ZuneThings

Joy Division Zune at ZuneThings

2009-04-08T04:37:00.006+01:00

The limited edition 80GB Joy Division Zune is now available at ZuneThings. The Zune comes with designs by Peter Saville and is pre-loaded with the documentary film Joy Division.

There is also a version of the Microsoft Leather Case with the Joy Division designs. It comes in a very cool (and huge!) box.

Using the Zune Home AV Pack V1 with All Zunes

2008-12-23T19:53:00.005Z

ZuneThings currently have the Zune Home AV Pack V1 on sale and we have had a lot of questions about compatibility with all Zune models. Details are here:

The V1 Dock is designed for the 30GB Zune but can also be used with the all the New Zunes by making an easy adjustment.

Here is a great post with pictures that shows exactly how::

http://jeftek.com/media/zune/use-v1-zune-a-v-dock-with-v2-zunes/

We can also confirm that the remote control will function fully for the all Zune's when used with the V1 dock.

Limitations for 80/120GB Zune owners: This dock supports Composite AV out but not Component AV out. If you want to use the Component out feature of your Zune 80/120, you will need the Zune Home AV Pack V2.

DRM Free Downloads for Zune Now at Amazon UK!

2008-12-11T22:33:00.004Z

The Amazon MP3 Store is now available in the UK and it's DRM free. This means you can purchase music and play it on your Zune or whatever device you want without restriction!

From the Amazon site:

"Songs from Amazon MP3 can be played on any MP3-capable device, including iPods, Zunes, Zens, iPhones, RAZRs, BlackBerrys, and most media-enabled mobile phones. Our files are free of digital rights management (DRM) software, so you can burn your songs to CDs, play them on all your computers, and transfer them to all your devices. Songs are encoded at 256 kbps , which means you get high audio quality at a manageable file size"

ZuneThings Christmas Delivery Dates!

2008-12-05T00:30:00.003Z

Please make sure you order any items at ZuneThings by December 15th at the very latest to ensure we can deliver in time Christmas.

Zune 120GB Stock Update

2008-12-02T13:44:00.003Z

December 2nd 2008 Update: The Zune 120 is now back in stock and available for immediate shipping.

Zune 3.1 Update

2008-11-19T03:21:00.002Z

An update to the Zune Software has been released today. This is mainly small improvements and some extra games for the Zune. You can see full details at ZuneInsider.

There is also a new TV ad showing in the US:

Gears of War Zune at ZuneThings!

2008-11-03T21:13:00.005Z

There is a limited Gears of War Zune 120GB being released on November 7th. ZuneThings will be stocking this Zune for UK customers shortly after the release. It is available for pre-order now.

The Special Edition Gears of War 2 Zune video MP3 player features a Crimson Omen etching and is loaded with a special Gears of War 2 media collection

In the box:

Gears of War 2 Special Edition Zune 120
Headphones
Zune Sync Cable
Three pairs of foam earpiece covers

Preloaded Content:

Listen to the full soundtrack of the original Gears of War game, including 28 tracks from the game that started this epic saga
Nine Gears of War videos, including gameplay, trailers, and behind-the-scenes moments with Epic Games.
244 different images, including game concept art, team photos,and custom Zune backgrounds.

New Microsoft TV Advert

2008-09-12T20:16:00.002+01:00

This is the next in the series of Microsoft TV adverts featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. They seem to get a lot of criticism for not talking about Microsoft, but I think this is whole point - just funny ads that people talk about!

Win a Blue Zune!

2008-09-11T18:00:00.004+01:00

ZuneThings are having a contest to allow you to win a Blue 8GB Zune. To enter, all you need to do is go to the www.zunethings.co.uk and write a review of your Zune product. Simply find the product you have on the site and then click the review link - you have to create an account to place a review (this is so we have the details to contact you should you win!)

We will pick one winner at random from all the reviews on the site.

This contest is open to anyone and we will ship the Zune free of charge to your location.

The contest ends on September 23rd and the winner will be notified on the 24th by phone or email.

Good luck!

Zune 120 GB Battery Test

2008-09-10T02:20:00.002+01:00

We have done some initial tests on the Zune 120 GB battery life. Our first test was with wireless turned on and for audio only. The Zune managed to play for just under 23 hours. This compares to about 18 hours for the Zune 80 GB when we performed the same test.

So, a little improvement which is a good thing. Given these numbers we would expect about 30 hours with wireless turned off. We will confirm this with further tests and will also report video numbers shortly.

