Several Zune phone rumors have surfaced over the past few days, pointing to a move from Microsoft to develop its own portable device to compete with Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s Blackberry products.

Is there substance to these reports? Well, let’s dissect what is known, and consider how well the dots connect up:

The Danger Acquisition. Microsoft bought Danger, the mobile Internet solutions developer, in April. (Danger developed the highly-regarded interface for T-Mobile’s Sidekick phone.) (Source: Danger, Inc.)

The Smart Phone Partner Constraint. Microsoft already provides its Windows Mobile operating system for an enormous number of smartphones. Those phones are made by independent hardware makers, like Samsung, LG, AT&T, HTC, and HP. (Source: Microsoft.) So far, Microsoft has not provoked these important partners by offering its own phone device.

Strategy: Own the Ecosystem? Despite its smart phone partner relationships, one has to wonder if Microsoft would prefer to handle the entire ecosystem of smart phone hardware, software, and services. Certainly it was that strategy that caused Microsoft to move from its software-only PlaysForSure digital media strategy, to its Zune strategy in which it controls all aspects of the experience. And it must be envying the end-to-end control that Apple and RIM have over their wildly-successful products.

Major Zune facelift coming up? Citing “a good source”, CNBC reported this weekend that Microsoft is preparing a “major facelift” to Zune players that could signal an evolution into a Microsoft smart phone. A prototype could be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (in January), or at the 3GSM conference in February. (Source: CNBC.)

The Nvidia Connection? Sketchy reports are surfacing that Microsoft is designing a cellphone to use Nvidia’s Tegra processor. (Source: TGDaily.) Tegra is a new “system-on-a-chip” for mobile devices. (More info on Tegra here.) While this is being cited as a clue to Microsoft’s smart phone strategy, it seems to me that this could be a red herring - as Nvidia is also targeting Tegra at automotive applications, and it’s possible Microsoft is looking to build upon its vehicle-based Sync application in some way with Nvidia.

I’m not quite ready to call this one. But, unlike earlier Zune Phone rumors, I’m not ready to dismiss this latest round.

One thing I do know: I’m glad I’ll be at CES in Las Vegas this January… just in case Microsoft decides to drop some news (and a prototype?) on me.

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I love playing my Zune in my car. Especially while on long drives, there is nothing that beats a well-chosen driving playlist, pumped through my car stereo, and cranked up just a little too loud.

But I need your help! I have a major, multi-day driving trip coming up in January. And I want to assemble the Greatest-Ever Driving Playlist, to help me roll through those many miles.

So here’s my challenge to you: Give me your suggested tracks for the Greatest-Ever Driving Playlist. If you suggest five tracks or more, you’ll be eligible to win a limited edition Zune T-shirt. (I’ll post a pic soon but, trust me, it’s cool.)

You can enter as often as you like. The winner will be selected arbitrarily and capriciously by me. Contest closes December 15th!

So, drivers: start your engines and get those playlist suggestions in! My driving companions and I thank you.

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Our members are discussing gift options for teens and ‘tweens’.

Given the current holiday sale prices on Zune players, is it worthwhile to go with a high capacity player? Or does the small size of a flash Zune trump that?

How important are the capacity differences between a Zune 4, 8, and 16?

And, how does the new Zune Pass model affect your choice of player to give?

Each of my three daughters has a Zune player, so I asked them to weigh in. See this discussion in our forums for gift-giving advice.

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Not sure how long this will last, but Amazon has a door-crasher of a sale on right now for Zune flash players. The Zune 8GB flash player is going for $112 (including the new blue color), and the 4GB is on sale for $86. Both sale prices are unprecedented, and surely will result in a few more flash Zune players showing up under Christmas trees and as high-end stocking stuffers this season. [Amazon links: Zune 8 GB and Zune 4 GB] Comments

The Canadian version of BestBuy’s online store is offering an unusually generous offer: get a free 4GB Zune when you buy a 16GB Zune player.

I haven’t seen a deal comparable to that here in the States. It’s a limited time offer, available here.

Thanks to ZuneInsider for the news.

Here are answers to commonly-asked questions about the new Zune Pass subscription model, which became available at 11pm Pacific last night. With this enhancement, you not only get subscription access to tracks from Zune Marketplace - you also get ten tracks per month, for keeps!

1. What’s the catch here?

There doesn’t seem to be a catch. You get everything you always got with your Zune Pass (i.e. unlimited access to Marketplace subscription tracks, for as long as you maintain your subscription), plus your choice of tracks to keep every month.

2. If I don’t download my ten tracks this month, can I download twenty next month? In other words, do the ten free downloads carry over from month to month?

No, there is no rollover of the ten downloads from one month to the next. Download your selected ten tracks each month; next month you’ll be able to download ten more.

3. Is the ‘free downloads’ offer retroactive from when I started my Zune Pass?

No, it starts now. Each month from this month forward, you get ten free downloads.

4. How do I download the ten free tracks?

Right-click on the track you want, and select ‘buy’ or ‘add to cart’. If you have a Zune Pass, each month you will have a ten-item credit in your account to use for this.

5. Are the free tracks in WMA or in MP3 format?

You can download them in whatever formats are available in Zune Marketplace. (Right now, 90% of Marketplace tracks are available in both WMA and in MP3 format.)

6. Can I burn the downloaded tracks to CD?

Yes! You can burn them, just like you can with any other purchased content. See the Zune terms of service for details - there are some limits to how many times you can burn a particular playlist, for example.

7. I sync my Zune Pass tracks to several players and PCs. How many free downloads do I get?

You get ten free downloads per account. Having several Zune players and PCs tied to that account doesn’t affect the number of downloads that you get.

8. Are the downloaded songs DRM-free?

The MP3 versions are DRM-free. The WMA versions have DRM controls and may not sync to non-Zune players.

9. How much does a Zune Pass cost?

No change here: it’s still $14.99 per month. For that you get access to all Zune Marketplace subscription tracks, and your ten free keep-it-forever download tracks.

10. How do I get a Zune Pass? Can I get a free trial of it?

You can sign up for a Zune Pass here. You can also get a 14-day free trial.

Got other questions? Got answers? Join our discussion about the new Zune Pass!

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Well, this rumor didn’t take long to confirm. Microsoft has indeed enhanced its Zune Pass subscription service - and in a big, bold way. Now, in addition to giving access to millions of Marketplace tracks, the Zune Pass lets you keep ten free songs every month.

This makes the Zune Pass an even more compelling bargain. It’s arguably the best music deal available anywhere.

It’s getting harder to come up with real reasons for anyone to not have a Zune Pass.

This all kicks in about an hour - at at 11pm Pacific time tonight. So stand by, and let the downloading begin.

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Some details about upcoming Zune plans were revealed today by Microsoft Zune marketing lead Chris Stephenson.

In an interview with AdWeek about Microsoft’s use of marketing agency Crispin, Porter & Bogusky, Stephenson indicates that the company plans to reveal a new Zune subscription model this week “that’ll make it easier for people to get into the model.”

The use of Crispin represents a marketing strategy for Zune that is more closely aligned with Microsoft’s overall marketing. Stephenson indicates that the company is “looking to drive the Zune brand closer to Microsoft and the PC platform,” said Stephenson.

Both good things. Speculation is rampant, as it should be, in our forums.

(Thanks to segadc for the tip.)

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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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