May 9 - 11:35am EDT   As part of its recent Zune update, Microsoft has revealed that it has sold two million of the music players since their launch in November 2006, revealing relatively flat growth for the device lineup. Although the company originally promised and slightly exceeded a target for its first million sales between the original launch date and June 2007, the company has largely remained silent on its data for its players in nearly a year. [full story]

May 7 - 4:35pm EDT   (Updated with Microsoft comment) NBC Universal today revealed in a discussion with the New York Times that Microsoft is working to implement an anti-piracy filter into its Zune media players. While not outlining the amount of progress, the studio's digital chief J. B. Perrette says that Microsoft has agreed to work on a "cop" that would check the legitimacy of videos loaded on the device; those deemed illegal would refuse to play. The implementation would function similarly to automatic blocks being tried at YouTube and other sites, which are claimed to stop easy bootlegging by checking such data as the title or basic track information. [full story]

May 6 - 12:00pm EDT   Microsoft this morning at last confirmed the launch information for the Zune in Canada, the first launch of its music players outside of the US. 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. Microsoft also has no immediate plans to launch the Zune Marketplace in the region but has not provided an explanation. [full story]

May 6 - 7:25am EDT   Microsoft this morning gave the Zune its first true video service. The version 2.5 update to the Zune software now lets users buy TV shows from the Zune Marketplace and allows them to choose from over 800 episodes from various shows and TV networks, including former iTunes supporter NBC Universal. Shows are sorted not only by network but also by genre, allowing users to browse animation or dramas regardless of the provider. Each show is priced equally to shows from its Apple rival at 160 Microsoft points ($1.99 in the US) but doesn't qualify for the unlimited-access Zune Pass. [full story]

April 30 - 5:05pm EDT   Microsoft may be timing its first non-US Zune launch for as little as a few weeks away, if a Vancouver, Canada job posting proves legitimate. The company is using local press firm Consumer Impact Marketing to represent itself for the launch of the Zune in Canada and has issued a specific work window for any candidate, who must have time to commit to a full-time schedule between May 12th and June 20th. Details of what will be performed during the five-week period are unknown, though short contracts for such projects are often to supplement official staff during the hectic period of an actual launch. [full story]

April 25 - 3:40pm EDT   Microsoft Zune marketer Cesar Menendez today confirmed that the red Zune 80 will now be a regular option at retail. The color was previously available only in the special color first as a Valentine's Day special edition model but will now be a permanent fixture both at the Zune Originals website and at physical stores. The addition gives the second-generation hard drive Zune its first color choice at retail after coming only in black since its November launch. [full story]

April 24 - 4:50pm EDT   Microsoft today announced that its latest fiscal quarter earned the company approximately $14.5 billion, or 47 cents per share. The revenue is not a record for the company but is credited in part to the surprising success of the company's Entertainment and Devices Division. Strong sales of the Xbox 360 console helped jump the division's revenue by 68 percent versus the same period a year ago, according to the company. About 19 million examples game system and media hub have now shipped since it launched in November 2005, or about 74 percent more than in early 2007. [full story]

April 23 - 10:45am EDT   Microsoft late yesterday stirred controversy by telling former customers of its shuttered MSN Music service that it will shut down its license activation system for the service by the end of August. Although it allows customers to play any purchased songs on existing operating systems and computers, any music transfered to a new PC or OS install after the cutoff date will no longer be authorized to play. [full story]

April 21 - 7:05pm EDT   Belkin has released a range of new cases for the Zune portable media players. Each cases is made with a specific use in mind, but all aim to protect the player and its screen while making controls and connections easily accessible. Designed for use during activities (e.g. exercise) is the Sports Armband for the Zune 80GB, it is made of lightweight and stretchable neoprene material with a Velcro closure and is hand-washable. In addition, the armband case features a key pocket as well as reflective material strips for safety at night or in dim lighting conditions. A new water-resistant case is also offered for the 4GB or 8GB version of the Zune. [full story]

April 21 - 2:25pm EDT   Dell will keep using Windows XP until as late as 2012, a company representative has reportedly told users. Although Microsoft has said it would discontinue the option for XP this year in all but very low-cost notebooks, the claimed Dell message says the PC creator will continue offering XP Professional until 2012 on all its higher-end business offerings, including the Latitude, Optiplex, and Precision lineups. [full story]

April 18 - 8:40am EDT   Microsoft has let slip details of some of the first special edition, second-generation Zune players. A team up with Reebok will see the electronics giant produce a custom Zune to match its partner's Allen Iverson Answer XI sneakers. The variant on the Zune 8 will include a large engraving of the Denver Nuggets basketball player and also pack related content on the jukebox itself, such as TV spots, interviews, and Iverson-chosen music. Teaser shots hide any custom coloring on the player, though Microsoft adds a special carrying bag. Like most limited Zune runs, the Reebok set will ship in small numbers (60 pairs) when it arrives in June for $300. [full story]

April 16 - 2:35pm EDT   Microsoft is developing a unified media store for the Zune that would draw on lessons from the Xbox 360, according to information relayed to long-time Microsoft observer Mary-Jo Foley. A service so far codenamed Zune Video X (Experience) is said by a source to address a gap in the Zune's online purchasing options by offering movies, TV shows, and "more" content in addition to the music already available through the Zune Marketplace. The service would be more than just an expansion of the existing store, says the report. [full story]

April 16 - 10:00am EDT   Creative's answer to the iPod touch and Zune has had details firmed up in its development, says a new, purported leak to epiZENter. The player once known as the ZEN Share is now said to have been changed to ZEN X-Fi to turn attention to the player's sound quality. While Wi-Fi is still a defining feature, the future jukebox now appears likely to include the Crystalizer used in other Creative devices to auto-enhance sound quality by filling in audio detail lost to compression. [full story]

April 15 - 9:25am EDT   Microsoft today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Danger, bringing the Sidekick maker entirely into the larger company. Danger will now become a core component of the new Premium Mobile Experiences group at Microsoft and will be part of the Mobile Communications group inside of the Entertainment and Devices division. The freshly acquired company's founders now report directly to Roz Ho, corporate VP for the Premium Mobile Experiences group and former head of the Macintosh Business Unit. [full story]

April 11 - 10:10am EDT   Microsoft is seriously investigating the prospect of opening a self-branded set of retail stores, according to a new claim. Alleged sources near Microsoft say that the company hopes to boost its brand by launching a retail chain that presents an ideal Microsoft experience, similar to Apple's own outlets. What the store is likely to contain is unknown, though the company is likely to promote Windows and its software. It may also use the strategy to tout its own hardware, including the Xbox 360, the Zune, and potentially its smaller peripherals. [full story]