Archives For Zune

Video HowTo: Zune HD AV Dock integrated into MINI Cooper S

October 11, 2009

As the number of cars with built-in 3.5mm Aux Audio jacks increases, one has to wonder whether those fancy in-car systems are really needed?  Here you can see how I added  HD Radio, and Remote control support with either a Zune HD AV Dock or Zune HD Sync Dock (which is cheaper but doesn’t include an HDMI cable).  The MINI Cooper S has a built-in USB port and despite the scary warnings from the manufacturer (BMW) regarding unapproved USB devices, it worked perfectly to provide power and charging while the car was on.  Even if you don’t have a USB plug, there are a number of affordable solutions in-market.

The only thing I didn’t do was permanently mount the dock.  Either way, the AV dock is just the right size to mount to a cupholder/organizer/insert, something I intend to add later.   FM reception may vary as well depending on where you put the FM/HD Radio antenna – (the smurf-blue item you see in the still shot above was used to tuck the FM antenna under the carpet).

My only real complaint is needing to control the top-level UI via touch instead of completely from the remote.  This is because the AV dock is designed to be driven from a TV via the HDMI port.  I didn’t have a sync dock to determine if this is also the case  I’m following up with the Zune team to see if this could be a user-option in the future.

(Shot on a Canon HV20 HDV Camera w/ Wide Angle lens, edited in Windows Live Movie Maker on Windows 7 RTM)  Dust courtesy summer in Seattle, WA.)

In Tech, Zune , ,
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NControl mixes iPhone and Windows 7 Media Center together like PB and Chocolate

September 26, 2009

A quick visit over to TheGreenButton.com and I found the latest release of NControl – a versatile Windows Media Center remote control app for iPhone.  NControl is a free iPhone/iPod Touch application that allows you to use your iPhone/iPod Touch as a remote control for your Media Center. It enables users to browse through pictures, video, recorded shows, tv channels, as well as navigate the Media Center interface. It also has a set of standard buttons found on traditional remotes such as play, pause fast forward, rewind, stop, mute and volume.  I really like the tactile “swipe” feature for scrolling through the Windows 7 Media Center menu.

NControl Media Center plugin is also a free download. This plugin will allow the NControl iPhone application to communicate with Media Center and Media Center Extenders. Feel free to install it on as many machines as you please.

Here’s to hoping for a Zune HD version in the future ;)

Download NControl here.

 

In Music, Zune , , ,
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iPhone Game ported to Zune HD in 12 hours

September 22, 2009

Joystiq and Redmond Pie are reporting an iPhone multitiouch game has been ported to Zune in less than a day.  The game, “Wordmonger” is a cross between Bejeweled and Scrabble and was ported using the recently released XNA Game Studio 3.1 (with Zune HD extensions) now available. This is a good sign for those looking forward to more games for Zune HD (homebrew and otherwise).

 

In Mobile, Zune
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Is Zune HD a sellout? (and Zune Video Marketplace on Xbox)

September 19, 2009

I’ve refrained from writing during the launch of Zune as I work with the team, but it’s clear folks are getting the word – Just like Windows 7, Zune makes people “more happy“.  Engadget is now reporting, “If various stores on the internet are to be believed, the Zune HD is selling out in a pretty big way.”  This is all good news for the fledgling device, but what I’m really excited about is Zune Video Marketplace on Xbox 360.  The below video gives you a good overview of the features including the ability to buy or rent a video on one screen and play on all three – the TV, PC, or Zune HD. On the Xbox, you’ll get 1080p streaming over your broadband connection.  I can confirm it really works as-advertised. As for when, I can only say it’s, “Coming soon” ;)

Let us know if you’re hearing about local sellouts as well.  I know the Zune team is working hard to respond to demand.

In HD-DVD, Mobile, Zune , ,
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E3 Roundup (The Story so Far and Project Natal)

June 2, 2009

Capture It’s been a busy past 48 hours for the Microsoft team responsible for the E3 press briefing.  If ever there were concern that E3 has lost its luster, this was the presentation to prove otherwise.  A few of the highlights before I get into the rest:

  • Sir Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and  George Harrison’s wife on-stage to promote Rock Band: The Beatles.  A nice touch that all proceeds from the game developer and Microsoft for download of the song, “All you need is love” is going to Doctors without Borders.
  • Steven Spielberg in the house to lend his voice of support to, “Project Natal“.  This is one that has to be seen to be fully understood.  Full motion capture, facial recognition, and voice control available for every Xbox 360.  To quote Spielberg, “This is a pivotal moment that will carry with it a wave of change, the ripples of which will reach far beyond video games.”
  • Zune is coming to Xbox. Video Marketplace is now powered by Zune and will offer the complete movie library instant on up to 1080p quality – no discs, no delay. And if you want to watch that movie with friends online, you can meet up for a Party online with up to 7 others in a virtual screening room with your friends (you can go full screen as well).  For any fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000, you’ll recognize the concept is primed for Harold and Kumar or  Snakes on a Plane get-togethers online.
  • Last.fm is coming to Xbox 360 as well as Twitter and Facebook. With Facebook Connect, you’ll be able to match your FB friends with their Xbox  LIVE Gamertags making it easier than ever to figure out who Hang1nAr0und8763 is and whether you want to join their party.
  • Sky.TV. This will be one to watch – Sky is bringing their live and on-demand service “Over the Top” and delivering to the Xbox via your broadband connection with no additional hardware required.
  • Lots of Halo goodness. First there’s Halo ODST – Orbital Drop Shock Trooper.  We saw the first in-game cinematics from the opening of the game.  Then we learned Bungie is working on Halo: Reach, a new addition to the Halo canon no doubt in part based on the first Halo novel, “The Fall of Reach“.  I noticed an easter egg during the intro trailer for ODST – you can see in a someone has tagged a wall with graffiti, “Remember Reach” in the New Mombasa area.
  • 1 vs. 100 Beta. On behalf of my team I’m proud to say Xbox LIVE Primetime is off to a good start.  Last night’s opening session filled up in record time as our live events have opened up to the public. Hats off to our beta launch partner, Sprint – in this live-event game-show modeled after Endemol’s own hit TV show real Xbox LIVE members can compete for prizes including a big-screen HDTV, laptop, and much more.

There’s even more, but that’s a good start.  I’ll post more thoughts on Project Natal later. Check out all the E3 briefing details here.

In Music, Xbox, Zune , , , , , , ,
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