More New Zune Pictures!

2008-09-09T00:42:00.004+01:00

Here we have some pictures to show you the new Zune 120 GB, the 16 GB Black Zune and the 8GB Blue Zune alongside a Zune 80 and a Red Zune 8GB.

Key Points:

The 16GB Zune Black is just like the 120GB Zune in that is is black on the back and side and has a glossy front.

The 16GB Zune has no TV Out. Only the 80GB and 120GB are capable of TV Out.

The 8GB Blue Zune is exactly the same as the existing 8GB (apart from colour of course!)

The 16GB Zune comes with the Standard headphones (only the 80GB Zune includes Premium Headphones)

2008-09-09T00:42:00.001+01:00

Zune's and Software Update Officially Announced

2008-09-08T22:11:00.005+01:00

Update: The new Zune Software will be available to all Zune models (yes that includes the original 30GB models)! We are so pleased to hear this - very different than the path Apple takes with new models!

Microsoft have now officially confirmed the new Zune's and a September 16th software update in a press release:

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/sep08/09-08ZuneFallUpdatePR.mspx

There are some cool marketplace enhancements that allow users to purchase songs heard on the radio - the bad news is there is still no mention of an official UK or European release, so these features will not be available to us!

Of course ZuneThings will have the Zune 120 in stock very shortly for UK buyers, so here are the software highlights that we will benefit from:

"The Zune PC software is a free download at http://www.zune.net that provides rich discovery and media management capabilities to help consumers make the most of their existing music collections, in addition to providing access to the Zune Social and Zune Marketplace so they can add to it.

�

Mixview. Customers can select an artist, album or Zune Card to activate a dynamic, visual mosaic of related music and listeners. With each click users can take the view in a new direction, creating a fun, graphical way to discover new music. Mixview works with users� current collection of music, in addition to tracks and albums from across the Zune Marketplace.

�

Now Playing. The improved Now Playing view is more interactive and cinematic. Users can sit back and enjoy the combination of great artist imagery, colorful effects, bio information and data from the Zune online music community, all combined in a full-screen view. They can also click to dive deeper into the music behind the picture, providing another great way to interact with their collection.

A new firmware update will also improve the experience on the Zune device. In addition to the new wireless functionality, Zune will bring new features customers have been asking for:

�	Games on the go. Two free games, �Hexic� and �Texas Hold �Em,� will keep users entertained on the go.
�	Audiobooks. All Zune devices will feature support for audiobooks this fall from industry leaders in the digital distribution of audiobook content.
�	Audible. Customers can visit audible.com to download and sync favorite books from the 50,000 titles available from over 600 publishers and content providers.
�	OverDrive. They can download content from sites powered by overdrive.com, including 7,500 libraries� Web sites worldwide." Not mentioned in the press release, but something very important to us is the confirmation that the Zune 3.0 Software will be including a clock! Finally!

New Zune 120 GB!

2008-09-08T20:29:00.003+01:00

ZuneThings have managed to get hold of one of the new 120GB Zune's that are not yet released! Here are the highlights with pics below:

Zune 120 is exactly the same size as the Zune 80. Weight is 4.8 oz for the 120 vs 4.9 oz for the 80.

The headphones included are the standard ones (Not premium headphones that came with the 80GB Zune)

The colour is a shiny black all the way round.

The software seems to be the same as Zune 80 for now, but we are still testing, so will update later.

Zune Hard Reset

2008-08-24T22:12:00.000+01:00

If you are having any trouble with your Zune, a Hard Reset will often fix it. Here is how to do it:

Warning To restore the Zune device software, you must have a Windows-based computer that has an Internet connection. That computer must have the Zune software installed. And you must be able to connect the Zune device to a USB port on that computer by using a Zune Sync Cable. Do not perform the following steps if you do not have any one or more of these things immediately available.

After you start to restore the Zune device software, you cannot again use the device until you complete all the steps. You will not receive any confirmation or warning on the Zune device after you start the following procedure.

