Some interesting screens have been posted in the zuneboards.net forums, thanks to Ricardo Dawkins. These are screen-shots from a video that apparently briefly played over at www.zune.net. The video may have already been taken down, but in an effort to demonstrate the software features, it seems to have revealed some things to come in a hopefully soon to be software update. Possibly this is the reason it was removed so fast.

Marketplace section: "videos" is now there, but where did downloads go?

Artist pages now have an option for "listeners" alongside "artist, bio, videos, related,". The "now playing" status displays album art as well.

The new selection of "Artists Genres Songs" in the default music screen. The album art alongside "now playing" status can be seen here as well.

These few shots definitely do look promising, and I will keep you all updated on any new info found. I don't know about you all, but I believe we need an update, and we need one soon. Feel free to check out the original thread.

Dan over at Channel9 posted a video interview with Mike Klucher from XNA. He talks quite a bit about what we should expect to see with zune gaming, and how it will be delivered. Among many XNA-related things shown in this video, you also get a sneak peak at a game called "Alien Takeover" demonstrated using a zune 80. The good news is we should see an initial test version out within about 3 weeks, which will allow developers/users to get a taste of XNA on zune. Although they do emphasize the fact it is aimed more toward developers, anyone can download XNA studios 3.0 , and by getting your hands on .zip file of someone's game, you can easily play it. All I can say is,  it's about time we got some more info on XNA with zune!

Check it out over at Channel9

Edit: The video has been uploaded to youtube(Thanks to WetWorker of ZuneCards.net), so you can watch parts 1&2 after the break.

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First Impression's: This case looks very nice, as it's nearly completely leather, and is strong and sturdy as well. Black is the base color throughout the case, with clean white stitching and a silver Proporta logo/magnet clip.  It's a fairly simple design; just a  leather flip case that holds the zune in place using two clip-like side pieces. To close the upper flap, a strap is used with a magnetic connector(as can be seen below). While in use this case leaves the earphone jack exposed, and the majority of the side of the zune. Unfortunately the strap does cover the sync cable, but you can easily unstrap the case to charge.

Strap holding flap closed, earphone jack exposed.

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First Impression's: As you can tell, this is a bit different from the previously reviewed case, because it is in fact a sleeve case. It seems to work the same as any other sleeve/sock case, but offers a bit more protection because of it's leather material. The stitching is nice and clean, and the base color is used throughout the case with a slightly darker felt-like interior. Aside from the dotted pattern along the exterior, the only other design is the word Incipio imprinted near the bottom, and the Incipio logo on the pull tab. The current "butter cream" color definitely isn't my favorite though, but it's available in Green, Pink, White, and Burnt Orange as well.

Side stitching is nice and clean

Front view, with Incipio imprinted near the bottom

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First Impression's:  To begin with, this case is very similar to the previously reviewed,  White Leather Flip Case , so it packs many of the same features, just with a different style. As you can see below,  it is a brown leather case(although also available in white leather), with a clean white stitching. What can't be seen on the outside is the contrasting pink stitching in the interior of the case border, and the interior of the zune slip-in section. The pink stitching looks interesting, but overall this case has a bit more of a "rustic" feel than the white leather flip, and looks a lot like a wallet ( as stated in the name).

Sync cable and Earphones easily accessible.

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         Well, about 3 weeks ago I received my zune 8 original, only to be dissatisfied when it died before the initial sync took place. So, with only a lifeless zune, I called customer support for help. They had no answers(and persisted on telling me it was on hold) and then informed me of the grim news, I'd have to send it back for a repair. I attempted to demand a replacement, but because of the engraving a repair was required. So, within a matter of 3 days the box showed up and I sent it back. About a week later, there was still no news, the status being "received at repair center". However, soon enough I received a call from a man at zune originals who explained how they had "lost my order info" and needed me to call them back. I'm not going to get into much detail here, but calling back was a disaster. To start off, they didn't answer the phone, then once I finally got into contact, I was put on hold multiple times, switched to different people, and ultimately asked for the same info/explanations over and over. After about an hour, they explained I would have it back in 5-7 days. Being they lost my order info, and 5-7 days is the time for a zune originals order... I began to think they were sending a completely new zune. By the next Friday, the status on my zune was still "received at repair center", and there were just 2 business days left until I was supposed to receive it. So, once again I called Microsoft customer support. This time a guy named Kevin answered, and when I questioned about how I was expected to have a zune within the next two days, even though it hadn't been shipped yet, he answered with an explanation of the normal repair process. I tried to explain, but he just kept re-enforcing how it takes 3-5 days for box, 10-15 for repair, and 3-5 days to get it back. He stated I would not have it back within the next few days, it would in fact be around 2 weeks.

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Cesar has pointed out some news regarding a combined effort between zune team and reebok to create the "Answer XI Zune". Only 60 of this shoe+zune combo will be distributed, 12 going to each of the following stores: Complex/training day store(NYC), Commonwealth(WA), Major Commonwealth(DC), Wish(ATL), and The 400(Denver). The 300$ combo will include Limited edition Allen Iverson sneakers, a zune 8 with a sketch of AI engraved in the back, and a Zune x Reebok bag. Microsoft seems to like these special edition zunes, but it just seems like when it's this limited, it simply doesn't generate too much hype. What do you all think?

For more info check out Kixinthecity.com

That's right, the exclusive zune original red 80 gig seems to be on the path to stores. So far it's only been available online, but Circuit City is now taking pre-orders for the product. Hopefully this means we should start to see them showing up at more retail stores around the country.

Circuit City release date: April 22nd 2008

[This deal is gone now.]

Jon from zuneboards pointed out this amazing deal at walmart.com . As of today the zune 80 is 138.54, and although out of stock apparently it has gone "in and out of stock". So keep your eyes peeled, and you may just be lucky enough to get a zune 80 for a very low price!

Edit: A couple people have had success with Circuit City matching the price, although that depends on the individual store it appears.

To me, zune arts has never been something I really paid much attention to. Sure, I watched a few of their video's and subscribed to the podcast but it never seemed as though zune arts really had much of an affect on people. However, back in November Feed Company made an effort to expose "Masks" and the results are pleasing. AdRants.com pointed out the stats, 

- Over 6,500 users marked "Masks" as a "favorite"
- The video gained "highly positive" rating from over 4,000 viewers
- 561 users subscribed to Zune Arts channel
- 50 users responded to "Masks" with their own video
- The video was featured on the YouTube homepage during the first week of January, bringing "Masks" and "zune-arts.net" front-and-center of the site's immense audience for a period of one week, thus increasing awareness of Zune Arts and driving traffic to the micro-site
- It was featured as a film and animation feature on all 18 international YouTube sites
- Labeled "Stellar animation from Zune Arts" by YouTube Editorial Team
- Featured on Lisa Nova (YouTube celebrity with over 75,000 subscribers) channel

 

It is apparent that the attempt was successful and this video boasts some impressive figures(which have increased since these stats were posted). Obviously this doesn't necessarily mean the zune sales themselves increased significantly, but zune arts definitely got a lift and continued the task of exposing zune to the public.