Have you heard? no? Well you soon will. Microsoft will soon start their new and I must werid unique marketing strategy. Zune Masters is the name and 18 - 22 year olds Zune ambassadors is the game. Microsoft will hand pick 200 people to be “Zune Masters” and upon joining up with this program the [...]

For the seven of you who were unlucky enough to get a Zune this Christmas, you're probably dying to watch some video on its large-sized screen. Too bad, since the Zune only takes a certain type of video files, namely WMV and M4V. M2 Solution's M2 Convert is supposed to help you convert both DVDs and most video and audio formats (AVI, ASF, WMV, MOV, MPG, MPEG, AVC, OGG, MP4, DivX, MP1, MP2, IFO, DIC, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC) to what the Zune supports.
We've tried a few converters online for the Zune, but after converting to M4V, the Zune converts that video again for some reason.
Format conversion's pretty easy, and although the program hung when we tried it ourselves, we don't imagine that there would be any huge problems with it. We'll give it another shot and report back. – Jason Chen
Product Page [m2solutions]

We know. You asked Santa for the greatest gift of all time, but he got you a Zune instead. No problem, because you can return it, just don't miss those deadlines.
In today's Frankenfight, we stack the return policies of major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City and Amazon in one huge pile for you to learn, live and love. While no major reviewers are chiming in with their opinions, hopefully our research will save you at least half a headache (because there is nothing we can do about your kid who is still crying about not getting a Wii).
Is one return policy inherently better than the rest? Sure, Wal-Mart...especially if you happen to "lose" your receipt. But the real lesson here is, don't open electronics that you plan on returning. Because it will probably cost you. – Mark Wilson
Return Policies
Wal-Mart
Target
Best Buy
Circuit City
Amazon

It's that time of the year again—time for Wired News to highlight the top 10 pieces of vaporware for this year. Some of the winners include, of course, the Optimus keyboard, also the SED TV, Skype for Symbian and TiVoToGo for Mac.
Another piece of vaporware noted by Wired is the "iPod Killer." Thinking about the year in review it does seem every month there was another new iPod killer that ultimately failed (even the biggest iPod killer of all, the Zune). Topping the list as the number one piece of vaporware of 2006 is actually a repeat winner: Duke Nukem Forever. Congrats, Duke. – Travis Hudson
Vaporware '06: Return of the King [Wired News]

I did this before and it was pretty well trafficked. If you guys have any questions about Zune, the current features, the history, troubles you are having, etc, feel free to ask them here. There is one caveat, though. I won't comment about future product/features. Other than that, feel free to ask.

With Hanukkah coming to a close and Christmas just a couple of days away, I'm wondering 1. What Zune goodies are under the proverbial tree and 2. what other gizmos are you guys getting.

For me, there is a pink Zune for my wife. I gave away a couple of Incipio cases and a Belkin FM transmitter. On the gizmo side of the house, the folks at Sonos sent me a demo unit which is kind of my Christmas present to myself (and a review to follow later). I asked for a set of strobe flashes for my digital camera. We'll see if the family steps up on that one.

Gizmodo's top 10 photo galleries of 2006:
10. Samsung D900 Black Carbon Reviewed (Verdict: Sexy All-Around)
9. Fly By Wire: 25 Minutes of Screaming Terror
8. Samsung m610 Cellphone Unwrapped: Thin Like Kate Moss
7. Sony Ericsson Ai Concept Renderings
6. Xbox 360 Wireless Wheel Hands-On (Verdict: Driving 2.0)
5. Zune Dual Unboxing: Nice Package
4. Macbook Pro Batteries Are Inflating?
3. Moto KRZR
2. The Smallest Cellphone We've Ever Used - Exclusive Haier Black Pearl Gallery
1. Wii and PS3: Complete and Synchronized Unboxing
–Noah Robischon

They guys who first upgraded the Zunes hard drive are now doing it for the public. You can now send your Zune to Ipodmods.com and they will upgrade it to a 80 gig or a 40 gig model. How ever, doing this will void your Microsoft Zune warranty. The Zune 80 gig model is going [...]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

We tend to think of something particularly academic when we hear the phrase "accepted into our masters' program," but apparently Microsoft is working the influencer angle again with the Zuners. 200 kids between the ages of 18-22 (but no older -- no one over 22 is cool, obviously) have been blessed with a bunch of Zune apparel (ten shirts, a hat, a messenger bag), some posters, obligations to hit the scene and attend (or suggest) hip Zuney events, and, of course, carry along their limited edition Zune. Speaking of limited edition Zunes, did you hear there are now orange Zunes are floating around retail? Apparently one went up on eBay starting at $750 -- no one bid though, what a shame and surprise. Guess that goes to show you that if you make too many limited edition products, people just stop caring. Danger, we're looking over your way. Oh, and finally, there's more Zune drive hackery going on, now boosting the 1.8-inch platter sp...

Happy holidays everyone. Special thanks to American Express, Audi, Best Buy, Casio, Circuit City, DICE, Don Julio, Fox Soccer Channel, Future Weapons, Genji, HD-DVD, Intel, LG VX8600, Logitech, Mio, Nokia, P.C. Richard & Son, Parrot, Pioneer, SV Supreme Vodka, Shure, Smarthome, Sonos, Sprint, Texas Instruments and Zune.
Don't make the naughty list this year.