Yeah, one step closer to podcasting with the Zune software!  

Really like your post, for a first one ;)

Nice to see it all coming together for the launch!! cant wait to get my hands on the new zune.

But Rob, why doesnt the Zune chicklet have the Zune logo? that would have been beautifull.

anyways!! Thanks for the post :)

Now only waiting till the update on 13 November...

whooo hoo. so close to getting the new software. im excited. will we get the new software before the 13th. im kinda hoping on it lol

Cool! I'll add these to chicklets for 1-click subscribing from a http://podcast.com page!

Thanks Rob!

Kosso

Is anyone working on a standard protocol/extension for subscribing to Podcasts using the system's "default" Podcast handler? Instead of iTune or Zune specific protocol prefixes...

Does this mean that the new marketplace software is out somewhere for download?

I'm looking forward to seeing Zune 2.x and seeing some serious podcasting support vindication. Tease us with some screenshots of the new client as soon as you can, Rob & Cesar.

T - No.

Hi again Rob,

Here's another 1-click Zune subscribing chicklet I made, which we'll use on podcast.com

http://podcast.com/images/chicklets/zune_1click.gif

I used the actual zune logo here and incorporated the nice colors on it ;)

Cheers,

Kosso

This will come in handy when listening to the podcast of Battlestar Gallactica.

One question: can you tell the Zune what files should be considered a podcast w/o getting the file from a podcast subscription. If I download the MP3 version of a podcast but do not subscribe to the podcast, I'd like to be able to tell the Zune to classify it as a podcast so it's placed under the podcast category and so I can bookmark it. I'd also like to be able to classify MP3 ebooks as podcasts so I can also bookmark them as well. (That would be a workaround that I can live with.)

Rob,

How would the 1-click be formatted if the title has a space (or spaces) in it?

I am very happy that the Zune team has made it extremely easy for people with Zune Media players to 1 click subscribe to a podcast. I can guarantee I am going to be supporting this new 1 click subscription...

RawVoice and all of our podcasting properties will be supporting the new one click subscribe for Zune users.

It is to bad that other podcatchers will not support standard one click rss feeds protocols that were initially proposed back in 2005

Awesome, Go Bungie.net Podcasts!

That's good to get that out there ahead of time.... I look forward to being able to easily get additional audio content from the ZMP.  Sometimes, like when there is a huge gap in significant new album releases, my Zune collects dust.  This will breathe new life into it during these periods.  Nice first post Rob.  

I will be added this to the subscribe pages on the Disney Podcast Directory site (an unoffical site not affiliated with the Disney Coompany). WIll check out Kosso's image, and the link to other ones.

A suggestion on how to better handle the situation where the user doesn't have Zune Software installed.

- Instead of automatically requesting user to download software I think you folks should create a Zune.net page that offers two options..download or sign in.

The download option is self explanatory.  However, the sign in option would let users add the podcast to their Zune account.  Imagine if you are traveling without your computer, you get on a computer at a internet cafe or family/friends computer.  You don't want to install software in those instances.  However, if you come across something interesting..Zune should make it easy for you.  By signing in, you are telling the Zune service to remember this subscription.  In the future, with this account information I can see the Zune team giving users the ability to directly pull these podcasts down without requiring a PC.

Truth be told, I eventually want to give my parents a Zune.  Why?  Unlike you & me, they don't care much to use a computer.  But I think it could be a great photo album.  I can see the day, when I can send them photos and their Zune automatically downloads those.  A simple scenario like that can open the world up to Zune.

When will the new software and firmware be released?

I am in the process of adding the Add to Zune one click subscription to all of the RawVoice web sites.  Should the Podcast Title be URL encoded to support podcast titles that have spaces and special characters?

If the name Podcast Title portion of the new URL is not to be URL encoded, then the one click links will have a limitation to the types of characters that can be used in the title.

That's awesome to see! I can't wait until some podcast's start putting those up on their site. :)

Added to my sites...no bring on the dancing girls...errr...listeners! (SMILE)

D

nice post! I for one, can't wait for the new firmware and software for my zune 30

It's nothing super fancy, but I added large "Zune subscribe" button to the comedy4cast home page. Looking forward to seeing this thing grow! Thanks.

