Paige Albiniak

Daily DigVid Review: Zune adds TV
May 6, 2008

Microsoft plans to try to expand the Zune’s user base – currently at two million-plus compared to iPod’s more than 100 million sold – by adding TV shows to its media offerings. Networks that have already signed on include NBC (which pulled its shows from iTunes just before launching Hulu.com), Sci Fi, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Turner Broadcasting, Starz and Ultimate Fighting Championship. Episodes will be available at $1.99 each.

It seems pretty clear to me that Microsoft lost this battle before it ever entered, but this article by the AP lists some cool things the Zune does that the iPod currently doesn’t: one is update wirelessly from any charger in the house. As an owner of a Creative Zen that doesn’t include wireless, I would really appreciate having that option. Still, neither the Zune nor the Zen is nearly as cool as the iTouch and its super-slick interface, IMHO.

Ars Technica reports that just because HD-DVD has officially lost the format battle, Blu-Ray hasn’t exactly thrived. According to the article, sales of standalone Blu-Ray players dropped 40% between January and February and increased only 2% in the following month. Note that those figures apply only to standalone players, not Playstations or Xboxes.

If you have nothing to do for a couple of hours, spend some time on the Webby awards Web site. Congratulations to Digital Person of the Year Stephen Colbert, who is always happy to accept an award and proudly display it on his in-studio mantle; ABC.com, which won as best broadband site; VH1’s Best Week Ever, which won the People’s Voice award as best celebrity or fan site; NationalGeographic.com, a favorite of mine, which won the People’s Voice award for best home page, beating out Wired.com and Epicurious.com; and finally The Onion, which won for humor.

Posted by Paige Albiniak on May 6, 2008 | Comments (0)