Microsoft lets Zune Music Subscribers Keep 10 tunes a month

Microsoft announced that they are allowing customers who pay for the "all you can listen" access to keep 10 songs each month. This is now included in the $14.99 per month fee.

Microsoft also announced deals with Sony and BMG, allowing Zune users to buy MP3-formatted songs, not just ones protected with digital rights management software.

It looks like Microsoft is really trying to gain some ground on iTunes and others.

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Hot Topic's launches ShockHound - New Music Site

Hot Topic announced today that it is getting into the only music business by launching ShockHound. ShockHound is Hot Topics music site which offers millions of music downloads (MP3's), merchandise from bands, music videos, and other music related content.

Hot Topic is geared towards "alternative" music, but the ShockHound site will cover all genres (99cent downloads). In addition to music from the major labels, ShockHound will also allow independent (indy) labels and individual unrepresented artists to upload and sell music.

Hot Topic has also updated their Clearance area with some deeply discount items.

More US Retailers Drop the Microsoft Zune

Here's an update to my other post: Zune vs. Ipod which mentions that Gamestop had stopped carrying the Microsoft Zune. I just read that Brookstone and CarToys won't be buying any more inventory of the devices.

The major players like Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Target will continue to carry the Zune players, but the fall off from the retailers mentioned above isn't a good sign. I guess in the US Apple's iPods are still winning the battle.

Even with this news, it is rumored that Microsoft is still moviing ahead with a new Version. Maybe they have big hopes in the Canadian Market.

Zune Accounces expansion of Zune Video Store

Today Zune announced that it plans to expand it's Zune Marketplace video store by 50 percent. It is adding 400+ TV Show episodes. The shows include the SCI Fi Channel, Comedy Central, NBC Universal, USA Network and Bravo.

Schedule can be found in the full Zune Press Release.

Zune vs iPod - Better vs. Cooler?

So, the big MP3 News in Canada is that the Zune is set to arrive there on June 13th. In the US the big news is that GameStop has stopped selling the Zune because of poor performance.

I haven't used a Zune, but the features sound pretty good (FM Radio, Ability to wirelessly synchronize and share songs and playlists, and more).

Is the iPod really that much better, or is it just "cooler" in the US to have an iPod? Chances are, if it's just the "coolness factor", then Canadians may have the same feeling. Maybe that's why in Canada Microsoft has lined up a string of Coming Zune Parties/Concerts to raise it on the cool scale (remaining cities: Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal & Halifax).

It may be a tough up hill battle for Microsoft to gain market share from Apple. Microsoft Zune sales are around the 2 million sold mark, vs Apple iPods 11 million.

I'd be interested to hear from Zune enthusiasts to see how the Zune has been working out. I'd also like to figure out what makes the iPod so much cooler (the commercials, the apple logo)? Help me out here.

Zune Coming to Canada - Finally!

Microsoft announced that the Zune is coming to Canada on June 13th. So, it looks like the Apple iPod could have some competition. One of the main differences between them besides Apple's market share is the FM Radio in the Zune, and wireless abilities. The Zune also has social networking capabilities, allowing you to share your musical tastes with your network (Facebook, Blogs, etc.). You also have the ability to wirelessly synchronize and share songs and playlists.

The Zune comes in Pink, Red, Black for the 4GB and 8GB Models. You can only get Red & Black for the 80GB Model. Prices range from $140 - $250.

On the Zune site, they have a string of parties Coming Zune Parties lined up (6 Parties, 6 Bands, 6 cities). These are the remaining cities: Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal & Halifax.

More information can be found here:
http://www.zune.net/en-CA/products
http://canadianpress.google.com/article

Napster Launched Largest MP3 Store

Today (March 20th, 2008), Napster launched the largest online MP3 store. The store has over 6 million songs from top record labels and independent artists. The cost per download is 99 cents per song ($9.95 per album), which is taking things in a different direction from the flat rate, all you can download plan (Napster will continue to offer it's subscription service and expects this to overtake the pay per download model at some point). Both options are available from the Napster main page.

The songs will also not contain any digital locks -- they are free from any sort of Digital Rights Management (DRM). The MP3's will be in a format that will allow them to be played on all of the top portable devices (iPod, iPone, etc.). Downloaded songs will also be able to be synced up with your iTunes.

Apple's iTunes store leads the market, but maybe this will allow Napster to at least make a dent in their current 70% market share.