Just an idea I wanted to throw out and really didn't have anywhere else to toss it. Apple has a partnership with Nike and I've enjoyed using the Nike product to keep track of my workouts. How about Zune developing a relationship with Puma and having the same kind of abilities. Maybe a new spin on it, but this would definitely pull the same crowd your working on now. All those people in your demographic are also the one taking there audio devices with them on there runs along Lake Michigan, or whereever they might be. Just a thought.

I would be that lone guy with a Zune running on Lake Michigan (in Chicago, at least). I vote for a relationshiop w/Aisics, though. ;)

I'd like to second the question about spaces in the title.

I wanted to add the link with '+' for spaces instead of '%20' simply because it looks nicer. I don't know if this will work or not though. For the moment I have:

zune://subscribe/?TheDotNetPreacherShow=http://www.dotnetpreacher.com/DotNetPreacher.xml

But I'd like to have:

zune://subscribe/?The+.NET+Preacher+Show=http://www.dotnetpreacher.com/DotNetPreacher.xml

There's a '.' in the title there too.

So I suppose the question is then, what is allowed in the title? [a-zA-Z0-9] or anything else?

I know that it's not really important, but I do like to have relatively nice looking URLs when possible.

Yea for implementation of a custom protocal. :)

Had to do this same trick for launching a client app from a web page a couple weeks back. Fun stuff. Hope to see you expand it even further over time. :)

My Zune has been drawed since the announcement of a new firmware. I refuse to use it without proper podcast support. Before I was using 3rd party podcast stuff, that didn't work too well. I can't wait till the new software and firmware is released, great job guys!

The Zune 1-click will work fine with spaces in the the Title area of the URL.

Rob Greenlee

Great first post (and the different font is a nice touch, lol)!

As I've said before, podcasting has never been a big thing for me. I just have not been able to keep up with them on a consistent basis. But when I'm really going to give it another shot once the update arrives.

I really like what you guys are doing with podcasting, though. I think gaining solid podcast support is an important way to gain mindshare in the market. A feature like 1-click is sweet, and having an accompanying icon on (hopefully) a ton of webpages will really give Zune the push it needs. Great job, Rob!

(PS: I do agree that having the logo would be great, but I'm guessing you guys are keeping it a little less corporate so websites won't have a problem adding them to their webpages. Is that about right?)

Hi,

We have just added the Zune 1-Click logo and facility to our podcast, Atlantic Wave Radio over at http://www.atlanticwaveradio.com

Check us out!

Thanks Rob for the link/subscription details.  A few other questions regarding netcasts and subscriptions.

- Is it correct to assume that the audio/video netcast need to be in a format (file/res/bitrate) supported by Zune device?  What happens if I have publish a video netcast in a resolution higher than 320x240?

- I have been looking at Live SkyDrive as a way to share photos with family and friends.  The cool thing with SkyDrive is that you can subscribe to a RSS feed on any shared folder.  

So I am wondering, if that means I will be able to deliver photos to my friends/family (Zune users) if they subscribe to it?  Or is it limited to Audio and Video?  Hope I described this clearly.

Thanks again..look forward to your feedback.

I second AJ's suggestion! I am definitely passionate about Zune and Puma (among other things)... The partnership would be awesome!

Since the ScapeCast is a fan show, we commonly post new episode announcements on many of the Farscape bulletin boards.  In our postings, we provide one-click links to many of the services including the Pickle, Alley, iTunes, podnova, Digg, (and formerly Yahoo).

On the forums, we use our phobos itunes store http link, instead of the itpc handler.

Will Zune have an equivalent http link for our Zune Marketplace page?   I doubt that UBB code won't recognize the zune:// protocol for a while, and it'd be great to give potential listeners all the options available.

Plus, folks could use it in email sigs, etc.

Can someone make a countdown bar to no more iTunes?

I'll add my vote for additional *official* images to choose from, especially ones with the Zune logo. I don't ever recall seeing any for iTunes that did not have the iTunes logo, we may as well stick with what works (and looks nice).

Did anyone ever say if we can set how many podcasts to keep current before they start getting deleted, etc? Also if we use the auto rename music per rip settings feature, will that also rename all the podcasts or are they being kept separate? Right now it does, obviously, which moves the file away from where iTunes thinks it is, so until the new Zunes come out I'm leaving my music pretty much untouched and chaotic. I'd love to have the music organized while the podcasts are kept to a separate podcast folder and organized only within that.

