SuperSite Blog : Zune

New Zune HD Games Available Today

pthurrott — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:07:58 GMT

From Microsoft:

Over the weekend we pushed out a Zune HD firmware update, version 4.3, which enabled 3-D gaming on Zune HD. Today six new games are available in the Zune Marketplace. The new games take advantage of Zune HD’s beautiful multi-touch OLED screen and accelerometer and some (Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt and Vans Sk8: Pool Service) utilize the powerful NVIDIA Tegra processor to deliver immersive, 3D gaming to Zune HD. As with the other games offered for Zune, these games are available for free to Zune HD users and feature a short ad at start-up.

In addition to existing games on Zune HD the new games include:

Audiosurf Tilt: Audiosurf creates a rollercoaster ride from any song. Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect colored blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and color palette.

Checkers: Enjoy the classic game of Checkers in a beautiful outdoor park setting. Play against the computer or against a friend.

Lucky Lanes Bowling: Bowl in different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes, all with the swipe of a finger. Choose from twenty different bowlers and twenty two different ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.

Piano: Play your own tune, or play along with your favorite music on this electronic piano.

Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition: Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York in the Ferrari of your choice using multi touch controls and the built in accelerometer.

Vans Sk8: Pool Service: From the Admiral to the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl to skate. Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag and achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards.

We're excited to be bringing these games to Zune users today. And, as we’ve said in the past, we will be delivering additional applications for Zune HD including Facebook and Twitter in the future.

Zune HD Device Firmware 4.3

pthurrott — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:12:23 GMT

When I synced my Zune HDs today, I got an alert about updating to a new device firmware version, 4.3. (The previous version was 4.1.) No word on what's changed, if anything, and I don't see anything about it online yet. Anyone?

Update: Microsoft later documented the update:

Today we released the v4.3 firmware update for Zune HD players; this update adds support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements. Enjoy!

What’s new in Zune HD 4.3 Firmware

Support for the upcoming 3D games and applications.

Auto Suggest feature for text input.

Faster web browsing experience.

Landscape keyboard

Keyboard option has been added in the settings section.

New toggle between seek and presets under Radio.

Under the Internet in settings, you can now toggle to default mobile or desktop webpage layout.

Artists bios are updated; embedded links to other artists in text.

Other bug fixes.

Tip of the Week: Speed Up Zune Marketplace Searches

pthurrott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:13:26 GMT

And with this I enter the "if I think I see it, it must be true" sweepstakes: Frank F. has just sent along a brilliant tip about speeding up Zune Marketplace searches. And if you use the Zune PC software, you know what I'm talking about: You search for something and on the left side, the search results for your local content are returned instantly while on the right side, you stare at a pink progress bar as it slowly parses and then loads the Zune Marketplace search results. Well, this will fix that problem. Or, I should say, on the two PCs I've tested this on, this really does seem to solve the problem. Zune Marketplace searches are now as fast as local searches.

In IE, navigate to Tools, Internet Options, and then the Connection tab. Click the LAN settings button and then uncheck "Automatically detect settings."

That's it. And it totally works. Or at least it does here. Give it a shot.

Thanks Frank!

Restore Zune 4.0’s 'missing' features

pthurrott — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:40:14 GMT

Rafael offers up a way to enable Zune features that are disabled for those outside the US or Canada.

Welcome non-US/CA readers! There’s nothing more frustrating than buying a Zune, plugging it in, and discovering the software is “broken” because of how your computer is “configured”. Features like the Marketplace and that snazzy intro video? Completely missing! Yikes.

If you’re positive you should be seeing these features, don’t panic. Microsoft spent a lot of time programming some overrides for you. Simply navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Zune and create a key called FeaturesOverride. Within this key, create a DWORD for each feature you want to enable and set its value to 1.

He provides a list of features you can enable.

I was talking to him about this recently and apparently there is also a series of Registry entries related to Radio. Zune fans know that every Zune device since the original has supported some kind of radio receiver (FM and now HD Radio too in the Zune HD). But apparently Microsoft was going to (or soon will) enable Internet radio in the PC software too. I couldn't get it to appear in the UI, however.

