Zune Insider

Our team in Australia just announced that Zune Music Marketplace and Zune Music Pass will launch November 16 with a music catalog of more than 11 million tracks available for purchase in MP3 format. Zune Music Pass will also be available for $11.99 per month or $119.90 annually and can be used on Xbox 360, Windows Phone, Windows PC and Zune.net. In addition, Zune Music Pass subscribers will have unlimited streaming access to tens of thousands of music videos through the Zune PC software and on Xbox 360 later this year.

Canada Zune Music Marketplace and Zune Music Pass

We are excited to announce that Zune Music Marketplace and Zune Music Pass will roll out in Canada on October 3rd, providing access to a growing music catalog of more than 14 million tracks from all the major labels, as well as tens of thousands of indie labels. Zune Music Pass will also be available for C$9.99 per month or C$99.90 annually and can be used on Xbox 360, Windows Phone, Windows PC, Zune devices and Zune.net.

Streaming Music Videos with Zune Music Pass

Zune Music Pass in the US and Canada will now include more than just unlimited music downloads and streaming – starting October 3rd subscribers can stream tens of thousands of music videos through the Zune PC software and later this fall on Xbox 360.

US Zune Music Pass Changes

On October 3rd, in the US, we will be introducing a new, lower priced version of Zune Music Pass at $9.99 per month. The plan will provide unlimited, on-demand access to more than 14 million songs and tens of thousands of music videos. Unlike the current Zune Music Pass offering, it will not include 10 MP3s to keep each month. In addition, as part of the new $9.99 offering, subscribers will be able to download songs and synchronize them on up to a total of four devices (1 PC + any combination of PC, Zune device and Windows Phone), and continue to enjoy unlimited access to streaming on Xbox 360 and on Zune.net.

Once the new Zune Music Pass offering is available, the $14.99 plan with 10 monthly MP3 credits will no longer be available to new subscribers. However, current subscribers can stay on their existing Zune Music Pass plan if they choose and will also have access to streaming music videos.

More news to come

A new music marketplace in Canada, Zune Music Pass changes in the US and the addition of music video streaming will continue to make it easier for you to enjoy entertainment on Xbox 360, Windows PC and Windows Phone.  Stay tuned to Zune Insider for more news.

Zune Insider Episode 111 dated April 8th, 2011 of the Zune Insider Audio Podcast is now live and is hosted by Matt Akers (skipdeez) and Jessica Zahn (jetherealz).

Show notes:
We missed each other the last two weeks! (0:00 – 2:49); Zune HD gets more apps! (2:50 – 5:05); Matt gives Jess kudos (5:06 – 10:23); April Fools Day at Microsoft is awesome (10:24 – 17:14); New guest John Randolph discusses new features in the Music Marketplace and brings music recommendations (17:15 – 24:11); Marco is out, but Jess and Matt talk movies – Tron Legacy, Black Swan, and the Fighter (24:12 – 28:35); James is out, but emailed us TV recommendations – The Killing, The Hard Times of RJ Berger, and The Kennedys (28:36 – 32:03); Podcast Rob Greenlee (@robgreenlee) recommends This is My New Podcast and WTF with Marc Maron and Conan O’Brien (32:04 – 37:33);  Live inbox! (37:34 – end) .

The mp3 file is 33 MB and runs for a 48 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in the FREE Zune Marketplace 4.7 Media Player software here.  Download the audio file directly here - stream it

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Zune Insider Episode 110 dated April 1st, 2011 of the Zune Insider Audio Podcast is now live and is hosted Matt Akers (skipdeez) and guest co-host Rob Greenlee (webtalkrob).

Show notes:
Rob is back in the saddle as guest co-host this week while Jessica is OOF! (0:00 – 2:35); Don’t forget about Zunestore.com for hot deals on new Zune HD media players! (2:40 – 6:00); Matt gives a how-to on Wireless Sync and the Zune.net learning center (6:04 – 12:20); Rob and Matt chat about the Zune software podcast collection view and settings! (12:25 – 15:30); The Barry Sanders of podcast guests Paul Pearson drops by with music action! (15:35 – 24:20); Movies with Marco Desimone! (24:30 – 34:00); Podcast Rob (@robgreenlee) does double duty as guest co-host & guest and he chats about free podcasts of full premiere TV episodes for Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara series (34:05 – 37:40);  Live inbox and the many ways you can contact us! (37:45 – end).

The mp3 file is 36 MB and runs for a 53 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in the FREE Zune Marketplace 4.7 Media Player software here.  Download the audio file directly here - stream it

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Zune Insider Episode 109 dated March 25th, 2011 of the Zune Insider Audio Podcast is now live and is hosted Jessica Zahn (jetherealz) and guest co-host Dave MacLauchlan (AussieDaveMS).

Show notes:
Matt is on vacation, so Dave from the Zune Hardware team joins us to co-host! (0:00 – 4:38); Dave and Jess talk Windows Phone games and Xbox for non-gamers (4:39 – 12:12); James Chott brings movie and TV recommendations – Tangled, Black Swan, and The Fighter, and Laugh it Up Fuzzball (12:13 – 20:30); Paul Pearson is back from South by Southwest (SXSW in Austin,TX) with stories and recommendations (20:31 – 30:43); Podcast Rob Greenlee (webtalkrob) talks about new podcasts from Revision3 (Lifehacker, Film State) and The Gilmore Gang at TechCrunchTV is back (30:44 – 36:52); Special guest Larry Hryb, Xbox Live’s Major Nelson podcast and Inside Xbox “Majors Minute” host – visits Zune Insider! (36:53 – 50:40); Live inbox! (50:41 – end).

The mp3 file is 42 MB and runs for a 61 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast in the FREE Zune Marketplace 4.7 Media Player software here.  Download the audio file directly here - stream it

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