Oh and if the Zune had a partnership with Puma or Adidas or whomever, wouldn't that need some type of chronometer in the device? *cough* =p~

Added to the Brains Matter podcast site!

Here are my replies to all of your recent comments about our announced 1-click subscription link process. See below.

Rob Greenlee

Zune Podcast Programming Manager

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Oh and if the Zune had a partnership with Puma or Adidas or whomever, wouldn't that need some type of chronometer in the device? *cough* =p~ by: Talyn

Rob: Talyn, Your right about this being a great idea. Who knows our accessory folks could be working on something like you are proposing, but I have no idea at this point. Thanks, Rob

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I'll add my vote for additional *official* images to choose from, especially ones with the Zune logo. I don't ever recall seeing any for iTunes that did not have the iTunes logo, we may as well stick with what works (and looks nice). Did anyone ever say.  by: Talyn

Rob: Talyn,  I think adding to the list of “Official” 1-click images is a good idea and I do plan on trying to do that exact thing.  Making an available image that has the Zune logo is going to take some more time, but would like to build a process in the Marketplace to offer an image like that. Thanks again, Rob

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Can someone make a countdown bar to no more iTunes? by: John in NC

Rob: John, That is wishful thinking.  Thanks for thinking of us so highly.  Rob

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Since the ScapeCast is a fan show, we commonly post new episode announcements on many of the Farscape bulletin boards. In our postings, we provide one-click links to many of the services including the Pickle, Alley, iTunes, podnova, Digg.   by: Kurt

Rob: Kurt, The 1-click URL should work fine, but please let me know if it does not.  Thanks, Rob

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I second AJ's suggestion! I am definitely passionate about Zune and Puma (among other things)... The partnership would be awesome!  by: darioe3

Rob: Darioe3, I agree it would be terrific to offer.  Thanks, Rob

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Thanks Rob for the link/subscription details. A few other questions regarding netcasts and subscriptions. - Is it correct to assume that the audio/video netcast need to be in a format (file/res/bitrate) supported by Zune device? What happens if I have by: John in S.Florida

Rob: John in S.Florida,  The new Zune 4,8 and 80 will support most of the commonly used video and audio formats, even AAC, mp4, H.264, m4v, m4a and windows media formats. I have also seen our new devices play quicktime and HD video files. If it does not then the Zune Marketplace software will automatically transcode to the proper format for device playback.  Thanks, Rob

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Hi, We have just added the Zune 1-Click logo and facility to our podcast, Atlantic Wave Radio over at http://www.atlanticwaveradio.com Check us out! by: Atlantic Wave Radio

Rob: Atlantic Wave Radio,  Thank you for getting it added to your site so fast. Thanks, Rob

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Great first post (and the different font is a nice touch, lol)! As I've said before, podcasting has never been a big thing for me. I just have not been able to keep up with them on a consistent basis. But when I'm really going to give it another shot.  by: Malory1

Rob: Malory1, That font change was an accident.  My first post and am learning a new blogging platform called Community Server 2.0.  Great you are giving podcast listening and viewing another try.  Thanks, Rob

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My Zune has been drawed since the announcement of a new firmware. I refuse to use it without proper podcast support. Before I was using 3rd party podcast stuff, that didn't work too well. I can't wait till the new software and firmware is released, great. by: Brandon

Rob: Brandon, Glad to hear that the new firmware with bring your Zune 30 back to life for you.  Thanks, Rob

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Yea for implementation of a custom protocal. :) Had to do this same trick for launching a client app from a web page a couple weeks back. Fun stuff. Hope to see you expand it even further over time. :)    by: MNZuning

Rob: MNZuning, Thanks and we will be using it for expanded external deep linking into the marketplace. Thanks, Rob

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I'd like to second the question about spaces in the title. I wanted to add the link with '+' for spaces instead of '%20' simply because it looks nicer. I don't know if this will work or not though. For the moment I have: zune://subscribe/?TheDotNetPreacherShow= by: .NET Preacher

Rob: .NET Preacher,  Spaces and other characters will work fine and it will all work in Firefox as well.  Thanks, Rob

