Windows Vista Team Blog : Zune

Zune software and firmware 1.3 update

Nick White — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:56:00 GMT

Earlier this week, the Zune Team released an update to the Zune client software and Zune device firmware. Some of the major improvements include fixing a skipping problem affecting content acquired from the Zune Marketplace, and FM tuner changes to prevent battery drain. Also with this release come device and software reliability and performance improvements.

The relevant point here is that the release was delivered via Windows Update, which detects the new Zune software and advises you to install it (assuming you have chosen to get updates via Windows Update, which is advisable).

You'll soon see more MS applications putting to use the power of Windows Update for distributing software releases.

Vanishing Point Trip-to-Space Winner Announced, Webcast Today at 2:30PM CST

Nick White — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:10:00 GMT

Today Windows Vista and AMD announced that William Temple of California, USA has won the Vanishing Point grand prize, which includes a trip to see the ultimate vista -- the earth from space courtesy of Windows Vista, AMD and Rocketplane. The team at Windows, AMD and Rocketplane are hosting a conference call and webcast at 2:30PM CST today to answer your questions on everything from Vanishing Point to space flight. Click here to join and type in meeting id 9XK464. Astronaut and Rocketplane Commander John Herrington will also be joining to answer any questions about space flight.

Will has won a great prize package including the trip to space, along with a Windows Vista-based, AMD-powered Dell desktop PC; a 24-inch widescreen monitor; a Zune™ digital media player; an Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system; three Games for Windows® game titles; a Microsoft® LifeCam VX-6000 webcam; Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007; and $50,000 cash.

Vanishing Point was a global puzzle game that played out online and in the real world to celebrate the launch of Windows Vista. Clues were delivered via spectacular events, such as a custom light show in the fountains of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, skywriting and gorgeous building projections around the world, and a fireworks finale in Seattle. You can check out the conversation tracking it here.

Vanishing Point was one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time, and the Windows Team and I enjoyed meeting some of you at the finale in Seattle. Be sure and check out the webcast, and congratulations to Will!

An update on Zune compatibility

Nick White — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:59:00 GMT

Our friend Cesar Menendez from the Zune Insider has posted that the Zune Team will be releasing updated PC software and device firmware today at 10am PDT. You can grab the updated software from Zune.net at that point. Once you have the new software installed, you should be able to update the firmware on your Zune to version 1.2.

Originally, the Zune Team planned to make this Windows Vista-compatible software available around the same time Windows Vista would be available to the general public (i.e., 30 Jan). It looks like they were able to beat the clock, and just in time for the holidays :)