With the new Videos section, auto-playlists, metadata improvements and a more social Social, there’s a lot of big changes to love about the 2.5 spring update. But what I appreciate just as much from the Zune team is the little interface and usability touches that make the experience of using the Zune software that much more enjoyable. The great thing about them is that they’re never realize publicized or explained, you have to explore and find them on your own (or read blogs like this one). When the 2.0 software was released, I was amazed when I found the “Now Playing” screen when I clicked the little equalizer-looking icon by the play controls. This release doesn’t have as many surprises as last time, but there’s still a few gems to be found. Here’s just a few I’ve come across so far.

The Video Preview

If you’re playing a video (or video podcast) and you leave the full-screen view of it, you’ll get a little version of it continuing to play down at the bottom-middle of the screen.

It’s a tiny Michael Scott!

It even goes widescreen if the video is in that format. How great is that?

More Complete ‘Now Playing’ Screen

Before when I’d have the Now Playing screen up, there were many places where there wouldn’t be album covers making up the background. I had a lot of cover-less music, either live recordings, one-offs, non-album tracks, or stuff that just plain wasn’t in the Zune system. It didn’t look bad, the Zune software filled in the spaces with squiggly artsy designs, but the completist in me always wished it could be full of my album covers. Now it is! I don’t know if it’s the metadata fixes that have added art for just about every album and song I have (whether it’s the right one or not) or they just changed it to only pull actual album art, but now I’ve got nothing but wall-to-wall album covers, and I couldn’t be happier.

‘Show Episode List’ for Podcasts on the Zune

On the Zune itself, I noticed a new entry when you bring up the menu while playing a podcast. There’s now an option for “Show Episode List” where you can view all the episodes in the series and even change episodes mid-episode. Neato!

Hide the Playlist

When you’re on the Now Playing screen, there’s now a new icon that lets you hide (or un-hide) the playlist. It still auto-hides it after a few seconds like it did before, so I’m not entirely sure of the benefit of it, but hey, it’s there.

That’s what I’ve found so far. I’m sure there’s tons of other little changes that I’ll discover the more I explore through the new update. If I missed anything share it in the comments.

Oh and by the way, I’m Jonathan. I’m new ’round these parts, but I’m a bigtime Zune fan/evangelist and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Got Zune team. Add me as a friend on the Social if you’d like.

One of our readers, Daniel has posted a video of games on his Zune. Thanks Daniel!

Well, I can’t say I didn’t see this one coming. TipTup300(A ZuneBoards Programmer) already has a beta release of a zune clock out. If you have games set up on your zune, and you’ve been wanting a clock , check it out over at ZuneBoards. Granted, you do have to access it through games menu, but at least it’s a start for  a zune clock.

As you know, the CPT release of XNA 3.0 is out, and free to download. The problem is, of course, finding games. For anyone looking to play games on there zune, here are a few helpful links:

Software

Windows Visual C# 2008 Express

XNA 3.0

Games

Alien Aggressor

Galactic Wars 3

Rock Rain

XNATetris

Collapse

Pong

Clock

MatchEm

Sir Tet(New version of tetris, very well made)

Pong 2

Breakout

Marblets

So, here’s what I’ve found so far. If anyone finds any other games, please share!

You know they are coming, you’ve seen the videos, some of us have actually played with them, and now everyone can. (with a bit of work)

For info on how to do this, head over to Zune Boards.

Wow. This is just amazing. 1st off, let me tell you that 100% of my music and movies are legit, I think. I don’t do the file sharing thing, I don’t rip friends CDs, etc… Even though I don’t, I know that many folks out there do. I don’t think that its right, but who I am to tell them not to. Let them suffer the consequences if they are caught.

What does all this mean? Why are you talking about this nonsense Chris? Simple. According to NBC in an interview, Microsoft is working on working in a “Copyright Cop” into Zune software.

When asked why NBC left Apple and went with Microsoft…

Second, Apple refused to cooperate with NBC on building filters into its iPod player to remove pirated movies and videos.

Further down…

Similarly, the copyright filtering system is still in development and its exact form has not been set.

Mr. Perrette said the plan is to create “filtering technology that allows for playback of legitimately purchased content versus non-legitimately purchased content.�

So, I don’t support or agree with you guys that jack free movies and music, but I still do not think that it is the hardware company’s job (or business) to police what people play on their device. That is utter BS.

Link to the Article. Thanks Jaxim.

UPDATE : Cesar has posted a statement on this subject…

We have no plans or commitments to implement any new type of content filtering in the Zune devices as part of our content distribution deal with NBC. 

We think some folks in the industry were expressing hopes for how the entire industry, not just Microsoft, would come to look at content distribution, and some speculation has ensued.  Again, no plans are in place toward this end.

Whew, that makes me feel better.

If you’ve been itching to check out all the new Zune 2.5 software improvements but haven’t had time to go through everything yourself, fear not. Jason Dunn over at Zune Thoughts has done all the heavy lifting for you and created a few videos detailing what’s new and exciting in the software upgrade. This first video gives an overview of most of the new features (minus The Social).

The second video goes specifically into the new features of The Social (which he wasn’t able to access in the first video)

Source

The folks over at Zunited.net got there hands on some interesting info. It appears as though the zune software contains evidence of a Black-Backed Zune 80, and a black-backed red 4/8. On top of that, the 4/8 seems to have a black touch pad.  Could this be a developer exclusive like the citron zune? We can’t be sure now, but no matter they are, they look great. Any thoughts?

Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, you read right, the Zune is coming to Canada! Our lucky neighbors to the north will be getting the Zune 4/8/80 models. The 4 and 8 will be available in red, black, and pink. The 80 gets red and black. Prices range from $140 to $250. Canadians can download the Zune Software from Zune.ca.

source: http://www.zuneboards.com/zune-news/zune-arriving-at-canada-on-june-13.html

Hey, I am off to work though, I thought I would have time to get it loaded up and play a bit before I left for work, but… I woke up to my office being quiet. That meant all my machines were powered down. We must of took a power hit last night.

So I get powered up and pop up the software, no problem. I SEE A VIDEO TAB!!! All of a sudden, Internet Explorer starts to start a new window over and over again. 20 new windows later, I had to do a restart to stop it. I left for work. I’ll deal with it tonight. I am not sure what caused it, hope it’s not Zune 2.5.

Talk to you all later. Work Calls.