Microsoft confirms expanded Zune team, new mission

While Microsoft's own post on this newfangled Zune initiative has absolutely nothing to do directly with Windows Mobile 6.5, we wouldn't push that inkling of integration too far away. In fact, Redmond has just that on the brain, with "that" being "integration." Confirming an earlier CNET report, Microsoft has decided to wed its Zune software team with the Connected TV organization (Windows Media Center, Mediaroom) in order to "create a single group focused on creating software and services that enable great entertainment experiences across the PC, TV, mobile phones and Zune devices." Additionally, the Zune device hardware team has joined the mobile communications business group to create a center of excellence in portable hardware, and the priority now is to deliver "new software, services and devices for Zune customers." We like the sound of all this ambition, but please, don't make us wait too long for results -- cool?

[Berka @ Feb 13th 2009 2:37PM]

In black color look so sexy, wow

[BrandontheZunefan @ Feb 13th 2009 9:07PM]

Since when was the Zune availible in Lilac and burgundy? Is this a suttle hint new colours are coming soon? I agree Black is sexy Thats the 120 middle in the middle and the other black one must be the 16 because the 4 and 8 have the silver squircle.

Anyone know about these mysterious colours?

[Saad @ Feb 13th 2009 3:40PM]

remind me never to come to engadget on Fridays 13ths

[David Russell @ Feb 13th 2009 3:50PM]

Good to see CNET shares the same bias against Zune... using the OLDER pics of Zunes instead of the actual CURRENT models being sold for the past 18 months or so. I don't own a Zune... but seriously guys: UNBIASED news reports are BETTER news reports. Otherwise, you get into the nasty "Bill O'Riley" and "Rush Limbaugh" arena of "news reporting".

[Jake Johnson @ Feb 13th 2009 4:14PM]

Well, in that case, David...I hope you fail.
Oh, and *yawn*

[Quix @ Feb 13th 2009 10:30PM]

"Enable great entertainment experiences???"

"Center of excellence???"

Wow, nice corporate gobbledeegook, Microsoft. More proof positive you are completely, hopelessly out of touch with the consumer.

[iphonerulez @ Feb 14th 2009 12:49AM]

Absolutely nobody in New York City carries a Zune. At least nobody that carries one in their hands. Normally more people carry devices in their hands in order to show off what of gadget they have. Yo man. I got the latest and greatest IPOD!!! Bite me!

Maybe the Zune users carry their crap in double plastic bags. One bag for their Zune and one bag for their faces.

Why would anyone in their right mind carry a Zune in the "Big Apple", anyway. There's probably more Apple stores in Manhattan than people that use Zunes.

Zune on Mac. You can do it. Why bother?

[Daniel @ Feb 13th 2009 2:38PM]

MTP support please.

[Dafrety @ Feb 13th 2009 2:41PM]

Also, in before iPaulTard

[dfn_doe @ Feb 14th 2009 4:22AM]

Yah, that would make up for it's lack of target disk mode. Personally I REALLY want microsoft to release zune software for windows mobile AND make it support the zunepass.

[Josh @ Feb 13th 2009 2:40PM]

Hella nice looking, gonna have to pick one of these up

[Trojan @ Feb 13th 2009 2:42PM]

Zune Store outside of USA like, yesterday.
All this Zune focus is awesome, but right now, it's almost exclusively USA only, which is what's really killing the platform.

Expand the Zune Marketplace outside of the USA ASAP. They should have AT LEAST the same presence in countries around the world that the Xbox Marketplace does.

Anything less is p*ssing in the wind.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 2:48PM]

I live in the UAE and I use the Zune Pass with no problems at all, I can download whatever I want anytime I want. Too bad to hear that you are not able to join in.

[Trojan @ Feb 13th 2009 3:09PM]

Sure, if you set your regional settings to USA, create a US Live ID and buy US Points cards or us a US Credit Card.

That's hardly a path to market success. They actual marketplace needs to be available outside of the US without having to use workarounds like that. They've managed to get the XBox Marketplace (video/tv) outside of the US, they need to synchronize those efforts with the Zune Marketplace, and expand them around the world, or the platform is doomed to failure.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 3:14PM]

I guess you have a point, and to be clear I only have a US Live ID, and use my local issued and addressed Credit Card (it works fine).

[Jay Voorhees @ Feb 13th 2009 2:42PM]

My name is Jason Voorhees and I approve of this message.

[funkyp56 @ Feb 13th 2009 4:06PM]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alex Padilla @ Feb 13th 2009 2:43PM]

Friday the 13th on Engadget is so badass. Sometimes I don't even read the articles!

[brum9 @ Feb 13th 2009 2:53PM]

ooh i was trying to figure out why jason was in all the pics...nice

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 2:43PM]

Regardless of what people say, a Zune with the Zune Pass is any music lover's fantasy; I swear I've known about music with this service more than I've thought I could ever know! Love it.

[Electromodo @ Feb 13th 2009 3:12PM]

Agree with Saad here.

In fact, music subscription service in general is great! I almost forgot what it is to think like "Ughhh... no new songs to listen, I need to go buy/borrow friend's CD/run torrent/whatever..."

Unlimited instant music download is great, especially with Zune Pass price of $5/month + 10 obligatory MP3 songs purchase (makes $15/month). Very cheap!

