[via istartedsomething]

Microsoft and Nokia is working on giving Nokia phones access to the Zune Marketplace. There is not going to be a Nokia-Zunephone, which would’ve already brought the tech-blogging world into a mad frenzy (I’m several hours late with the news) but a more sober content delivery integration. It’s interesting to note that Nokia phones support Real Player and not Windows Mobile. So expect WMP on Nokia phones in the future. Hm, but I wonder what happens to OVI?

[zunescene via gmp3]

‘Tis only a rumor but the implications are endlessly interesting. ZunePhone running Windows Mobile 7, said to be a real competitor to OS X. Also, Windows Live Services will be its focal feature. The ZunePhone will be a multi-touch phone, of course, but there’s no hint of possible screen size and connectivity. We can assume that since Zune has WiFi, ZunePhone will have WiFi, too. I’m not too sure MS Live Services on a phone is one feature that will get users lining up, but what the hey.

[via jkontherun, photo: hexun]

We didn’t want to post MSZuneFan’s “last video” because of the hard language but we’re more than happy to report it now has been removed from YouTube. “My Last Video” of the Zune Tattoo Guy (yes, he actually calls himself the Zune Tattoo Guy) had logged in 559 views in total. The link still exists though the video no longer plays. Engadget, which posted the video and the link to the Zune forum Zune Tattoo Guy frequents, points to this reason, among others, that turned the man against Microsoft:

I have been lying on behalf of Microsoft by saying that I have gone on the trip to Redmond that they offered me over a year ago, truth is, they canceled said trip only days before I was suppose to come out. Cesar himself was the one to break the news to me and for the sake of them not looking like they stabbed a huge fan in the back I just said I went and it was great. Just figured I don’t have to hide this any longer if I could care less if the Zune succeeds at this point or not.

Zune Tattoo Guy, now an iPod owner, has been a nightmare for the Zune ever since he proclaimed himself a fan. His apostasy may provoke a sigh of relief rather than wails of agony from Redmond. Now, how do you think you’d feel if he gets some Apple and iPod tattoos?

Wow!

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We have not heard from Zune or did we expect the Zune Guy do be in the mood for announcement at this time but, apparently, he is. Here’s what he has to say:

I am done. I have had the Zune since day 1 and have noticed little improvement. I have tried my best to support them every step of the way but the recent Xbox Live announcement at E3 made me lose it. To not include Zune Marketplace or the ability to load videos from Xbox Live to your Zune made me finally give up. I am in the works of figuring the best way to get a new tattoo to cover the logo on my arm. Thanks for all the harsh comments and you will see very little of me anymore.

mszunefan, as he calls himself in the Zunescene forum might want to take at least the rest of the year off to think about covering his Zune-related tattoos. Microsoft may just come up with a really nice update on the Zune. Hm, you haven’t heard of a any Zune rumors either? Well, all I’m saying is that if I’d wait if before I’d cover up those tattoos with more tattoos because I’d be wondering what made me put those tattoos anyway and would immediately conclude that it might be best to seek professional advise.

[zunescene via engadget]

In an interview that covered Windows Mobile phones, HD DVD and Xbox 360, Microsoft Entertainment Devices & Division President Robbie Bach also dropped a hint about a Zune competitor for iPod Touch. That’s right, a touchscreen Zune. Of course, a touchscreen Zune raises many possibilities, among which is a possible Windows Mobile OS developed strictly for entertainment devices. If this is in Microsoft’s future plans for the Zune, it might have a chance at a prolonged war against the iPod. This spells major benefits in pricing and functionality for consumers.

[via engadget]

One way Microsoft could make Zune a success in Canada is by having a different Zune distributed there compared with the one being sold below the border. Tough luck, but maybe Canadians can put a different eye into things. OxCafe did another review of the flash Zune as they received it in Canada, despite all the reviews of the Zune in the past. The Zune will be released in Canada June 13. The review includes the XNA game support and gapless music. Zune Marketplace is unavailable in Canada, which is a bummer. Lots of features missing, which I’m sure users of Chinese MP4s will miss but OxCafe’s conclusion puts Zune 80 ahead of iPod Classic.

And between a Zune 80GB and 80GB iPod Classic, and in this case, it is sure that I would take a Zune! The screen is larger and the price will be smaller (after me)!

[oxcafe via gmp3]

Microsoft’s announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. After being out of mainstream news for quite some time, Zune is finally back in the front pages of technology news. Released in November 2006, Zunes have been selling modestly and have finally reached the 2 million-unit mark. Since Q1 2007, Zune has actually moved up the MP3/PMP market list to gain one point from 3% to 4%. At the same time period, iPod market share dropped from 72% to 71%. It’s bad news for both Apple and Microsoft after releasing fresh new lines of their portable media player brands.  If you care to look at the table above, you’d notice after Sandisk’s 1% gain and subtracting Creative’s 2% loss, there’s 1% missing. Could this be Chinese MP4 players finally making headway in the U.S. MP3 market?

[via cnet]

For Canadians, the Zune will be dropping June 13. The Zune 4GB to will retail for 139.99 Canadian dollars , the Zune 8GB for 189.99 and 80GB Zune for 249.99 Canadian. The nice video above is not an official Microsoft ad, but to me it was made in the same spirit as the ads done by 72andSunny.

[via gmp3, engadget]

Microsoft has made the Zune a lot better in the new 2.5 firmware update. The Zune, virtually officially, is going a different direction from the Apple iPod. I will not hesitate to pronounce the Zune a non-competition of the iPod after the 2.5 firmware. The Zune Video download spotted a couple of days ago turned out to be a little better than we expected. Instead of movie downloads, which is already available in some high-end PMPs like Archos, Microsoft opted for TV shows. It may also come as a pie in the face of Steve Jobs that “The Office” will be one of the first offerings of Zune Marketplace. “The Office” was specially featured during Jobs’ keynote and now Zune users can watch it legally on their Zunes.

The Zune Card is adds more sharing to The Social. As previously announced, it will allow Zune users to sample other Zune users content. Sharing one another’s music preferences and recently played music should add to the spirit of “The Social.”

Also in the new update are gapless music, better syncing, auto paylists, meta data edit, and more. Watch the video after the break.

[via engadget, gmp3] (more…)