Back in the saddle at work today after an extended vacation :). 

Billboard has a good write up about a new Microsoft project under the brand name, "Zune". I've received a few phone calls and emails asking for comment, but prefer to make my thoughts known here.  Let me first say I’m not a member of the Zune team and in no way speak for them or Microsoft in an official capacity on this topic.  With that out of the way, here’s my take.

From what I've learned, Zune is a new brand for Microsoft - Zune is about community, music and entertainment discovery.  You'll experience Zune with a family of devices and software that bring it all together. Yes, we all want more details, but we’ll have to be a little patient for more details. Check out www.comingzune.com and sign up if you want more details.

One question that gets asked here is the relationship to our existing PlaysforSure program. The Windows digital media team (of which I've been a member) has been focused on raising the tide for all boats, raising the experience for many partners through programs like PlaysforSure, giving sessions on 360 degree product design at partner events, offering frank feedback on product designs when requested and more.  We want Windows to be the best place to experience digital music and entertainment.  The Windows team will continues to work closely with service and device partners to make Windows a great platform for any digital media.

And one need only look as far as the MP3 player/portable media player market to find other examples of taking multiple approaches.  At least two of the largest consumer electronics manufacturers compete on not one, not two, but three levels:

• They supply memory for their own, and competitive MP3 players
• They design and sell MP3 "engines" (systems on a chip) for their own, and competitive MP3 device manufacturers
• They design, build and compete for retail space for their own, branded MP3 players

There are many other examples that can be drawn within Microsoft as well – for example, Microsoft Game Studios competes with independent game publishers for consumer dollars on the same platform (Xbox) also built by Microsoft. In all these cases, relationships of trust must be established independently between product groups or divisions.  The same holds true here as well.   It’s hard to understand unless you’re inside Microsoft but these groups have separate P&Ls (Profit/Loss metrics) and that sometimes means trying different strategies.  To quote Jonathan Sasse, President of iRiver America in a recent CNet News.com article:

“Microsoft is a great partner and we expect continued success moving forward. The potential launch of a device by Microsoft does not appear to threaten our relationship in any way.”

I personally hope, like Jonathan, that this new effort will help to raise the tide once again for all players as the so-called digital lifestyle continues to evolve.  PlaysforSure continues to be a Windows effort with some 140+ products in the market today and with the recently updated PlaysforSure 2.01 specification, the experience bar will be raised even higher.  Zune is a part of a different group and P&L,  but an integral part of Microsoft’s vision for “connected entertainment” that spans across offerings including as games, music and devices. So that’s my take on it. 

(To learn more about the Zune community, check out Cesar’s new site at www.Zuneinsider.com or the official teaser site at www.comingzune.com, which will offer more information when available. For more on PlaysforSure devices available today, see http://www.playsforsure.com)

Update0: Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times weighs in on my post here.
Update1: Richard Winn, a member of the Zune team and new to Microsoft is blogging at www.madisonandpine.com
Update2: Chris Pirillo says the post is a link worth loading and notes I'm one of the Microsoft employees he trusts - thanks Chris :)

While Senator Stevens is still trying to explain how the Internet is a series of tubes (must see: Jon Stewart clip), I'm thinking about a different kind of tube- the kind that you leisurely go down a river in.  The weather is going to be sweltering here today so I'm thinking about going tubing while I'm still on vacation.  A quick search on the 'Net yields few references to tubing in Western Washington so I may just go down the Snoqualmie or Tolt Rivers in Carnation/North Bend and hope for the best. 

Q1: Any suggestions or resources on great tubing/canoeing areas in Western Washington or a short drive from the area?

Q2: Is it time for "Geek Tubing" ala Geek Dinners?

P.S. Apologies to those who were up for a Geek Dinner in NJ, things were just too hectic for me to peel away.  I'll definitely set something up next time I'm in town.

While still on vacation, the 'Net blackout period of my vacation is over - 1.5 weeks with almost no access to the internet, though little Ocean Grove, NJ had many unsecured freely accessible wifi access points available to siphon a little 'nettage off.  The family reunion's soundtrack during happy hour/dinners was powered by Urge's radio stations, and ironically we settled on "Reunion" (Classic rock) as our fave. 

Here's my "Top 10 Things I Learned on Vacation" list:

Top 10 Things I Learned on my Beach Vacation

10.  When getting a 3 year old up at 3:30am for a 6:30am flight, do not tell him the night before he will be going on an airplane in the morning.  He won't sleep.

9.   Learn to Surf.  Yes, at the Jersey Shore.  Go in the AM before the lifeguards arrive and at 5:30pm when they leave.

8.  When in a body surfing competition, tucking your head in so you can't see where you're going may result in injury to you and/or other people who can't see you torpedoing at their legs (but at least you'll win- sorry Jack). 

