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Dear Veronica: Smart watches and dead devices
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-123433{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-123433, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-123433{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-123433").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today it's all about the gadgets: we have questions about Android smartwatches, how to flip the script on your Apple Watch, and what the heck to do with that old Zune you have laying around. Do you have any use for your old Zune that we forgot to mention? Have creative uses for all your old gadgets and gizmos? Let me know by emailing me or sending me a tweet with the hashtag #DearVeronica! Keep sending those questions in, too. See you next week! Subscribe in iTunes or RSS
Gone too Zune: We reflect on Microsoft's failed music project
You'd be forgiven for thinking Zune died a long time ago. Microsoft stopped making new hardware years ago. And in 2012 it officially pivoted from the "Zune" branding and launched Xbox Music. And that has since become Groove. But Zune services have quietly continued to be available to those stubbornly clinging to their Microsoft music players and their Music Pass. Sadly, with Zune services shutting down on November 15th, those last vestiges of the brand will disappear for good. So it seemed as good a time as any for the Engadget staff to reflect on their memories of the Zune.
Microsoft's Zune services wind down November 15th
If you're still relying on what's left of Microsoft's Zune services to feed your Zune HD with fresh content... well, you'd better have backup plans. Microsoft is warning that it will shut down Zune services on November 15th, preventing you from downloading or streaming Zune media from that point on. If you're still holding on to a Zune Music Pass for dear life, you'll switch to a Groove Music Pass sometime between October 15th and the cutoff date -- you'd better get your 10 free tunes while you can, because those are going away. Also, any copyright-protected content you've downloaded might have trouble playing, since the licenses aren't guaranteed to renew.
Gadget Rewind 2004: Rio Carbon
Before the Rio Carbon arrived to take on Apple's iPod juggernaut in 2004, there was Diamond Multimedia's first stab at the digital music market: the Rio PMP300, a portable music player released in 1998. Since it was one of the first portable MP3 players ever to be sold, Diamond ended up embroiled in a fight for the future of the format. The PMP300's ability to play digital music files downloaded from a computer led to a groundbreaking legal battle with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The RIAA challenged the company in court, claiming that its use of digital music files was copyright infringement, but Diamond won out and cleared the way for a new wave of portable music players (PMPs) to hit the market.
Zune Marketplace to close its doors 'as early as' November 22
According to an email from Microsoft, the Zune Marketplace, precursor to Xbox Music, will no longer support rental, purchase or browsing of content "as early as" November 22, the same day as the Xbox One launch. Those looking to replace or transfer their content can look instead to Xbox Video, which allows for purchase or rental of content using local currency (as opposed to the recently retired Microsoft Points), or Xbox Music, which streams content. Both services will be available on the Xbox One. If you were previously a Zune user and log into Xbox Music with your Microsoft account, the service will display your local library as a virtual collection. Any video content previously purchased from Zune will likewise transfer over to Xbox Video. If you have any remaining Microsoft Points, you can convert them to your local currency by purchasing content or redeeming a code for Microsoft Points. Although the Zune Marketplace is on its way out, Zune hardware will remain usable. Microsoft PR confirmed to Joystiq that owners of Zune hardware will still be able to enjoy playback of previously-purchased content from their personal collection on their devices.
Microsoft to kill Xbox Video support for Zune and WP7 in 2014
Microsoft might have just shared a slew of happy Xbox One news, but it also has something sad to announce: the death of Xbox Video support for Zune. To be precise: Zune's PC client, whatever Zune players are left out there and even Windows Phone 7 devices will no longer be able to play Xbox Video content starting February 2014. Redmond says it's a result of the company updating its video catalog to be able to add high-quality files to the service more quickly. Seeing as Zune marketplace was also axed recently, this doesn't come as a huge surprise. That doesn't mean you can only use Xbox Video on the company's consoles, though -- it'll still be very much accessible on Windows Phone 8 devices, Windows 8/8.1 PCs and the service's yet-to-be-launched website.
