News
Introducing the ZNNBlog
10/01/2008 11:49 AM
Introducing
the ZNN Blog; your source for News, Tips and
Feedback. If you are a customer looking for
a portable media player and seeking info on what
the Zune offers, a Zune user, blogger, podcaster
or industry insider, please feel free to share
your questions, comments and feedback.
The Zune now allows wireless access to the Zune Market Place and Social network. Microsoft offered free generation 3 upgrades to all Zune users showing a continued commitment to supporting early adopters as well as customers buying into the generation 2 release. Hats off to Microsoft and the Zune development team for excellent follow through and an impressive demonstration of their dedication to the portable media market.
Microsoft has also adopted a subscription model similar to that offered by Rhapsody and Napster. Although the current Market Place library is considerably smaller than that offered by competitors, Microsoft appears committed to growing content and in providing Zune users with wireless access at home as well as on the road. Deals have been struck with companies, such as MacDonalds, to allow wireless hotspot connectivity to Zune owners.
Although pundits, including Steve Jobs, argue the subscription model is hobbled by the preference of music lovers to own rather than rent their music, we have been fans of Rhapsody for many years and believe the subscription model will prove successful, as more become aware of the value and convenience it offers. Frankly, much of the pop music we download and listen to proves of short lived interest to us. Services such as Rhapsody and Zune Market place allow us to feast at a low cost smorgasbord before making a purchase of tracks we truly want to keep.
Others suggest the subscription model will be further gutted by advertising supported free access to music through services such as MySpace Music and Last.fm. These services are akin to commercial radio and provide no means to deliver free music to our portable MP3 players. The unique Zune FM connection allows radio listeners to log and down load music heard on FM stations ... providing the encoding used by the Zune to identify tunes is included.
I still occasionally listen to Last.fm but continually find my Rhapsody and Zune Music Place channels a far better source of new content. The sometimes derided Zune social is evolving and has an outstanding opportunity to create a vibrant new media for sharing and connecting with others with similar musical tastes, as well as those who introduce us to sounds never imagined.
Although generation 3 has gone a long way in making the Zune and related services an exceptionally attractive option in the portable player market, we have a wish list to share with the Zune team and request our audience stop by ZuneNetNews.com to share your list of most desired enhancements or changes.
You may email the site admin using the email address under Contact Us on the home page or via moderated comments on this page. All comments will be reviewed before posting.
Thank you for viewing and sharing. Please bookmark ZuneNetNews and check back regularly as our site grows. We will be introducing both audio and video podcasts focusing on the Zune and Microsoft portable media technologies. If you have an interest in contributing please feel free to contact us.
The Zune now allows wireless access to the Zune Market Place and Social network. Microsoft offered free generation 3 upgrades to all Zune users showing a continued commitment to supporting early adopters as well as customers buying into the generation 2 release. Hats off to Microsoft and the Zune development team for excellent follow through and an impressive demonstration of their dedication to the portable media market.
Microsoft has also adopted a subscription model similar to that offered by Rhapsody and Napster. Although the current Market Place library is considerably smaller than that offered by competitors, Microsoft appears committed to growing content and in providing Zune users with wireless access at home as well as on the road. Deals have been struck with companies, such as MacDonalds, to allow wireless hotspot connectivity to Zune owners.
Although pundits, including Steve Jobs, argue the subscription model is hobbled by the preference of music lovers to own rather than rent their music, we have been fans of Rhapsody for many years and believe the subscription model will prove successful, as more become aware of the value and convenience it offers. Frankly, much of the pop music we download and listen to proves of short lived interest to us. Services such as Rhapsody and Zune Market place allow us to feast at a low cost smorgasbord before making a purchase of tracks we truly want to keep.
Others suggest the subscription model will be further gutted by advertising supported free access to music through services such as MySpace Music and Last.fm. These services are akin to commercial radio and provide no means to deliver free music to our portable MP3 players. The unique Zune FM connection allows radio listeners to log and down load music heard on FM stations ... providing the encoding used by the Zune to identify tunes is included.
I still occasionally listen to Last.fm but continually find my Rhapsody and Zune Music Place channels a far better source of new content. The sometimes derided Zune social is evolving and has an outstanding opportunity to create a vibrant new media for sharing and connecting with others with similar musical tastes, as well as those who introduce us to sounds never imagined.
Although generation 3 has gone a long way in making the Zune and related services an exceptionally attractive option in the portable player market, we have a wish list to share with the Zune team and request our audience stop by ZuneNetNews.com to share your list of most desired enhancements or changes.
You may email the site admin using the email address under Contact Us on the home page or via moderated comments on this page. All comments will be reviewed before posting.
Thank you for viewing and sharing. Please bookmark ZuneNetNews and check back regularly as our site grows. We will be introducing both audio and video podcasts focusing on the Zune and Microsoft portable media technologies. If you have an interest in contributing please feel free to contact us.
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