According to the Windows SuperSite blog, There will soon be support for Audible on Zunes. I personally don’t care for audio books, but I know a lot of you are inquiring about this support, so here it is. I kinda like the creditabilty of this post too…

Zune and Audible Update
Jerry D forwarded me the following email he received from Audible regarding compatibility with the Zune:

I understand that you have contacted us today in regards to whether or not the Microsoft Zune is compatible with our service. We have great news! After much anticipation, Audible and Microsoft have completed negotiations on making the Zune AudibleReady! While we do not have an exact date as to when the device will be officially AudibleReady, we expect to make the Zune compatible before years end. Our Device Center on our website will be updated upon the Zune becoming compatible, so please be sure to check there periodically.

UPDATE: This one is confirmed! I wrote Audible about Zune compatibility (i.e did the ten seconds of research) and was given the same reply as quoted above.

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!

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

         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.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is a writer from Cnet’s Crave blog, or shall I say Craze blog. What do I mean. Read her rant over at Crave and take it with a grain of salt. The 1st item that had me laughing uncontrolably was item #4 of 5. Judging by the 70 comments over there, I am not the only one that laughed.

4. The headphones

The Zune’s headphones were, at first blush, one of the best things about it. They’re nice, in-ear headphones with really good quality sound. They look good and fit comfortably, and the ends of the earbuds are magnetic, so they can hang around your neck without falling off. But here’s the thing. The headphone cord is fabric, instead of the plastic-coated cable of iPod headphones or their ilk. And fabric, which is basically string, is one big knot waiting to happen. Combine the knotting tendencies of string with the magnetic ends of the earbuds, and the headphones are constantly in a state of tangle that you cannot even believe. It’s a 10-minute endeavor to untangle them every time I pull them out of my bag. My bus ride is only 25 minutes to 30 minutes long. It’s just not worth it.

Read “5 reasons my Zune is dead to me” over at crave.

Source : Crunchgear

THE ZUNE for audio….

She admits to being an iPhone user, but doesn’t seem all too happy about it in a recent Tekzilla episode. Check it out around the 4:39 mark for the duel.

I am a tad behind on my audio and video podcast listening so I haven’t gotten to this one, but Antonio was all over it. Thanks man!

when talking about lossless audio, Veronica mentions that she “prefers” Zune. But she is using the iPhone because all of her files are from itunes.

Check out TekZilla

Since the Zune 2 launched, we have seen some great items come out for the Zune 2, but there has not been a ton of cases. Belkin is changing that. Thanks Belkin.

Read the rest of this entry »

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…

Read the rest of this entry »