Microsoft zune marketplace
October 18th, 2006 by 
Mike 
The goal of the Microsoft Zune Marketplace, which is integrated into the Zune software, is to provide users with access to millions of songs.Microsoft has stated that they will provide several popular formats of songs, all of which can be downloaded directly into the Microsoft Zune player.
At launch marketplace is anticipated to have more than 2 million songs from major record labels like EMI music, Astralwerks, Virgin records and more. Users can use Microsoft Points to purchase songs from the Zune Marketplace, which means that new music can be instantly obtained without the use of a credit card.
Microsoft Points were first introduced in the Xbox Live Marketplace. One US point can be purchased for 1.25 cents. Users will be able to purchase as many points as they desire, and then use the points towards the purchase of individual songs or albums.
Currently, Microsoft is planning to offer individual songs for 79 points (98.75 cents) a piece. Microsoft Points can also be purchased as a gift for others.
For those users who prefer a more steady relationship, Microsoft is also offering a monthly subscription to the Zune Marketplace.
For fifteen dollars per month, users can have unlimited access to the music and videos within the Zune Marketplace. However, those choosing this monthly subscription option will not be able to keep any of the media permanently.
In addition to music, the Zune Marketplace promises to offer users access to downloadable video. Currently, there is no word on how much each video will cost or what videos will be offered, but most industry analysts expect that Microsoft will offer similar videos at similar rates to those currently available through iTunes.
Posted in Marketplace | 
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:26 pm
how much do the songs cost in the market place? and is there a site where i can get songs cheaper or free?
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Michael, individual songs from marketplace cost 79 points or 98.75 cents. No you cannot download songs from other sites like Napster etc because of DRM, but you can rip songs from your own CD’s and put it on zune.
November 15th, 2007 at 10:58 am
It seems like a ripoff to buy songs and not be able to permanently keep them.
Why then even mess with the Marketplace rather than purchase a CD?
December 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
really couldnt you buy songs from most music stores and burn the tracks to a CD, then rip the CD into the zune software and get the music that way. isnt that possible?
March 24th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
An easier way would be to just download the songs through file sharing programs like Limewire or to use Bit Torrent to get them. Then just transfer them into your library. Or if you have burned cd’s, just add the files from the cd to your computer and then add the folder to your Zune’s “places to look for music”. That is how I got most of my songs into my library. The whole idea of the subscription was just ridiculous.