Showing posts with label Zune. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zune. Show all posts
Zune Desktop features changed once again, App Marketplace not in sight
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If you've launched your Zune Desktop lately, you've probably seen the pop-up message alerting you that features have changed. When you re-launch Zune you will find that there is no longer a Zune HD marketplace listing.
The only options available under the Zune Desktop Marketplace listing are Picks, Music, Videos and Podcasts. The option to view Apps, both Zune and the resurgent Windows Phone 7 apps, have vanished. We know that Microsoft is in the process of renovating the Zune services over to Xbox Music and this change could be part of that process.
While the Zune Desktop is still used for music, video play and syncing with your Windows Phone, Microsoft shifted the app marketplace for Windows Phone to the web Marketplace back in May. Citing that more used the web option more, Microsoft shut down the Zune avenue.
For those of you who want the desktop Marketplace back, you can re-enable with a registry editor and 30 seconds of your time:
- Open registry editor, go to HCU\Software\Microsoft\Zune
- Create a key with the name "FeaturesOverride"
- Inside this key create a DWORD value with the name "Apps" Set "1" to created value
- Close registry editor, start Zune and if it works
Not sure what the next feature change will be with the Zune Desktop. Maybe change the change the "Marketplace" listing to "Xbox Music"?
Microsoft promises cheap Windows 8 upgrade for Windows 7, Vista, XP users
Microsoft is ensuring its upcoming Windows 8 operating system is made available to the maximum number of existing Windows users. And the Redmond-based software giant is leaving no stone unturned to give Windows 8 enthusiasts a taste of the OS at an inexpensive price.
Just last month, Microsoft revealed a Windows 8 upgrade offer for just Rs. 699, and it generated quite a buzz among Windows enthusiasts. According to that specific announcement, Windows 7 users who buy a PC (desktop or laptop) between June 2012 and January 2013 were entitled for a low-cost upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.
Microsoft is topping that announcement with a limited-time offer that allows not only Windows 7 users, but also those stuck on Windows XP and Windows Vista to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just US $39.99. That’s approximately Rs. 2,200, presuming the existing Rupee-vs-Dollar rate doesn’t change. Not a bad price for a brand new Windows 8 copy, if you ask me.
In a blog post, Microsoft gave additional details of the limited-time Windows 8 upgrade offer. While the Rs. 699 Windows 8 upgrade offer is only for relatively newer Windows 7 PCs, the limited-time $40 upgrade to Windows 8 ropes in almost anyone using a genuine Windows 7, Vista and XP machine.
If you are more comfortable buying a DVD from a retail store, you can buy a upgrade to Windows 8 Pro disc for US $69.99 during this promotion, according to Microsoft’s blog post.
To upgrade to Windows 8 through this offer, interested users will have to visit Windows.com and purchase a copy of Microsoft’s upcoming OS in the coming months. The Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant promises to keep things simple by walking you through a step-by-step process from purchase to download and finally to installation.
This offer will be available in 131 markets, according to Microsoft. It’s unclear whether India’s part of the program, all attempts to reach a Microsoft India spokesperson were futile. We’ll update this article as soon as we hear more.
Microsoft merging Zune and Xbox account preferences
Microsoft revealed this week that it has combined account preferences for Zune and Xbox.
The software giant sent an email to Zune and Xbox customers informing them that they would no longer receive separate marketing communications about Zune and Xbox. Both newsletters and marketing materials have been merged together. The move comes just days after Microsoft killed and revived its Zune HD devices a few times. Microsoft originally removed all references to its Zune players from the company’s site on Monday. Microsoft Zune team member Michael Yaeger then revealed that the Zune player removals were a mistake and that the device had returned to Microsoft’s support pages.
A new support article published on Tuesday made it clear that the company had killed off its Zune players. Microsoft’s Zune support team then claimed that the support page was added in error. “We are still supporting the Zune HD hardware. No official info has been released stating hardware is being discontinued,”said a tweet from the company’s official Zune support team. The original support article claimed that the company is focusing on Windows Phone:
“We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.”
The merge of account preferences could be nothing more than logistics but the company has long been rumored to be killing off the Zune brand. Zune software is part of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 software and the company recently confirmed that it is working to port existing Zune HD applications to Windows Phone. Despite the near death of the Zune HD, Microsoft was forced to confirm it is not “killing” any Zune services after it was revealed that the company may rebrand Zune into Windows Live services.
Microsoft removes references to Zune HD “by mistake”
Microsoft updated its Zune pages on Monday to remove references to its Zune HD device.
The software giant removed all traces of the Zune HD device on its Zune Music Pass pages on Monday. Microsoft urges consumers to use the following devices for Zune Music Pass:
On your PCHowever, Microsoft Zune team member Michael Yaeger revealed that the Zune HD device removals were a mistake. “Zune HD product page is still on Zune.net – publishing mishap when we pushed out the CA work,” wrote Yaeger in a Twitter message on Monday.
With a Zune Music Pass, you’ll be amazed as you discover, stream, and download more and more music on your PC.
On your Windows Phone
A Zune Music Pass is the ultimate access to entertainment. Get unlimited music and take it with you on your Windows Phone.
On your Xbox 360
A Zune Music Pass makes the entertainment experience extraordinary on your Xbox 360 with unlimited music streaming.
The move follows the death of Microsoft’s Zune originals devices earlier this year. The company urged consumers to purchase a Windows Phone 7 device for the Zune experience. “See how Windows Phone isn’t just a phone,it’s also a great Zune music and video player!”, said the final part of Microsoft’s message confirming the axe. A learn more button at the bottom of the page pushed users to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 site.
Microsoft recently confirmed that it is working to port Zune HD applications to Windows Phone. Former Zune senior business development manager Dave McLauchlan revealed the company’s plans in a recent Zune Insider podcast. Zune has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Microsoft was forced to confirm it is not “killing” any Zune services after it was revealed that the company plans to rebrand Zune into Windows Live shortly.
Microsoft confirms Zune HD death, “we will no longer be producing Zune players"
The software giant removed references to the Zune HD from its Zune site on Monday and later claimed that the removal was “a mistake.” It appears that the reference removals may have been planned for later but were mistakenly pushed early. A new support article on Microsoft’s Zune support pages makes it very clear:
“We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.”The confirmation marks the end of Microsoft’s range of Zune devices that failed to prove popular against Apple’s rival iPod offerings. Microsoft killed off its Zune originals devices earlier this year, marking the beginning of the end. The company urged consumers to purchase a Windows Phone 7 device for the Zune experience. “See how Windows Phone isn’t just a phone,it’s also a great Zune music and video player!”, said the final part of Microsoft’s message confirming the axe. A learn more button at the bottom of the page pushed users to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 site.
Microsoft recently confirmed that it is working to port Zune HD applications to Windows Phone. Former Zune senior business development manager Dave McLauchlan revealed the company’s plans in a recent Zune Insider podcast. Zune has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Microsoft was forced to confirm it is not “killing” any Zune services after it was revealed that the company plans to rebrand Zune into Windows Live shortly.
- Thanks to WinRumors for the news tip
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