USB low-level info: bcdUSB: 512 bDeviceClass: 255 bDeviceSubClass: 0 bDeviceProtocol: 0 idVendor: 045e idProduct: 0710 IN endpoint maxpacket: 512 bytes OUT endpoint maxpacket: 512 bytes Device flags: 0x00000000 Device info: Manufacturer: Microsoft Model: Zune Device version: 01.01.00322.00-00309 Serial number: 14badbab - 0aee704e - 80bd1ff8 - 8ee00652 Vendor extension ID: 0x00000006 Vendor extension description: microsoft.com: 1.0; microsoft.com/WMDRMPD: 10.1; microsoft.com/WMPPD: 11.1;...

US only. Napster Freebies Page. "Boy Soprano" by Xiu XiuNamed after a late-'90s Chinese movie, these Northern California indie experimentalists continue to craft seriously offbeat but surprisingly accessible music, including this track from their new album, The Air Force. [Nov 26] "Don't Believe Everything" by Shane BartellRereleased in 2006, this track from Bartell's 2004 debut album, Too Soon to Say,...

I just uploaded a post over at the Mac Blog about using XNJB to see the contents of your Zune from a Macintosh....

By now you may have heard the news that Microsoft has struck a deal with the Universal Music Group (UMG) whereby Universal stands to gain $1+ on the sale of every Zune device. UMG will also receive royalties for music downloads purchased through the Zune Marketplace. Deals with the other three major labels will undoubtedly follow a similar path. This...

Funny comment over at the Analog Industries blog, where they delight in criticizing pretentious playing: I think I will officially enunciate [Chris] Randall's law: I = 1/Cm The interestingness of the music is inversely proportional to the complexity of the custom MIDI controller. That cracked me up, but I'm always saddened by the vitriol in some of these critiques....

First released for $180 in 2002, the M-Audio Oxygen8 was a breakthrough. This 2-octave USB MIDI controller with eight programmable knobs appealed to a broad audience. Desktop musicians liked it because it had a small footprint and could fit in the limited space on their desks, next to their PC keyboard. Mobile musicians liked it because it wasn't much...

"Let's Get Away" by KieranAfter growing up on a steady diet of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, this Brooklyn-born R&B newcomer teamed up with hitmaker Scott Storch to make Breathe, an album full of tracks like this undeniable floor-filler. [Nov 17] US only. Napster Freebies Page. More freebies after the jump....

"Touchdown Turnaround (Don't Give up on Me)" by HellogoodbyeThis So-Cal group's DIY attitude helped them land a record deal, appearances on MTV's The Real World, and a spot on this year's Vans Warped Tour. This fizzy track, from their latest album, highlights the group's love of dance beats. [Nov 16] US only. Napster Freebies Page. More freebies after the jump....

For some reason, a lot of the Zune documentation is striking me as unintentionally but hilariously salacious. Under Play with Zune, I found the following list of options that made me laugh out loud, particularly the differential between the first and second options: Even the direct URL is a giggle: "http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/howto/play/default.htm". As if Coming Zune weren't enough! Edited to add:...

"Music Fight" by Airpushers (featuring MoZella)The duo of Printz Board and Tim Izo Orindgreff, known for their work with the Black Eyed Peas, began stretching out with their own material in 2004. The resulting album includes this sexy neo-soul track, featuring Detroit chanteuse MoZella. [Nov 15] US only. Napster Freebies Page. More freebies after the jump....