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I would be that lone guy with a Zune running on Lake Michigan (in Chicago, at least). I vote for a relationship w/Aisics, though. ;)   by: Jeff

Rob: Jeff,  I think many others will be joining you soon.  Launch of the new Zunes is coming and so is the holiday gift giving time.  You will be seeing many Zuney Zuners around the lake.  Thanks, Rob

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

Just an idea I wanted to throw out and really didn't have anywhere else to toss it. Apple has a partnership with Nike and I've enjoyed using the Nike product to keep track of my workouts. How about Zune developing a relationship with Puma and having the

by: AJ

Rob: AJ,  Great idea and one that our accessory folks could be working on. I just do not know anything about our possible plans for something like that.  I am the podcast guy.  Thanks, Rob

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

It's nothing super fancy, but I added large "Zune subscribe" button to the comedy4cast home page. Looking forward to seeing this thing grow! Thanks.  by: Clinton

Rob: Clinton,  Thanks for the link and I am also excited to see the Zune grow.  It should be a lot of fun.  Thanks, Rob

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

nice post! I for one, can't wait for the new firmware and software for my zune 30 by: dirtyone

Rob: Dirtyone,  I think that it is very cool that the company is upgrading all the first generation devices.  It will be great to have you on board the new platform. Thanks, Rob

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Added to my sites...no bring on the dancing girls...errr...listeners! (SMILE) D by: Douglas E. Welch

Rob: Cool thanks Doug.  The dancing girls are coming just ahead of the listeners.  I think you know what to do if you did a video podcast.  Give Tim Street a call and get a guest appearance of his French Maids lined up for your show.  Thanks, Rob

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That's awesome to see! I can't wait until some podcast's start putting those up on their site. :) by: Brian Hughes

Rob: Brian, It is already happening. Very cool.  Thanks, Rob

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I am in the process of adding the Add to Zune one click subscription to all of the RawVoice web sites. Should the Podcast Title be URL encoded to support podcast titles that have spaces and special characters? If the name Podcast Title portion of the by: Angelo Mandato

Rob: Angelo,  Wow - thank you so much.  Spaces and other characters in the title are fine.  Rob

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When will the new software and firmware be released? by: Michael

Rob: Michael, Coming very soon. I would look for it around the same time as the release of our new Zune’s and Marketplace. Thanks, Rob

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A suggestion on how to better handle the situation where the user doesn't have Zune Software installed. - Instead of automatically requesting user to download software I think you folks should create a Zune.net page that offers two options..download or - by: John in S.Florida

Rob: John in S.Florida,  It is my understanding that you will be able to download the new Zune Marketplace software from our new Zune.net website.  Thanks, Rob

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I will be added this to the subscribe pages on the Disney Podcast Directory site (an unoffical site not affiliated with the Disney Company). Will check out Kosso's image, and the link to other ones. by: Mike

Rob: Mike, Thank you. Rob

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

That's good to get that out there ahead of time.... I look forward to being able to easily get additional audio content from the ZMP. Sometimes, like when there is a huge gap in significant new album releases, my Zune collects dust. This will breathe

Awesome, Go Bungie.net Podcasts! by: Zoa 342

Rob: Zoa 342,  That was my plan.  Podcasters need time to plan for a page change like this.

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RawVoice and all of our podcasting properties will be supporting the new one click subscribe for Zune users. It is to bad that other podcatchers will not support standard one click rss feeds protocols that were initially proposed back in 2005 by: Todd Cochrane

Rob: Todd,  Thanks for adding our button and 1-click link to all of your many podcast network properties.  Rob

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I am very happy that the Zune team has made it extremely easy for people with Zune Media players to 1 click subscribe to a podcast. I can guarantee I am going to be supporting this new 1 click subscription. by: Geek News Central

Rob: Todd,  I cannot take credit for this 1-click link process as it was built into the plan many months ago by Josh and the podcast platform developers here at Zune. Thanks for supporting it.  Rob

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Rob, How would the 1-click be formatted if the title has a space (or spaces) in it?  by: Shawn

