Check out this Microsoft job posting - it’s looking for a Software Development Engineer for the Zune team. In doing so, it gives a little insight into Microsoft’s vision for Zune:

“The Zune team is embarking on the mission to create a “Connected Entertainment” experience, realized through the Zune service, that spans multiple devices such as Zune, Xbox, PC and Mobile phones.”

… and …

“Do you dream about having a mobile phone based entertainment experience powered by a unified entertainment service across devices such as Zune, Xbox and PC?”

It seems that the Zune player may become just one of a sweeping array of devices that use Zune software and services.

It’s an interesting contrast with its main competition. It has been Apple’s hardware - the iPod players themselves - that have driven the iPod phenomenon, with iTunes and iTunes Store along for the ride.

Microsoft’s strategy may be to turn that on its head: to have the software and services be a driving force for getting Zune out to the masses. With Zune music services prevalent on a wide variety of devices and platforms, the Zune players themselves may simply become a companion product for enjoying those services.

Thanks to glowbee and to Engadget for the job posting link.

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Are you one of those Zuners who can’t stand Zune’s simplified Heart / Broken-Heart system for rating tracks?

It’s been one of the more controversial Zune features, as it does away with the conventional 5-star rating system used by iTunes, Windows Media Player, and others.

Well, this post may be for you. This morning Zunerama member ballbagcheese posts a trick to using genres as a customized rating system.

He notes that Zune software lets you create genres by clicking on an album or track. His concept is to set up a separate genre for each “star” rating - for example, Rock 5 *, Rock 4 *, Jazz 5 *, etc.

Another method is to use an unused metatag field - say, “conductor” - and put 5-star rating info into that field. You can then use autoplaylists to pull all of our 5-star tracks automatically.

The downside - you can do this in Zune software, but not from the player itself. Still, for those of you who want a more graduated rating system than Love It / Hate It… it’s one way to work around it!

See more details, and reactions from other Zuners, here.

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A few people have now snagged Zune 120GB players, prior to the official release. Our own Mockers has ordered her own already and should have it in a week. Presumably, by then, the official release date will have arrived.

For anyone who has one already, I’d love to know:

• Is there any preloaded content on the player? There appear to be 34 pictures and one video, based on recent unboxing pix. What is that content?
• Any change in the UI from the 80GB? For example, EQ capability?

What other burning questions do you have?

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Our resident deejay (and Zunerama mod’) Jander has posted a montage playlist of cheesy 80’s inspirational music. As Jander says, it’s good for a laugh and also makes for a “surprisingly motivational workout playlist”.

I believe it, too, with cheeseball classics like Eye of the Tiger, Only the Young (that’s Journey, kiddo), Hearts on Fire, Gonna Fly Now, Danger Zone, Holding Out For a Hero, and the ever popular My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down. For more torture, check out Jander’s playlist - which includes links to YouTube music videos.

Crank it up, and rack up that weight bench bar while you’re at it. Just don’t hurt yourself - you’re not an 80’s kid anymore.

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Tonight my wife and I saw this ad while watching Ugly Betty. Actually, to be perfectly clear, she was watching Ugly Betty and I was struggling for control of the remote.

This is the first in a series of videos. It’s a little meaningless, but in my opinion it works. Bill Gates has a certain charm that comes through. Not everybody likes it - some of our Zunerama members are weighing in on it in the forums.

You can see the ad for yourself - CrunchGear snagged the video and posted it here.

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Here’s the first unboxing pic of a Zune 120GB - thanks to Gizmodo.

Do my eyes deceive me, or are those a pair of standard headphones in that plastic package?

Too bad, because I thought the premium headphones were a nice touch for the Zune 80GB. This is probably a price-competitiveness decision on the part of Microsoft.

That black 120GB looks sharp!

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Somebody jumped ahead of the gun, selling a 120GB Zune at Fry’s in Atlanta today. Awesome!

That sticker price is $249.99, making our earlier story off by only 4 cents.

Thanks to Engadget.

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Cesar Menendez, the Microsoft blogger who provides a little peephole into the Zune team, has launched a recurring podcast with ‘casting pioneer Rob Greenlee.

In the first episodes, they introduce the podcast, share an interview with Jessica about the Zune software development process, and chat with Javier Farfan from the Zune team’s multicultural marketing group.

Did you know that both Cesar and Rob are Guinness World Record holders? Podcast #1 has the details. Who knew?

You can subscribe to the podcast via Zune Marketplace. There are both audio and video versions available.

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Zune 120GB players are now available for pre-order in multiple sites around the web. I did a Froogle search this morning and found 12 hits on “Zune 120GB player”.

Prices range from $231.81. Presumably these are pre-orders, although Zunerama member longbluesquid reports that CompuPlus is claiming they have them in stock.

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Lately I’ve been enjoying encasing my Zune 80 in the leathery goodness of DLO’s Hipcase.

As we’ve come to expect from DLO, the attention to quality shows in this case - from its soft interior lining to its sturdy built-in belt clip. The case has a hidden pocket inside the flip cover.

DLO has given us five of these to give away to Zunerama members. All you have to do is throw your name in the hat, and starting on Monday we’ll draw a winner every couple of days. Good luck!

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