Redmond Pie » Zune http://www.redmondpie.com Covering Microsoft and its competitors like no one else! Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:37:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Microsoft Confirms The Death Of Zune HD http://www.redmondpie.com/microsoft-confirms-the-death-of-zune-hd/ http://www.redmondpie.com/microsoft-confirms-the-death-of-zune-hd/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:01:08 +0000 Oliver Haslam http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=36030 It’s a move that’s been on the cards for some time now, but Microsoft has finally confirmed the death of the Zune HD, with the company instead set to focus entirely on Windows Phone as their sole mobile and video strategy.

The news comes after Microsoft seemingly wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the Zune, with statements being published to the product’s web page, and then being removed. Now though, it seems the current text is the one that is going to be the final statement on the matter.

zune-hd-3gd-460

"We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us."

Microsoft has also confirmed the discontinuation of the Zune HD hardware during the official ‘Windows Phone Radio’ podcast, with "we’re not going to be making the Zune HD any more, which is a bummer" coming around twelve minutes in. The podcast can be downloaded from the Windows Phone Blog, should you wish to hear the moment the death of the Microsoft Zune HD was confirmed.

The Zune HD’s future has been a murky one for some time now, and the focus on Windows Phone makes sense moving forward. Whether the change will benefit the Windows Phone 7 situation, remains to be seen, but more hands on deck has to be a good thing for the ailing mobile operating system.

Did anyone actually buy a Zune HD? Apple’s iPod has proven to be the definitive mobile music jukebox, and the addition of the iOS-based iPod touch has really driven that home. Can anyone compete with Apple and their comprehensive iPod line? The Zune Pass, a subscription-based music service was meant to bridge the gap between the two services, but that never really did the trick. With Spotify and other streaming apps now beginning to take a foot-hold, has the moment for subscription music already been and gone?

Either way, it’s too late to save the Zune HD, now.

(via WMPoweruser)

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/microsoft-confirms-the-death-of-zune-hd/feed/ 0 How to Jailbreak / Unlock Windows Phone 7 (Omnia 7) with ChevronWP7 Unlocker [Guide] http://www.redmondpie.com/unlock-jailbreak-windows-phone-7-omnia-7-with-chevronwp7-how-to-guide/ http://www.redmondpie.com/unlock-jailbreak-windows-phone-7-omnia-7-with-chevronwp7-how-to-guide/#comments Sat, 27 Nov 2010 02:25:00 +0000 Taimur Asad http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=17529 The first user-friendly Windows Phone 7 jailbreak has been released. Its called ChevronWP7 and it has been developed by well known and respected Microsoft community enthusiasts Rafael Rivera, Long Zheng and Chris Walsh.

ChevronWP7

Homescreen: Omnia 7

From the official site:

Today we have an exciting breakthrough for the Windows Phone 7 homebrew community – the ability for anyone to unlock a WP7 device without a Marketplace developer account.

Unlocking allows the sideloading of experimental applications that would otherwise can’t be published to the Marketplace, such as those which access private or native APIs.

The following step by step guide will help you jailbreak (or unlock; that’s what the developers are calling it for WP7 phones) your device so that you can install apps without needing Windows Marketplace.

NOTE: Unlocking Windows Phone 7 with ChevronWP7 may void the warranty, disable phone functionality, interrupt access to Windows Phone 7 services or render the phone permanently unusable. Proceed at your own risk only.

Step 1: Download and install the latest version of Zune desktop software for Windows.

Step 2: Download and install the latest version of Windows Phone SDK, OR simply download this registry key and execute it on your Windows machine with administrative access. This registry key will add the following entry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsPhone\ProxyPorts]
“DeviceReg”=dword:000069C5

Step 3: Now connect your Windows Phone 7 device (Samsung Omnia 7 in my case) with your PC via USB.

Jailbreak Unlock WP7

Step 4: Start Zune software and sync your device. Make sure your device has a “full sync” relationship, and NOT “guest” relationship with the Zune software as shown in the screenshot below.

WP7 Unlock Jailbreak

Step 5: Download ChevronWP7 (Windows Phone 7 Unlocker app) and run it.

