Official Zune Insider Blog

Zune Insider Podcast 45: Zune on Xbox & Zune HD Surprise

2009-11-07T02:01:00Z

Episode 45 dated November 6th, 2009 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
Jessica and matt talk about matt's big presentation and planning for the future: (0:00 - 3:30), Zune on Xbox chat and extra info: (5:10 - 11:23), A few user questions answered: (11:30 - 14:20), A surprise for Zune HD owners! (14:25 - 16:20), Matt and other Halloween action, including a Zune pumpkin! (17:04 - 19:02), New videos in the Marketplace! (19:05 - 21:40), Music and shout outs! (21:45 - 27:11).

The mp3 file is 18.6 MB and runs for a 27 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

Zune Insider Podcast 44: Zune Device Team Fun & Shocktober

2009-10-31T02:07:00Z

Episode 44 dated October 30th, 2009 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
Matt and Jessica talk about planning and presentations (0:00-1:50). Interview with Bryan Nealer and Jordan Naftolin from the Zune device team (2:20 - 12:40). We discuss what the device team does for fun and their music preferences (12:40 – 19:35). We talk about Shocktober TV and Shocktober Music pages (19:35 – 25:00). Music users sent us and what we’re listening to (25:00 - 27:02).

The mp3 file is 19 MB and runs for a 27 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

Zune Insider Podcast 43: Zune Video Podcasts Launch in Win 7 Media Center

2009-10-24T09:30:00Z

Episode 43 dated October 23th, 2009 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
Matt and Jessica talk about the Windows 7 launch (0:00-4:30). Interview with Wink Thorne, the program manager for Zune video podcasts in the Window 7 Media Center Internet TV section (4:30 - 10:26). We talk about Zune and Windows 7 integration (10:26 – 15:00). Opening of the Microsoft Store (15:00 – 17:54). Matt and Jessica talk about going to the Consumer Electronics Show (17:54 – 19:20). Answering user questions (17:54 – 27:50. Music users sent (27:50 – 30:45). Video in Marketplace same day as on DVD (30:45 – 34:56).

The mp3 file is 24 MB and runs for a 35 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

Zune Insider Podcast 42: LOLcats and Getting Support

2009-10-17T01:48:00Z

Episode 42 dated October 16th, 2009 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
Matt and Jessica talk getting dressed up and giving presentations at work with proper grammar. (0:00-5:38). LOLcats and Clippy make a comeback. (5:38 - 6:32). Interview with Caesar Filori from Wideband Network (7:29 - 18:38). We talk Zune.net support forums, how to get support, and address a couple of issues (19:46 - 30:22). Matt gives some shouts out! (30:23 - 33:20). Jessica talks about some new music she recently found (33:21 - 35:02).

The mp3 file is 25 MB and runs for a 36 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

The Xbox Live Update Preview Is Now Available

2009-10-15T05:34:00Z

Are you passionate about Xbox LIVE? Do you want to get a sneak peek of the newest Xbox LIVE updates including Zune, Facebook, and Twitter before they officially launch? Will you help us make sure our service delivers the highest quality most engaging experience for our customers around the world? If so, please join us in the Xbox LIVE Preview. Signup opens today!

Get Ready!

Preview Signup Begins: Now!

Preview Signup Closes: October 21, 2009 (no signups will be accepted after this date)

Beta Signup Website: http://xbox.com/xboxliveupdate

Requirements/Restrictions:

· Only one console allowed per person

· You must have at least a Xbox LIVE Silver Subscription

· At least 10MB of free storage (MU or hard drive)

· A wired or wireless connection to your Xbox

Signup Information

In order to ensure the quality of the preview, the signup page asks for a few important pieces of information. Please have the requested information below ready when you are signing up. NOTE: If you participated in the last Xbox Preview program, your previously entered user information will already be displayed in the signup form. Verify the data, answer a couple of new questions, and you’re ready to go!

Zune Insider Podcast 41: Zune.net Media Player & Matt is Back

2009-10-09T23:32:00Z

Episode 41 dated October 9th, 2009 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
Matt and Jessica talk about his vacation (:20), Long-range software & services planning meetings happening now (2:30), Matt and usability studies (5:30), Guest Zune software developer Scott Jensen, who helped build the Zune.net media player - built to use Silverlight (8:15), New Windows Phone 6.5 is out (18:30), Movie/Video store dude Paul Davidson deserves a raise (21:00), We just signed a deal for movies with Sony (21:30), Movies in Zune Marketplace (22:00), New music talk (24:00).

