(10 May 2008 2:30 pm)

MUMBAI: US software major Microsoft has announced that its digital entertaintment Zune is adding new software features.

Besides it will also add content to the Zune online store, music community and Zune Pass monthly subscription service.

Zune is expanding its video store to include downloads of popular television shows from Comedy Central, Funimation Entertainment, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media (including Manga Entertainment), Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and VH1 that consumers can sync to their device and enjoy on the go.

Consumers can choose from more than 800 episodes of television series to download and watch on their computer. Each television show will be priced at 160 Microsoft Points per episode (approximately $1.99) at launch. The Zune online store has more than 3.5 million tracks, two-thirds of which are available in pure MP3 format, 800 television shows, 4,800 music videos and 3,500 audio and video podcasts.

The growing Zune online music community enables consumers to explore, discover and share music. Members will get a free, customisable Zune Card: a snapshot of their favorite tracks and the music they’re playing on their Zune.

Now consumers with the Zune Pass subscription have the ability to take what their friends are listening to from the Zune music community via Zune Card personal playlists for easy exploration and access. The Zune Pass subscription allows consumers to explore millions of tracks with no commitment other than the monthly fee similar to the price of one CD — $14.99 per month.

Microsoft GM global marketing for Zune Chris Stephenson says, “Consumers want more than the traditional transactional model of an online music store plus portable device. Zune is putting the strong combination of an online music community together with subscription to deliver a new experience centered on music discovery that’s good for consumers, artists and the industry. This approach exposes consumers to music they might not have otherwise tried, keeps them coming back, and gives them purchasing options that suit their preferences.”

New updates to the Zune online music community include Syncing Zune Cards, enhanced friends search, instant friends, artist and album review, reputation badges.

The features include the following :

• Syncing Zune Cards to a device. Consumers simply drag and drop Zune Cards from friends to a Zune device and get updates on what friends are listening to every time they sync. If the song is available with Zune Pass, subscribers automatically have the full tracks on their Zune while nonsubscribers have full album information and artwork. If consumers hear something they like, they can add it to their collection with one click. Next time the user syncs his or her Zune, he or she will be asked to confirm the purchase.

• Enhanced friends search. Consumers now have the ability to add their name, location and bio to their Zune music community profile, making it easier than ever to find their friends.

• Instant friends. The true power of the Zune online music community is unlocked when friends are added and consumers can follow the music they’re listening to. Now, when new Zune owners join the Zune online music community, they’ll find the top music editors from the Zune Marketplace team already added to their friends list, giving them a head start in finding new music.

• Artist and album reviews. Inside the Zune music community, members have the ability to write and post their own reviews for artists and albums, providing another community-driven feature to support the exploration and discovery of music. The music community helps to find and recommend the best music.

• Reputation badges. Now members of the Zune community can earn badges that are displayed on their Zune Card showing they’re passionate fans or active members.