This is kind of a no-duh thing, but we were kind of worried that all the pre-loaded content that Microsoft put on the Zune (music, music videos) were going to get wiped out when you synced up the Zune to your library. After all, when you first plug the device in you get a message that asks if you want to "Sync with your library on this PC. Remove all the content on your Zune and replace it with the content in this library instead."
Good news for everyone, because all the pre-loaded content stays on the device even after a sync. The bad news? You can't sync the music and videos onto your computer. So you're stuck watching Brittany Murphy cross and uncross her legs in Oakenfold's video solely on your Zune. Darn. – Jason Chen
Zune's Pre-loaded Content [Zune.net]

Demonstrates latest advancements from newly released Zune and Windows Live services.

For the first time the Beatles records will be able to be purchased digitally on the Zune MarketPlace. Is this a way for the band to stick it to Apple? Who knows, but who really cares, its just good news all around for Beatles fans.

The Beatles are coming to an online music store near you "soon." So says EMI's head suit David Munns. Why should you care? Well, besides the fact that, you know, the Beatles pretty much invented the modern concept of a rock band, we could see an interesting battle between Apple and Microsoft. Will iTunes or the Zune Marketplace claim such hits as "Yesterday" and "Twist and Shout"? Will you be jamming out to "Day Tripper" on your iPod or Zune?
As we all know, the Beatles are pretty much the only band not available on any of the legitimate online music stores. (I'm sorry, but allofmp3 doesn't count.) I can't wait to (possibly) 3 plays/3 days share such obscure hits as "Penny Lane" with random young ladies on the street. "Hey there, hot mama, have you heard of the Beatles? They're this totally cool band..." (Cue mace to the face.) – Nicholas Deleon
Beatles set to go digital [Times Online]

Well took a while, but finally got word back on what the Zune warranty is going to be… dun dun dun And the Zune warranty will be 1 year, which covers unlimited support calls on the hardware and the software. Hit up Zune.net tomorrow/today for more details.

If you were live in Atlanta you probably would of heard all this going on, T.I was having a Zune Launch Concert, and appeared a fair few people rocked up for the free show. Not my type of music though… Any ways here are some pics from the day.

Today is Zune launch day! I can't tell you haw amazing it has been to go from a white board to launch in this period of time. It is truly incredible what this incredibly talented team has been able to do. I feel very lucky to have been part of it. Now, back to work! ;)

Here's a short home-made video of the IME dock solution. The guys from IME shot the video at the press event last week. You can download the video and put it on your Zune if you like!

Video

Microsoft's Zune music player, a rival to Apple's iPod, goes on sale in the US, receiving mixed reviews.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio, Portable Video
We don't mean to harp on the Zune for its faults time and time again, but we do it out of love for high-quality gadgets. That said, we'll be happy to give Microsoft some points this time; Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has just told Bloomberg that the company will be adding video sharing to the media player newcomer -- though no time frame was given. Further, he reiterated what we already knew, namely that the Zune will be combined with a cellphone at some point in the future as well. Ballmer went on to say that he's not worried about Apple's huge lead and market share: "I'm confident we can keep up. They [Apple] have brand and image going for them, and we have some innovative ideas." That's the corporate equivalent of trash talkin' to be sure, but honestly, it's a pretty bad comeback to Jobs' earlier dissing of the Zune. Fellas, let's bury the hatchet right here -- first one to build the iPhone / ZunePhone wins, okay?...