Zune

from wired.com

Microsoft's Zune picked up a percentage point in the MP3 player market, bringing its share to a whopping four percent, with two million units sold (total). Microsoft has said from the start that it will stick with the Zune for as long as it takes for the player to gain traction, and it looks like that's starting to happen.

from appleinsider.com

NBC has persuaded Microsoft to filter out copyrighted material in its Zune jukebox while Apple refuses the same.

from engadget.com

It's about time we started counting down the days until the standard Zune actually becomes the most sought after -- you know, considering that a limited edition iteration seems to pop out every other week or so. This go 'round, we're being teased with an oh-so-shiny Goods-branded version, which looks to come in both 8GB and 80GB flavors.

from wsj.com

Last year, when Microsoft Corp. introduced its Zune music player to take on Apple's iPod juggernaut, the software giant struck out. While the Zune had a good user interface and a larger screen than the iPod, it was bigger and boxier, with clumsier controls, weaker battery life and more complex software. Its companion online music store had a much smaller catalog, a more complicated purchase process and no videos for sale.

from engadget.com

Whereas before all we had to go on was Amazon's purported release date for the new Zunes, Microsoft's gone ahead and confirmed it .

from ipodhacks.com

A Microsoft employee was apparently fired for making a rather great spoof of the iPod "shadow dancer" ads - for the Microsoft Zune.

from ipodhacks.com

Ok. This guy is on-board with the Zune. Some folks dig the iPod, some dig other players, like the Zune. There's less of those types of folks, of course. But hey, it wouldn't be an "iPod killer" if nobody bought it, right? We just admired this guy's hardcore dedication.

from ilounge.com

Flickr user fimoculous snapped a picture recently of an “iPod Amnesty Bin,” supposedly placed in the entryway to Microsoft’s Zune headquarters. The bin, which (according to a Macworld UK report) was meant to encourage employees to ditch their iPods in favor of the software giant’s beleaguered media player, was nearly empty. It was labeled “iPod Amnesty Bin,” with a picture of a twice-bitten apple in the center, above the motto “bite me.”

from engadget.com

In case you're interested in yet another unsubstantiated image (e.g. ZOMG PHOTOSHOPPED / faaaake / etc.) of future Zune firmware builds, here's a couple more shots.

from engadget.com

It sounds as if Microsoft is planning to announce something Zune related on Monday, with iLounge reporting that the company is planning an event which will be centered around the announcement of an entirely new Zune.

from engadget.com

When will the madness end? While Microsoft ponders the future of its Zune line (free Zunes? We vote yes!), the whole "what mysterious color might we release the Zune in next?" song and dance is keeping us occupied surprisingly well. Apparently the next flavor to hit the shelves, after that fashionista-fave pink version hits on May 1st, is "watermelon red."

from playlistmag.com

Yes, Microsoft’s digital media player, the Zune, has finally made its way into my hot little hands. My Playlist colleagues and I have had our say on the idea of the Zune, now I turn my attention to the reality of the device—how it performs as well as how it compares to the iPod and iTunes. During the next few days I’ll issue reports as I progress. Today we start with the out-of-box experience.

from engadget.com

When it comes to the hardware, we're pretty much set; we all now know the Zune inside and out. But how it interacts with the software, the marketplace, etc. -- that's where the magic happens. Or doesn't. We really wanted to give the Zune the benefit of the doubt. We hoped installing the Zune software and getting our player running would be as seamless and painless as getting iTunes and an iPod running on your machine, since that is, after all, what it's up against.

from engadget.com

We don't know exactly how many stores are now accessory to the heinous crime of pre-launch gadget sales, but it looks like Microsoft is one customer closer to overthrowing the nation of iPod courtesy of the Zune-gun-jumping Best Buy at Union City Landing shopping centre. Best part: already the crashing has begun. It's going to be an interesting week.

from engadget.com

We're not exactly sure how they finagled it, but Universal Music announced it plans to collect a share of the thin margin Microsoft's going to make with each Zune, receiving an unspecified amount for each player sold. In typical RIAA boot camp style, Doug Morris, CEO of Universal said, "We felt that any business that's built on the bedrock of music we should share in." So, if we have this straight, according to Universal, any music-playing device sold should provide some profit to them -- even if that device will never play a song recorded by Universal.