Rob: Shawn, Spaces and other characters are ok in the title. Thanks, Rob

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This will come in handy when listening to the podcast of Battlestar Gallactica. One question: can you tell the Zune what files should be considered a podcast w/o getting the file from a podcast subscription. If I download the MP3 version of a podcast   by: Jaxim

Rob: Jaxim,  No, we only expose your <items> in your RSS feed.  It could be audio or video.  The Zune Marketplace pulls your episodes live right into your podcast page in the marketplace. Thanks, Rob

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Hi again Rob, Here's another 1-click Zune subscribing chicklet I made, which we'll use on podcast.com http://podcast.com/images/chicklets/zune_1click.gif">http://podcast.com/images/chicklets/zune_1click.gif.  I used the actual zune logo here and incorporated the nice colors on it ;) Cheers, Kosso    by: Kosso

Rob: Kosso, Thanks. It looks great nice work. Rob

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I'm looking forward to seeing Zune 2.x and seeing some serious podcasting support vindication. Tease us with some screenshots of the new client as soon as you can, Rob & Cesar. by: TDavid

Rob: TDavid,  You betcha baby.  You know client screenshots are TOP SECRET.  I would have to “k**l” you if I showed you.  I am sure if you did a search in “Live Search” you could already find some. Rob

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Does this mean that the new marketplace software is out somewhere for download?

Rob: The first version is available, but the new one is not quite ready for release yet.  Rob

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Is anyone working on a standard protocol/extension for subscribing to Podcasts using the system's "default" Podcast handler? Instead of iTune or Zune specific protocol prefixes... by: Nicholas

Rob: Nicholas,  Not that I am aware of yet. It could be something that is needed at some point. Thanks, Rob

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Cool! I'll add these to chicklets for 1-click subscribing from a http://podcast.com page! Thanks Rob! Kosso by: Kosso

Rob: Kosso, Thanks. Rob

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Rob Greenlee

Zune Podcast Programming Manager

Seeing as how you're answering questions a little, I figure I'd ask.  In the new firmware is there any way to better organize videos instead of the 4 or so possible categories?

Just had a thought: I'm going to assume the ZMP podcast directory will have the same functions as iTunes (ie. commenting and rating the shows) but what about an API (perhaps a widget or just an RSS feed) that the hosts can place on their website that will display how it's rated or perhaps snippets of the last 2-5 reviews?

Rob,

Thanks for your answers, and welcome to the team!

Rob, where can i download then First The first version of the new Market place?

I have a Zune one-click subscription banner that is a little larger, on my website. It is arranged more like the popular iTunes banner that pops up here and there, and includes the Zune logo.

http://www.stereoradiaiton.com

i messed up that url:

http://www.stereoradiation.com

Thanks for passing this along.  Now I can cater to the Zune crowd.  Making podcasts more accessible to as many people as possible is better in the long run and seeing a competitor to the iPod+iTunes can only improve both products.

Great!  We've implemented it at myITforum.com:

http://www.myITforum.com/absolutevc/?v=369

Can you email me some links to websites with

a podcast subscription option?

Why do I have to subscribe to my zune podcast again every 3 or 4 days?  I would think that once I subscribe they should remain?  Does anyone else have this problem?

How do I transfer an .mp3 file from my pc to the podcast area (not the music area) of my 4GB Zune?  It's an audio book and I want to be able to use the resume feature to  bookmark where I have stopped.

any one know where i can find some great zune podcasts

Viral misspelling:

It's "chiclet", not "chicklet".

Where can I find a step by step guide on submitting an Mp3 to zune for download?

does somebody know how many podcast i can take in my zune cuz i subscribe to 10 diferent ones but when i update it it only show 6 of them. how can i do to carrie more then 6.? if you have a answer ill be happy to hear it. cantact me at ginoba3@gmail.com thank you very much.

Maybe some of your podcasts are video - not just audio

Great post,a follow up on where to find the podcasts would really help.

The Zune platform podcast directory is continuing to gain in use and popularity and as we move towards

Which 1-click ZUNE subscribe icon is best to place on my website - The MARKETPLACE or the SOCIAL?

Code for both can be generated above.

MARKETPLACE opens ZUNE, which is slow - SOCIAL goes thru the IE browser and is faster - also looks better also.

Thanks

TDK

The Zune platform podcast directory is continuing to gain in use and popularity and with the recent launch