Zune HD owners may have been given a nice treat yesterday with the newly released Facebook app, but the launch has been plagued with problems. Microsoft has discovered a “technical issue with the application” and has partnered together with Facebook to identify the matter and provide a solution.
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‘Zune HD’ Stories
Facebook app for Zune HD falls short on debut
Facebook app for Zune HD debuts
We've just been informed that Microsoft has launched the Facebook app for its Zune HD platform, fulfilling a promise for many users who visit the social-networking site. Facebook on Zune HD allows users to be constantly connected via the device’s built-in Wi-Fi, and allows status updates with personalized music with a simple touch.
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Why there is no Zune Phone
The big news out of Barcelona this week was Microsoft’s announcement of Windows Phone 7 Series, the heir to Windows Mobile and Microsoft’s platform of choice to evolve their mobile strategy. With a UI that’s looks very familiar to users of the Zune HD, I think Microsoft has done an excellent job re-inventing their mobile strategy. It’s clear they are no longer playing in this market, they’re playing to win. It’s also clear that this year will be a major inflection point for mobile and Microsoft has gotten off to a good start, much better than what we’ve heard so far this week. The key will be execution and delivery on the things they’ve shown us this week. You’d think that would be enough for most folks, but it’s clearly not. It seems there are some out there that are still looking for more.
Zune Pass software makes your music vanish?
From time to time, every music service software will happily see to it that some of your music vanishes because of digital rights issues and other legal matters. As of late, Microsoft’s Zune Pass subscription service seems to make more and more music from collections evaporate into thin air with an alarmingly higher rate.
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Zune software tips Pink Pure and Turtle phone connection
Some detailed digging through the latest version of Zune software has turned up numerous references to what looks to be phone capability, along with some product codenames, leading to suggestions that the rumored Zune phone and the Project Pink handsets could in fact all be in the same family. Zune Boards discovered not only the Zune HD but the PmxPure and PmxTurtle lurking in the eEndpointFamily files - the section which details all compatible hardware - references recognizable as the codenames for the two leaked Project Pink devices spotted in September last year.
Meanwhile further entries referred to the ability to "View and manage pictures and videos taken with your phone at the Studio", with users able to sign up as "Studio members". The suggestion is that this could be Microsoft's new media upload service, enabling content produced on the handset to be shared via a web gallery.
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Zune HD to get XviD support, smarter playlists come Spring
In a somewhat inconspicuous update Microsoft has revealed that the Zune HD will receive a firmware update adding native support for the MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP codec, including the long-awaited format of choice for many netizens, XviD video support. Microsoft has assured that files in this format should play both on the Zune HD itself, as well as when sent out to an external TV display via the HD’s AV Dock.
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MSI MT-V660 PMP looks to Zune HD for design inspiration
We're not wanting to point fingers here, but we couldn't help but notice some striking design similarities between the new MSI MT-V660 PMP and Microsoft's Zune HD; still, given the number of iPod copycats we've seen over the years, having your industrial design "borrowed" is now practically a sign that you've arrived. Appearance aside, the MT-V660 gets a 3.2-inch display, TV output and a reasonably broad range of codec support thanks to the Rockchip RK2806 chipset.
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Zune HD purple and magenta versions arrive
Zune Originals promised us more color choices for Microsoft's Zune HD PMP, and as expected the catalog has been updated with new magenta and purple versions. The colors - which join the original black, silver, blue, red and green models - are part of Microsoft's Zune HD holiday promotion, and the company is also offering free message engraving.
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Zune HD getting colorful update December 1st
Up until now the colorful part of the Zune HD has been its striking OLED display; if you wanted any color in your Microsoft PMP then you'd have to resort to a third-party skin or case. That's set to change tomorrow, however, according to the official Zune store, which has tipped three new colors - Magenta, Red and Purple - as arriving on December 1st.
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Microsoft Pink dying & taking Windows Mobile with it?
After mediocre feedback to the leaked Microsoft Pink handsets, Turtle and Pure, now comes word from inside the project itself that the whole house of cards may be close to tumbling. An ex-team member has been talking to Apple Insider about the Pink "skunkworks" project and its mismanagement, including attempting to develop too many SKUs simultaneously, potentially misleading hardware and carrier partners, and in the process pulling the rug out from the already-ailing Windows Mobile. In fact, he reckons the Pink project is "near death and probably will be canceled".
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Zune & Zune Pass could see Apple compatibility; WinMo phones next
One of our key criticisms of the Zune HD was that Microsoft don't offer a version of their desktop management software for Mac, thus giving Apple users another good reason to stick with the iPod. That might change, though, says Mary-Jo Foley, who has been talking to Microsoft's director of communications for the TV, Video and Music Business, Jose Pinero. According to Pinero, Microsoft are considering porting the Zune software and services to various non-Windows platforms, one of which would be OS X.
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Zune HD shortage lures out price-gouge merchants
Never let it be said we stand in the way of private enterprise - heaven only knows how many times I've had to sell handkerchiefs to sailors just to put bread on the table - but taking advantage of Zune HD 32GB shortages to double the price seems more than a little unfair. Amazon are currently listing the larger Zune HD - which we reviewed last week - as not shipping for 1-3 weeks; however, one Marketplace seller has used the opportunity to list the 32GB PMP for a whopping $599.99.
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