Zune Tips Weblog

With the recent release of the XNA SDK for game development, a lot of resourceful people have already started creating applications (not games) for the Zune. This link on GotZune.com shows three such applications (e.g., clock, calculator, and calendar). With this capability, a developer could create whatever application they wanted so long as it stays within the boundaries of what is available for game programming. Wouldn’t it be cool to have your MS-Outlook calendar and contacts synced to your Zune? What about having the ability to use a WiFi connection at a local coffee shop to check emails, or web browse? Of course, this is assuming the XNA SDK would allow for such access to the device’s WiFi and other system functions. Also, you’re limited to what you can input using a touchpad control and a few buttons. I’m sure some clever and resourceful developers will come up with some interesting applications for the Zune!

Currently, the only major limitation is installing such applications on your Zune. So far as I can tell, you need to install the Visual Studio C# Express development software on your PC to make a connection to your Zune to upload the applications. This is still a bit too techie for most people, so I don’t think a lot of Zune owners will be installing applications. But then again, a clever developer could probably create an simple installer application to circumvent this issue.

So, stand back and wait for the flood of cool apps soon to be coming our way for the Zunes!

I think we all have heard that games will be coming for the Zune in the near future. A person at ZuneBoards describes how to install games on your Zune NOW. It’s a complicated procedure, but supposedly you can install a few games. Since I don’t play a lot of games (and don’t want to be a guinea pig) I probably won’t be trying this. But, if you’re adventurous and want to try out Zune games now here’s the link to the instructions.

Here’s also a link to the Zunescene.com site that shows a preview of games running on the Zune. And another on Gizmodo.com’s site.

I noticed this morning that Microsoft released updates for the Zune. Below is what I saw in the business section of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

Both the Desktop Zune Software and Zune device have updates (version 2.5) available for download. To start the update process, run your existing version of the Zune Software on your Desktop PC and click the “Check for Updates…” button as shown in the image below: Read the rest of this entry »

I came across this report on the www.engadget.com site that shows the new Zune Software v2.5 with it’s improvements. Apparently, Microsoft will be releasing this update very soon. If you check out Engadget’s site, you’ll see that there is a “Videos” page on the Zune Marketplace allowing for the download of Videos (TV Shows only). Very similar to what Apple is offering on their iTunes site.

So, for about $2.00 US you should be able to download TV Show episodes on your Zune. Of course, you can do this for free NOW if you have a TV Tuner card and the DVRMSToolbox utility!

I read today that CBS has canceled the TV Show Jericho once again. If you’re not aware of it, Jericho was canceled after it’s first season and after a big letter writing campaign (and tons of peanuts being shipped to the CBS studio executives) by fans, CBS brought the program back on the air for an abbreviated 2nd season. Apparently, the viewership was not enough the 2nd time around to save the show. So, another one of my favorite shows has bit the dust.

Fans are hopeful that Jericho could be moved to the cable channel, SciFi, which I hope is a viable option. However, I think that as more time passes after the show’s cancellation the greater likelihood it will not continue on (because the actors will have moved on with their careers, etc). As I’ve stated in a previous posting, I think the show, New Amsterdam will also follow the path of Jericho and Journeyman. Since all of my favorite shows seem to get canceled, you can expect Life, Lost, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles to go next. All to be replaced by mindless shows that entail dancing D-list stars, voyeurist big brother houses, and bug-eating contestants stabbing each other in the back on a remote island. Yipee, I can hardly wait…

I just learned that the stage6.com web site (which offered videos for playback and download) is now closed down. If you go to their site, you’ll see their explanation to why they had to shut down. It seems like a legitimate reason, but I wonder if the real reason why they closed down was due to some of the content they had available for download.

I read in a forum posting that stage6.com was using Canadian Servers which allowed them to get around some of the US copyright laws for downloads. I never found any full feature movies on this site, but they did have several music videos and TV shows which was probably copyrighted. In any case, I had suspected from this information that stage6.com may get shutdown at some point. Whether the true reason is what they state on their web site or something else, we’ll never really know.

So, it seems the safest way to get videos on your Zune is to create your own using a TV Tuner card in your PC and keep them for your own personal use!

In case you haven’t noticed, you can subscribe to an RSS Feed for the ZuneTips Web Blog by clicking the link labeled “RSS Feed” at the bottom of the far right column of this page. I try to make postings every day or two, so having an RSS Feed subscribed to your browser toolbar will make it easier to identify when I’ve added new material.

FYI, version 2.3 of the Zune Software (for your PC) has been released. You probably already know this, since your current Zune Software will check for updates and should have notified you automatically. Although the updated software looks about the same as the previous version, it apparently has a lot of bug fixes which are described on the Zune.net web site.

For a limited time, Zune Originals is offering red Zune 80 devices at their site. So if you want something different than the standard Black color (with custom laser inscription on the back), head over to Zune Originals and place an order today!

Here’s something that I came across from the US Dept of Transportation regarding lithium batteries on airline flights. Starting Jan 1st, 2008 you can’t pack lithium batteries in your checked baggage. You can, however, carry lithium batteries on the plane in your unchecked bag. So if you plan to bring extra lithium batteries for your laptop, cell phone, or Pocket PC device you’ll need to carry it on the plane and not have it in checked baggage. I guess not having a replaceable battery for your Zune is a good thing in this case.

I normally carry an extra battery for my laptop and smartphone when I travel, but I keep them in my carry-on bag. It’s strange that you can’t have such batteries in checked bags but it’s ok for carry-ons. I guess the DOT is worried about batteries exploding or something, which obviously could happen in your carry-on bag as well. I wonder how many people know about this new rule?