How well do you know your own music collection?

Korneel De Feyter on August 22nd 2010, 14:35

Well, you’re about to find out! Microsoft apparently released a new app a few days ago called Music Quiz. The name says quit it. In the game you can choose between a ‘mega mix‘, which uses your whole collection, and ‘custom mix‘ which enables you to choose an artist, playlist or genre. Of course there is a difficulty setting, you can either select normal or hardcore.

There are a few different types of questions according to the learn to play-guide:

  • Listen to a music clip and identify the song’s title, artist or album.
  • Watch as the album art is slowly revealed and guess the album’s name or artist.
  • Pick the song or album that doesn’t have something in common with the others

The faster you can answer each question, the more points you will get. Use the hint button if you get stuck.

It’s interesting that although we don’t have an open app store, Microsoft provides its users every once in a while a new app. I wonder how this process goes. Is there someone responsible for providing new apps to the Marketplace or do they just make new ones whenever someone gets a good idea?

Beneath you find a gallery with some images you’ll also find in the Marketplace under the apps-section.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Delicious
  • Netlog
  • Share/Bookmark

Who is Microsoft competing with?

Korneel De Feyter on January 18th 2010, 19:00

Yesterday I decided to try some Zune HD apps from third party developers, but it ended up in some deep disappointments towards Microsoft.
 
After I had installed Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and XNA game studio 3.1 I was able to load some third party apps on my Zune HD I got from zhdapps.com. I had the first app running and everything seemed fine, until I wanted to go back to the main menu. My Zune HD restarted itself.
 
I knew that back when the XNA Game Studio 3.0 made it possible to play games on my Zune 30 it needed to restart itself every time you closed the game, but finding out that this limitation was still present on the Zune HD made me deeply disappointed in Microsoft.
Even the reason for this given by the ZHDapps.com FAQ couldn’t satisfy me:
“Your Zune restarting is normal and it is done so you don’t crack DRM encryption on the music. This is a preventative step put in place by Microsoft and does not harm your Zune what-so-ever. Just think of it as keeping you safe.”
Why can’t a big software company like Microsoft come up with another solution than just letting your Zune restart?
 
This got me thinking. What’s the point of having the possibility to code games and apps for the Zune HD, but not giving developers the opportunity to put their games in a marketplace?
Zune Marketing Manager Brian Seitz said the Zune Team isn’t working on an app platform because they didn’t want to overlap the Windows Mobile team. I can understand that, you shouldn’t work separately on similar thing that don’t work together, instead the two teams should actively be working on that together.
I feel like Microsoft doesn’t know who it’s competing against.
If the Zune HD is meant to compete with the Apple iPod Touch, the Zune Team should release a full SDK for the Zune HD (XNA has too many limitations, like the inability to make internet access) and make an open application marketplace.
If the Zune HD is only targeting the niche-market of non-iPod mp3 players, than a full SDK or app marketplace isn’t necessary.
 
Come on, Microsoft, I know you can do it!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Delicious
  • Netlog
  • Share/Bookmark

Twitter app for Zune HD releasing today

Korneel De Feyter on December 16th 2009, 16:28

Coming today: Zune Twitter app
Yesterday, the Zune Team tweeted that the Zune twitter app would be available the next morning. They didn’t say a word about when the facebook-app would be available, so we’ll have to wait a little it longer for that one.

We’ll let you know when the Twitter app is available through the Zune Marketplace. To make sure you’ll be the first to know: subscribe to our rss-feed.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Delicious
  • Netlog
  • Share/Bookmark

ZHD firmware 4.3 brings us 3D gaming

Korneel De Feyter on November 11th 2009, 13:28

Newly added 3D games and apps
Last Friday the Zune HD was given a firmware update that added a few improvements:

Zune HD firmware update: Today we released the v4.3 firmware update for Zune HD players; this update adds support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements. Enjoy!

Like you see, support for ‘upcoming‘ 3D games and apps was added, well it looks like those upcoming games are arrived at the ‘Marketplace.
The new games are:

  • PGR: ferrari edition, a 3d racegame
  • Lucky lane bowling, a 3d bowling game
  • Vans Sk8: Pool service, a 3d Skate game
  • Piano, a simple piano where you can play your own tunes on
  • Audio Surf: Tilt, ride your music – you choose a song that the game will turn into a roller coaster track for you to ride
  • Checkers, I don’t think you’ll need a description for this one

All these games are free, so don’t hesitate and download yours…

Update: Check a list with pictures and descriptions of the games on zune.net.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Delicious
  • Netlog
  • Share/Bookmark