Having just bought several Chrissy pressos online. The Wowzune team decided it was time we let you in on one of our best kept secrets - Wowzune has its own store.

Yeah, we know, its not that obvious! (We have just never gotten around to making it a big feature - maybe our new years resolution!) But it does have every Zune thing you are gonna want to give for Christmas.

You can buy  Zune videos, Zune accessories,  Zune players (the 4GB version is currently just $67.99!!), there is  also a cool range of carru cases - like the one pictured on the right. Just take a look around, you will see what we mean about some very cool stuff.

There are also some amazing sales on Zune products right now, as well.

There is still time to order and get delivered by Christmas - but better hurry!

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This video was published on Youtube just an hour ago. But we reckon its a goodin. We have posted on this topic before - so you have a basis for comparison. This tutorial provides us with another way to watch free videos on our Zunes. So well worth the few minutes it takes to watch it.

Its a good tutorial - we doubt that it could be done better! And the downloader is free as well.

Well, what are you waiting for?

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With the annual CES on the horizon, rumors bounced around the internet - with predictions as far fetched as the Zune phone finally being unveiled to the hopeful? claim that Microsoft:

will extend Zune services not only to Windows Mobile but to its Xbox 360 video game console, too

But, no deal - nada!

The only announcement of possible interest is the new Kodu software. Given the way Zune is marketed, it seems that Microsoft has worked out that the typical Zune buyer is both creative and adventurous. Which means that the new Kodu software unveiled on the 7th Jan may well be of interest.

Not just because it looks like fun and has been developed so that even a 12 year old can use it (see video below), but because we can design and build our own games and via the XNA software, play them on our zune. The software was demoed at the event:

We will be posting a tutorial on how to build a game for Zune - so bookmark this post if you want to see how easy this software is to work with. If you beat us to it, and build a game you would like to share - just send us the link in the comments section!

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With the annual CES on the horizon, rumors bounced around the internet - with predictions as far fetched as the Zune phone finally being unveiled to the hopeful? claim that Microsoft:

will extend Zune services not only to Windows Mobile but to its Xbox 360 video game console, too

But, no deal - nada!

The only announcement of possible interest is the new Kodu software. Given the way Zune is marketed, it seems that Microsoft has worked out that the typical Zune buyer is both creative and adventurous. Which means that the new Kodu software unveiled on the 7th Jan may well be of interest.

Not just because it looks like fun and has been developed so that even a 12 year old can use it (see video below), but because we can design and build our own games and via the XNA software, play them on our zune. The software was demoed at the event:

We will be posting a tutorial on how to build a game for Zune - so bookmark this post if you want to see how easy this software is to work with. If you beat us to it, and build a game you would like to share - just send us the link in the comments section!

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If you have a Zune but don't yet have an Xbox, then you might want to check out some of the sweet deals we have found!

But first, why would a Zuner  be bothered with an Xbox, anyhoo? Well, apart from the fun (if you are into playing video games) you can connect your Zune to the Xbox and get a whole new level of enjoyment from your Zune.

To use your Xbox 360 console to play content that is stored on your Zune device, follow these steps:

1) Make sure that you have the latest software on both your Xbox and Zune

2) Make sure you have a Sync Cable

3) Turn on your Xbox and connect one end of the Sync Cable to a USB port on the Xbox 360 console and the other end to your Zune. There are a few more simple steps that you can get from  Microsoft, HERE

Its that simple! And then you will be able to watch your Zune videos via the Xbox on your TV!

Now, if that appeals, then so will these current promotions that are on offer:

If you live in the USA, then there is currently a hot sweepstake running. For all of December 2008, an Xbox a day is being given away in a joint promo being run by Xbox and Coke 

And if you live in Europe, there is currently a 40 Euro  discount coupon available on the Xbox international site!

So we reckon that for Zune owners, now is a good time to look at this great way to expand your Zune experience!

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If you enjoy developing your own music library then free Zune music may suit you. But if you like your music on tap then the latest Zune deal may be for you.

