According to Microsoft Zune guru Rob Greenlee, there’s been “a huge jump in podcast interest in the Zune Podcast Marketplace Software.” “This is an annual rite of passage, that summer is the time when podcast usage dips and then it comes stampeding back in the Fall and Winter,” explains Greenlee. “This year is no exception […]

The New York Times has a great look at the state of the Zune today, that suggests that the Microsoft’s portable media player has found a niche: Microsoft hasn’t made much effort to match the iPod’s universe of functions. The Zune store still lacks movies, downloadable programs, gift certificates, monthly allowances or any way to rate […]

Microsoft today released a free software update that will bring new features to all Zune portable media players. The new software will allow Zune users to: wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store on the go; tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio; and tap into new, personalized music recommendations […]

Apple’s iTunes 8 introduced a new feature, Genius, designed to help you find new music. I was unimpressed with Genius – it’s not much more than a recommendation engine, designed to get you to buy more music. In other words, it’s a lot like the recommendation system Amazon has been offering online for a decade.  Wired […]

Apple’s Let’s Rock event today offered anticipated updates to the iTunes and Apple’s iPod lines, but failed to do two things that many were hoping for: eliminate concerns over Steve Jobs’ health and offer “one more thing” – an unexpected introduction with some “wow”.  Jobs noted wryly that “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” […]

Microsoft today announced Zune updates, timed to upstage iPod/iTunes announcements anticipated from Apple on Tuesday.  Unfortunately for everybody who owns a portable media player, Microsoft’s announcements are woefully misguided and mistimed.  You have to give Microsoft credit for releasing another Zune update that brings new features to their existing players. Apple typically saves significant new features […]

Ashley Payne is a design student at College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. The Zune Bug is her design concept for a Zune-branded nightlight that reacts to your room’s ambient light level.  It’s also designed to be a wireless remote speaker for your Zune and responds to the frequency and volume of your music with variations […]

Rob Greenlee, Microsoft Zune Podcast Programming Lead, has introduced a new Zune podcast, Zune Insider. It’s an audio and video podcast, co-hosted by Greenlee and Zune blogger Cesar Menendez.

The New York Times today suggests that the Zune‘s sales are mainly coming from people that hate Apple and are anti-iPod: The most salient feature of the Zune seems to be that it’s not an iPod. Jesse Thorn, host of the public-radio show (and popular podcast) The Sound of Young America, is a Zune proponent, […]

The Zune’s biggest fan, Steve Smith , aka the Zune tattoo guy, has given up on Microsoft’s portable media player. “I am done, throwing in the towel due to a lazy offering by Microsoft,” says Smith. To make it even worse PR for Microsoft, Smith’s bought a new portable media player. “Bought a new PMP […]