Step 6: Before unlocking, make sure your device is not locked with a PIN.

Step 7: Check “Ensure your phone isn’t PIN-locked” and “Install certificate on phone using Internet Explorer at http://chevronwp7.com/cert” options, and then click on the “Unlock” button.

WP7 Unlock Jailbreak (1)

WP7 Unlock Jailbreak (2)

Step 8: That’s it! your phone is now unlocked ! You can now install (sideload) any third-party WP7 app without requiring a Marketplace developer account.

sideloaded_appsImage: WithinWindows via ReadWriteWeb

The best thing about this “unlocker / jailbreak” is that it is completely reversible. If you connect your phone with PC again and run ChevronWP7 app, you will notice a “Relock” button which will allow you to relock your phone to its original state.

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/unlock-jailbreak-windows-phone-7-omnia-7-with-chevronwp7-how-to-guide/feed/ 0 Microsoft Releases Solitaire, Stopwatch and Labyrinth for Zune HD http://www.redmondpie.com/solitaire-stopwatch-labyrinth-for-zune-hd-9140702/ http://www.redmondpie.com/solitaire-stopwatch-labyrinth-for-zune-hd-9140702/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:21:07 +0000 Uzair Ghani http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=11435 Zune HD can’t be compared to the iPod touch in terms of apps, but having a few apps is better than nothing on the Zune HD. Here is a quick look at the three new apps, which has been released today by Microsoft on the Zune Marketplace.

Stopwatch

It does what the name suggests, with a few simple functions like split laps and countdown, and a UI inspired by Windows Phone 7.

Stopwatch

Labyrinth

The all time classic-style game finally arrives on the Zune. With over 112 levels, it will keep you busy for hours. The graphics of Labyrinth on Zune HD are very colorful and vibrant, unlike the ones you will find on iPhone or Windows Mobile.

Labyrinth

Solitaire

Microsoft never ending obsession with solitaire just won’t end. From the screenshots, the game actually looks better than the Windows version, and is a great time killer for all ages.

Solitaire

All these mentioned apps for Zune HD can be downloaded for free from the Zune Marketplace on the device, or directly from the desktop client software on your Windows PC. Zune HD 4.5 firmware on the device is a requirement for all the apps. Make sure you have updated to the latest firmware version (v4.5) before you try and install the app. [via TheNextWeb]

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/solitaire-stopwatch-labyrinth-for-zune-hd-9140702/feed/ 1 Zune HD 64GB Goes on Sale Early, Available Now for $349.99 http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-64gb-goes-on-sale-early-available-now-for-349.99/ http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-64gb-goes-on-sale-early-available-now-for-349.99/#comments Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:31:53 +0000 Uzair Ghani http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=10856 Microsoft promised that the Zune HD 64GB would go on sale on April 12th, but it looks like they have instead made it available on their website earlier. Now that cuts down our wait time to get our hands on one!

Zune HD 64GB

Twice the memory than the 32GB model means more storage space for your music and videos, and as promised by Microsoft, a $20 price cut on the older models (16GB, 32GB models). The 64GB model is priced at $349.99 on the online Zune store and comes pre installed with the latest 4.5 firmware right out of the box, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of updating it yourself. Point your browser to this link and check out the device yourself. [via Engadget]

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-64gb-goes-on-sale-early-available-now-for-349.99/feed/ 0 Zune HD 4.5 Firmware is Out Now! http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-4.5-9140605/ http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-4.5-9140605/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:36:52 +0000 Uzair Ghani http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=10602 Alright people, pick up your Zune HD player, connect it to your PC and hit the update button. Yes, the most awaited update for the Zune HD has arrived.

Zune HD 4.5

The update brings a lot of cool and exciting new features, such as Smart DJ mix, personalized recommendations, Marketplace support for TV, expanded video codec support and so on.

