Microsoft has given the Zune team a green light when it comes to allowing them to customize Zunes for companies, events, etc. There have been several "branded" Zune 2 runs out there so far, including a Gizmodo branded Zune for their meet up on the snow earlier this year. Now it appears that the Zune Team has gone all political. Something I don't mix is politics and gadgets.

Microsoft's just slapped together a pair of special edition Zunes for both the Republican and the Democratic National Conventions and they look pretty damn great. The one for the DNC is awarded for the winner of the "Green Delegate Challenge", which is contest for delegations that "demonstrate the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attending the Convention.".

Source: Gizmodo

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There was some disappointment over the quality of my Zune Original I recently purchased.  The dead pixel, dust under the glass and the cracked case mount.

But behold, the new Zune Original shipped with another complete box set.   It's beautiful and defect free, applauding Zune for making things right.

Now to get back on track with music listening in the car and at work.  Especially watching the lunch time video podcast of Happy Tree Friends found in the Zune Marketplace.

If you haven't seen Happy Tree Friends or subscribed to other podcasts, I suggest you explore the Zune Marketplace or other video podcasts like ViroPop a green video network and Make: Magazines.

 My Zune ('Hikaru' meaning light / brilliance) has arrived a few days too early to get in on the new Artist Tattoos and a few thousand miles away from Canada where I could have gotten my engraving for free for a limited time (until Sept. 15).  But I still enjoyed every moment of opening the box, naming, upgrading and transferring files to me new Zune.

Below I have shared some great photos of the 80G Red Zune, the artist tattoo I chose and the artwork poster that came with the Zune.  I liked the cards and artwork just enough to put it all in a frame and put up on the wall for others to enjoy (I'll turn around the artist card so they can actually read it).  The package is very nice and can be re-gifted if that's your thing.

I did notice that I have never ONCE received an offer for a Zune Pass trial (I'm angry) and it would have been smart marketing to make this a standard.  Netflix does it and look at them!

 

More photos after the break...

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Jason over at Zune Thoughts is giving away a Zune for the Canadians! Why the Canadians? Well, they are celebrating the Zune Launch in Canada, that's why. Plus Jason is a Canadian.

So how can you win this Zune? First off, because this contest is to celebrate the launch of the Zune in Canada, I'm going to limit this contest to Canadians living in Canada (none of that "I'm living abroad" or "I was born in Canada" stuff). I'm not going to check passports, but the shipping address must be a Canadian address. Yeah, I don't normally limit contests, but as the Zune launches in new markets I'm going to try my best to get a Zune from the respective Microsoft team in that local market and we'll repeat this process for the residents of that country.

Eh, you are gonna have to head over to Zune Thoughts to learn more and win!

I just went onto Zune Originals to start ordering another Zune for my best friends birthday that's coming next month and was surprised that my recently entered URL to the Zune flash site and got an ASPX web server error.  The site has undergone another change:

Zune Originals has a new look and new artwork, go take a look.
They have changed the order of the menu so Artist tattoos are first, great marketing strategy.  I wish the new designs waited a few more days so I would have had the additional options to choose from.  Although there is still no sign of the black-backed Zunes.

In just a few hours Zune.net opens the portal to Canada, a much anticipated change.  Maybe this change to Zune Originals is an effort to offer more options for Canada's unveiling.  We will still have to wait until 2009 for the Zune 3 to be released.

And by the way, my Red Zune 80G is here and being held at FedEx.  They actually called me at 9:30pm to verify that they have the package at another facility to be transferred to my local office for pick up.

I recently lost my Zune Brownie that I have come to love as a member of my family.  I took me a couple of weeks to deal with the loss of my beloved Zune but I am back on track.  I ordered a Red Zune 80G (I prefer to say eighty gee, a mere gig sounds demeaning) with custom artwork by Nobumasa Takahashi who is a Japanese artist known for his graffiti.

The total cost after the custom artwork (add + $15.00) and the tax was $280.89, an early birthday present for myself this month (June 20).

Although I have no idea how long it takes FedEx to ship from Zhuhai, China to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  I've never been there but I feel as if I had been in the streets thanks to Goolge Maps and the Demilitarized Zones of China.

Check out all of the artists showcased on Zune Originals in the Artist Series:

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We saw it come and go and then come again at Zune Originals. I guess they say the great response on this hot color. Maybe one day they will listen to me and come out with....

A BLUE ZUNE

I would prefer the color of the blue that is in the left most right sidebar here on on gotzune. The lighter of the two blues.

Some of you may have noticed already, but Red Zune 80s are beginning to make their way into retail stores. After returning to Zune Originals, Red Zune 80 will soon be available for purchase at retail stores.

Thanks Cesar!

Gizmodo had their reader meet up last weekend and Microsoft showed them a bit of love in the form of some custom Zunes to give away. They don't look all to exciting, but hey... Free is Free Thanks Zune Insider...

Microsoft dropped a nice Red Zune 80 for Valentines Day and they sold well. Then they were gone. Just yesterday, I replied to a reader that wanted to buy a red one but couldn't find anywhere to buy. Other than winning one in our contest, I had no suggestions aside from Ebay.

Well, good news freinds and neighbors, the Red Zune has returned to Zune Originals. I just got a note via PM from Cesar letting us know. Yeah!!!

Head over to Zune Originals to Order. Update: Cesar has it online now.

Ok, so everyone knows the saga of the Red Valentine's Day Zune. I ordered one the day the announcement hit and a couple days later, I ordered another for a friend. Weeks go by and no Zune. We received notice that the orders were delayed. The rumors started surfacing about Microsoft compensating those that ordered Red Zune 80s. 

Becuase the 2nd order I placed had no inscription, it was shipped 1st. I received it 1st. The day before Valentine's Day, I finally got mine.

I didn't see anything free in the box, I never got an email telling me I had something coming, so I assumed I wasn't getting any compensation. I am not much of a complainer, so I moved on.

Well, today I got my bank statement in....

Well, I say something from Zune. I thought it was the charge going through at quick glance. Good thing I did a double take. This $272.49 was listed under Deposits and Credits. WooHoo!

So, I just on the phone and called 877-438-9863 to find out which Zune this charge back was for. It was for mine. I wish that they would refund them both though.