Xbox Music available now on iOS, Android
Xbox Music, Microsoft's tune-streaming replacement for Zune, is now available on iOS and Android. The free app allows users to listen to the service's available jams online, with offline playlist syncing arriving on mobile devices "in the coming months." Windows, iOS and Android users will also get "artist-based radio" features this fall. Streaming music to mobile devices requires an Xbox Music Pass, which is $9.99 per month/$99 per year for Xbox Live Gold users. Microsoft is offering a free month trial for the premium, ad-free tier as well.
Microsoft axing Zune Marketplace rentals and sales, recommends Xbox Video and Music
Coinciding with the impending abandonment of Microsoft Points, the ability to rent and purchase media from Zune Marketplace will also be hitting retirement come August 22nd. A recently-posted FAQ on the Xbox website details the changes, directing current users to hurry up and use their remaining points as they'll be worthless come that EOL date. For future service Microsoft is unsurprisingly pointing users to Xbox Music and Video, noting that the latter will also be accessible on Xbox One, Windows Phone 8 and browsers "later this year." Unlimited streaming will be accessible through the Xbox Music Pass as you'd expect, and your existing media will continue to function as normal. Better yet, OG Zune Music Pass subscribers will still be able to stream tunes and obtain their 10 free downloads per month. Consider it another inevitable nail in the Zune brand's coffin, while it lives on through Xbox.
Zune Marketplace closing with Microsoft Points conversion
The Zune Marketplace will close its virtual doors whenever Microsoft decides to flip the switch and convert from MS Points to local currency, which could be as soon as Thursday, August 22 according to the Zune Marketplace FAQ. The Zune Marketplace's movie and television rental/purchasing functionalities will be taken over by the Xbox Video platform, whereas its musical feature set will become the domain of Xbox Music, provided you've got a subscription to the service that allows streaming to an Xbox 360. Microsoft recommends that you "spend your points balance prior to this change," but last we heard MS Points will be converted into an amount of local currency of equal or greater value.
Xbox 360 Dashboard update hands-on (fall 2012)
Is it Fall again already? Must be time for another Xbox 360 Dashboard update. Every year Microsoft Drops the console a little bit of code to match the descending leaves, delivering new features, interface tweaks and additional content to hide behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall. Redmond's latest update isn't quite the overhaul it gave the gaming rig last year, but minor changes can have big effects. Join us after the break to see the machine's latest update, and what it means for you. %Gallery-168426%
With the launch of Xbox Music, Zune is truly no more (update: Zune Pass users get 1,000 Microsoft point parting gift)
It's over, folks. Or at least nearly over. Write it down -- time of death: 12:01AM ET, October 16. That's when the Zune brand is officially no more, and "Xbox Music/Video" and its store replace the Zune Marketplace; the final, quiet end of a brand that's been waning for years. "Yes, the Zune brand is gone, and the Zune products are gone," Xbox Music GM Jerry Johnson told us in a meeting last week. While Zune devices will still work with Windows 7, and the Zune Pass simply becomes the Xbox Music Pass, the brand is effectively no more, joining the Kin and Microsoft Bob in the annals of MS history. Bizarrely, the branding will continue on for Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 users, with the Zune Marketplace mirroring Xbox Music's content. That's likely due to Xbox Music being exclusive to Windows 8 devices (which includes the Xbox 360, despite its age, and Windows Phone 8) -- Microsoft promises a continued focus on Xbox Music going forward, while Zune support drops out. In the end, though Zune was a failure for Microsoft, Johnson said it was a worthwhile learning experience for the company. "The Zune brand got associated with a device, and what we did with Xbox Music is actually turn around and say, 'Let's build something from the ground up, leveraging what we've learned from a lot of these different things.' But it's not gonna be device-centric, it's gonna be service-centric," he explained. In Johnson's eyes, the failure of Zune as a brand is directly tied to the failure of Zune as a device -- and having the highly successful Xbox brand tied to its media offerings, he's hoping to skirt previous negative perceptions and relaunch Microsoft's place in media delivery. Whether that'll happen remains to be seen, but either way, this is the final nail in the Zune's coffin -- not just as a device, but as a thing in the world. Update: Looks like Microsoft hasn't forgotten the loyalty of the diehards who stayed with Zune until the end, as Zune Music Pass users are getting 1,000 Microsoft Points for free along with the switch to Xbox Music.
