November 2006 Archives

Is there anyone out there in reader-land who has a PC, a Zune, a USB Sniffer and some development experience? I'm dying to see what's going on during a Zune sync so that I can figure out how to simulate...... read more

Device Certificate after the jump....... read more

Here are the folder and device properties specifically for my Zune, plus its supported filetypes. I'm guessing the Sync partner is the one computer that my Zune hosts to. Biff is the meta-syntactic name I selected as my Zune ID....... read more

This one is really long, so I've hidden most of it behind the jump. Here are the Playable File/Object Types and the object properties supported for each one....... read more

Supported operations: 1001: Get device info 1002: Open session 1003: Close session 1004: Get storage IDs 1005: Get storage info 1006: Get number of objects 1007: Get object handles 1008: Get object info 1009: Get object 100b: Delete object 100c:...... read more

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:...... read more

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...... read more

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

"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...... read more

"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...... read more

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...... read more

"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,...... read more

According to online Zune docs, it is not. Given that Vista is supposed to ship any second, this seems like bad planning to say the least on Microsoft's part....... read more

According to a Bloomberg.com report, Microsoft plans to "eventually" add video-sharing to the Zune and may add a Zunephone model to the line. "The race is on," CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly said. "I'm confident we can keep up. They have...... read more

"Sex & Mayhem" by DevastationsSince moving to Berlin in 2003, the Devastations have traveled around Europe, where their first album was hailed as the best debut of 2004 by Billboard Germany. This track is from their highly anticipated sophomore release,...... read more

"Stunning" by 8mmFormer Trent Reznor/Marilyn Manson collaborator Sean Beavan and wife Juliette conjure a moody L.A.-via-New Orleans groove, matching sultry vocals with subtle, pre-ominous whisps of ambient noise-fear. [Nov 13] US only. Napster Freebies Page. More freebies after the jump....... read more

Zune Disection [GearLive]Taking the Zune apart and putting it back together. Zune Marketplace Walkthough Video [ZuneDashOnline]10 minute walkthrough of the new software. Promote Zune? Rocketboom says "no". [DemBot]Why use a Zune logo on your site if you can't contractually say...... read more

"Nothing Like Your Touch" by Vikter DuplaixThis multi-talented Philly DJ/producer/singer/instrumentalist specializes in steamy bedroom music. Having taken a break from his work with other artists, he now applies his skills to his own material, which is just right for romance....... read more

"Can't Get Enough (California Edit)" by B2DanceSince hitting paydirt in 2004 with the chart-busting Halloween dance track "Gonna Get Ye," this NYC act continues to build its reputation for producing dependable floor-fillers. [Nov 11] US only as far as I...... read more

You need to sign up for a (free) Napster account in order to access these free MP3 files. Here's the direct link to the Napster download page. "Nothing Like This" by J DillaTaken from the Adult Swim/Stones Throw compilation Chrome...... read more

According to the Zune Insider website, Universal Music Group will receive a device royalty on every Zune sold. Specifics of the deal are not forthcoming from either Microsoft or Universal, but the article suggests that a portion of the royalty...... read more

Today's download suddenly switched from a simple URL to a big-old-complicated one, suggesting that Napster is going to be a little more protective about its new free download program. If the link I provided does not work for you, visit...... read more

"Mandrake" by Chrisopher BlueCompared to the likes of Tom Waits and Bono, this singer-songwriter describes his style as "American road music tied into a noose knot swinging in the wind." What does that sound like? Download this song and find...... read more

According to Yahoo News, starting 22 November, Microsoft will offer new TV and video XBox Live content. TV Shows are expected to retail at $1.99. Movies will probably rent for $3.99 for 24 hours. Media reports are spinning this product...... read more

You need to sign up for a (free) Napster account in order to access these free MP3 files. "The Young Idealists" by Lloyd ColeA sharply observed look at youth and politics from the journeyman singer-songwriter and former Commotions leader. One...... read more

Zune Website Zunerama put together a nifty graphic of the Zune menu structure. It based its tree on the various reviews, demo videos and so forth floating around the net. As you'd expect, Music, Video and Picture playback functions...... read more