Dec 16

Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets!

Posted in: app, apps, Microsoft, Today's Chili, twitter, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

It was a slow rollout today, but the promised Zune HD Twitter app is now live in Marketplace. We’ve been playing with it a little since we got it, and while it’s definitely one of the more attractive mobile Twitter clients we’ve come across, it’s also distressingly laggy: it’s stalled out several times just scrolling a list of tweets, button presses go ignored, and refreshing data seems to cause all sorts of consternation — our Zune’s dropped its WiFi connection several times now. Not sure what’s going on with that, but we’ve definitely seen some far more polished apps running on the Zune, so we’re hoping these glitches get cleaned up soon.

Update: Turns out there’s a bigger problem here than just poor performance — as reader Scott Zero points out, it censors naughty words out of tweets in your timeline. (Seriously — here’s his original tweet that we’ve highlighted above.) Sure, it’s a free app, but this kind of active content censorship just rubs us the wrong way — even worse than Apple’s various Twitter-related App Store shenanigans. Bleh.

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Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 15

Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you?

Posted in: app, Today's Chili, tweet, twitter, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

Poetically enough announced via a tweet, the Zune team has given word that the long-awaited Twitter app is coming to Microsoft’s little media player that could. Coupled with November’s release of 3D games, by our count that leaves only Facebook left as the promised Zune app officially registering M.I.A. More details for tomorrow’s release in the morning, and with so many Twitter apps available on other platforms as case studies, we’ll be expecting some good things here, mkay Redmond?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 02

LinkedIn profiles reveal Windows Mobile 7 clues, folks with really great people skills

Posted in: Microsoft, navigation, Today's Chili, Windows Mobile, WindowsMobile, zune

Much to Ballmer’s chagrin, Windows Mobile 7 is still a rather nebulous thing, but it’s getting a wee bit clearer thanks to some bits and bytes extracted from the LinkedIn profiles of current and former Microsofties and Motorolites, the latter group indicating the company that brought you the Droid is also rather committed to Microsoft’s theoretical new hotness. Various experience line-items reveal that the OS will support Silverlight (natch), will have a new navigation app, and will include much better game support along with some sort of Zune integration — finally. Now, any guesses on how many people will lose their jobs for being so open about what those positions entail?

LinkedIn profiles reveal Windows Mobile 7 clues, folks with really great people skills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 28

Zune HD getting magenta and purple flavors on December 1st

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

Not enough variety in your Zune HD color palette? How about a friendly dab of magenta and purple to mix up the proceedings? Microsoft’s Zune Store is now showing some grayed out selectors for purple and magenta color options for the player, which will apparently be available on December 1st — just in time for something or other. No word on whether these will be available for both 16GB and 32GB versions, but pink already representing on the 32 gigger, we’d really hope Microsoft would spread the love down to the cash strapped.

[Thanks, Jerel]

Zune HD getting magenta and purple flavors on December 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 12

Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th (video)

Posted in: Microsoft, Movies, Music, Today's Chili, twitter, update, xbox, xbox 360, xbox live, Xbox360, XboxLive, zune

Remember all those fantastic features that Microsoft promised were in the works for its Xbox 360 back at E3? Get ready folks, because they’re all arriving in five days. At an undisclosed time on November 17th, users will be able to login to Xbox LIVE and check out the totally bodacious new portals available to kill time and act social without actually combing your hair. As we’d heard, Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm (US and UK only) modules will all be featured, not to mention on-demand 1080p / 5.1-channel HD video through the Zune Video outlet. In case that’s not enough (and be honest, it’s never enough), users will also see a new “News and More” section in the “Inside Xbox” channel with streams from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert. Yeah, Dilbert. Hop on past the break for a few video demonstrations, and then get back to your Modern Warfare 2 binge before your teammates see you slacking off.

