If you want your first taste of Zune gaming, here is how you do it. Now, we warn you here - this ain't going to be easy.

But it should be a lot of fun.

The XNA 3.0 Games Studio "Community Technical Preview" comes with the ability to "test" Zune games on any Zune with the 2.5 upgrade (or better obviously).

Basically you use the system to put the games on your Zune, play them/test them on you Zune and then go from there.

And, yes, they come with some "demo" games. We've played 'em and, darn it, they're kinda fun.

No cost at this point and a fun look at where Zune Games are going.

Now remember, this is a bit of a "hack" as the real purpose for this product is to test the XNA system against a Zune. But, you smart Zune Luvers know what to do, don't you?

If you've done it, please report your results below. Which is your favorite game?

Technorati Tags: zune game, zune games, xna studio, zune game sneak peak

Microsoft has passed the 2 million mark in Zune sales. Great job guys.

This news came via Electronista who goes on to point out that this ain't even close to iPod's numbers.

Whereas Electronista might think it news that king of the portable media players is Apple, we like to point out that #2, (of which Apple is everywhere else) is heralded by many as not a bad place to be at all.

We love you Zune - here's to 2 million more.

Technorati Tags: zune sells 2 million, zune sales figures

For our friends to North, mark your calendars for June 13 - you'll be legally able to get a Zune then.

According to Electronista, the "devices will be available as of June 13th and will include a slightly different lineup than in the Zune's home country: while keeping the new red Zune 80, the Canadian catalog will drop the less popular green Zune 4 and 8 models."

Congrats Canadians.

Not that being up there prevented you from getting a Zune in the first place - it's still nice to see things official.

Technorati Tags: zune, zune canada

The Spring Update 2008 is ready for download. We've downloaded and are in the process of installing. We chronicle our thoughts (free form) here:

Install happened on first run. Sadly, that hasn't always been the case with Zune software. Good first start.

Had some funky album art / album title problems that don't appear to be fixed out of the box in the this release. If there is a "fix my collection" option or something that I need to run, please let me know.

The television interface looks clean and sharp.

Good to see Battlestar Galactica in there (and who is the fifth Cylon anyway?). Downright silly that you can't get that show at Apple. Of course looking at the titles, they don't have Episode 5 of Season 4 - currently available at Unbox and Hulu. Hmmmm. Last Thursday's "Office" is in there though.

They've updated Ts and Cs so when you login you have to agree - plus further decide how much you want to share with the "community." Pretty easy.

2 Zunes upgraded with no problems - but that's never been a problem before.

Something I really like - small, but very cool - is that the syncing shows percentages on the Zune devices. We pretty much use wireless sync around our house exclusively and never really know much more we have to go.

Well, the upgrade seemed simple enough. No magical fix of some tagging issues - but I'm sure some of the others out there will let us know how to fix that.

There we go. Enjoy.

And I'm sure someone will have problems with the process (someone always does). Feel free to chronicle here.

Technorati Tags: zune, zune spring update, zune 2.5

Updated to include (no) Audible.

I really like what we've got and I don't want to ruin the party (or the "Social") but there are a few things not coming in the Zune 2.5 Spring Update. They are as follows:

Nothing New In Podcasting. As you know, Podcasting is the topic that drives this little piece of Zune fandom. Nothing new to report in this space. Rumors abound but … Of course, Podcasting in the Zune is stronger than the iPod right now (of course, they need to get that directory updated).

No Zune Pass For Video. As cool as it would be, the Zune television show option is the same as the iTunes and Amazon Unbox varietals. $1.99 for a show. No discount for a season (at least right now). Your only unlimited video download option at this option is Vongo - and it still don't work on the Zune.

No Movies. You won't be able to purchase (or rent) any movies through this update. Right now the video content is music video the television show only. Sorry.

No Zune Games. The track for Zune Games is completely independent of this release. We're doing what we can to keep you up to date on this issue too.

No Xbox Integration. This one might bug a few. Television shows purchased on your Xbox won't work on your Zune - and vice versa. They didn't include the integration one would (let's be honest), expect at this point in the game.

No Audible. Although we do hear that is coming soon.

I do want to mention that the point of this post isn't to complain, it's just to make sure that all expectations of the Spring Update are based in reality.

Technorati Tags: zune, zune spring update, zune 2.5

Here's what others are saying about the Zune 2008 Spring Update:

Paul Colligan - Zune Impresses With Spring 2008 Update

ZuneLuv - The Spring Update Overview Report

Zune Insider - Zune Spring Update

Zune Thoughts - Zune 2.5 Spring Update: The Zune Social and Zune 2.5 Spring Update: TV Shows Comes to the Zune Marketplace.

