Microsoft Corp’s Zune multimedia player may have failed to quell the market dominance of Apple’s seemingly all-conquering iPod line, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Microsoft is willing to throw in the towel. Far from it in fact.
Microsoft widens Zune appeal with fresh TV content. Image: Microsoft.
More pointedly, the Redmond-based software titan has this week revealed that Zune, its all-in-one digital entertainment brand is to receive an injection of tantalising download content via the Zune online store.
In terms of fresh content, the Zune video store is to offer popular TV downloads from the likes of Comedy Central, FUNimation, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon and Turner Broadcasting.
According to Microsoft, more than 800 episodes of downloadable TV shows are now accessible for watching on either the Zune or a hosting PC, which sees top-end programs such as South Park, The Office, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, The Ultimate Fighter, Afro Samurai, and 30 Rock all being made available. Individual shows will cost Zune users 160 Microsoft Points (which equates to around $1.99 USD).
The addition of a whole host of new TV content now sits alongside the expansive music-based side of the Zune experience. Currently the Zune online store offers up more than 3.5 million tracks, two-thirds of which are available in “pure” MP3 format. There are also 4,800 music videos to choose from alongside 3,500 audio and video podcasts.
Other newly introduced community features and user interface elements coming to the Zune experience include: Enhanced friends search; Instant friends; Artist and album reviews; Reputation badges; Windows Live connections; Auto playlists; Video browsing and previews; Album and track info editing; Gapless playback; and Zune reminders.
View blog reactions
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)
Advertising
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)