Gallery: Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th

Continue reading Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th (video)

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Xbox LIVE gets 1080p Zune Video store, Twitter, Facebook and more on November 17th (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 11

Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

Posted in: Features, Games, Microsoft, Today's Chili, video, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke — the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren’t nearly as intense, but they’re just as smooth. Best of all? They’re free — although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we’d love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

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Zune HD 3D games video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 11

Zune HD Marketplace now loaded with free 3D games

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, gaming, Microsoft, NVIDIA, PMP, tegra, Today's Chili, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

That latest update to the Zune HD’s brainstem has unlocked an extra dimension to the multifunctional device, which can now boast “3D gaming device” among its many accolades. Aside from fixing a significant issue on the music side, the firmware refresh has given the green light for the following games to enter the Marketplace: PGR: Ferrari Edition, Lucky Lane Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Piano, Checkers, and Audiosurf: Tilt. Yep, the music-surfing game that seems almost tailor-made for accelerometer-equipped media players is ready for your ownership and enjoyment. The best part? All the titles are free. So what are you waiting for, pilgrims, get downloadin’ and do come back to tell us how well that Tegra chip performs, won’t you? Full PR after the break.

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Zune HD Marketplace now loaded with free 3D games originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 07

Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Posted in: download, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, Microsoft, Today's Chili, update, video, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

Who says Microsoft ain’t lookin’ out for those who selected its Zune HD over something Designed In Cupertino? Just days after countless owners went berserk over a playcount syncing issue, Microsoft has released a new firmware update that not only solves that very quandary but also adds a gaggle of fantastic new and / or improved features. The v4.3 update is available now by selecting “Player Update” from within the device itself, and with it will come “support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements.” We’re hearing that those “minor improvements” include a snappier browser, so it’s pretty safe to say you’re only harming yourself if you don’t get this download going right now. (Psst… there’s a vid of the new software running after the break.)

[Via MobileTechWorld, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

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Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 27

Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight

Posted in: Microsoft, sync, Today's Chili, zune, zune hd, ZuneHd

This isn’t exactly the same magnitude as last year’s Z2K scare, but it’s still an all-around bummer for all you Zune nuts. According to a spate of complaints posted to the Zune.net forums as of late, certain Zune HD units are not syncing their playcounts properly with the user’s PC and Zune Social accounts. To be a little more specific, it seems that if you let a song play through on the device it will not be counted as played — but if you skip to another tune before it has a chance to complete (but after 20 seconds or so), the play will be counted. A real pain, right? Of course, this is not only bad news for obsessive list keepers, but for Zune Social fans as well: if your listening habits aren’t being properly tabulated, how are you supposed to make new friends and discover new music? Certainly not by going to noisy rock clubs and talking to people! Apparently a Microsoft Zune support team member has acknowledged the issue, but the company has made no statement relating to the bug — or possible firmware fix — as of yet. We’ll keep you posted.

[Thanks, Jon]

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Zune HD stops syncing playcounts with nary a firmware fix in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 22

Steve Ballmer hasn’t seen the Courier video, promises Zune integration in next WinMo release

Posted in: engadget show, EngadgetShow, exclusive, Microsoft, steve ballmer, Today's Chili, zune

We just got off stage with Steve Ballmer, where we garnered a blistering 40 minutes of wild conversation with the man, touching on all things Microsoft. Of course, Windows 7 was at the forefront of talking points, be we also got Ballmer chatting up that Courier vid, and the lack of Zune integration on Windows Mobile. For the former he swears he hasn’t actually seen it, but that it sounds like it’s something someone should make, while for Zune he says Windows Mobile is going to get integration in the next release — which is a comforting thought, if perhaps a bit late. Of course there’s plenty more to what he said, and we’ll have an HD version of the whole show up tomorrow so you can sit back and take it all in if you missed the live shindig.

Update: We’ve uploaded a gallery of photos courtesy of our good friend and podcast producer, Trent Wolbe. Check ’em out!

Gallery: Behind the scenes at The Engadget Show with Steve Ballmer

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Steve Ballmer hasn’t seen the Courier video, promises Zune integration in next WinMo release originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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