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If you’re a Zune user, by now you’ve probably installed the Zune 4.2.x client software. There are a lot of cool new features in this release, including the Smart DJ feature, which I use fairly often. But there’s a lesser-known feature that I ran across that I thought I’d share, which is the ability to...

I’ve been collecting some links to share with my readers for a bit, so without much ado, and in no particular order is some tech potpourri…enjoy! Azure Pricing comparison: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/offers/popup.aspx?lang=en&locale=en-US&offer=COMPARE_PUBLIC Azure special offers: http...

A day late, due to the Columbus Day holiday, but here are the events listed in Community Megaphone for the next week (or so) for the Mid-Atlantic area (note in particular my upcoming appearance at BaltoMSDN this Wednesday, and the CMAP Code Camp on the 25th): Tuesday, October 14, 2008 5:30 PM: October...

Here are the events listed in Community Megaphone for the next week (or so) for the Mid-Atlantic area: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 6:30 PM: CMAP Main Meeting: ASP.NET MVC - This session will introduce attendees to the new ASP.NET MVC framework while building a real-world application. "Separation of...

I am definitely looking forward to this. Hope to see blue in the the larger sizes, too. I think it’s fair to say that the WiFi features are definitely coming into their own. More information here . Oh, and all of the new features will be available for ALL Zunes, including the original Zune 30. No device...

The XNA Creators Club website has a nice step-by-step walkthrough of creating a game for your Zune , including a cool sample game with very nice graphics and play style: Are you ready to start programming games for your Zune? All you need is the XNA Game Studio 3.0 CTP and any model of the Zune media...

I was privileged to join JD Lewin, Nic Fillingham, and Brian Johnson for the latest episode of their podcast. Among the topics, Maker Faire, sensitive robots, the EEE PC, Zune 2.5 (including Zune games), and more: JD, Nic, and Brian Podcast - Episode 7 You can find links to stuff mentioned in the podcast...

Very cool...time for games on Zune! Today, we are delivering the first Community Technical Preview (CTP) of XNA Game Studio 3.0, giving you the ability to build games for the entire family of Zune media devices. This feature gives you access to the majority of the XNA framework APIs while retaining a...

The Zune team has dropped the latest software and firmware, and you can download it from zune.net , or update from within the Zune client. Among the features of note: Gapless playback (yay for Pink Floyd fans everywhere!) Video Marketplace (get your Heroes fix on your Zune) Autoplaylist support Metadata...

Gizmodo's got pictures and video of Zauri, the Zune game prototype that was shown at the Game Developer Conference. Click the link at the bottom to check out the video: I got a chance to see first hand what the newly announced Zune gaming platform could look like. It's important to keep in mind that...

Engadget has the first pics I've seen of an XNA game running on Zune, take a look here: http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/20/games-for-zune-details-hands-on/ Games for Zune details, hands-on - Engadget

This looks pretty sweet: Now available at Zuneoriginals.net . I've already got an 8GB in green and a 4GB in red, but this is pretty tempting, since I gave away my 30GB old school Zune, and I do find that I miss the capacity to have everything on it all the time. Order by Feb. 4th to get it for your Valentine...

If you have been seeing issues with your song/album metadata after upgrading to the V2 Zune software, you may want to try the Zune Media Collection Reset Tool . I was able to resolve the few issues I had with my collection by wiping and re-syncing my Zune 30, so I haven't had need to try this tool. But...

Admittedly, a somewhat esoteric topic/tip, but I ran into this recently, so I figured there may be other folks who can benefit... I've got a Dell Latitude D820 laptop, running 64-bit Windows Vista Ultimate, and I've occasionally wanted to be able to use my laptop as a speaker system for my Zune when...

So I've installed the new Zune desktop software, and updated my brown (yes, I have brown and I like it, thank you very much!) Zune 30GB to the new 2.2 firmware, and having had most of a day to use both, I'm pretty pleased, particularly given that the improved functionality and ease-of-use cost me nothing...

Fun opportunity for someone passionate about Zune and writing: Have a lot to say about the Zune players? Always wanted to write for a well established blog? We want to hear from you right now! Cliczune is currently looking for guest and senior editors. Send us information about you and your previous...

...and a new look for Zune.net :

This looks cool: In June, I recounted my out-of-the-box experience with a new Dell PC running Windows Vista, starting with a failed BIOS upgrade , undergoing a successful repair , and establishing that the basic hardware and software setup was rock-solid . The reason I bought this PC in the first place...

Here's a video of the Ford/Microsoft Sync system in action . And here's the Sync My Ride site. It's getting more tempting...especially given that both my phone (Moto Q) and Zune are prominently featured.

...or other device: If you'll be buying one of the 12 vehicles in the Ford , Lincoln or Mercury brands with the option to get your music, phone and text messaging all in Sync via bluetooth, we've now found out you'll be able to get the Microsoft -Ford accessory for less than the cost of an iPhone and...

This sounds intriguing: PowerPoint Presentations On The Zune One of the things that I started using my Zune for within days after I bought it is PowerPoint presentations. By using pictures as slides the Zune is surprisingly effective for this task if you follow a few guidelines and best practices. Going...

These look pretty cool: Let the music flow—from your stereo Bluetooth enabled mobile phone—and never miss a call with the Plantronics Pulsar 260 headset. As you jam to your favorite tracks, you’ll never be out of touch. Catch all your incoming calls with the touch of a button and then seamlessly switch...

Charlie Owen shows how . via Sean Alexander

Think that you missed it all because you didn't make it to MIX 07? Think again...the http://www.visitmix.com/ web site has tons of videos, as well as downloadable session materials, including recorded presentations in Silverlight (as well as in both iPod and Zune formats, and WMV), slides, and more....

One question I've seen come up frequently is how to convert xyz video format for Zune. If you're technically inclined, a great way to convert a wide variety of video formats is Windows Media Encoder . But Windows Media Encoder isn't as approachable for the non-videophile as Windows Movie Maker, for example...