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39-718: PlaysForSure was introduced in 2004. In 2007, Microsoft rebranded and scaled back "PlaysForSure" into the subset Certified for Windows Vista . Microsoft's Zune worked only with its own content service called Zune Marketplace , not PlaysForSure. The Zune and PlaysForSure music were both Certified for Windows Vista, yet the Zune could not play PlaysForSure music purchased from the MSN Music Store. Microsoft announced that as of August 31, 2008, PlaysForSure content from their retired MSN Music store would need to be licensed to play before this date or burned permanently to CD, although this decision

78-492: A "high-profile underdog alternative to Apple's iPod " where other Windows Media MP3 players from Creative , iriver , and Samsung had not succeeded. At midnight on December 31, 2008, many first generation Zune 30 models froze. Microsoft stated that the problem was caused by the internal clock driver written by Freescale and the way the device handles a leap year . It automatically fixed itself 24 hours later, but an intermediate "fix", for those who did not wish to wait,

117-438: A 30 GB hard drive, 3-inch screen, and a simple directional pad for menu navigation. The second generation of Zune devices includes the Zune 4, 8, 16, 80 and 120. The Zune 4, 8, and 16 are smaller in size and have 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB of flash memory respectively. All second generation Zunes have a Zune Pad instead of the original directional pad that was included on the Zune 30. Microsoft released an upgrade to

156-553: A Windows PC. Zune software was then succeeded as a desktop sync app by the Windows Phone App for Windows Phone 8. The first Zune model, the Zune 30 , was released in the USA on November 14, 2006, featuring a capacity of 30 gigabytes, FM radio, and a 3-inch screen. The Zune 30 was initially available in black, brown and white. Retail packages contained a pair of basic earbuds, a USB sync cable,

195-401: A Zune device to communicate with other Zune devices to share pictures and songs. A free firmware update added the new software features to the original Zune 30, and was released on November 13, 2007. The Zune 80 came bundled with a USB connection cord and premium headphones. The Zune 4 and 8 come with a USB connection cord and basic headphones. The Zune 30 , the original Zune music player, has

234-556: A device with a PC, UI performance (time between pressing "play" and hearing music), gapless playback, and so on. Only audio content were ever offered by PlaysForSure content providers; although Microsoft provided a PlaysForSure certification for video content, as well as a variety of PlaysForSure-certified portable and network video players that could play PlaysForSure-certified video, if it were offered, no online store offered video content that would be certified to play on all PlaysForSure video players. A 2005 court case strongly criticised

273-425: A new touchpad-style input device ("squircle") and new software. Additional file support for H.264 and MPEG-4 formats was also included, whereas the older Zune 30 requires these formats to be transcoded to WMV prior to sync. The ability to sync wirelessly (automatically if connected to a power supply), podcast support, and an upgraded song-sharing licensing became available on all models. The new software also allowed

312-432: A small drawstring pouch, a start-up CD, documentation and a 14-day free trial of the premium Zune Pass streaming service. The Zune 80 was announced on October 2, 2007, along with the smaller Zune 4 and Zune 8 to compete with Apple's iPod nano line. These were to be known as the second generation of Zune devices. The Zune 80 featured a 3.2-inch screen, while the Zune 4 and 8 come with a 1.8-inch screen. Both come with

351-491: A third-party patch. This device release marked the first time Zune firmware was released for the Zune line that did not provide new features for older models. These models were given a firmware update as version 3.2. The second and last wave of the third-generation (Zune HD 64 GB) released in April 2010. The same day, desktop and firmware updates introduced SmartDJ and codec features. The firmware update brought picks and improved

390-638: A unifying media platform across PCs, devices, and televisions (3-screen strategy). Its operating system was a specialized version of Windows CE ,. In 2007, Microsoft discontinued licensing the platform. All PMCs are able to play audio files in MP3 and display images in JPEG . Also, they support Microsoft's proprietary formats: Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Video (WMV). Other video formats will either be supported by each individual PMC, or transcoded though Windows Media Player . Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)

