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Microsoft intros Zune Social, MP3 Marketplace

updated 01:05 am EDT, Wed October 3, 2007

 

Zune Social and MP3 Market


As part of its sweeping changes to the Zune line, Microsoft today greatly expanded the social aspects of its media players. A new addition, called simply the Zune Social, aims to bring social networking to the digital media player space. Accessed from the Zune's rewritten media player software, the service lets fellow Zune owners share music across the Internet rather than just each other's WiFi networks; members can not only create profiles but view recent playlists and buy their tracks, send and receive recommendations, and show the biggest fans of a particular artist to find new friends. The service is currently in beta but will be available to any Zune user with the updated software, which launches this fall.

The Zune Marketplace has not been left idle during the upgrade, Microsoft says. Like a selection of other music stores, the Marketplace now gains a catalog of more than one million songs in the unprotected MP3 format from EMI and other labels. This allows any Windows user to buy from the shop for the first time -- including those using iPods. Over three million songs are available in total, the company says. With the new Zune software, owners can now run searches that include both their own library and the store at the same time. Microsoft did not reveal changes to song pricing but notes that its Zune Pass subscription service will carry over to the new software, allowing users to download unlimited tracks with the Zune's proprietary DRM for $15 per month.

Zune Marketplace



Zune software


By Electronista Staff

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Previous Comments

  1. danviento

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2005

    0

    Let me be the first tosay

    YAAAAAWWNNN.

    So they moved away from (and pardon the crudity) t*** brown color. Other than that, not much of anything that the real players in the market have had for some time now. It's a wonder it took so long to get the specs copied from the apple design.

    Also, that middle navigation button is possibly the worst-proportioned fillet job I've ever seen. They could at least learn a little about balance, something Apple has shown to do quiet well because they put forth the effort. Of course, this is MS here, so it's not so surprising.


  1. Peter Bonte

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Podcasts

    finally


  1. jarod

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2005

    0

    LOLOLLL!!

    Welcome to the LONER from MicroDUMP.


  1. robttwo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2005

    0

    A proposal

    Let me re-state my proposal --

    If you were planning on buying an iPod (as I am) - then do it on the day they offer these new Zunes for sale.

    Let's make the "new zune day" the biggest iPod day ever - and at least have the pleasure of giving MS the iFinger.

    Spread the idea!


  1. chas_m

    Moderator

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Competition is good

    While I would no sooner own a Zune than put a pro-Bush bumpersticker on my car, I am *happy* to see MS trying to improve their product and respond to user issues.

    Apple has a right to be smug about how great the iPod is, but only competition will keep them from getting complacent, so MS's player and their ability to spend massive $$ on advertising etc means that Apple has to keep improving the iPod rather than resting on their laurels.

    Personally I think the improvements in the Zune could double their userbase -- why, by the end of the year they may have several dozen users! :)


  1. nat

    Junior Member

    Joined: Mar 2002

    0

    not to mention

    the fact that they will throw money at it for as long as it takes. they have no need to dominate anything right now, they have no bottom line to worry about. this is what they do. no other company could ever keep something on the market for as long as they can.


  1. Deal

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Apr 2001

    0

    Political comments

    Political comments in this forum are so stupid. Trolls...

    D


  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    0

    hacking?

    Does LG let users hack this phone to pieces and then provide them with free support?


  1. dpicardi

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Sep 2006

    0

    a lot of fan boys here...

    Frankly this:

    t"he service lets fellow Zune owners share music across the Internet rather than just each other's WiFi networks; members can not only create profiles but view recent playlists and buy their tracks, send and receive recommendations, and show the biggest fans of a particular artist to find new friends. "

    Sounds pretty damn cool and if Apple had come out with it first many would be hyping it up.

    Give credit where it is due. Microsoft is pushing Apple to be even more creative and competitive. I'm not buying a Zune anytime soon, but I would bet the next version of the Touch has some sort of Social Networking play...


  1. nat

    Junior Member

    Joined: Mar 2002

    0

    lot of fan boys?

    geesh pal, take a look at the name of the site. of course we're fans. this shocks you at some level?


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