AppleInsider jumps the shark, declares Zune HD 'failed'

pthurrott — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:45:00 GMT

While I wait for what I just know will be hugely positive reviews of the Zune HD from Walter Mossberg and David Pogue (after all, these guys treat Apple product launches like just-discovered new books of the Bible), I can at least point to some of the crazy silliness coming out of the Apple fan base. AppleInsider--which, by the way, I actually like quite a bit normally since they're not usually this partisan--has written an absolutely insane and uncalled-for anti-Zune HD article. I've gotten a lot of email about it, and while I'd like to just ignore it, I am afraid that people will assume it's all true. What they're presenting are five myths of the Zune HD. Actually, it's four non-myths and one completely made up issue, but whatever. Let's waste just a little bit of time on this stupidity. (And you have to think that if Apple had adopted any of the stuff they're complaining about, AppleInsider would have been tripping all over itself congratulating the company.)

Myth 1: OLED is a great display technology for mobile devices

Not a myth. The OLED display on the Zune HD blows away the screen on any iPod or iPhone, sorry. Looked at side by side, inside or out, there is no comparison. This is especially true if you view the screen off-center. The OLED screen looks good at all angles. With the iPod touch, you find yourself fidgeting with it to get the screen to look better. (You can't tilt the Zune HD away from you enough to make it look bad. With the iPod touch, it's only OK when perfectly on center, and even then it's not nearly as good as the Zune HD.)

And while these shots don't do the real-world differences proud, they're at least representative.

Put simple, OLED isn't just "great" display technology for mobile devices. It's the superior technology, period.

Myth 2: NVIDIA's Tegra processor leapfrogs existing mobile processors

Again, not a myth. Both devices utilize an ARM processor at the core, but the NVIDIA design builds off of that with supporting chipsets for storage and video that improve performance and battery life. It can drive HD displays up to 1280 x 1050, unlike the iPod touch. But the real proof is in the using. And unlike AppleInsider, I've used the new iPod touch and Zune HD side-by-side. Zune HD performance is excellent, sorry. The iPod touch is no slouch. But to call these two devices anything but competitive is disingenuous.

Myth 3: Zune HD is mobile HD

No one claimed Zune HD was "mobile HD." The Zune HD supports HD output at 720p and includes an HD radio receiver, and Microsoft is very clear about that. The iPod touch does neither, with a dock or otherwise. Neither does any other portable Apple device.

Myth 4: Zune HD delivers high definition radio

Not a myth. I was just using this feature a few minutes ago. It does indeed deliver HD radio. And as AppleInsider notes, "Analog radio isn't going away." Good thing Microsoft realizes this. Because the Zune HD includes a standard FM radio tuner too. Unlike the iPod touch. And like every other Zune before it.

Myth 5: Zune HD games and software will wow you

This is the one actual myth, but it's also one of AppleInsider's creation, as no one ever claimed that. What Microsoft is doing is providing a number of small applications and games to Zune HD customers, for free, as a benefit of buying into their platform. Over time, they can and will open up the so-called Zune apps store to outside developers. (Witness yesterday's release of the Zune HD-compatible developer tools.) But this is just the first step in what is essentially a new platform. And remember that the Zune is really about entertainment, pure and simple. The Zune HD delivers on its core functionality quite nicely. No one questions that Apple has created a tremendous Apps platform, exclusionary as it may be.

Despite the hype, the Zune HD appears to have failed before even hitting the market.

Sure. And despite the hype, AppleInsider has absolutely failed to give the Zune HD a fair chance. We get it, Apple doesn't make it, so it must suck. But we also get that if Apple had released this product, it would have gotten a hugely favorable review. From you. From the Wall Street Journal. And from the New York Times. But thanks for trying.

There are a number of other inaccuracies in this poorly researched blog post around "Microsoft's standard operating procedure" (actually, Apple's, as it turns out), and the supposedly poor quality of mobile IE on the Zune. (Surprise! It's shockingly good.) But what can you expect from someone who wrote a post about a product that a) competes with the company they love, and b) they've never even seen let alone used?

I'm calling BS on this one, sorry.

Use the tools Microsoft didn't use to create Zune HD apps

pthurrott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:09:50 GMT

Yes, you read that right. Microsoft (and its partners) did not use XNA Game Studio to create the free games and other apps that are now available for the Zune HD. (They used proprietary in-house tools instead.) But if you are interested in developing for the Zune HD, Microsoft does have a solution for you now. It's unclear how you could ever get those apps on the device, however.

XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions

Are you as excited as we are at today’s arrival of the Zune HD? If you've already picked yours up from your local retailer or are eagerly awaiting your delivery from Zune Originals, we are pleased to announce the immediate availability of XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions to support Zune HD. This add-on for XNA Game Studio 3.1 adds the following functionality to the product:

The ability to target and develop for the Zune HD media player.

The addition of new Touch APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD.

The addition of new Accelerometer APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD.

You'll also find new documentation and examples integrated into Visual Studio help that will show you how to leverage the new APIs, as well as a tutorial on how to update the Platformer Game Starter Kit to use the new Touch API's.

Barring the new input models available, your game should port over relatively easily.

Beyond the changes outlined here, all of the other XNA Game Studio functionality with the Zune HD remains the same as it did with earlier versions of the device.

You'll find the download for the XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions by following this link. If you have questions or need help getting started using XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions, please use this thread.

Enjoy your Zune HD!

Thanks to Mitchel T. for the link.

'Twas the night before Zune HD...

pthurrott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:06:14 GMT

... and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except me. Waiting to post my Zune HD review. :)

At ~~midnight ET~~, midnight PT, I'll be able to post my first batch of Zune HD content. This will consist of three hands-on photo galleries and part one of what will initially be a four-part review. Later on, I'll have some screenshot galleries and more of the review of course. Much later (November), there'll be some Zune/Xbox news. This is all previously announced and whatnot, I'm just mentioning here so you know what to expect.

See you at ~~midnight~~ 3 a.m. :)

UPDATE: So I am an idiot, of course. The NDA expires at midnight Pacific Time, not ET. See you in the morning. :)

Zune HD preorders … and a sneak peek at some Zune HD cases

pthurrott — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:06:43 GMT

I am in Loveland, Colorado this week for work and I swung through the Best Buy here yesterday and noticed that they have pre-order cards for the Zune HD 16 and 32 GB models. No big deal, but they are already selling two Zune HD cases for some reason. The cases are both made by DLO and highlight how small the Zune HD really is. Here are some pics...

Current Zunes are discontinued; Zune HD is it going forward

pthurrott — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:45:07 GMT

I met with the Zune folks today and one bit of information than I can discuss immediately is that the Zune HD will be the only device type going forward: The current Zune models, the Zune 8, 16 80, and 120, have all been discontinued. So if you want a classic Zune device, buy it now, as they'll only be around while supplies last. The Zune HD goes on sale September 15 in 16 GB and 32 GB variants.

One other Zune tip: While you can preorder the Zune HD right now from a handful of electronic retailers, your choices are somewhat limited. In pre-order form, you can only get a black body style by getting the Zune HD 16 GB. And if you preorder the 32 GB version, you can only get it in platinum. But if you wait until September 15, you can choose either color in either capacity, and if you order on Zune Originals, you'll be able to customize your device further with other colors and etchings.

Looks like Zune HD supports apps too

pthurrott — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:13 GMT

I'm dying to write about the Zune HD, but here's a bit more info in the build-up to the product's September launch: It will indeed support an applications and an app store, thus removing its one remaining competitive shortcoming with the iPod touch:

Did you happen to make it into a select few Best Buy stores over the weekend? If so, did you get a chance to stare at/touch/play with a Zune HD? We certainly hope so. But! If you didn’t get that great of an opportunity, then it looks like a video might just have to cut it for now. And why is this video so amazing, other than giving you another look at the sexy piece of gadgetry? It shows off the Marketplace on the device, and then right there, smack-dab in the middle: Apps.

We’ve got job postings, and developers of competitive products saying they’re being enticed with money to come on over to Microsoft’s team, and finally XNA creators meant for the Zune that combine to tell us (and everyone else, we imagine) that Microsoft pans on being in the applications development bandwagon, and not simply for their Windows Mobile products. So, with help from third-party developers, it’s pretty safe to assume that Microsoft is setting up the new Zune HD as a legitimate iPod Touch competitor, and for most, the applications that Microsoft plans to have on that said device will really decide that impending war.

Sounds good to me.

Pre-Order the Zune HD

pthurrott — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:27:23 GMT

Here it comes! Microsoft and three online retailers are open today for pre-orders of the Zune HD in both 16 GB (black, $220) and 32 GB (platinum, $290) variants. Here are the links (some aren't available yet for some reason)...