429-1007: Is OLED , 3.3 inches, and has a 480×272 16:9 resolution. Also included are Wi-Fi, a custom Internet Explorer browser, and an accelerometer. Zune devices featured preloaded audio and video content from various artists, including Wisin & Yandel , BT , The Thermals , Paul Oakenfold , and CSS . Limited edition, promotional, and employee-gift Zune devices also featured unique content of varying kinds (i.e. pictures, videos, music, and/or audio/video podcasts). 2007 (Upgradable up to 128 GB with either an HDD or SSD) (Upgradable up to 128 GB with either an HDD or SSD) (Upgradable up to 128 GB with either an HDD or SSD) wireless multiplayer gaming / wireless shopping from Zune devices as of September 16, 2008 (with firmware update) Wi-Fi Zune Marketplace / Web browsing magenta, orange (4 GB blue via all means, 8 GB blue in retail only, 16 GB blue via Zune Originals only) (16 GB black

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468-501: Is a portable media player (PMP) platform developed by Microsoft . Announced at the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and released in early 2004, it was originally positioned as a competitor to Apple's iPod . All its hard drive -based players use a graphical user interface (GUI) modeled after Media Center , a software portal bundled with Windows XP Media Center Edition . Manufacturers of PMC devices included Creative , Philips , iriver , Samsung , and Toshiba . The platform

507-507: Is glossy finish only & 4/8GB black is mate finish only) (Red previously available only as a Valentine's Day promotion, but later as via Zune Originals) (Blue available via Zune Originals only) (Platinum 32 GB, black 16 GB, and all sizes of red/blue/green/purple/magenta available via Zune Originals only.) White (1090) Brown (1091) Pink (1092) Red (1093) Magenta (?) Orange (?) Portable Media Center Portable Media Center (PMC)

546-576: The Microsoft KIN ONE and KIN TWO mid 2010, the Zune music services and features from the Zune HD became available on Microsoft's mobile phones. Shortly following the failure of the KIN line, Windows Phone 7 released and included the same Zune music app that was present on KIN. December of that same year, the rerelease of the KIN phones (whose names were denoted simply with "m" as ONEm and TWOm) yet again included

585-519: The Microsoft PlaysForSure DRM protocol. After only two years, Microsoft announced the closing of MSN Music in 2006 immediately before announcing the Zune service without PlaysForSure support. In 2008, Microsoft shut down the MSN Music licensing servers for PlaysForSure only two years after promising users the servers would be available for five years. The Portable Media Center platform

624-477: The Zune software media player for Windows PCs which also acted as desktop sync software for Windows Phone . The Zune started and revolved around its line of portable media players (PMP) created in cooperation with Toshiba . Microsoft aimed to challenge and beat Apple , whose iPod line held an enormous market share. Three hard disk players ranging from 30 GB to 120 GB were released, alongside six flash players. However, its overall market share in

663-483: The Apple iPod, and a recent study by NPD Group indicated that the Zune did not make the list of the five best-selling portable music players in the U.S. The iPod has been more successful because of simplicity and had better ratings. It has also been suggested that there is a much larger trend that standalone music players were giving way to smartphones with personalized, app-driven music. On October 3, 2011, Microsoft announced

702-750: The TV-out experience on the Zune HD. From Summer 2010, United Airlines started to offer Zune in-flight audio by means of 21 playlists that are very similar to the Zune Channels offered on the Zune Marketplace. Each channel offers up to 3 hours of unique programming ranging from classic rock, contemporary pop, opera, electronica, piano jazz, and others. On March 15, 2011, Microsoft announced that no new Zune hardware players would be developed, although existing models would remain for sale. The Zune had failed to capture significant market share after five years against