7.  The guy who does all the grilling and BBQing doesn't have to do too much cleaning.

6.  Always wear sunscreen. At least on your nose, ears, and tops of your feet.

5.  Do not wait in line going around the block for ice cream.  I don't care if it's a $1.50 single scoop that looks like the leaning tower of Piza, just go get some Friendly's at the store.

4.  When two adults volunteer to take two 8 year olds, a 12-year old, and a 3-year old to the Aquarium, Arcades, Boardwalk, Lunch, Games, and Ice Cream on said boardwalk, ask for a third parent to go; you'll still always have two kids in rotation.

3.  Meet the locals.  Even if said local is 12 yo boy called "The Mayor" by the locals for the fact he knows everyone (and can get a 3 year old a tour of the fire station on his birthday making Dad a hero).

2.  When going out to a nightclub at the Jersey Shore with old friends on "Pirate Night", a fake mustache and eye patch can start all sorts of interesting games and conversations.

1.  When it's 99 degrees at 89% humidity, close up the house and crank the window air conditioners up upstairs to the max.  You're not paying more for the power and cool air falls quickly.

I brought a few gadgets along (a Toshiba Gigabeat-S and an iRiver Clix) and both received responses I've never seen.  I had 7 and 12 year olds, 40+ year olds and 50+ year olds all asking me how they can get them saying things like "Cooler than iPod" and "Why don't people know about this?".  I can't speak for marketing budgets.  Rumor has it Apple spends 9 digits on advertising per year.  But what I can say is that the iPod has opened doors because all of that marketing spend is coming back to users now understanding the value, and wanting more features at a lower price. 

Overall this was one of the most enjoyable vacations we've had in years, we'll definitely be doing this again.  Thanks to our local hosts D and J, and to Grandpa for pulling this Reunion together. Grandma was there in spirit and smiling the whole time.

In my totally unsanctioned but nice to poke have a little fun style, you might recall a month ago I announced a contest to win an iRiver Clix.  The winner is in: Long Zheng's "Feel the Beat" was selected based on its simplicity and spirit in line wiht the player+device+service combo.  Long's second design, "Press the Magic Number" was another top contender.

And for the heck of it, Austin wins the runner up "Nice try and yes, there's some truth there too Award" for his entry I call, "Usable".  Austin gets a cool WMP11|iRiver Clix launch team jacket (with tiny logos) for his entry because it made me laugh.

Congrats to both our winners!

After nearly seven years of being in "launch mode" every summer, I'm going on a long vacation - a whopping two weeks! I'll be down at the Jersey Shore with family and friends.  I may try to do a geek dinner at the Jersey Shore- if anyone is interested, send me email at sean@youknowthissite.com

Check out an interview with the On10 Team and learn more about what it's like to work on this sister-site to Channel9. 

You can also get a Sneak Peek at their upcoming site redesign.  What do you want to see more of on On10?  Let Jeff and the team know.

One thing to note on the upcoming site redesign is more discoverable support for downloadable versions of their videos formatted for iPod and PSP.  I think this is great- support what the people do en-masse.  Does this surprise you?  It shouldn't. I just hope my Toshiba PMC will also be supported. :)

Addressing a question I get often internally and externally at Gnomedex this week.

1.  Yes I blog and have done so for a long time (5+ years)

2.  Yes I work at Microsoft.

3.  No, I'm not Mini-MSFT.  I read his site once a month and find it to be more of a virtual support group for disgruntled MSFT employees unable or willing to effect change internally than a voice for change.

4.  Can we move along now? :)

Great tips here from the New York Institute of Photography on how to take pictures of fireworks.  It worked for me even for a small show put on by some friends this weekend.

Admittedly I skipped out on Day 2 of Gnomedex knowing I would be able to catch up on what I missed later and opted for some family time.  Inspired by the beautiful weather, we spent some time bumming around Seattle, resulting in what was definitely a "Best Day Ever".  It's nice to get away from the tech side of life sometimes.

More pictures here.

9:30am - Walking down at Alki Beach.

11:00am - Shopping at Pike Place Market

12:30pm - Lunch at XXX Root Beer Stand (Last in America)

1:00pm - Chainsawing Limbs from the Sycamore in our Neighbors Yard from a Tall Ladder (Too Scary for Pictures)

4:30pm - Finished Cleaning Up after Chainsawing Limbs from the Sycamore.  Firewood is ready for winter.

5:30pm - 4th of July Big Bash at Jaron & Lauren's House

9:30pm - Fireworks!

More pictures up on my Flickr site

We're here at Gnomedex at Chris Pirillo just pointed out on his blog that it looks like TechMeme has been hacked?  If you have no idea what I'm talking about. Move along. :)