Filed under: Portable Audio

Even before the Zune came out we heard that while the software wouldn't sync to other players (and the player to other software), the DRM the Marketplace used was basically compatible with PlaysForSure. Although we haven't seen anyone try and document the process, Zune Pass user AIZEE showed off a couple of screencaps successfully loading DRMed tracks onto his Creative Zen with Creative Media Explorer. We didn't verify the process and thus can't guarantee Zune Pass tracks will work on the portable of your choosing, but again, we're not too shocked that somebody could get their Zune music to authorize on another device. Somebody call us when someone gets the Zune itself to sync with Napster or Rhapsody, ok? 
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To: Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UPenn
From: Gizmodo Party Planners
Ok so Microsoft might have had you guys throw a Zune party, but it probably sucked. So what can you do to save your frat boy status at UPenn? Throw another party. And what does every party need? Cold beer, luckily you can start cooling them with the Amazin' Beer Chiller. And then use the Beer Launching Fridge to fire your brews across the room. Now what do you do when everyone's here and they're good and drunk? Why make a drinking game using a football that can tell how far it has been thrown of course.
But if you see that it's getting late on the 24 time zone clock, make sure that you don't passout fall asleep without fingerprint locking your cell phone or forget to put on your sleeping jacket. But chances are everyone's going to draw penises on your face all night.
Love,
– Ben Longo

The last place I wanna be found on a Saturday night is the lower east side, but that's precisely where Microsoft's Zune mobile (a Toyota FJ Cruiser) set up camp this past Sunday morning blasting Timberlake's "Sexy Back" at 3am. I'm sure it impressed the inebriated NJ and Long Island types that were stumbling their way outta the neighborhood bars, but the local residents were anything but pleased and immediately filed a letter of complaint against Microsoft. My only question is, why didn't MS market the Zune this aggressively earlier? (And why didn't they get a ticket). – Louis Ramirez
Letter of Complaint [Wake Up Microsoft]

Remember when Microsoft decided to create a new form of DRM for the Zune marketplace, making songs bought using their PlaysForSure system incompatible with their new player and songs bought through their new store incompatible with all other players? That was hilarious! Well, it turns out that the wall set up between the two DRM formats isn't as solid as we thought.
Apparently, songs from the Zune marketplace can be dragged onto PlaysForSure devices such as the Rio without any problems. Whether or not this is a goof on Microsoft's part or a quiet new effort to make somebody (anybody!) care about their new player and store is currently unknown.
Either of you out there with both a Rio and a Zune Marketplace account want to try this and confirm that it works? –Adam Frucci
Zunerama [via Crunchgear]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Transportation
Granted, we've seen some fairly bizarre methods of promoting one's product, and while Microsoft's Zune hasn't exactly been tagged with controversial propaganda or flashy automobile campaigns just yet, all that changed in a New York minute. According to reports from Hell Square residents in lower Manhattan, a California-tagged, Zune-branded SUV rolled through Ludlow Street during the "wee hours of February 25th," but rather than handing out flyers to the night-owls still roaming, the vehicle decided to test out its "competition grade stereo system" in a densely populated neighborhood. Dubbed an "egregious display of noise terrorism," the 3:00AM blasting from a (presumably Microsoft owned) Toyota FJ Cruiser didn't garner the positive attention that the firm was apparently hoping for, and consequently, quite a few residents of the area are now flaming mad and demanding restitution. Honestly, we've no problem with a little vir...

While most of the Free World has already written off the Microsoft Zune as being way too little, way too late, that didn't stop the Redmond behemoth from desperately trying to make its Little DAP That Couldn't appear to be "cool" at U Penn. The company sponsored a Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat party last weekend, where all the cool kids used a Zune for the first (and last?) time. Microsoft was trying to bolster its image on campus by sponsoring some silly beer drinking cabal's get together. Who knows, maybe Microsoft will start sponsoring other totally hip events and functions, like the AARP Annual Dance Contest or a Daughters of the American Revolution baby shower.
Hey, Microsoft, I'm thinking of throwing tupperware party next month. Let me know if you're interested. – Nicholas Deleon

Too soon for Zune? [Daily Pennsylvanian]

I got an email a couple of days ago from our friends at SnapStream. they had just released a version of their software (BeyondTV) that works on Vista. I had been a subscriber in the past and I've recently upgraded to Vista, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

So what does this have to do with Zune, you ask? Well, one of the great features about BTV is that they have a profile fir PMCs AND a direct sync option. So, unlike MCE, it is drop dead simple to record shows and take them with you. I thought, this might be a good opportunity to research some partnership opportunities.

For the most part, the software works as advertised. It isn't as elegant as MCE, but it is tremendously more configurable. While it takes a bit of getting used to, the options are great for setting profiles and fine-tuning your recordings.

There was just one problem. When the software re-compresses the files from MPEG to WMV, it introduced a garbled audio track. It almost dro...

I spent most of the week in Florida. What was I doing there? Well, I was visiting hardware partners. And, as a side bonus, I was visiting a few folks in the travel industry. There are some really cool new products coming in the automotive and accessories space. And you just might be able to get a Zune on your next vacation.

Photo Marketing Association (PMA), the trade show in Las Vegas where just about all the digital camera manufacturers go to foist their new wares on the people, is almost upon us. That means for about a week, we're going to be bringing you the latest and hopefully, the greatest cameras you will be able to buy for Christmas this year.
But what's a guy that hates cameras to do? Use http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/not:digital-cameras to read Gizmodo, which filters out digital camera posts entirely. You could extend it to any tag we use, be it cellphones, iPods, or Zunes. – Jason Chen
Digital Cameras [Gizmodo]

We got a chance to play with the Belkin TunePower portable Zune battery, and found it's actually pretty handy for people who travel. The TunePower is essentially a large battery that latches on Yoda-style to the back of your Zune—except Yoda didn't stick his charger into Luke's dock connector hole.
The battery provides about 6 to 12 hours of extended play for your Zune, and our own play times fell between there. It's $59.99, which is kinda pricey, but worth it if you forget to charge your Zune or you go on long trips often.
The setup does add considerable heft to your Zune, making it pretty much impossible to pocket unless you're a clown or a member of Hammer's posse. Nevertheless, having something to listen to outweighs any bulk disadvantages when you're stuck on a plane.



– Jason Chen
Product Page [Belkin]