Zune HD 16 GB
Amazon
Best Buy (not yet)
Wal-Mart (not yet)
Microsoft Store

Zune HD 32 GB
Amazon
Best Buy (not yet)
Wal-Mart (not yet)
Microsoft Store

Microsoft's Zune continues to struggle

pthurrott — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:12:10 GMT

I think we all realize the Zune isn't exactly setting the world on fire. But in these days leading up to the release of the Zune HD, things have apparently gotten worse than ever.

To be sure, the Zune provides a tiny, and apparently deteriorating portion of Microsoft's business. Revenue for the non-gaming side of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices unit, which includes the Zune, tumbled 42% to roughly $211 million for the fourth fiscal quarter ended in June - or about 2% of the software giant's total, according to regulatory filings.

Microsoft said revenue at its Entertainment and Devices division was undercut by a 54%, or $100 million, decline in Zune platform sales.

In a survey conducted last fall, IDC's Kevorkian said only 4.8% of those with a portable media player reported having a Zune, while 61% had some sort of iPod.

So, in late 2008, the Zune actually had 50 percent more usage share in the MP3 player market than the Mac did in the worldwide PC market. (Hey, math can be fun.) When you consider how little advertising Microsoft did/does for the Zune, that's rather astonishing. What's Apple's advertising budget? $10 gazillion or something?

Comedy aside, it gets worse.

More recent data from NPD Group Inc. indicates that the Zune's already slim market share may have slipped further. NPD Group analyst Ross Rubin said in the first half of this year, Zune's share was 2%, compared to about 70% for the iPod.

Put simply, I am a fan of the Zune. The PC software is superior to Windows Media Player and iTunes by a wide margin. The current devices are decent, but now lagging behind the touch screen/App Store goodness Apple offers. The online marketplace is good, but not as good as iTunes Store, though that matters less with music because MP3/AAC is universally compatible. (For movies and TV shows, there's simply nothing like the iTunes Store.) And of course Zune offers various features and functions that simply aren't available on the iPod at all. It's competitive from a technical/usage standpoint at least.

But it's not competitive, apparently, where it arguably matters most: In the market. It's unclear whether Microsoft can turn things around with the Zune HD, no matter how good it is. I fear a small but temporary bump on its release and then another long, slow slide into irrelevance. And that's too bad. The Zune is actually a neat platform for digital media.

Zune.net Updates

pthurrott — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:18:52 GMT

Nice. Christian Puzder covers some cool updates to the Zune.net web site:

Zune.net got some much wanted new features. Most important is the ability to "follow" and artist so that you receive updates when on the bands you follow are on tour and will be in you area, and feed aggregation which allows users to add news sites to a band’s bio page. These are small but important features for Zune which has distinguished itself with its Social for users who love music. These simple new feature make the ability to keep up with your favorite band even easier.

On a particular artist's page will be a feed aggregator that users, like yourself, can add links to.

In addition to this feature, the new social also lets users preview/watch artist's videos from within the social page, and aggregates tour date info in the artist's social page. All these feature really make the Zune further embolden the Zune as the digital music service for the music fan.

Instant 1080p HD on Xbox 360 this fall

pthurrott — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:34:34 GMT

Today, during the Xbox keynote at E3 Microsoft announced that "Zune video on Xbox LIVE will feature instant on, smooth streaming content in 1080p HD with 5.1 surround sound. This technology was developed within the Zune team and provides a great experience for accessing on demand video."

More details are available on Xbox.com:

Continuing a pioneering effort that began with the introduction of the industry's first video marketplace in November 2006 and broke new ground with the announcement of the first live TV straight from a gaming console last week in the U.K., Xbox today announced it would deliver yet another first-to-the-world: instant on 1080p streaming HD movies and TV with 5.1 surround sound—direct to TVs worldwide through its Xbox LIVE social entertainment network.

Instantly stream blockbusters like The Dark Knight in 1080p.

Starting this fall, a broad selection of movies and TV shows from Zune video on Xbox 360 will be available to start and stream instantly, in the highest video quality at the push of a button. No discs, no downloads, no waiting. Get the selection of a video megastore, the best video clarity available and the convenience of cable, only on Xbox 360.

Additional Markets
Additionally, Microsoft announced it will more than double the number of markets where Xbox LIVE offers its TV shows and movies, growing from eight to 18, by adding Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Belgium. Xbox LIVE members in every market will have access to instant on 1080p streaming HD video.

