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Zune Goodness

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When the clock strikes midnight on Sept 15 in the US, and Sept 16 begins hopefully so do the updates for the Zune.  These free updates are via software/firmware so available to anyone who owns a Zune currently, not just those buying the new ones that also release at that time (16GB and 120GB added to the line up).

So what do we get with the new software?  All goodness.

We'll be able to to tag songs and buy music directly from FM radio plus we'll be able to download and stream music wirelessly via Marketplace. 

Buy from FM
According to microsoft.com more than 61 percent of people say they discover new music by listening to the radio, so Buy from FM was born.  It lets you tag and purchase songs you hear on FM radio stations directly from your Zune. If you're in Wi-Fi coverage the song will be immediately downloaded, if not it will queue songs for download next time you connect. 

Buy from FM uses Radio Data System (RDS) and RT+ data feeds within the FM broadcast frequencies that identify song and artist data and enable the Zune service to identify and deliver the track.  In NZ there are several radio stations which use RDS, i.e. ZM, MoreFM, Radio NZ and I'm sure there's more.

Zune Marketplace on the Zune
Again if you have an active wireless connection from your Zune you'll be able to access Marketplace.  Given the screen real estate differences of a Zune compared to a PC, the interface has been designed so you can browse lists of featured new releases and top songs and albums sorted by genre, or use the on-screen keypad to type in the song of your choice. You can then either download it or stream it directly to the Zune.

The Zune software which runs on a PC (and you don't need a Zune to run this) is also being updated.  New features include: Mixview, improved Now Playing screens, Personal Picks, Channels and more.

And last but definitely not least are the firmware updates to the Zune device itself, which include: Games on the Go, Audiobooks, and the ability to sync content to the Zune via Audible.com and Overdrive.com sites.

If you haven't tried the Zune software yet, check it out at www.zune.net - if you wait till tomorrow, then hopefully the new features will be there too.