From Zune Insider:

As many of you know, we’re constantly seeking feedback from users about what we’re doing, and what we could do to make Zune better. So I’m asking specifically about Zune Marketplace: what do folks like about it? What about Zune Pass? Do you have one? How can we make these better?

Share your thoughts here, Zune Insider, or  this thread at Zune Forums!

From Mary Jo Foley's blog All about Microsoft:

Windows Live users are reporting on February 26 that they are unable to access Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger, two of Microsoft’s key consumer Internet services.

Microsoft’s MSN.com portal also is extremely slow to load.

A number of users on Microsoft’s Channel 9 Web site report having been affected by the outage.

According to one report, the Microsoft Live outage is affecting customers all across the East Coast. I am an East Coast user and have been unable to access Hotmail or Live Messenger for the past two hours.

I asked Microsoft for an update on what is happening. Officials said an update would be forthcoming. Here’s the “holding statement� I just got from a company spokeswoman:

“We are aware that some customers may be experiencing difficulty accessing their Windows Live accounts. We’re actively investigating the cause and are working to take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation as rapidly as possible. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and disruption this may be causing our customers.�

Strange, I am able to sign on Windows Live Messenger but not Zune.net! (I am on the east coast too)

Any others having any problems?

From Zune.net

Acclaimed Miami-based art collective FriendsWithYou bring their love of magic and adventure to Zune Arts with the new film "Tickle Party." Set to the eccentric sounds of New Wave art rocker Santogold's "Say Aha", the film pairs up a couple of "fuzzies" (fluffy white creatures with a penchant for dance) with a hapless monster reduced to crying tear-shaped rubies. A reminder that it's more rewarding to be kind than cruel, "Tickle Party" features a unique blend of stop motion, puppetry and assorted 3D elements. 

"This film is a great example of how Zune Arts can fuse art and music together to create fun original content," said Rob Schaltenbrand, brand marketing manager for Zune Arts. "The music of Santogold pairs really well with the creative vision for FriendsWithYou in this film and the music breathes life into the "fuzzies" carrying them through this delightful journey of discovery and sharing."

Watch the film "Tickle Party" at http://zune-arts.net/tickleparty.

For more on FriendsWithYou, visit: www.friendswithyou.com

For more on Santogold, visit the Zune Social at www.social.zune.net

For more on Zune Arts, visit www.zune-arts.net

Source: Zune.net

From Zune.net:

Zune recently sent a video crew out to shadow the guys in The Black Dahlia Murder on the New York City stop of their current US headlining tour. Zune's video crew was on a mission to capture a day in the life of one of metal's most entertaining bands, and that they did. Follow along as Trevor, Brian, and Shannon make stops at tour sponsors Metal Maniacs offices for a roof top interview, Fangoria Magazine's offices to sit down and talk horror movies, and run amuck in New York City. In the mix of it all is live footage from the show that night at BB King's, backstage interviews, and Trevor and Bart heading out to the streets to talk to their rabid fans. There will be a total of six 3 minute exclusive "behind the scenes" video podcasts, all filmed in New York City on Jan. 16th 2008, available only through Zune Marketplace and Zune.net.

The first of 6 video podcasts featuring The Black Dahlia Murder is available now. Each additional podcast will be released on a weekly basis so make sure to keep checking the Zune Marketplace and Zune.net for each installment.

To view and download the exclusive Balck Dahlia Murder podcast, click here.

Source: Zune.net

We have another contest coming soon, but in the meanwhile, get your sappy love letter ready for Valenitines Day!

Buzznet & Zune have teamed up and we want your love letters!!!

2 GRAND PRIZE WINNERS:
- The best love letter to Breesays will win a Zune
- The best love letter to DJ Rossstar will win a Zune

HOW TO ENTER:
- Put all your feelings (real or not) into a journal
- Upload your letter as a journal to this group
- You can only submit a max of 1 love letter to Breesays and/or DJ Rossstar
- When posting your journal you must select a collection
- Deadline to Enter is 2/14/08 at 11:59 pm PST.

Head over to Buzznet for the Zune Giveaway Contest

What is the Zune Social to you? Zune Insider wants to know!

Here is what I had to say on there...

My take is this, the Zune social is a new, hip way of connecting music lovers. If you browse around to a user and see what they are listening to you can accomplish a few things... a) if you already know the music, you can form an idea of the type person they are b) If you don't know the music, you can give it a try and maybe find something you've never heard that you really like. There are tons of lesser known, non mainstream artist that rock.

I can see the social as a way to connect and make new online friends with others that share the same music tastes.

Head over to Zune Insider to post your thoughts. You are welcome to leave them here as well.

Soccerfreak just posted in the forum a great video from YouTube, that shows an example of the Microsoft Surface interacting with a Zune at the CES 2008. If your not familiar with the Microsoft Surface, it's the $10,000 computer you can spill your drink on that Microsoft will market to special venues. Such as bars, nightclubs, hotels, etc. which provide a touch surface (thus the name Surface) interaction with a patron.

This video shows the surface being used as a media exchanger with the Zune by simply touching and dragging music.

Zune announces the release of the next video in the Zune Arts series entitled "Laika," which brings together the New York based director Ro Rao and the sounds from the Scottish band The Aliens.

Set fifty years ago, Russia launches a rocket manned by a dog into space and soon loses contact with the vessel. The character dog named "Laika" soon discovers a dog utopia filled with many dog treasures, but quickly realizes that these treasures are worthless without her friends. An endearing, intergalactic tale at just how far one will go to share with friends, the film concludes with a grand gesture of friendship - sharing dog bones.

The film is set to the extravagant, acid-drenched pop of "I Am the Unknown," a track from the 2007 full-length Astronomy for Dogs by The Aliens, a band that evolved from the critically acclaimed Beta Band. The soundtrack completes the artistic vision of Ro Rao, whose previous work with Ugly Pictures has been honored at a dozen of film festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival, D&AD and Annecy, and has been written up in Creativity, Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone.

The new video follows in the footsteps of other creative artist collaborations which have included Cary Godbey and Maps, SSSR and M Ward, and againstallodds and The Deadly Syndrome.

Watch "Laika" here: www.zune-arts.net/laika.

For more on Ro Rao visit, visit http://rohitashrao.com/.

For more info on The Aliens, visit the Zune Social here.

Source:Zune.net press release

Hot off the heels of his November 20th release of Free at Last, Freeway is currently Zune's Ignition artist for the month of December, and has released the free and exclusive track "Where You Been," available only in Zune Marketplace from Dec. 19-Jan. 7. Also now available exclusively in Zune Marketplace is a track-by-track Breakdown of Free at Last, and special behind the scenes/backstage video footage is available for streaming on MSN.com and as a free download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. 

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Grammy nominated artists the Chemical Brothers have released two videos for sale exclusively for the first time on Zune Marketplace. The videos for "Life is Sweet" (2003 Digital Remaster) and "Get Yourself High" (featuring K-OS) are available for download exclusively until Jan. 4, 2008.

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