Exclusive deals, monopoly bullying, and general dirty business practices are becoming the norm on the internet and whilst a bemused public may wonder why big business can pull tricks online that would earn them $million fines off line, we also witness the big boys sometimes making deals that are to our advantage. Will the latest "exclusive deal" - this time  between Zune and Univision - be to our advantage?

Cesar Conde, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, of Univision had this to say about the new deal:

"By offering Zune's music catalog and cutting-edge features, we are delivering a comprehensive online music subscription platform experience via the most-visited Spanish-language Web site in the U.S."

And according to Miami Herald, Hispanics:

are using their mp3 players more than the average person, and they spend more on music. The median spent on music downloads a year is $80, whereas it is $100 a year for U.S. Hispanics, Gandhi said, making them great customers.

So the deal makes sense for Microsoft and will mean that all those who can hook into the Zune Marketplace, a whole new exciting range of LAtin music will be on offer. 

Having said that, as you know, we at Wowzune are dedicated to bringing free downloads to our readers - free Zune music, free Zune movies, free Zune videos, free Zune wallpapers, free Zune games…etc. Or the next best things - "virtually free and all in one place!"

Given that Zunes play MP3 files, all you need is a way to convert your music file to MP3 and you can download heaps of music to your Zune:

Step1

*Get one of the many software programs around to convert your files to MP3.

*Download the conversion program you want (go to any of the reputable download sites and see what they recommend - the example given here is the free program by koyotesoft.com - which is given a 4 star rating by the editor at downloads.com)

Download koyotesoft

*Open the program.

Step 2: Go to the music files you wish to convert. Drag the files into the converter as shown in the pic above

Step 3: Simply select MP3 as the output format (and make sure you choose at least 128 kilobytes per second in the "format permaeter" which will give you CD quality).

Step 4: Hit "convert," - you can now play this music on your Zune.

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Wondering if you should go with the latest free software upgrade or simply upgrade to the new Zune? To make our choice that much easier, microsoft are offering a free 14-day Zune pass that will allow us to

* download our favorites from millions of tracks in Zune Marketplace — free!

Before we can do that, we have to upgrade to the FREE Zune 3.0 software.  Click the image below to get the directions to sign up for the 14-day trial.

Before we outline the pros of the new Zune, just check out what the free software upgrade will give you 

Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today released its much anticipated free software update that will bring new features to every Zune portable media player. Revealed last week, the new software will allow Zune users to wirelessly stream and download music from the Zune Marketplace store on the go; tag and purchase songs directly from the built-in FM radio; and tap into new, personalized music recommendations and programming.

To allow customers to take full advantage of the new wireless functionality, Zune today announced that it is working with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport Inc. to deliver Zune users free, wireless access to the Zune Marketplace from more than 9,800 participating McDonald’s^®restaurants across the U.S.

Of course, while this system is fantastic (like running your own radio station) the service comes at a price - after the free 14 day trial period, the Zune Pass costs $14.95 a month.

The ability to use Zune at numerous internet hot spots is a big new feature that has, for some reason, been ignored by cnet in this short YouTube Zune 16 GB review. But Ina Fried (also from CNet) has done a test run of the free card in San Fran - with some interesting results, including a cheeky connect to free wi-fi in an Apple store!

The latest Zune 3.0 software also allows us to listen to books provided by various distributors including,  Audible.com.  This means access to more than 50,000 books, magazines and newspapers (including the New York Times and The Wall Strreet Journal) from more than 600 publishers which we can sync to our Zune.

 

For reasons best known to itself, Microsoft has still not developed a browser interface for Zune! All the same, the latest Zune does have some appeal.

All the same, we can get some improved choices with the new Zune. As the above image shows, we have more color choices with the new Zune 16 (if we buy direct from the Zune Originals) and the new Zune 16 has double the capacity of the previous Zune. It also provides audiobook support, a couple of free games (Texas Hold 'Em and a puzzle game), and a home-screen clock.

