Report: Zune Devices Killed by Microsoft; Brand Name Lives On (UPDATE: Zune Still Alive)

Microsoft's Zune HD

     Microsoft has been trying to compete with Apple's iPod since 2006, when they first announced the Zune devices. The Zune is basically an iPod Touch competitor. It has a large touchscreen, an FM radio, and more features that even Apple's iPad didn't have when they announced it.
     Although the Zune looks good on paper, and even in person, it never quite caught on. For some reason not many people liked the Zune, or maybe it just was more cool to own an iPod. In any case, the Zune has not been a success, and according to Bloomberg, Microsoft is finally giving up the Zune line of devices.
     According to the Bloomberg report, which cited several sources familiar with the Zune line, says that Microsoft will be stopping development of their Zune devices, but will continue the Zune brand as their current media player software and online media store on the XBOX 360 and Windows Phone 7 devices.
     The popular technology blog CNET contacted Microsoft and asked them to comment, but to no avail. On the other hand Bloomberg contacted them and got the following response:

 "We have nothing to announce about another Zune device -- but most recently have introduced Zune HD to Canada via the Zune Originals store and remain committed to supporting our devices in North America.

"We are thrilled by the consumer excitement for Zune across many new platforms, including Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360. Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms."

     ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley also got Microsoft to comment:

 "We're not 'killing' any of the Zune services/features in any way. Microsoft remains committed to providing a great music and video experience from Zune on platforms such as Xbox Live, Windows-based PCs, Zune devices and Windows Phone 7, as well as integration with Bing and MSN."

     If Bloomberg is correct about Microsoft stopping development of the Zune, Apple's iPod Touch get's one less competitor, and it makes them almost the only one in it's category. There are a few Android based portable media players, but none really closely match the iPod Touch. Although not many used the Zune devices, this still does seem like an advantage for Apple and it's iPod Touch.

Source: cnet.com

Create Your Own NPR Podcasts

National Public Radio (NPR) is a daily source of information for many people. However, there are times where you may not be able to listen to stories that you wish to hear, or you may find yourself listening to stories that don't interest you. Now there is a way to create podcasts of only stories that interest you. Etan Horowitz of the Orlando Sentinel shows you how here.

Tech Gadgets for the Holiday Season

Here's an interesting event from our friends at the Novi (MI) Public Library:

Rick Broida, regular contributor to CNET, Popular Science, and Wired, and author of How to Do Everything with Your Zune, will be at the Novi Public Library, on November 3, from 7-8 pm, offering advice on digital cameras, camcorders, phones, MP3 players, GPS systems and, of course, PCs and notebooks. He will also field questions, provide tips and tricks and raffle a few goodies. For more information phone 248.349.0720 or visit http://novi.lib.mi.us/ The Library is located at 45245 W. 10 Mile Road in Novi.

Zune Now Compatible With All OverDrive Audiobooks

Do you own a Microsoft Zune, and wish you had access to more downloadable audiobooks? Now you do, thanks to a recent upgrade from OverDrive, a downloadable ebook/audiobook service offered by the Troy Public Library.

Previously, OverDrive offered downloadable audiobooks in the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. These titles could only be transferred to a limited number of MP3 players. They could not be transferred to the most popular MP3 devices: the Apple iPod and the Microsoft Zune.

Starting in September, OverDrive began offering audiobook titles in the MP3 format as well as WMA format. Titles in the MP3 format can be transferred to all MP3 players, including the iPod and Zune.

Now, thanks to new software upgrades, Zune owners can transfer both MP3 and WMA format audiobooks from OverDrive to their Zune. You will need to download the latest version of the Zune software, and also download OverDrive Media Console v3.1 to use WMA titles on your Zune.

To see what OverDrive titles are available from the Troy Public Library, go to our homepage, click on "Downloadable eBooks, Audiobooks, and Videos" in the left-hand menu, and click "OverDrive".