Zune officially expanding internationally this fall; Stream & Sync HD movies

Microsoft just appear their international coil-out of the Zune music and entertainment service to more than than xx countries this fall. Seeing equally the Zune market and software is at the core of Windows Phone 7, this announcement is non besides surprising, but it is welcomed all the same.

Kickoff this autumn (we bet October), Microsoft volition make the Zune services available in U.K., France, Italy, Germany and Espana and 15 other European countries (part of that EFIGS list, no doubt). In addition, nosotros'll run into the new Zune software bumped to v4.7 which will add together the Windows Phone seven device support (goodbye ActiveSync!).

The Zune market allows syncing of music, videos, podcasts (sound and video), pictures, games/applications and will now includes the ability to watch Hard disk drive movies:

The updated Zune software will also enable instant streaming of loftier-definition movies, allowing yous to watch some Zune Market movies in HD, with no download fourth dimension, directly on a Windows PC.

Consumers will now exist able to purchase movies to download and watch anywhere — on the big screen in the living room with Xbox LIVE or their Windows-based PC as well every bit sync it to their Windows Telephone 7 to enjoy on the become.

Huzzah! We like this a lot.

Prices in the U.S. will remain the same at $14.99/calendar month for the Zune Pass (not required), which gives unlimited music downloads and the power to "go along" ten MP3s a month. (So much for that price reduction rumor).

No word on Mac back up, but we're assuming Microsoft will do something near that in the time to come as well--after all, large updates to our new phones are reliant on desktop-syncing (with small updates bachelor OTA).

What can nosotros say? We honey the Zune marketplace, Zune Pass and the ability for '3 screen' back up of all our music, podcasts, pictures and now HD movies and Television. Nosotros can't wait till this all comes together in a few weeks...you?

Read the full presser after the break.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sep. twenty, 2022 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the further international expansion of Zune, its digital entertainment service. This fall, Zune will expand its music and video footprint and bring the gratuitous Zune software, Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Laissez passer^one music subscription service and enhanced features on Zune.net to new markets, providing a comprehensive entertainment experience on Windows-based PCs, on the go with Windows Phone 7 and in your living room through Xbox LIVE.²

"The integration between Zune, Windows Phone vii and Xbox Alive is an exciting expansion in our amusement offerings," said Craig Eisler, corporate vice president, Interactive Entertainment Concern Group at Microsoft. "Zune enables users to access the entertainment they desire, wherever they desire information technology — and now, more people than always will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that the Zune service offers."

Zune software has been upgraded with new features and functionality and will serve as the Windows Phone vii synchronization client. The new software (version 4.7) will be available to download for gratis in more than 20 countries, including the U.Thou., France, Italian republic, Germany and Spain, to easily manage your personal collection of movies, music, podcasts and pictures. Zune software continues to fix the standard for amusement software, providing best-in-class experiences to organize, find and savor digital media with a variety of exclusive features. For example, the Quickplay menu enables immediate admission to recently played content and personal favorites, and Smart DJ³ automatically creates playlists from your personal music drove and takes the actress step of mixing in suggested music from the Zune Marketplace. The updated Zune software will besides enable instant streaming of high-definition movies, allowing you to watch some Zune Marketplace movies in HD, with no download time, directly on a Windows PC.

Zune Market online store is accessible from within the Zune software and offers the ability to purchase millions of private songs or albums from its itemize, all in MP3 format. Here, consumers can also subscribe to Zune Pass,⁴ which provides unlimited downloads and music streaming capabilities from the Zune music library, including content from major music labels such equally Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music and Warner Music Group, too as thousands of contained labels. Zune Marketplace too has a large library of videos from major studios such equally Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution for purchase or rental. Video purchases volition be accessible through Xbox Live and Windows-based PCs, and can also be added to a Windows Phone seven. Simply buy your favorite video from Zune Marketplace and watch it on the screen of your choice.⁹

Zune.cyberspace is the perfect resources for consumers as it allows them to download the software and set up a Zune business relationship with a new or existing Windows Live ID.⁵ Zune.net will also provide Web access to Zune Marketplace so you can buy music or use a Zune Laissez passer to stream music straight through an Internet browser,⁶ also as purchase video content.^vii

Zune Expansion to New Markets

As Zune expands internationally, its music and video service will be tailored for each market. Genre experts will custom program Zune Marketplace and characteristic the acme songs, videos, movies and unique promotions for each state.

The autumn 2022 international expansion of the Zune music and video service includes the post-obit:

Zune Market placewill extend services to several markets in Europe and across.

•	Zune Laissez passer (U.K., France, Italian republic and Spain). The monthly music subscription service will be bachelor for 9.99 euros /8.99 pounds per month for unlimited download and streaming access to the Zune music catalog and will be accessible on Windows-based PCs, Windows Telephone vii and Xbox LIVE. The offer in the U.Southward. will remain at $fourteen.99 per month for unlimited downloads and streaming access, with the ability to go along 10 MP3s per month.⁸
•	Music purchase (U.1000., France, Italy, Spain and Federal republic of germany). Expansion to these markets will enable consumers to purchase MP3s and listen on their Windows-based PC, Windows Phone 7 or whatever other device that supports MP3 format. Users will likewise be able to purchase music videos to enjoy on Windows-based PC, Windows Phone seven and Zune on Xbox Live.
•	Video purchase (U.Thousand., France, Frg, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). Consumers volition now be able to buy movies to download and watch anywhere — on the large screen in the living room with Xbox Live or their Windows-based PC equally well every bit sync it to their Windows Phone 7 to enjoy on the go.^ix
•	Movie rental (U.One thousand., France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).In addition to Zune video on Xbox Alive, consumers in these countries will now be able to rent movies for viewing on their Windows-based PC or choose to sync the rental to their Windows Phone vii.

The global expansion of the service is the latest step in a series of milestones for Zune, including powering Bing music search results, the added ability to purchase music and video on Zune.net, and the forthcoming integration with Xbox Live and Kinect for Xbox 360. By continuing to integrate Zune across the most important screens to consumers, Zune provides an all-in-ane music and video service for users to observe, bask and experience their amusement wherever they want.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft'southward music and video entertainment service that provides an integrated digital experience across Zune devices, Windows-based PCs, Xbox Alive and Windows Phone 7. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace and Zune.net online stores, the Zune Social online music community created to aid people discover music, and the ZuneOriginals.net online media player customization store. More information can be plant online athttps://world wide web.xbox.com/en-US/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their total potential.

¹ Zune Pass available in U.Grand., France, Italy and Spain.

² Zune Pass on Xbox 360 requires an Xbox LIVE Gold membership and a Zune Laissez passer subscription.

ⁱⁱⁱ Only available with Zune Laissez passer.

⁴ Zune Pass is a music subscription; some Zune Marketplace songs and content are not available via Zune Pass. Available content may vary over fourth dimension.

⁵ For cross-screen functionality, the aforementioned Windows Live ID needs to be used on the Zune software, Windows Telephone seven and Xbox LIVE accounts.

^{half dozen} Internet browser support for Silverlight required.

⁷ Service features may vary based on marketplace availability.

⁸ Keep 10 MP3s per month characteristic bachelor to U.South. Zune Pass subscribers simply, on their PC or Windows Phone 7.

^ix Content available for download on multiple devices may vary over time. Availability of content and video resolution will vary by device.

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