741-595: The U.S. remained low, well below Apple and also lagging the SanDisk Sansa and Creative Zen . Microsoft discontinued all Zune hardware in October 2011. Zune digital content distribution continued until 2012, when it was replaced by the Xbox Music and Xbox Video brands. Zune music and devices were follow-on to Microsoft's MSN Music service. MSN Music was created in 2004 to compete with Apple's iTunes services and used

780-586: The Zune HD. The user interface of the Zune devices, particularly the Zune HD, served as the inspiration for the user interface of Windows Phone. Microsoft refers to the design language of this user interface as Metro and continued to use it in their products moving forward from Zune HD. (Products with elements of Metro: Microsoft Band & Band 2 , KIN , WP7 , WP8 , Windows 8 , W10M , Windows 10 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One and S/X, and Xbox Series S/X .) On October 11, 2010, Microsoft released Zune software v4.7, which supports syncing of Windows Phone 7 devices with

819-542: The Zune music and video player. The article has been widely quoted over the Internet and by news agencies. However, a Microsoft representative for Zune business development denied this rumor saying that the Windows Phone platform introduction should be considered to be the annual Zune update for 2010. All Windows Phone devices include capacitive multi-touch screens, FM radios, Wi-Fi , and certain other features included on

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858-440: The Zune music app, though the phones themselves were now feature-phones instead of smartphones. Each of these first generation Windows Phone smartphones were supported by the Zune desktop software in addition to the Zune devices. Microsoft announced and released new versions of the Zune devices once a year until 2010. In March 2011, Bloomberg.com published an article claiming that Microsoft would stop introducing new versions of

897-508: The device while connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi was also introduced. To help push this feature, Microsoft partnered with Wayport to allow Zune devices to access its network of over 10,000 wireless hotspots, including those at McDonald's restaurants. Zune Pass customers in the United States could also now download 10 tracks to keep per month in addition to the existing subscription-dependent unlimited music downloads. The first wave of

936-564: The discontinuation of all Zune hardware, encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone. Later, the announcement was removed and a Zune Support Team member tweeted that the page was added to the website in error. Finally, despite previous denials, the original announcement of the Zune hardware's discontinuation was restored to the Zune Support site. In Autumn 2009, movies and TV shows became available through streaming or download through Zune Video Marketplace on Xbox 360. On November 4, 2010,

975-399: The goal to "develop new technologies so consumers can enjoy whole-home entertainment, communications and control experiences where, when and however they want them" and "develop an entire ecosystem of PCs, digital devices, intelligent home appliances and services that will easily and cost-effectively transform average households into next-generation digital homes." The Windows Media Center name

1014-503: The judge's behest. Microsoft Zune Zune was a brand of digital media products and services that was marketed by Microsoft from November 2006 until it was discontinued in June 2012. Zune consisted of a line of portable media players , a music subscription service known as Zune Music Pass plus Zune Marketplace for music, TV and movies, streaming services for the Xbox 360 game console, and

1053-514: The music portion of the Zune Marketplace was brought to Xbox. This coincided with the launch of the Kinect and Kinect owners can navigate the application menus using hand gestures, without a controller. Users must have a Zune Pass subscription to play music in the application, and only Zune Pass content is available. Locally saved music must still be played through the Xbox's native media library. Starting with

1092-605: The name Toshiba 1089 as registered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) starting in 2006. Xbox 360 overseer J Allard ran the project, codenamed "Argo", staffed with Xbox and MSN Music Store developers who worked on "Alexandria", finalized as Zune Marketplace. Both products were later united under the Zune brand name in the U.S. market. While some features were praised, the initial Zune has been regarded with derision and jokes for its bulky size and brown color, with CNET regarding it at best as

1131-585: The software was completely re-written and featured a new user interface. Zune devices feature games developed using an early version of XNA Game Studio 3.0, released in May 2008, allowed developers to work on games for Zune devices. The second and last wave of the second-generation (Zune 16 and 120) released in September 2008, coinciding with the release of the Zune Software 3.0 update. Included in this firmware update

