune!

Gr8!! Looks like the Party rocked!! Congrats!!

Nice Party. Nice Community. Nice Music. Nice Promotion.

Planning 4 any new parties in the future?

looked like fun :)

I'm confused. This blog is called "Zune Insider". Therefore, should we be receiving information about the Zune and the development of updates rather than a BBQ?

Would it be possible for some of the developers or maybe the project lead of the Zune to get their own blogs? I think that would really give us the information we want regarding the Zune.

last photo with Zune..place looks *EMPTY*

so sad !

Give it a rest Kris. Ask yourself this question: Is the lack of juicy insider tidbits from the dev team due to a missing link of communication? No, that info does not get leaked because MS doesn't want it to. This is good, inside info, from an insider on the BBQ. I admit, it would be nice to have more info on how the Zune team interacts with the artists. I also admit that I would like to see more info from the dev team. Nevertheless, belittling the value of posts about a pretty sweet and unique marketing effort that is the BBQ simply because they are not "insider" enough is unfair and shortsighted. Good thoughts on the project lead or dev blogs though.

I totally wish I could make it to one of these!

Kris, my response may have been a bit harsh... sorry, my bad. Long day.

In other news, how many people here use the Zune Pass as I do? Of those, how many wait fairly anxiously for Zune Marketplace updates every Tuesday evening?

If you do, what do you think about the fifth headlining piece of five ("Hot Summer Albums") on the homepage. I came from Urge and have been consistently disappointed with the disparity between the content provided there and here and think that directing me to the Pop Genre page is a bit of a cop out. Does anyone else have an opinion?

The Baker, I wasn't trying to belittle their marketing idea. I am a software developer and I would love to hear more from development teams about what challenges they have faced, what steps they took to accomplish goals and other similar information (including upcoming updates). The IE team does this as well as many other teams within Microsoft.

I would just like to hear more on the development efforts on the Zune side of things rather than different merketing events and by the name of this blog ("Zune Insider"), one would think that kind of information would be available (or at least information on upcoming updates instead of actual development).

I know I shouldn't except a website to tailor to my wants as I am not the only one browsing the site. The thing I didn't understand is why marketing events, like the BBQ, isn't advertised and talked about on Zune.net for maximum exposure leaving this site for only information like Zune developers. That just seems to make more sense to me...

Sounds like it was fun

Face it, at this point in the game, the zune team won't release an update until they are ready to market the v2 zune(s). They need something to market that says 'buy the v2 with all of these NEW features.' If they release the update now, they have nothing new to market with the v2 zune.

Kris,

You will not get it.  Cesar isn't allow to even tell us an estimated delivery date for the next firmware.  I guess Mircosoft got burned in the past and they aren't willing to risk it on a high profile product that competes with another very high profile product.  

I just don't understand why this dev team takes so long to create a firmware update or a marketplace update.  PSP is pumping out updates every month.  New features in each one.  Maybe Microsoft hasn't put enough money/resources into this project to get things going fast enough.  

Also, you are right, Cesar has the "spin" factor down.  He should run for President.  

Kris,

I think you're misunderstanding the scope of this blog. I understand you're a software developer, but that's not what most users are. This is catering to a wider audience, and encouraging people to go and interact at Zune events.

I'll agree it'd be nice to see a tad bit more information even if it is a ballpark estimate. Doesn't have to be a firmware update, just an indication that something good is in the works.

Then again, this is going off topic.

Are those people there for the Zune or the free Concert/BBQ?

I have been to the 2 concerts in LA and Chicago, I have worked with and interacted with the Zune people at both locations, and it seems that their main goal is to just thank those people who are involved with Zune, whether it be the actual MP3 player or the artists and music that make it possible.  I will also be in NYC, and from what i hear, it's gonna be the biggest and best Live BBQ yet.