To restore the Zune device software, follow these steps:

1. Set the Hold Switch to unlocked.
2. Press and hold the Back button while you press and hold the top of the Zune Pad. When the Zune device begins to power up, release the buttons.
3. Immediately after you release the buttons in step 2, press and hold the following combination of buttons, depending on your Zune model:
- If you have the 4GB Zune, the 8GB Zune, or the 80GB Zune, immediately press and hold the Back button while you press both the Zune Pad and the Play/Pause button. Continue to hold these buttons until your Zune device restarts and "Please wait" appears on the screen.
- If you have the 30GB Zune, immediately press and hold the Back button while you press both the left side of the Zune pad and the center of the Zune pad. Continue to hold these buttons until your Zune device restarts and "Please wait" appears on the screen. Note "Clearing contents. Please wait" appears, followed by �Connect Zune to your PC."
4. After �Connect Zune to your PC� appears, connect the Zune device to the computer that has the current Zune software installed, and then update the device to the current Zune device software.

Zune Software in UK

2008-07-04T17:10:00.002+01:00

We get a lot of questions about how to download the Zune Software in the UK, so we thought we would make it easy and post the link here: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7313338

You can download the Zune Software even before you actually get your Zune. This will allow you to make sure it runs on your computer and get a feel for the software.

Update: This link also works for Zune Software in Europe and the rest of the World as well as UK.

Zune 30GB Stuff on Sale!

2008-05-16T18:33:00.004+01:00

We have some overstock of Zune 30 accessories that we have reduced in price:

1) Zune Home Dock: ~~�99.99~~ �69.99

2) Zune Car Kit (works with Zune 80 also): ~~�59.99~~ �39.99

3) Zune 30GB Pink: ~~�169.99~~ �139.99

Zune 80 Red In Stock Now

2008-04-28T03:32:00.003+01:00

We now have the Zune 80 Red in Stock. We have a limited quantity to start but expect to have full stock by next week!

ZuneThings on Twitter

2008-04-25T15:10:00.004+01:00

We are going to test out Twitter to announce new Zune promotions and specials we are running. If you are a twitter user you can follow us here ZuneThings.

Zune 4 GB and 8 GB Speical Prices - Limited Time!

2008-04-22T04:25:00.003+01:00

We now have a limited time special price on all colours of Zune 4 GB and Zune 8GB

	Zune 4 GB Black (2nd Generation)	~~�109.99~~ �99.99
	Zune 4 GB Green (2nd Generation)	~~�109.99~~ �99.99
	Zune 4 GB Pink (2nd Generation)	~~�109.99~~ �99.99
	Zune 4 GB Red (2nd Generation)	~~�109.99~~ �99.99
	Zune 8 GB Black (2nd Generation)	~~�139.99~~ �119.99
	Zune 8 GB Green (2nd Generation)	~~�139.99~~ �119.99
	Zune 8 GB Pink (2nd Generation)	~~�139.99~~ �119.99
	Zune 8 GB Red (2nd Generation)	~~�139.99~~ �119.99

ZuneThings Site Update

2008-04-09T02:33:00.002+01:00

All,

Just a quick note to apologise if you have experienced the ZuneThings site running slowly in the last few days. We have had some issues with our hosting provider and are in the process of moving ZuneThings to a new host.

So, please bear with us and things should be back to normal very soon.

All orders placed are being processed so you should not experience any delay.

Thanks!

ZuneThings

Zune 80 in Stock and on Sale at ZuneThings

2008-03-18T16:22:00.004Z

ZuneThings have a huge supply of Zune 80 now available for 1-2 day delivery to UK and 3-4 day delivery to all of Europe.

The price has also been reduced to �174.99 until the end of March 2008 and still includes Free Shipping.

Zune Europe in Autumn 2009

2008-03-18T16:03:00.005Z

Anything But iPod are reporting that Francois Ruault, a Director in Microsoft France has stated that the Zune will be released in Autumn 2009, to capitalise on the 2009 Christmas season. You can see the full report in French here.

This European release will be for a new 3rd generation version of the device - although we don't have any details yet of what might be new on this device. There will also be a new European version of the Zune Marketplace. This should bring the music rental model to Zune users in Europe (in US, you can pay $14.99/month and download as many songs as you want and these will play on the Zune. Of course once you stop paying the music 'deactivates').

If you don't want to wait so long for your Zune, then ZuneThings can supply all current models and Zune Accessories to Europe right now!

Zune 30 GB Black and Red only �119.99

2008-01-01T20:55:00.001Z

Red and Black 30GB Zunes are now only �119.99 at ZuneThings for a limited time.

Happy New Year: Zune 80 in UK Stock

2008-01-01T20:04:00.001Z

Good news! We now have plenty of the Zune 80 in UK stock ready to ship. We also expect to have no stock issues for the foreseeable future. Look out for more Zune cases for the new Zunes coming in the next few weeks. Happy New Year!

Zune 80