1170-469: The software/firmware for all Zune models, including the Zune 30. On May 26, 2009, Microsoft announced the Zune HD, the first Zune with touch screen. The Zune HD has HD Radio and the ability to display video in high definition through a docking station (sold separately). The screen is multi-touch enabled and uses gestures such as swiping and pinching throughout the player. The device comes with 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB of flash memory. The screen

1209-414: The third-generation (Zune HD 16 GB and 32 GB) released in September 2009. On the same day, the 4.0 software update of the desktop software was released to support the new devices. In addition, it became possible for Zune Pass subscribers to stream tracks through a computer's web browser. Zune 4.0 also supports internet radio streams but this feature is disabled by default and can only be enabled by

Microsoft PlaysForSure - Misplaced Pages Continue

1248-428: The touch-sensitive Zune Pad, which was shaped like a squircle . The 4 and 8 GB Zune devices use flash memory and are smaller in size than the 80 GB version, which uses a hard drive. The 30 GB Zune was not redesigned, although it received a software update that brought its interface in line with the second generation models. At the same time, the Zune 2.0 software was released for Windows PCs. This version of

1287-410: The wording of a Microsoft licensing agreement related to portable devices. The license prohibited makers of portable devices compatible with Windows Media Player from using non-Microsoft audio encoding formats. Microsoft indicated that the wording of their license was poorly written due to an oversight by a junior Microsoft employee. Microsoft quickly amended their stringently worded license agreement at

1326-474: Was also a predecessor of Zune, based on a specialized version of Windows CE . November 13, 2007 ( Zune 4, 8 , 80 ) June 13, 2008 ( Zune 4, 8 , 80 ) September 16, 2008 ( Zune 16 , 120 ) September 15, 2009 ( Zune HD 16, 32 ) The first-generation Zune device was created by Microsoft in close cooperation with Toshiba , which took the design of the Gigabeat S and redeveloped it under

1365-471: Was conceived in line with Microsoft's Windows Media Center strategy, where the idea was to have a single media management interface that would be used on both PCs and in consumer devices, including televisions and handhelds. The strategy was developed by Microsoft's Windows Embedded group in partnership with the eHome Division, which formed in February 2001 and started partnerships with companies like Samsung with

1404-404: Was created with the release of a Windows XP product edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition, geared towards this ecosystem. Codenamed Media2Go , it was later rebranded as Windows Mobile software for Portable Media Centers , before being named Portable Media Center . The Portable Media Center was succeeded by Zune , and served as the basis for its software. Zune had similar aims to provide

1443-859: Was later reversed. With the exception of Windows Media Player, all of the PlaysForSure offerings were made or run by 3rd-party companies, while Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division developed and marketed the Zune. There exist many tests to obtain PlaysForSure certification. The most commonly referenced requirements include the ability to play files encoded in Windows Media Audio or Windows Media Video format with Windows Media DRM digital rights management , used by Windows Media Player versions 10 and 11. For this, portable devices must implement Janus (WMDRM-PD), and network-attached devices must implement an interface to Cardea (WMDRM-ND). However, other important requirements include time to synchronize

1482-410: Was the ability to tag and later purchase songs heard on FM radio, channels which can be customized to deliver suggested songs for the user, the games Hexic and Texas Hold' em were added, support for audiobooks from online stores such as Audible.com and others that support OverDrive media files, a clock, and changed quicklist functionality. The ability to purchase songs from Zune Marketplace on

1521-445: Was to drain the device's battery and then recharge after 12 noon GMT on January 1, 2009. The first generation and later Zune devices included a number of social features, including the ability to share songs with other Zune users wirelessly. Songs that had been transferred over Wi-Fi could then be played three times over three days. The first wave of the second-generation (Zune 4, 8, and 80, manufactured by Flextronics ), introduced

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