Zune

The Zune forums are alive with complaints that a bunch of music has suddenly disappeared from Zune devices. The reason: it appears that Microsoft has pulled a bunch of music from the Zune Marketplace. If users downloaded this music to their devices via the subscription-based Zune Pass service, then it apparently disappeared when they synced their device. (I'm talking about subscription-based "tethered" downloads, of which users get an unlimited number per month. The Zune Pass also offers 10 permanent MP3 downloads per month, and those downloads have not been affected.)

I'm not a Zune Pass subscriber, … Read more

With a week to get all the iPad jokes out of their system, Jasmine and Donald sit down to really figure out what's so special about Apple's controversial tablet. Zune phone rumors heat up in advance of the 2010 Mobile World Congress, and Jasmine shows off a pair of eco-friendly headphones.

Subscribe in iTunes audio |  Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio |  Subscribe in RSS video… Read more

On today's show, Amazon gets called out on price-fixing, even though Macmillan wants to charge too much for e-books. AT&T redefines "unlimited," and Microsoft is redefining the bar code, Apple got the fake Flash out of its iPad ads, and big news! Jason had his baby, and Molly's coming back to Buzz Out Loud full time as of next week. Yeah, you read that right. Not a punk. See you Wednesday! -- Molly

Congrats Jason Howell! … Read more

We recorded right after Steve Jobs finished his 90-minute announcement of the Apple iPad, Apple's new tablet computer. It's variably impressive depending on who you are, but will anyone buy it? We discuss. Also, it's over for the Mars rover Spirit. At least the roving part is over, but it's still alive and doing science.

Apple iPad tablet http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-10440943-260.html

After three months, only 35 subscriptions for Newsday’s Web site http://www.observer.com/2010/media/after-three-months-only-35-subscriptions-newsdays-web-site… Read more

This week, we discuss Apple's reported decline in iPod sales--not to be confused with the company's overall sales, which continue to be through the roof. Also, some code in the Zune Software update has people speculating about a potential Zune phone, and a new music format might be on the horizon (which we think will have just about as much traction as Sony's proprietary ATRAC codec). Finally, we confront stylish headphones' lack of good sound, and let some listeners of questionable sobriety take over the airwaves.

Subscribe in iTunes audio |  Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio |  Subscribe in RSS video… Read more

Microsoft enthusiast and blogger Long Zheng noticed something interesting in the Zune PC software update released Tuesday.

The software contains three new hardware identifiers, which are used to load the appropriate driver when a particular device is plugged in to a USB port on a Windows PC. Those identifiers all contain the cryptic string "Phone.Device." The identifiers for the original Zune devices are different, saying "Zune.Device."

This is the clearest evidence yet that Microsoft is planning some kind of Zune support for mobile phones. As I've been predicting for almost two years, this … Read more

Microsoft is quietly making another shuffle within its entertainment units. Less than a year after consolidating the Zune, Media Center and Mediaroom efforts under Enrique Rodriguez, the software maker has shuffled things up again.

Mediaroom, Microsoft's Internet Protocol television effort, will become a standalone business under Entertainment unit head Robbie Bach, while Media Center and Zune software will move under Don Mattrick, who heads Microsoft's broader Interactive Entertainment Business unit. In a statement, Microsoft called it a "natural evolution" of the business.

Less than a year ago, though, Microsoft was touting the strategic advantages of combining … Read more

I just received a heads-up from Microsoft that all of the Zune-branded services (Zune Pass, Zune Marketplace, Zune.net, and the Xbox Zune video store) are scheduled to go temporarily offline this upcoming Monday night (January 25) at 10 p.m. PT. The outage should last around 24 hours, during which time Xbox and Zune users will be unable to browse, stream, or purchase content from Zune Marketplace, Xbox video store, or access Zune.net. Existing content you've downloaded will not be affected, so if you're planning on a raging party Monday night, you should stock up on … Read more

Other than "stop the presses!" the next best thing a journalist can say is that a colleague is "on assignment." It sounds so mysterious and important and I was glad to be able to say it this week about Bonnie. Ms. Cha had to miss Dialed In this week because she's off to a Nokia press event in New York City. We don't know exactly what will happen, but Ovi should take front and center.

Without Bonnie and Skype Nicole, Jason and I managed to hold down the fort with talk of bling-worthy phones, … Read more