Did you know that you can play free games on your Zune? Here is the first in a series of posts devoted to this little known feature of Zunes. This video shows one of the free games available for Zune and here … you can see it in action!
According to the developer of this game, it works on Zune 30 too. You can download this game to your Zune from this link
Our search to find free zunes was started when a subscriber emails us with the following amusing story:
In an amazing twist, Microsoft is offering free iPods as their prize
While this is amusing it also shows that Microsoft are keen to win over Apple users to Microsoft. After all, if you want to catch a Tiger you had better put out meat!
The story inspired us to go on the hunt to find more great ways to get a free Zune. The results are a selection of interesting - and sometimes challenging - contests that are on offer at this time. Some end soon - so get to it! But the picking were slim - this is pretty much all that is on offer at this time!
The Niles/Zune contest ends: SOON!
All you have to do to enter this contest is to answer the following question:
Unbeknownst to many, Niles has a cameo in 30 Days of Night, the movie. Do you know where and what the cameo is?
Joy Division Zune Device Giveaway contest ends August 1 2008
On offer is a rather unique prize -a limited edition Zune, pre-loaded with the new film, and etched with the artwork featured on Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures" album!
All you need to do is provide your contact details, agree to the contest terms and you are entered to win! (I admit that I am going for this one!)
PodCamp Boston 3 Twitter Contest! Ends July 20 2008
You need you wit and skill for this one! On offer is a 80 GB Zune so get going as it ends soon.
reviewstash.com also has a contest that ends on July 20 2008
Join the forum, make some posts and voila you go into the draw to win one of two 80 gigabyte Zunes
The Latina.com Competition ends August 13 2008
Latina.com Exclusive Giveaway: Win a Zune a Day! All you have to do is join Latina.com and post "your Top 5 Summer Jams of All Time".
rogersmobile.ca contest ends August 31 2008
Just provide your email address and you will be entered to win a Microsoft Zune 4GB MP Player - Black
Another one for Canadians is by fraservalleywireless.com Competition closes August 31 2008
This is also for the chance to win a Microsoft Zune 4GB MP Player - Black - in exchange for your email address.
And on a different note here's a contest Win a Zune Clock Radio from iHome! Contest ends July 24 2008
zunerama.com are offering this neat Zune clock radio and all you have to do is reply to this post, telling them about *your* most memorable birthday.
Good luck - place a comment and let us know if you win
Want a free Zune? There are a few Zunes being given away at present in various promos around the net. In most cases all you have to do to win one is to provide your name and contact details.
Some finish soon so be quick!
The first one is our favorite. It is one of a limited edition (1 of 500) Zune digital media player etched with artwork by Peter Saville. It has 80Gb and can hold 20,000 songs or 250 videos!! Retail price of this little beauty is $420 - so it would be nice to pick up for free. The contest ends at 12 P.M. Pacific Time July 30, 2008. We're in!
Here are some others;
MSN-Mobile Zune contest. In order to get us to try out MSN Mobile, Microsoft are giving away a Zune a day till the end of June! You have to provide you cell phone number AND that will probably cost you as they will send a single text message containing a link to MSN Mobile (so be warned!) The contest is only gfor US residents (over 13) and ends on June 30, 2008 at 11.59p.m.ET.
Sign up to be a member of FuelPowered.com (its free) and be entered in the draw for one of two free Zunes. Contest ends July 7th, 2008.
Sign up for the Best Buy (Canada) newsletter and be automatically entered for the chance to win 1 of 25 Zune's 80GB MP3 players! Contest is only for Canadian residents and closes on July 3rd, 2008>
Sign up for Dose Magazine for your chance to win 1 of 5 Zunes - 8GB Digital Media Player. Contest ends July 4, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
The last one requires a bit of work and skill! If you are an XNA enthusiast then this may be for you. Ziggyware are holding an article contest and the first prize is a Custom engraved Ziggyware XNA Zune - 8GB. But better get a move on as the closing date for this one is June 30'th 2008. (Midnight CST)
We will do regular updates on how to get yourself a free zune over the coming months so better add WOWZUNE to your RSS feed or favorites!
Despite the Wowzune warning in the previous post, we are all Microsoft fans here. Not least because of Microsoft's support for the arts - previously reviewed here.
Perhaps our favorites are the entertaining videos that have been produced for the Zune Arts site. Check these two out:
DOGFIGHT
The symbolism here is obvious but entertaining.
LE CADEAU DU TEMPS
I just love the music for this one.
If you like them, you can download the free video, Zune wallpaper and buddy icons as well to your Zune compliments of Zune-arts.
SAMPLE OF THE FREE WALLPAPERS YOU CAN DOWNLOAD: DOGFIGHT 
.
To DOWNLOAD this wallpaper you need to go to the Zune Arts site. There you will find all the video characters parading past. For example, if you like the Dogfight video then when the "dogfight" crew pass by, click on their characters. This will open up the screen with the download choices for this video.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Zunes:
The devices come in three styles (yeah, I know, out of date!), all of which play music and videos, display images, and receive FM radio. They can share files wirelessly with other Zunes and via USB with Xbox 360s, and can sync wirelessly with Windows PCs.
What this lil 'ol thang!
The Zune Software, which runs on Windows XP and Vista, allows users to manage files on the player, rip audio CDs, and buy songs, music videos, and TV shows at the online store (emphasis mine) .
OK - the point of this post is the last sentence - mixed in, as it is, with other technical facts about Zune it serves the purpose of Microsoft (and lets face it, Apple have the same purpose) to persuade all us Zune users that there is only the one place to go to for music, videos, and TV shows (or games for that matter) and that is……. yeah - Microsoft! (or Apple if you own an iPod or iPhone)
Makes it look like a fact when its presented along with technical info like this, doesn't it? And no doubt the writer of this article believed is IS a fact!
This week Apple have tried its darndest to shut down a whole host of sites that sell music, movie and game downloads for iPods and iPhones.
These sites probably probably make up .00000001% of Apples market. But their fear is that once iPhone or iPod owners REALIZE that they can get the same quality downloads for a fraction of the cost they have to pay Apple… well! There goes Apple's monopoly! They are raking in squidillions of $'s at present and they aren't about to let a little thing like free competition get in their way!
Zune owners watch out! Even though microsoft has been burned by the Anti Trust busters in the past, the fact that Apple is so far getting away with their thuggery may lead Microsoft to believe they can too - and may decide to join Apple in their Monopoly bullying!
Waste no time. Check out what is available before the big thugs crush the competition and REALLY leave you with no other place to go!
There are currently several sites that offer quality alternatives to Microsoft's offerings for Zune. We have already reviewed one and will do more over the next few posts.Do yourselves a favor and take a look at just how good these sites are and just how much cheaper!
