I know some of you have been seeing stale play count data as of late…To make a long story short, as we started to collect more data for the "Picks" and "Channels" features we launched in 3.0, traffic was happily heavier than expected, however we’re experiencing a slight issue with the database machines. This resulted in the play count getting stuck. We just wanted everyone to know there's a team of people working around the clock to resolve the issues as soon...

Since I joined Zune last year, the single biggest feature request from folks in the zune.net forums (besides the clock) has been for a new sync mode. A sync mode in which when you delete content from your computer, it still remains on your Zune device. People don’t like it when content magically disappears from their device, and rightly so. So, you asked for it, and we delivered; enter Manual Sync Mode… While we believe there is great value in our Smart Sync modes, some folks want more...

When you log into Zune Marketplace after the Fall Update Tomorrow, one of the new area you’ll see is Picks. Picks takes note of the music that you’re playing on your Zune and will suggest artists, albums and songs to you that you might like. Built on powerful algorithms that pay attention not only to your listening habits, but to those of the Zune online music community. Whereas Mixview will pivot based on a specific song, album, or Zunecard, Picks is a collection of recommendations that...

Not many people know that the Zune 2.1 software release was a complete re-write of the software. We wiped the slate clean and started over. So, it wasn’t as simple as porting features over, we literally had to re-write the application from the ground up. Features like autoplaylists are no simple task to implement, and while we wanted them in the first 2.1 release, it just wasn’t possible. Now we have them, so it’s moot point, but I wanted to enlighten you as to why they weren’t included until now...