So, I was at the Microsoft Company store and there was just nothing I could really talk myself into buying, so myself and some fellow MVPs popped down to the Visitor Center just below the store. This was a museum of sorts featuring the life of Microsoft. All that was fine and dandy, but I spent my time playing with the Zunes...

Please pardon the camera phone quality.

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

Now most of you realize that I am bound by NDA on most of what we discuss and learn at the MVP Summit, so I won't be reporting much on that on any of my sites. I can say that it has been a blast. I have really enjoyed meeting fellow Windows Mobile and Zune MVPS. The social aspect has been great. I know and I have already met most of my fellow Windows Mobile MVPs, but I am meeting all the Zune guys for the 1st time.

We had some great sessions with the Zune Team yesterday. I am extremely impressed at the care that the Zune Team has for the community and their needs. They really seem to "get it".

The Zune MVPs all whipped out their Zunes for a group photo.

 
Then we all lined up for the mandatory group photo. From left to right... Tyler Welch (Microsoft), Me, Cesar Menedez (Microsoft), Graham Skee (Anythingbutipod), Jonathon Hefner (Zune Tracks), Ed Colligan (Zune Luv), Jason Dunn (Zunethoughts), Stephan Shipman (Ihaveazune), and Harvey Chute(Zunerama). Missing was Drea from Generation Zune, but she showed up later.

As I mentioned, much of the day was under strict NDA, but we were able to snap some photos of the Zune 8 and 80 disassembled...

(more...)

Ok, so I invited the readers to a little semi-tradition that us Windows Mobile Device MVPS do the Sunday before the MVP Summit. We gather at Gameworks and geek out. Last night 15+ Windows Mobile Device MVPS, a few Microsoft Employees, and 3 Zune MVPs got together at Gameworks. We squirted some somes and just geeked out.

Welcome MVPs, preregistrations.... I had 3 different Zunes on my nearby tab!!!

 
On the right is Cesar (Zune Insider) and Drea (Generation Zune)

The best thing of the day was an unpropted Brown Brick Zune 30 in the Wild...

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.

The details are in for the meet up in Seattle next weekend (April 13th, 2008). If you want to attend, just show up. I would appreciate an email or a comment here to show your interest though.

So, it looks like I am going to head to Gameworks to have some good old geek fun Sunday night...

...we then probably move to GameWorks around 6:30-7:00PM ish and do some gaming whether it be shoot 'em ups, pinball, racing, air hockey, or getting another drink it should be a good time. If the mood strikes us or if people are getting in later we can head back to McCormick and Schmicks for their second Happy Hour at 9PM to closing.

What we are doing is piggybacking a meetup that a lot of us Windows Mobile MVPs do the Sunday prior to the Microsoft MVP Summit. We're going to grab some dinner and then geek out at Gameworks. I welcome anyone to show up and say hello. This will go down April 13th, 2008. Steven Hughes, Jack Cook, Matt Miller, Jason Dunn, Don Sorcinelli, Mike Temporale, myself and more should be in attendance.

If you can't make that and you'd like meet up in Seattle still, let me know. We will be pretty tied up from 8am to around 9pm, but it will feel like 7pm to me, so I might stay out all night

I will be attending the Microsoft MVP Summit this year in Seattle. I will be staying downtown with all my other MVP buddies (except Jack, he chose a different hotel). Anyhow, the Summit is from April 14th, 2008 to April 18th, 2008. I am not 100% sure what the nightlife will consist of during the week yet, but last one I went to, I had a couple nights available. I will be arriving April 13th during the day and know that a few of us have a Sunday evening dinner planned already.

So, if you live around Seattle and want to arrange some sort of meet up, let's discuss it.

I have some things I'd like to know, but if you haven't thrown your two cents into the Suggestion Box Comments, throw your dime in here...

You see, I am going to be attending the Microsoft MVP Summit in a few weeks where I will be face to face with some of the brains behind Zune. I haven't made it to the Summit in a couple years due to other events/shows, but I have declined a couple other engagements to make sure I get there this year.

Instead of being there only representing the Windows Mobile crowd for my Mobilitysite/Aximsite community. I will be a voice for this community regarding Zune for the 1st time.

So anyhow, shoot me some questions you want answers to. I can't promise that I will get them, but I sure as hell will try.