Zunerama - Zune 2.5: Seven things to know

Gizmodo - Zune 2.5 Update Brings TV Shows, More Social Networking, Improved Software Features

Crunchgear - Zune 2.5: video store and facelift in effect

Technorati Tags: zune spring update, zune 2.5

Here is the most complete list of television shows made available in the Zune Spring 2008 Update:

COMEDY CENTRAL - “South Park”

FUNimation - “Afro Samurai” and “Witchblade”

MTV - “The Hills”

NBC - “The Office” “Heroes” and “30 Rock”

Nickelodeon - “SpongeBob SquarePants”

SCI FI Channel - “Battlestar Galactica” and “Eureka,”

Starz - Ghost in the Shell” and “Street Fighter”

Turner Broadcasting - “Metalocalypse” and “Robot Chicken”

UFC - “The Ultimate Fighter®” and “Fight Night™”

VH1’s - “Rock of Love”

Technorati Tags: zune spring update, zune television

Updated: Our Zune 2.5 Spring Update Review Roundup. That should keep you clicking for awhile.

Sometime the morning of May 6, the Zune Spring 2008 update will be made available to all Zune owners.

We got a sneak peek at what's coming (and think it's pretty cool) and wanted to give you the heads up. It's good to be an MVP.

Television On The Zune

Starting tomorrow …

More than 800 episodes of popular television series to download and watch (on the desktop and to sync to the Zune) including “South Park,” “Afro Samurai,” “Witchblade,” “The Hills,” “The Office,” “Heroes,” “30 Rock,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and a bunch more.

Episodes will be priced at 160 points (about $1.99).

Finally, real competition for the iTunes store. And, just try to get Battlestar Galactica in the iTunes store anymore.

The Expanded Zune Social

It's obvious Microsoft is pushing this one pretty hard. We have a lot of new features in "The Social" - and some of them are very cool. These include: syncing Zune cards with devices, reputation badges, considerably enhanced album are artist reviews and more.

Music fans will love this part.

Simply, Apple doesn't have anything close to this and there are some really interesting options in this space. Instead of the generic album review databases out there, you can actually find what your friends think about the music their listening to. This whole concept of exploring music together in "The Social" actually has a chance with this release.

Being able to see on my player what my friends are listening to, take it home and do something about it - very cool.

At last, the wireless is being put to some good use.

And, don't worry, this ain't just something for the big names. You're going to find some bones tossed in for the indie folks out there.

An Enhanced Zune Experience

New features here include: Auto Playlists, Better Album and Track Information Editing, Collections, Gapless Playback and Group Syncing.

Zune hasn't been perfect in the handling of the media files. A number of fixes are promised here and we'll give you a full review of what we've found after we put the software to the test. Our review to this point has been on Microsoft supplied machines. Tomorrow, the real tests come in.

Nothing New In The Podcast Space

I have to mention that there is nothing new in this release for the Podcast part of our little media device. While my mouth waters with the potential for these "Social" features to be opened to the Podcast content, I can at this point only hope it's coming one day.

Not that Apple has that either.

Technorati Tags: zune, zune update, zune spring update, zune television

According to the good folk at Gizmodo, Microsoft is "finding ways to integrate and work with Danger's 250-man staff."

For those of whom this sounds like gibberish, "Danger" is the maker of the popular Sidekick Phone.

Microsoft recently purchased the company (Danger) so … integration between what Danger has and what Zune has actually makes a lot of sense.

For what it's worth, this Zune Luver actually owned a Sidekick Version 1 and loved the phone. The only problem was that it didn't integrate with anything else in this writers world …

Looks like Microsoft might be changing that.

Not, this is by no means the start of anything - but it is the first time Microsoft has admitting in public that they have plans to put some Zune Luvin on any phone.

Technorati Tags: zune, zuneluv.com, danger phone, sidekick, zune phone

According to Engadget, the first "Community Technology Preview" for the XNA stuff (that allows for Zune gaming) is coming in May.

Also according to the article, "Zune games can support ad-hoc wireless play with up to eight players, the devices won't support any hardware 3D acceleration."

Makes sense.

They're guessing that the 16 meg for games is a per-game thing.

Also makes sense.

And 16 meg for a game is very decent indeed.

Anyone else heard otherwise?

Technorati Tags: zune, zune games, zune gaming, xna