Microsoft's attempt at hatching up an iPod competitor back in 2006 didn't go so well. It launched the Zune music player back on November 14, 2006. Through six years of support, the growing lineup of Zune players outgrew the demand for them (and Windows Phone 7 devices). And so, they were discontinued in 2012. But the music services behind the player went onward. That is, they will be going up to November 15 of this year. Microsoft is migrating its Xbox and Zune music services into Groove, what's basically now the unified music client for Microsoft devices. If you used to pay $9.99 for a ...

Today you may have noticed a new terms of service pop-up on either the Windows Phone marketplace or the Zune desktop software. Johan van Mierlo certainly did, and took the photo above to prove it. One of the things that shows up is an opt-in check-box for "Personalize My Music".  I'm pretty sure this has always been part of the Zune desktop side of things, but the option hadn't appeared on Windows Phone before, probably because Windows Phone does not have the music personalization features that the Zune desktop software and previous Zune devices did. In case you're not familiar, the Zune ...

The Bing mobile website, m.bing.com, has seen a major update recently. Unfortunately, the update does not work on Windows Mobile Classic, but it will work great on the Zune HD and KIN phones. The update brings Bing's mobile website a bit closer to the functionality and design aesthetics of the desktop version. It now shows information cards where possible instead of just a list of links as before. Switching from portrait to landscape orientations even resizes and reformats the mobile site. That means you don't have to pinch/zoom/pan everywhere to make it fit, which is a great feature. ...

As you know, J. Allard has announced his retirement from Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division even though there was a lot of creativity and innovation that's come out of that team lately. Here's an interesting look at said team that gives some insight into the creative workflow that has spawned products such as Zune, Xbox, and Windows Phone 7. (via Facebook)

Most "smart" phones these days are really dumb when it comes to outdoor screen readability. Sure, the screen looks great when you're inside with the lights out, but when you're actually mobile and need to use some mobile-related feature of your phone, it turns out you can't see anything on the screen. Luckily the KIN phones are designed for people who do have lives that take place outdoors and the screen was designed to accommodate. While it's not as good as the screens from 10 years ago, it's still going to be quite usable at the beach or sitting by the pool. Here's the KIN Two next to ...

Since we're such big fans of the Zune music service, we were very curious and a bit excited about the KIN phones since they're the first phones to support Zune. Here's our video comparison between the Zune HD and the KIN Two. Both devices are paired with a Zune Pass subscription so that you can get the full experience. What's certainly awesome about having a phone with Zune Pass support built in is that you have streaming Zune pass and music download support from anywhere that you've got internet reception. So say you're in the car and a passenger wants to know if you have any so-and-so ...

If Windows Mobile represented Microsoft's corporate mobile strategy, KIN represents a consumer-centric user experience approach that signifies effortless hardware and software integration in a sleek, comfortable package for novice smartphone users. If Microsoft plays its cards right with hardware partner Sharp and carrier partners Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, KIN may be just the tip of the iceberg in luring users to the more advanced Windows Phone platform, marked by the release of Windows Phone 7 later this year. At first glance, the KIN can be criticized for not being full featured ...

I'm sorry, but no, this article doesn't have anything to do with running Zune on your Android (although I think that would be very, very cool). I started out as a Microsoft Fanboy. Every day I carried my Windows Mobile phone, Zune, and even sported a Microsoft S.P.O.T. watch. When Android hit version 1.6 I defected from my AT&T Tilt to an Android-powered T-Mobile G1 (and later to the Nexus One) but I was still packing my Zune around with me for months afterward. Constantly looking for ways to simplify my life with technology, I started replacing things I typically did with my Zune with my ...

Microsoft announced today that its newest mobile operating system Windows Phone 7 Series will be open source. The announcement came early this morning out of Redmond stating that developers will be able to create their own programs starting with the official launch of the new operating system in late October. Steve Ballmer explained that, "With so many social networks now having such a grip on the mobile community it only makes sense that we allow third party developers free range over our newest mobile platform. The Zune HD was an experiment to see how future endeavors would increase the ...

Will Windows Phone 7 Series be able to do this kind of thing? We're not sure, but take a look at how a tiny little Zune HD can power a nice big high definition television when connected via an HDMI cable and the Zune HD A/V dock. Unfortunately, when the Zune HD is connected to a big screen TV, the interface is simplified a bit and you don't get access to your applications, internet, marketplace streaming, or social features. Still, being able to play 720p video is pretty cool.

Adam Lein and I are huge Zune Pass fanatics. The service cost $15 per month and gives you unlimited music downloads. While you never actually own the music, the awesome software, music selection, and Zune integration (and soon Windows Phone 7 Series integration) all make this trade-off worth it. Also, you get 10 song credits a month that you can use to download tracks that you own forever. For me, Zune Pass is like a playground. I can spend all day downloading, discovering, and listening to music. With one account, I can access my Zune Pass account from multiple computers with the same ...

HTC has just released news that they will be developing WP7 Series devices to debut later this year. This new mobile operating system is very user friendly and allows HTC to begin developing technologies that will coincide with Windows Phone 7 Series. "Windows Phone 7 Series is a significant milestone for Microsoft, the industry and ultimately people looking to do more on their phones. HTC is working closely with Microsoft to bring the unique HTC experience that customers love," said Peter Chou, chief executive officer of HTC Corporation. "Microsoft has clearly listened to feedback from ...

The new Zune desktop software, Zune HD, and Zune Pass service are pretty fantastic, but do you really need to buy a Zune to take advantage of the excellent $15/month unlimited music subscription (that includes 10 non-protected songs that you can keep each month)? You've already got a Windows Phone that can play music. Who wants to carry around another device? Thanks to the Zune Pass's Digital Rights Management, and Windows Media Player Mobile's DRM support, it's perfectly possible to get all of that unlimited music from your Zune desktop software onto your Windows Phone for portable ...