Zune 4.5 Firmware

We don’t find any reason not to update to this version. So what are you waiting for? Fire up your Zune software on your PC and hit the update button and give your Zune HD a whole new life. Don’t have the Zune PC software? Click this link to get it now. [via ZuneBoards]

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-4.5-9140605/feed/ 1 Facebook App for Zune HD Now Available for Download http://www.redmondpie.com/facebook-on-zune-hd-9140491/ http://www.redmondpie.com/facebook-on-zune-hd-9140491/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:52:59 +0000 Taimur Asad http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=9530 Microsoft today has announced the availability of Facebook app for the Zune HD portable media player. Zune HD 4.3 firmware was released in November last year which added support for running 3D games and apps on the Tegra-powered Zune HD. The first batch of these games and apps finally arrived in late November as a free download via the Zune Marketplace followed by the Twitter app in December 2009.

Facebook for Zune HDimages via CrunchGear

Today, the much awaited facebook app for Zune HD has been released. This Facebook app for Zune HD can be downloaded for free from the Zune Marketplace on the device, or directly from the desktop client software on your Windows PC. Zune HD 4.3 firmware on the device is a requirement for all the apps. Make sure you have updated to the latest firmware version (v4.3) before you try and install the app.

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/facebook-on-zune-hd-9140491/feed/ 0 Zune Phone with Windows Mobile 7 to Debut at MWC 2010? http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-phone-with-windows-mobile-7-to-debut-at-mwc-2010-9140378/ http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-phone-with-windows-mobile-7-to-debut-at-mwc-2010-9140378/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:26:26 +0000 Anum Lodhi http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=8561 John Starkweather from Microsoft surely couldn’t keep his words when he said: “Microsoft is not building a Zune-specific phone”. A number of speculations took our attention in the last one year or so when Microsoft was rumored to release ‘Pink phones’ with Zune services and an App store.

Zune Phone

And now to some extent, these rumors have now been reaffirmed by Jefferies & Company analyst Katherine Egbert. According to her, a Zune HD-like phone (with a five-mega pixel camera, 720p HD video and a music subscription/purchasing scheme) will most probably be released in the mid of February by Microsoft. In a note to the clients she wrote:  

“Our recent industry checks indicate Microsoft will be debuting its own phone sometime in the next two months…We expect the new phone to debut soon, at either the Feb 15-18 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona Spain, or possibly at CTIA in Las Vegas one month later.”

She added:

“We don’t have any information about the cost of the Pink phone, nor do we know what service providers might be partnered with Microsoft …Revenue from the phone is also very unlikely to be meaningful for many years,”

Egbert concluded:

"The new phone might explain why Microsoft has allowed WinMo to dwindle to <10% mobile OS market share. Pink would be the ‘third screen’ (after Windows and Xbox) and final component in Microsoft’s ’3 screens and a cloud’ strategy."

According to Egbert, this device is an outcome of the collaboration between Microsoft and an OEM, quite similar to the partnership between Google and HTC that gave birth to Nexus One.

It is also anticipated that Microsoft will unveil Windows Mobile 7 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next month. The device might feature apps for famous social networking sites like twitter and facebook along with integration with Xbox LIVE. According to All things D, the user interface of the phone looks a lot like the one from Zune HD and it will include integration with Zune Marketplace for delivery of music, video and TV shows. [via Neowin]

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-phone-with-windows-mobile-7-to-debut-at-mwc-2010-9140378/feed/ 2 Twitter App for Zune HD Now Available for Download http://www.redmondpie.com/download-twitter-app-for-zune-hd-9140234/ http://www.redmondpie.com/download-twitter-app-for-zune-hd-9140234/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:38:55 +0000 Taimur Asad http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=7591 Microsoft today has announced the availability of Twitter app for the Zune HD portable media player. Zune HD 4.3 firmware was released last month which added support for running 3D games and apps on the Tegra-powered Zune HD. The first batch of these games and apps finally arrived last month as a free download via the Zune Marketplace.

Twitter on Zune HD

And today the much awaited Twitter app for the Zune HD has finally arrived. You can download the Twitter app for Zune HD for free from the Zune Marketplace on the device, or directly from the desktop client software on your Windows PC. Zune HD 4.3 firmware on the device is a requirement for all the apps. Make sure you have updated to the latest firmware version (v4.3) before you try and install the app.