Report: Xbox Music launches this month with free ad-supported streaming
Microsoft's Xbox Music service will reportedly launch alongside Windows 8 on October 26, according to anonymous sources speaking with Polygon.The service will supposedly provide both subscription-based and free ad-supported streaming music plans for Xbox 360, Windows 8 and Windows Phone users. Microsoft SkyDrive integration is also said to factor heavily into the service's functionality, allowing for synced playlists and music libraries across all supported devices.These claims match an earlier report from last June, in which Bloomberg claimed that Xbox Music would launch with Spotify-like streaming options and cloud storage capabilities. Microsoft did state shortly thereafter that reports of it "launching a new music service on Xbox this fall are inaccurate," only to discontinue certain Zune services the following month. Personally, all we care about is whether we'll be able to use this new service to watch Girls' Generation videos, regardless of when it actually comes out.
US pricing leaks for incoming Xbox Music service
Following those British-based leaks yesterday, a second mole has now offered us a glimpse at Xbox Music pricing across the Atlantic. It looks like the Zune successor will offer a longer 30-day free trial, alongside $10 per-month and $100 annual subscriptions. Surprise -- looks like Americans are getting a better deal.
Dashboard beta leaks new Xbox Music Pass: Cloud playlists and early pricing revealed
Appearing soon after Zune's end, we've been sent these images of what Microsoft's likely to offer in Xbox Music. Matching those early rumors, it looks like some cloud-linked features will make an appearance in the form of synchronized playlists, while the service will offer a free half-month trial alongside paid subscriptions. Prices are currently set at £8.99 ($15) for a month, while £89.90 ($146) will offer a year's unlimited access to "millions" of tracks, to stream and download across Xbox, Windows, and Windows Phone. The system's UI seems to borrow its looks from Windows' Metro tile-based style, with a very similar keyboard that appears to be navigable from your Xbox controller. Take a tour of the gallery below and expect to hear more specifics ahead of the big Windows 8 launch next month. [Thanks Anonymous]
Windows Phone companion surfaces for Windows 8, could take over syncing duties
It's tough to ignore that the Zune era at Microsoft is quickly winding to a close. That doesn't mean you'll necessarily be out of options for syncing a Windows Phone's contents by the time the Zune desktop app fades away, however. A tip to The Verge has shown a companion app for Windows 8 users that will reportedly load the first time a Windows Phone 8 device syncs up, giving a fully Metro-friendly place to transfer any media. Windows 7 would get its own parallel, just in case some of us aren't willing or able to upgrade our PCs in concert. The replacement desktop apps could be available at about the same time as the Windows Phone 8 launch, if the claims are at all accurate -- which might leave less than two months before one more vestige of Microsoft's MP3 player days goes away.
Select Zune services being pulled, Xbox 360 largely unaffected
Microsoft is preparing its transition from Zune to Xbox Music, announcing today that select Zune functionality would go the way of the Dodo starting tomorrow, August 31. Xbox 360 users will find their experience pretty much the same for now – you can still stream unlimited music videos with your Zune Pass subscription.With the Windows 8 launch right around the corner on October 26, Microsoft is doing away with Zune HD apps and many aspects of using Zune on the PC, Engadget reports. Social Zune features such as sending messages, sharing playlists and viewing past play history have been axed, and users may no longer purchase or stream music videos on the PC, nor can Zune users re-download, re-activate or re-license music videos on new machines or if they upgrade to Windows 8.
