On Zune, Partners, and Plays for Sure

re: On Zune, Partners, and Plays for Sure

Diyet — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:53:36 GMT

Microsoft is telling the truth

“Microsoft is a great partner and we expect continued success moving forward. The potential launch of a device by Microsoft does not appear to threaten our relationship in any way.”

re: On Zune, Partners, and Plays for Sure

Sparky — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:31:05 GMT

This is a real disappointment. I love my Zune a lot, but not having it support P4S is a HUGE shortcoming. There are a lot of movies available now that come with a second "Digital Copy" disk that supports iPod/iPhone and P4S. This means these products work on a huge percentage of the media players EXCEPT Zune. Isn't this a HUGE GLARING shortcoming to make people avoid the product? Geez, did I pick the wrong platform?

Microsoft bringing movies (and TV) to you

OffBeatMammal — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 06:16:27 GMT

By now you should be familiar with Spotlight in Media Center, and it's ability to delivery radio, games,

Microsoft bringing movies (and TV) to you

OffBeatMammal — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 06:16:27 GMT

By now you should be familiar with Spotlight in Media Center, and it's ability to delivery radio, games,

Stuart — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:00:01 GMT

For all of you who think that this is just a fanboy/fake/spammer blog, you're wrong. Not to stir up a controversy here, but I just enjoy the truth. Cesar used to be on the Xbox team, had a major role at http://gamerscoreblog.com , and it was just recently announced on that blog that he moved over to the Zune team, and ZuneInsider was born. They've even linked to this blog, which probably has more traffic than any other Zune blog out there right now. Microsoft is keeping a lot of things under wraps about the Zune, just as Apple does with their iPod. I'm sure Cesar knows a lot more than he can actually reveal, or he may lose his job. Stop being Apple/Skepticism fanboys, and be greatful there is some "Official" Zune info out there. Touche'

rafael — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 04:58:30 GMT

so basically Cesar. what you are telling us is that microsoft is going to build a device and it wont... PLAY FOR SURE? im all for Microsoft but this has to be the dumbest move ever. P4S absolutelly has to be included or you alienate your partners, and "The PlaysForSure logo assures consumers that their digital media purchases will play back on their digital media device every time." quote from ms site. p4s is U.S only seems to be the only issue. globalize it.i cant believe this is even an issue.

Cesar Menendez — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:50:32 GMT

To answer the question, Zune is not a PlaysForSure (this time I'm writing it the right way -thanks Michael) Device. It’s a unique POV we’re taking w/ Zune: from the beginning, the goal has always been to build and (enable) a community around music and videos. And to do that, we need a device that’s completely integrated, “end-to-end” as people call it. As you'll see from Sean's post, Microsoft will continue to support P4S. PlaysForSure is a great program that helps consumers choose from a variety of devices and services to find the model that works best for them. Thanks everybody, keep the dialog going. I'm trying to say as much as I can around Zune, and still keep my job ;). I promise as features get locked down and suchlike, I'll be able to say more.

crescentdave — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:52:52 GMT

Thanks Cesar. I do think you have to have content or your readership will fall off- so your comments are welcome. Somewhat off-topic, but related to your interests in music and discovery- I appreciated your links via "Cool Kids." I got a chance to hear some new music which is always a plus ...

Vrag — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:25 GMT

So, you dug around but got nothing? I didn't see an answer to the question.

Cesar Menendez — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:28:56 GMT

Thanks guys for your feedback - seriously, keep the comments coming. this blog is new so I'm still experimenting w/ what works and what doesn't. clearly I need more insider news if i'm gonna claim to be the insider. The goal for me is transparency and if you guys have ideas on Zune, the service, bands to check out, feedback about this blog, seriously, keep em comin. not to brag, but this blog has plenty of readership so it's not a ploy to get more readers, just to build a good, interactive blog and get you guys some decent info. I do want to talk about music still, though - as Zune is about music and music discovery. You're right, I wanted to link to Sean's blog b/c I'm not the plays for sure guy, but I wanted to get his perspective. I'm working on a plays for sure post now, so (please) stay tuned.

crescentdave — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 17:05:37 GMT

I'm going to make the generous assumption you're actually wanting feedback as opposed to going "oh boy, this interaction stuff is going build readership!" 1. Deliver insider news- not rehashed, already posted drivel from people who just happen to work in some (any!) capacity with Microsoft. 2. State an independent opinion or point of view which adddresses your topic. You may be wrong, you may be right- at least the reader gets a sense of your take on the subject. 3. Don't say you "talked" with folks if all you do is cut and paste what they've already posted. It's like this: I know what I'm talking about because I had an in-depth interview with undisclosed sources at engadget and they said: "The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover." (apologies to engadget, cit. http://tinyurl.com/emfek) So I can cut and paste. Whoop. No new news, no insight, no commentary. No relevance. No credibility for the blog proclaiming on the top of the page: Zune Insider. Good luck!

Chris — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:59:24 GMT

For credibility, you have to say something of substance from a position of authority. You sound like a fanboy who's begging to be allowed on the Zune beta program. If you really are inside the company, working on the team, it sounds you just open everyone else's free soft drinks for them. It sounds like you know absolutely nothing about what you're building. And so, once we read that, you lose credibility. Even if you can't speak facts because you're not in control of them or you don't know them you need to at least put some opinions out there of what your reaction is. Posting someone elses idea and saying you talked to someone (who doesn't even work on Zune) gets you nowhere. Reading this blog is like going to the New York Times expecting to find the day's news but instead hearing "I'm the pulitzer prize winning, head investigative writer for the New York Times. I talked to the spokesman for the president and he said 'Nothing to see here, move along' as he buried some dead bodies under his podium and so I moved along. So that's all the news that's fit to print. Have a great day!" You promised the inside scoop in the tagline for your blog. You've given us nothing and let Zune get pounded by the rest of the blogosphere. I suspect this really isn't a Microsoft blog. Just some spammer who bought the domain and plans to stick a bunch of ads on the site once it gets linked to enough.

Cesar Menendez — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 14:30:26 GMT

Crescent Dave - what do you suggest on how this blog can establish credibility?

crescentdave — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:40:58 GMT

This whole piece, unfortunately, is Your Usual Bollocks. PR flack. Quoting someone else's marketing flan is not how you establish credibility.

Adam Vaughan — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 10:59:05 GMT

Hi Cesar, I'm confused too, I'm afraid. Sounds like you/Sean/Microsoft are sitting on the fence! Can you clarify?