(you can also register your account on several machines, so... it's a winner too)

What I wish for Zune pass is to have more european artists, but you know... it's just a dream.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 3:17PM]

Exactly Electromodo, I use my ID on three other PCs and Zunes, making it only $5 for each person.

And yes, I actually sent the Zune team a message asking for more European artist support, especially trance and house. :)

[fieldcar @ Feb 13th 2009 4:02PM]

Yeah, more trance please...

BTW, check out "Simian Mobile Disco - I got this down" since you have a zune pass ;)

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 4:11PM]

Zune Passers on Engadget, add me: BiggyPanda

Nice song fieldcar, freshhhh. :D

[D @ Feb 13th 2009 6:47PM]

how do you share across account? I have a zune pass and my brother also has a zune. it would be nice to link his account.

[CJ @ Feb 13th 2009 7:05PM]

I like the idea of a subscription service, I like it very much (too bad I live in Australia)

I've bought iTunes vouchers before, but the main failing with them is that I spend literally HOURS choosing what songs/records I'm going to download with it.

I don't like the idea of paying 10-20 dollars for something that a) I won't like in a few days, and b) Could've gotten for free.

[roole @ Feb 13th 2009 11:49PM]

Wow. A Zune lovefest. That's nice to see, after al this time (and heartache).

[Quix @ Feb 14th 2009 2:08AM]

Bah, screw Zune Pass. I'll take Slacker Radio on my iPhone thanks. Did I mention Slacker Radio is FREE???

Note to Big Evil Media: I've *bought* (via iTunes) more music I've found via Slacker over the past month than I've bought the entire year that preceded it. Free Slacker = more of my dollars to you.

[Matthew @ Feb 13th 2009 2:44PM]

The burgundy is nice, very nice.

Don't think much of the other options.

[3rdman @ Feb 13th 2009 2:46PM]

Waiting, waiting, waiting for the world to change...

or at least for Paul Chapel's comment.

And he says he doesn't hate Microsoft, and doesn't love Apple. psh yea right

[Jon @ Feb 13th 2009 3:44PM]

You guys live and breathe for him. Don't feed trolls!

[??? @ Feb 13th 2009 2:47PM]

All right, enough: What's with all the stupid Jason stuff that's going around? And before you say "new movie," that's not what I'm asking. Why this silly BS of sprinkling Jason around every possible picture? It's not like you're sponsoring the damn movie, so it's quite ridiculous.

[Corey @ Feb 13th 2009 2:50PM]

just a little fun, chill out

[newstory @ Feb 13th 2009 2:51PM]

Dumbass, it's Friday the 13th! They do this every single Friday the 13th (at least for as long as I've been reading). It's funny. Laugh. Or I'll cut you!

[Look_Around_You @ Feb 13th 2009 2:51PM]

New Movie:

Next Friday the 13th

Jason v. Ice Cube.

[CJ @ Feb 13th 2009 7:07PM]

Camp Crystal Methlab?

[Sam Zebian @ Feb 13th 2009 2:49PM]

Wow, I hope this means good news. I'm so glad they didn't just abandon the hardware focus of it and do a software-only type of deal, because the Zune hardware is superior to most other players out there in a lot of ways. I love everything Zune's been doing so far, keep up the great work Zune team!

[jjpertusch @ Feb 13th 2009 2:52PM]

ZUNE ON MAC! come on. you can do it.

[sinai @ Feb 13th 2009 3:35PM]

no.

[derspiess42 @ Feb 13th 2009 5:19PM]

No, thanks. Maybe I'm overestimating the time & resources it would take to develop a Mac application + drivers, but I can't see it being worth it-- how many Mac users are *that* interested in a Zune??

As a Zune owner, I'd rather see them put those resources to use developing the application & product line.

[Quikboy @ Feb 13th 2009 6:32PM]

Try Boot Camp + Windows

[D @ Feb 13th 2009 6:50PM]

http://www.virtualbox.org/

there- you have windows programs on a mac. Its free too. But please donate.

[James @ Feb 13th 2009 2:55PM]

if Microsoft was smart, they'd just develop an iPhone/iPod touch (Windows Mobile, Android, etc) Zune app sell it for like $5 and then offer Zune Marketplace (mainly the subscription service - whatever it's called) via the device and bypass computers entirely. Figure out whatever way to backup the music and call it a day...

[inteller @ Feb 13th 2009 3:03PM]

yeah, like Apple would let that happen.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 3:09PM]

Actually James, you can download music using only your Zune through any WiFi spot. Hit connect, and start searching or viewing the top music or channels. You can do it anywhere whenever you want, and if you have a Zune Pass (the subscription service), then download and listen to full tracks anywhere you find a WiFi spot.

It is as simple as it sounds. You will need to link your account to the Zune device for one first time, and that's all. :)

[EBone @ Feb 13th 2009 3:44PM]

Not just ANY WiFi spot. Can't be one that you have to log on to on a webpage first like most airports have.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 13th 2009 3:50PM]

Opps! Thanks EBone.

[telepheedian @ Feb 13th 2009 5:31PM]

And you need to sync with a PC every once in a while or so, to refresh the DRM, although that only happens every 2 weeks or so, and you can probably do it in a VM.

[Ed T @ Feb 16th 2009 1:26AM]

If Microsoft was smart, they'd be Apple.

[Jayayess1190 @ Feb 13th 2009 3:31PM]

want please.