Zune's last days: Microsoft pulling Zune HD apps, select features on August 31st
Microsoft's oddly named music service put its official resignation in earlier this summer, but the Zune brand isn't in its coffin just yet -- although Redmond is certainly driving in the nails. Zune Pass subscribers, for instance, are now receiving word that the service's Mixview playback and channel playlist features will be discontinued on August 31st, along with music video streaming from the Zune desktop software. User licenses to previously purchased music videos are being reworked as well, cutting off user access to old content on new machines. The service's once heavily touted social aspect seems to be making way for Xbox Music as well: users will no longer be able to send or receive messages, invite friends or share songs, playlists, and play history. Last, but not least, the company is dealing its old hardware one final blow by discontinuing Zune HD apps -- not that there were many to kill off. Microsoft has little else to say in the brief email, but promises to share more information about Xbox Music soon. Check it out for yourself after the break.
Microsoft downplays Metro design name, might face a lawsuit over all that street lingo
If you've seen most of Microsoft's design language for nearly three years, there's only one word that sums it up: Metro. In spite of that urban look being the underpinning of Windows Phone, Windows 8 and even the Zune HD, Microsoft now claims to ZDNet and others that it's no longer fond of the Metro badge. Instead, it's supposedly phasing out the name as part of a "transition from industry dialog to a broad consumer dialog" while it starts shipping related products -- a funny statement for a company that's been shipping some of those products for quite awhile. Digging a little deeper, there's murmurs that the shift might not be voluntary. Both Ars Technica and The Verge hear from unverified sources that German retailer Metro AG might waving its legal guns and forcing Microsoft to quiet down over a potential (if questionable) trademark dispute. Metro AG itself won't comment other than to say that these are "market rumors," which doesn't exactly calm any frayed nerves over in Redmond. Should there be any truth to the story, we hope Microsoft chooses an equally catchy name for those tiles later on; Windows Street Sign Interface Windows 8-style UI just wouldn't have the same ring to it.
Xbox Music said to rival Spotify and iTunes, Microsoft to make a mark in music
Xbox Music is coming to Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, that much we know. We also know that the Zune brand is dead. But whether the new service will be a simple rebadge or an entirely new beast remains a mystery. Bloomberg has it on good authority, however, that that Xbox Music will more than just a new face. Microsoft is allegedly combining all the most successful elements of its competitors -- streaming, online storage, and offline syncing -- into a product that will put iTunes, Spotify and Google Play squarely in its crosshairs. The company is allegedly in talks with the record labels to secure the necessary rights for a monthly subscription service and a market for purchasing tracks. It will also take a page from Google Music and allow customers to upload their own collections. If Microsoft can pull off a such a comprehensive service others in the field better watch out -- few companies have the reach or budget of Redmond.
Microsoft planning to launch its own tablet... again
Microsoft has scheduled an event on Monday, June 18 in Los Angeles. According to AllThingsD and other sources, the topic of this event will be Microsoft's unveiling of its very own tablet hardware. This is not the first time Microsoft has tried to tackle the tablet space. As anyone who hates the iPad will be happy to tell you, Windows-powered tablets existed for almost a full decade before Apple's device hit the market. Not too long before Apple introduced the iPad, Microsoft went up in front of the crowds at CES 2010 and proclaimed its partnership with HP in creating the Slate (pictured above), a product that hit the market with an unceremonious thud. Microsoft also investigated another tablet project, the dual-screen Courier, before the iPad was even announced. The project was killed within days of the original iPad's launch. The point? Microsoft has a great track record for planning tablet launches, but its execution leaves much to be desired. Just like the Zune, a Microsoft tablet is entering a market dominated by Apple and a handful of also-rans. And we all know how the Zune turned out. Just like with the iPod, Microsoft is going to have to answer the all-important question: "Why should I buy this thing from Microsoft instead of what Apple's selling?" As AllThingsD points out, Microsoft also runs the risk of alienating its hardware partners should it launch its own tablet; but on the other hand, Google has done the same thing with Android, so PC makers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo may feel they have nowhere left to go. Perhaps Microsoft has something truly magical and revolutionary up its sleeve for its Monday event. Maybe its tablet will be more Xbox than Zune in terms of its success. But based on the past decade of "innovation" coming out of Redmond, I truly wouldn't count on it.