Zune HD Twitter App Zune HD Twitter App

Facebook app for Zune HD is in the pipeline too. We’ll let you know whenever it is available for download.

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/download-twitter-app-for-zune-hd-9140234/feed/ 4 Black Friday 2009 Deals On Netbook, Zune HD, Xbox 360 Elite http://www.redmondpie.com/black-friday-2009-deals-on-netbook-zune-hd-xbox-360-elite-9140147/ http://www.redmondpie.com/black-friday-2009-deals-on-netbook-zune-hd-xbox-360-elite-9140147/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:25:33 +0000 Ali http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=7045 The 2009 holiday season is almost here. Many retailers have started offering specials offers and discount on popular product items. Whether you are planning to purchase items for yourself or for your loved ones as gifts, now is the right time to do it. Microsoft has come up with amazing Black Friday deals for this holiday season that you simply can’t ignore.

Black Friday 2009 Deals On Netbook, Zune HD, Xbox 360 Elite

To make it more attractive, they are offering all these great offers live on the online Microsoft Store so that you don’t have to pay a visit to a retail store just to get all these great deals. Moreover, they are also offering free ground shipping on almost all items on offer. This is surely a chance not to be missed!

Deals on offer have something for every one which includes items such as: free netbooks, Zune HD, Office 2007 and discounted as well as free offerings for Xbox 360 fans and much more.

Some of the deals that Microsoft is offering as part of this holiday season are as follows:

  • Free ground shipping on everything for a limited time.
  • Free three-month subscription to Xbox LIVE when you buy an Xbox Elite Console—or get 30% off selected Xbox accessories.
  • Save $50 when you buy an Xbox Premium Console and Beatles Rock Band together—yeah, yeah, yeah!
  • Save 30% off most headsets for that gamer on your list.
  • Get an amazing deal on Office Home and Student—just $79.99. That’s a savings of almost $70! Or save almost $80 on Office Small Business Edition.
  • Free Lenovo S10 netbook when you buy a Lenovo T400 or X301 notebook, or A600 all-in-one desktop (first 50 customers).
  • Get $50 off an HP PhotoSmart printer.
  • Save $50 on any monitor when you buy any desktop or laptop in the store (netbooks not included).
  • Get 20% off selected laptop bags or sleeves when you buy selected laptops or netbooks.
  • Buy a Sony laptop (VGN-NW250F/S or VGN-FW520F/B) and get a 16 GB Zune HD at no additional cost (first 50 customers).
  • Buy an Xbox Elite Modern Warfare bundle console and get two games free: Assassins Creed 2 plus Dragon Age Origins.

All these deals are for a limited time only, starting from 12:01 AM EST on Friday, November 27 and are subject to stock in hand.

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]]> http://www.redmondpie.com/black-friday-2009-deals-on-netbook-zune-hd-xbox-360-elite-9140147/feed/ 11 Zune HD Gets Free 3D Games http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-gets-free-3d-games-9140099/ http://www.redmondpie.com/zune-hd-gets-free-3d-games-9140099/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:08:07 +0000 Taimur Asad http://www.redmondpie.com/?p=6781 Microsoft today has released six brand new apps (games) on Zune Marketplace which are specifically designed for Zune HD platform. Zune HD 4.3 firmware was released last week which added support for upcoming 3D games and apps on Zune HD. Well it looks like first batch of these games have finally arrived on the Zune Marketplace. And best of all, they are all free to download. The six free 3D games for Zune HD are as follows:

Apps for Zune HD

Apps for Zune HD

  • PGR: Ferrari Edition
  • Lucky Lanes Bowling
  • Vans Sk8: Pool service
  • Piano
  • Audiosurf: Tilt
  • Checkers

Apps for Zune HD

Apps for Zune HD Apps for Zune HD Apps for Zune HD

All these apps (games) can be downloaded on your Zune HD from the Zune Marketplace on the device, or directly from the desktop client software on your Windows PC. Zune HD 4.3 firmware on the device is a requirement for all these apps. Make sure you have updated to the latest firmware version (v4.3) before you try and install these apps.

Do share with us your experience on how these 3D games have performed for you on the Tegra-powered Zune HD player.

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