The mp3 file is 23 MB and runs for a 32 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

Zune Insider Podcast 40: Smart DJ & Matt is MIA

2009-10-02T21:41:00Z

Episode 40 of the Zune Insider Podcast is now live and is co-hosted this week by Jessica Zahn (jetherealz) and Paul Chang (pablochang), Zune Social Media Manager. Awesome wild man Matt Akers is out on vacation this week.

Show notes:
Jessica and Paul chat about Matt slacking off on vacation, diving deep into Smart DJ (:30), Paul talks about Zune's Social media outreach - youtube.com/zune, facebook.com/zune, twitter.com/zune - (1:30), Zune HD giveaways via zune social media outreach (4:30), Josh Vincent, Zune Software Product Manager discusses how Smart DJ works (5:40), Sending photos of your Zune Original devices to us on Facebook and Twitter (18:30), Answering user desires and needs in the Zune software development process (21:00), Jessica and Paul talk about some awesome music (23:00), Playing Rock Band (24:15), Sending Playlists (26:45), Paul talks about some music from Zune music marketplace (27:40), Best of Horror movie selection, new movie previews, watch the free episode premiere of Dexter and Californication in the streaming podcast marketplace on our website (29:00) .

The mp3 file is 22.6 MB and runs for a 33 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in Zune 4.0 software here. Download the audio file directly here - Stream it

What you've been waiting for: Zune Insider podcast #39

2009-09-25T22:00:00Z

Hey folks! Welcome to our 39th episode! We're as old as Brian now!

Okay, that's not funny. To Brian, I mean, because it's totally funny to me. This week, Matt and I talk about what's been happening since the launch of Zune 4.0. Brian tries to sneak into "the studio," but we catch him and put him on the spot. We talk about Zune Originals, some of the issues we've been seeing at the zune.net forums, and the playlists you all sent us last week! And as always, we touch on the latest and greatest in music and video.

Go get it here or listen now from the Zune Insider Podcast page at Zune.net.

Zune Insider Podcast #38 is in the house!

2009-09-19T00:16:00Z

Welcome to another super-duper episode of the Zune Insider podcast starring your awesome hostz Jessica Zahn and Matt Akers. Zune 4.0 is finally here! This week we talk about the new Zune release and some sweet new software features we implemented based on your feedback. We also take a trip through the Zune 4.0 launch party and ambush some Zune party-goers.

New contest! Send us your best "mix tape" playlist using the new playlist send feature. Winner (randomly chosen) will get a Zune HD frisbee! (exciting!)

Go get it here or listen now from the Zune Insider Podcast page at Zune.net.

Zune Meetup in Nashville

2009-09-17T16:58:00Z

Friend of Zune, Patrick Hefner is hosting a Zune meetup in Franklin, TN at the Cool Springs Galleria in the food court on Sept 19th. Swing by to say hello to Patrick, get some swag and get a demo of Zune HD! For more info or to RSVP send mail to zunersmeetup@live.com.

Zune 4.0 and Zune HD is here!

2009-09-15T13:15:00Z

Early this morning the Zune PC software update went live, Zune HD hit the street and Zune.net got some cool new features. We can't wait for you to get the chance to download the new software, get your hands on a Zune HD and give Zune Pass a spin. Let me give you a quick pass at what's new.

Zune HD

First off, we have a beautiful new piece of hardware with the Zune HD. It features an 3.3 inch OLED touch screen and is available in 16 gb black and 32gb platinum. You can also visit ZuneOriginals.net to order a Zune HD in green, blue or red in addition to black and platinum, in either of the capacities. You can also choose to customize a new Zune with laser engraved artist designs or Xbox game titles.

The new player can output 720p video files to an HD TV via the Zune HD dock thanks in large part to the onboard NVIDIA Tegra HD processor. It includes HD Radio receiver as well, which makes your favorite local radio stations sound better and allows you to tune into parallel digital signals. Here in Seattle one of our local NPR radio stations uses one of the signals to broadcast the BBC. Cool!

On the software side of Zune HD we have an alternative menu scheme called Quickplay. This new interface is designed to connect you with your favorite and most relevant content within one touch. It neatly organizes your "pins" (think of favorites), recent history and newly added music, pictures, videos, podcasts, etc. As a Zune Pass person I personally have been using the new section the most. I go through music quick, so it is nice to have new stuff right at the front of the player when it turn it on.