Additional details of Zune video on Xbox LIVE:

Video startup is as close to instantaneous as possible by seamlessly transitioning between many different bitrates and resolutions of video
- Video playback will start at a low bit rate for fast download time and then ramp up to a higher bitrate and quality
- This process enables delivery of up to 1080p with 5.1 surround sound
Xbox LIVE party mode let you watch movies with your friends even when you’re sitting in different locations
Enhanced search functions within Zune video on Xbox LIVE let you find your favorite film at the touch of a button

More details about the Zune HD and Zune/Xbox Live integration

pthurrott — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:08:18 GMT

I had a talk with Microsoft regarding the Zune HD yesterday, after publishing my Zune HD Preview article. Here's what I learned.

Why now?

The real purpose of this week's Zune HD and Zune/Xbox Live integration announcement was to prime the gaming world for next week's E3 announcements. These announcements have nothing to do with the Zune HD, however. In fact, all Microsoft is going to talk about next week is Zune integration with Xbox Live. The Zune HD stuff was just thrown in because there's been a lot of speculation about the upcoming device which, as I noted previously, is slated for a September 5 release. (Microsoft did not officially confirm this date, however.)

"We wanted to clear the decks for E3," Microsoft group product marketing manager Brian Seitz told me. "Otherwise people would be confused why we were talking about Zune at E3. This just puts context around the strategy we're working towards."

What is Microsoft doing around Zune/Xbox Live integration

This first wave of Zune/Xbox Live integration is about video content only (i.e. not music). That is, a new "Zune" link will replace the Video Marketplace link in the Xbox New Experience (NXE) UI that you see on the console today. "We have been looking at ways to integrate with other businesses within Microsoft," Seitz said. "Xbox is a natural first step. When you look at the ways people use the console beyond video games, video is the most popular. And we can add value there. We're looking at ways to see how the content can flow more easily between the Zune and Xbox services than it does currently."

Microsoft told me that Microsoft would show off "new capabilities" of the Zune video service on Xbox Live next week. "This isn't just a new name," Seitz said. This change will also form the basis for future expansions of the Zune brand and service onto other Microsoft platforms. (Presumably including Windows Mobile.)

"Zune is growing," Seitz said. "It's a complete software + services layer. Zune is about music and videos. On the Xbox next week, we'll talk about Zune in the context of the Xbox Video Marketplace. We're making huge improvements to the navigation and the look and feel. We will also discuss other cool features and capabilities that the service will have."

Zune HD

Seitz confirmed to me that the Zune HD is a complete touch-based device, with no Zune Pad or other button-based navigation. "There are a total of three buttons on the thing," he said. "On the front, near the bottom, is a silver button that takes you back to the home menu. There's a rocker on the upper left that you can use for volume up and down and to trigger onscreen transport [Play, Pause, Next, etc.] controls. And there's a power button on the top. That's it."

While much has been made of the fact that Zune HD is "based on Windows CE," that's been true of every Zune device so far. "It's not a departure or change, hardware-wise," he said. "It's always been there, and this is consistent."

The Zune HD web browser is based on a "flavor" of Internet Explorer 6, Seitz said, "but you won't recognize that. We did heavy, heavy customization work on the UI, and it's optimized for multi-touch, gestures, and finger-based navigation instead of a stylus."

Looking ahead, Microsoft is still finalizing the software capabilities, so we can expect more about the Zune HD later this summer. "We haven't discussed all the capabilities of this device yet, and we're still in the middle of development work," Seitz told me. "There are changes to come, but we want to be respectful of customers and be accurate with what we're releasing. We'll have more to say later this summer."

Zune PC software and services

Seitz did confirm for me that the Zune HD would be accompanied by a new revision of the Zune PC software and services. "Absolutely," he agreed. "There's a parallel effort for the software and we have some really cool stuff coming there too."

Final thoughts

"We're really excited about the first broadening of the Zune services beyond what it is today," he said. "Most people have never even seen a Zune, and if they have, they tend to think of the first brown one. We think we offer unique customer value across the board, but MP3 players and music services are vertical markets. We're excited to bring to bring Zune to more platforms in the company and expand its reach. They can benefit from the work we've done around content and experiences. We will continue to work with Xbox and other teams in the company to see where we can land next."