Originally published Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Zune sharpens social skills
Microsoft is improving the social network behind its Zune media player and online service, and adding TV shows and other video content to...
Seattle Times technology reporter
Microsoft is improving the social network behind its Zune media player and online service, and adding TV shows and other video content to the Zune store.
The company late Monday announced several updates, including a feature that allows people who buy unlimited monthly music subscriptions for $15 to load all the songs their friends are listening to onto their devices.
Julio Estrada, general manager of Zune Social, said the social aspect of Microsoft's service is a key difference from the dominant offering from Apple. This update is designed to let the more than 2 million Zune users help each other discover new music, he said.
"It becomes a dynamic subscription of sorts," Estrada said. "As your friend adds new music to their favorite play list ... that will go all the way to your device."
The device will update with new music each time it is synchronized with a PC.
Also, the Zune online store now sells television shows, including popular NBC comedies, and content from MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and others. The episodes sell for $1.99 each.
"NBC opted out of their relationship with iTunes and selected Zune because we're providing them with the right flexibility to offer this type of programming," Estrada said. "... Part of the reason why we were able to bring NBC along with Zune is that our vision for video transcends Zune and includes Xbox as well."
Downloaded videos can be played on an Xbox using Zune software. However, videos downloaded via Xbox Live cannot yet be transferred and played on a Zune. "It's something we're looking at," Estrada said.
Benjamin J. Romano: 206-464-2149 or bromano@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
3 Wheel Mobility Scooter - $450
6 Sets of New Guitar Strings by Markley, D' Addari - $39
60" Toshiba Television - $400
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
events for Tuesday, Feb. 9
- Valentine's Offer at Eat Local
- Sales Bin-Mania at Sandylew
- Sultry Shopping and Chocolate Tasting Event a...
- February Specials at Mimisan
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Steve Kelley | My treatment of Bedard has been unfair
- Is Washington's tax exemption on bullion a gold mine?
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Super Bowl ads: Betty White, Bud Light, big laughs
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Lewis-McChord soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old over alphabet lesson
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
277 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
249 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
240 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
222 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
209 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
193 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
127 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
91 - Tobacco ban in Seattle parks affirms citizen right to breathe smoke-free air
83
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- City, Vulcan push higher South Lake Union height limits
- Commentary: Microsoft's creative destruction
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Jerry Large | Learning not to copy China
- All You Can Eat | Portage chef Vuong Loc takes Cremant space in Madrona
- Rigorous college-prep classes skyrocketing in Washington state