We also added an internet browser to the Zune HD so you can update status on the fly. There is lots more good stuff in the Zune HD, go check one out. As for existing Zune devices, they will get a light firmware update for integration with the new PC software. This is a major update from a hardware standpoint, so many of the device features like HD radio, apps, Quickplay and movie rentals are exclusive to Zune HD. Existing Zune devices will be able integrate seemlessly with the new Zune PC software, including the ability to sync and play purchased movie content.

PC software

The Quickplay menu is the new starting point on the PC software side of the things as well and includes thesame categories as on the Zune HD; pins, history and new. We have big new feature you will find on that screen called Smart DJ. Pick an artist and the Zune software will create a playlist based on that choice, pulling music from your collection and the Zune Marketplace. If you have a Zune Pass you get ultimate playlist, music you already have plus music you might not have ever heard. Without a Zune Pass you get a custom playlist based off your local collection, but can still see the recommendations from the Zune Marketplace, they just won't play.(we wanted to give folks a look at the music discovery benefits a Zune Pass can provide). Everyone can give this feature a test drive today by signing up for the free 14-day Zune Pass trial. You can start a Smart DJ playlist from any track, album or artist in your collection and from artist pages in the Zune marketplace. Movies are now available in the Zune Marketplace today for both rental and purchase. There’s a pretty solid selection of both SD and HD content, but we are not stopping there. We will continue to add new titles to the catalog over the coming year.

Zune.net

On Zune.net we will feature one of the largest streaming audio and video podcast catalogs online. Now you can browse and play any podcast (i.e., inlcuding video podcasts) from our library straight from a browser that supports Silverlight. In addition to podcasts we are releasing streaming music via Zune Pass through the browser as well! You can flip through the music catalog online play music, build a queue or even fire off a Smart DJ playlist right from Zune.net. Streaming Zune music on your PC without the software! This is great for folks that might be stuck at work, unable to download the Zune software. Now, just stream music straight from the browser.

There is so much more in each but I will leave that up to you to explore. Plus we will continue to drill into specific features over the coming weeks to make sure you get the most from Zune.

Have fun!

Zune Deployment Update

2009-09-15T06:46:00Z

Good evening. Quick update from the front lines. Deployment is approaching the final stages but we still have some more tasks to complete. At this point it looks like the service will be going live sometime after midnight. Stay tuned.

Zune Insider Podcast #36 is ALIVE!!!

2009-09-12T00:10:00Z

Alive sounds better than just live, right? Of course it does! Welcome to the highlight of your week, the newest installment of the Zune Insider Podcast! This week we stimulate your aural senses by talking about software development and deployment, some cool tidbits about the Zune HD, and of course the many somewhat organized pieces of randomness that you have come to expect from this epic audio journey that we take you on every week.

Go get it here or listen now from the Zune Insider Podcast page at Zune.net.

4 more days to Zune 4.0! GET EXCITED!!!

T-Minus 4 days until the new Zune HD, Zune 4.0 PC software and Zune.net updates!

2009-09-11T16:06:00Z

The Zune team is hard at work to bring you the next level of entertainment service. In preparation for our new Zune service launch, we are going to be doing some work starting on Monday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. PDT. At that time Zune Marketplace, Zune.net and Zune Social will all be taken offline for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are sure you will love what you will see on Tuesday, September 15th. Not only you will be able to get your hands on the new Zune HD at retail, but you will also be able to download the new Zune 4.0 PC software and experience the new Zune.net benefits.

Set the reminder now. Grab some music, podcasts and TV shows, and sync it all before Monday at 11:00 a.m. to tide you over, because come Tuesday, you are going to want to focus on exploring our new Zune service.

Zune Insider Podcast #35 is LIVE!!!

2009-09-04T21:08:00Z

Here it is, the moment you have been waiting all week for... Zune Insider podcast #35 is ready for your consumption!

This week we chat about software, and of course, the Zune HD. I found some sweet desktop backgrounds and I share those with you (go to www.zunecards.net ). We talk about random airline experiences, we answer lots of tweets from the community, Jessica interviews the kids (literally, and they are awesome!) from Omni Tech News, and then we have the always popular and extremely random chat about music and videos. Yes!

Go get it here or listen now from the Zune Insider Podcast page at Zune.net.