We’re collecting user reviews for the new Zune games released yesterday.

See what our members have to say about the Zune versions of Sudoku, Checkers, and Space Battle. And add your own review and feedback to the mix.

Each of the above games, as well as Hexic and Texas Hold’em, are free games available with the Zune 3.1 software release.

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An hour or so ago, Microsoft announced price reductions for Zune flash players, just in time for the holiday season.

The Zune 16GB, which debuted in September at $199, is now retailing for $179.

The Zune 8GB is reduced by $10, to now sell for $139.

And the Zune 4GB - presumably on its way to being discontinued - is dropping by a whopping thirty bucks, to sell for $99.

The lower pricing is available at Zune Originals and in retail outlets. You can check the latest Amazon prices here.

(Thanks for the tip, harlemS.)

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Microsoft is releasing a minor update this morning to your Zune firmware and software. Zune 3.1 brings new games, a new Zune Social feature, and other software improvements.

Three new free games are Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle. These join Texas Hold’em and Hexic as games embedded in the Zune software. Texas Hold’em is also being updated in 3.1, with a new multiplayer mode and single player difficulty levels.

A new feature - “like-minded listeners” - is being added to Zune Social. This lets you compare your musical tastes with other listeners and friends. And, the look of Zune Social is being refreshed to simplify navigation.

In addition, Zune 3.1 includes overall stability and performance updates - both in Zune PC software and device firmware. Play count reporting and PC sync will be improved.

To update your firmware, connect your Zune to your PC, and go to Settings > Check for Updates.

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Is it just me, or are Zune ads going much more mainstream?

We’ve been clamoring for this for a long while, and it seems that Microsoft is augmenting its artsy-and-abstract advertising strategy with some more straightforward commercials.

This one, released tonight, is a good example and showcases Mixview quite effectively. I don’t know if this has aired yet, but it has just been pushed out on YouTube by OfficialZune. We’re liking it.

Thanks to clubdirthill002 for the tip.

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Well, I am thrilled about this piece of news! Effective today, Zune Marketplace has added video content from PBS, including NOVA, Scientific American Frontiers, Carrier, and more.

You can also download specials and mini-series, such as Ken Burns’ acclaimed 2001 miniseries, Jazz. The ten episodes of this series will set you back 8,000 points, or about $100 US. A season of NOVA goes for 2,880 points, or roughly $36.

It’s great to see content of this quality making its way into the Marketplace video aisle.

Thanks to ZuneInsider for the news.

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After a furious bout of voting, the two tracks left standing for the final showdown for Music Battle 2 were Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know, and Muse’s Starlight.  Neck and neck at first, but soon one pulled away. The dust cleared with Starlight taking the gold.

Thanks to all those participating. Be sure to get involved and nominate your best songs via PM to ballbagcheese for Music Battle Royal 3.

Our 2009 Zune Guide is getting a great response from Zune owners.

As of this afternoon, we’ve had 1,000 downloads since we published it on Monday morning.

And, we have over 100 entries so far in our 16gb Zune player giveaway!

Get your 2009 Zune Guide now through - it’s free at this download page.

Our first annual Zune Guide is available now!

A free download, the 2009 Zune Guide contains 40+ pages of Zune tips, reviews of Zune accessories, gift-giving ideas, trivia, contests, and more.

Designed to be downloaded to your PC or Mac, the Zune Guide includes articles with convenient hyperlinks to Zune resources on the web.

Bonus! People who download the guide are eligible to win a 16GB Zune flash player, and other Zune accessory prizes. See page 14 of the guide for details.

Download yours at www.zunerama.com/download..!

Yesterday Microsoft announced 46 new designs to use with the recently updated Zune Original site. Now designs come in three lines, Artist, Zodiac, and Tatoo lines. The new art comes from artists from all around the world.

From the press release:

Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today added 46 new designs from leading artists to its customization Web site, http://www.ZuneOriginals.net, for the holiday season. For those looking to customize a Zune player for themselves or as a personalized gift this holiday season, the new Zune Originals designs include a Zodiac Series featuring exclusive artwork of Eastern and Western astrology from Catalina Estrada and Iosefatu Sua. An expanded line of regular Zune players, popular Zune accessories and Zune Marketplace gift cards are also available for purchase through http://www.Zune.net just in time for the holidays.

One other interesting thing of note was a comment made by one of the contributing artists Catalina Estrada, a Colombian artist best known for her use of symmetrical patterns and vibrant colors.

“Zune encouraged me to create designs for the Zodiac Series according to my own artistic interpretation of the signs. It’s wonderful to work with a partner that supports self-expression, whether or not it’s through a conventional art form,” Estrada said. “Between my work and that of the other truly talented artists available in the Zune Originals collection, Zune users can create a player that is unique and meaningful to them.”

New Daniel Jackson original art

Upon further inspection, some of our more observant members, JohnnyWest spotted a little preview dug up from the recently released press images of an unreleased color for the hard drive line of the Zune family.  Here’s a little more evidence that a blue hard drive based Zune is coming.

For a further look at all the pictures, and a chance to check out all the new designs, take a look at the new Zune originals site.

Been traveling with your Zune this fall? Post your pix in our Zune Photo Gallery..!

I just returned from 3 days in Yosemite National Park. An amazing place that I will definitely return to when I have more hiking time. (I was there for a conference.)

Got some nice shots of the amazing granite walls of El Capitan, Half-Dome, Liberty Cap, and more. See my Zune shots here.

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