All this makes my existing Zune model even better. What company gives its existing customers such a good deal? No pressure to upgrade, no need to upgrade.

But when I need to, I most assuredly will! 

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The newest Zune is just B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

For anyone how needs to be convinced check this out:

No competition I say.

Get a real Job, Steve Jobs! Go work for Microsoft! 

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Although the recent 2.3 software update included a long list of fixes, I'm seeing things that still need looking after. One of them is the way the Zune software seem to struggle with having an accurate index of the content - either that, or it's an oversight in the user interface. If I type "Jars of Clay", this is the research result I get:



I have 15 Jars of Clay albums, yet it only shows me three. Either the Zune software doesn't realize that there are more than three albums, or the user interface designer forgot to add an "Expand" button next to albums to show the user that there are more than three albums. The latter is somewhat unlikely because it says "(3)" after the word albums, meaning there are only three found.

If I look up the artist manually, I see the correct result of 15 albums:



So...this needs to get fixed!

Well, well - it seems that 2.3 software update contains more than just a few little fixes - there's some very significant stuff in the update. I've re-published the list here for your convenience.

"Key Marketplace fixes

* Allow users to view top music videos in marketplace
* Misc improved error messaging including splitting sign-in issues into 4 separate errors for customer and support benefit
* Resolved most cases where retrieval of subscription download history stalls
* Better handling of accounts that have expired credit cards
* Podcasts with spaces in their name can now be subscribed to
* Marketplace no longer blocks explicit content purchases when parental controls are set to allow
* Points balance label is now updated when user purchases new points

Key Player UI fixes

* Allow zooming in/out (2x, 4x, fullscreen) during video playback to prevent stretched playback
* Ability to switch Zune to GDI mode through command-line parameter

Key Podcast fixes

* Allow subscriptions to podcasts larger than 10MB
* Fixed some parsing errors that prevented some podcasts from syncing to the device
* Fixed bug where podcasts were unsubscribing themselves

Key Setup fixes

* Fixed numerous bugs affecting build to build upgrades
* Improved installation for users accessing from corporate networks
* Fixed driver uninstall failures
* Included device 2.3 firmware in client download
* Failure in creating system restore point no longer blocks client installation

Key Sync fixes

* Fixed issues with reverse sync
* Fixes issues with sync meter UI showing incorrect information as to what is on the device
* Fixed issues using wireless sync with multiple devices to the same PC
* Fixed a few different issues setting up wireless sync
* Device is no longer being reported as full even after deleting large file from device
* Device content is no longer being turned into guest content when it shouldn’t be
* Content with bad metadata now shows properly so it can be removed from device
* Turning off “autolaunch when a Zune device is connected” no longer prevents “Sync Now” from working from a wirelessly connected device
* Podcast bookmarking is now transferred/saved to the device
* Wireless sync connection continues to work after rebooting host computer
* Unsubscribe podcast from device now works properly
* Changing album art in the client now updates the device as well
* Duplicate tracks are no longer synced to the device twice

Key Xbox Streaming bug fixes

* Xbox Streaming now monitors the rip folder if user changes default location
* No need to reinstall client to fix Xbox Streaming when upgrading from XP to Vista

Key Infrastructure fixes

* Vista x64 customers can now get to web help from error messages
* Client no longer crashes if database is corrupted

Key Library fixes

* Changes in pictures or video metadata made outside client will now get updated in the library
* UI is now smoother during file groveling
* When a track is added to an album we will now always update the track on disc
* User can now update album art for marketplace tracks
* 'Unknown Artist' metadata is no longer written to files when writing out user edit of album name
* Renaming an artist now more reliably keeps the change
* Two different copies of the same album no longer get duplicated down to one when it shouldn’t
* Access violation no longer occurs when checking song properties in the burn list
* Multi-disc albums imported from iTunes no longer show in the client as a single disc album
* Thumbnails for video content now extract on XP properly."