Microsoft’s Zune boys have just released politically themed Zunes! The company put some partisan stickers on the back of their 4GB music players and has begun handing them out to convention delegates. The Democratic Zune is green and the Republican is red. Both tout a MS-sponsored message of environmental harmony.   Hmm, maybe we should have headed down to Denver!

An filing with the FCC has revealed that Microsoft’s latest, next-generation Zune update will come with 120GB worth of storage space for all your movies and videos,  but other than the added capacity, the hybrid touch and directional pad will remain the same. No word yet on when the bigger player will be released, but it could follow the fall launch period as traditionally practised by Microsoft. It also remains to be seen whether the $249 price point will be retained for the 120GB Zune.  Oh, Microsoft confirmed it also

Earlier this year, Universal Music Group big-cheese Doug Morris opted against a new 2-year contract with iTunes, and instead has a rolling month-to-month contract with Apple.  According to a report today in BusinessWeek, the UMG is gearing up to launch an iTunes competing service of their own to be named “Total Music”.   BMG Music have also thrown their name into the program and is having talks with Warner Music Group. Together the three companies music giants would have control of over 70% of all the music sold in the U.S., with Apple iTunes currently holding control of over 70% of the music sold online in the U.S.The new Total Music service would be looking to hook up with direct iPod competitors as well, such as Microsoft’s Zune player, mobile phone carriers and game consoles looking to work themselves into more a part of total home entertainment.

From PC World’s news report:

The plan is to get hardware makers to absorb the cost of a $5 monthly subscription, so that consumers would get their music essentially for free when they buy a new player, and the hardware industry would be compensated by selling many more devices.

“You know that [the subsctiption is] there, and it costs something,” one tech executive who has seen Universal’s presentation told BusinessWeek.com. “But you never write a check for it.”

Microsoft is one lead candidate to take up the fight with Universal and revive its Zune music player in the process.  But the wireless carriers are the most adept at bundling devices and services under a contract to keep the “free” feeling alive. I’d expect fierce fighting by wireless companies for deals with Universal.

While Universal is currently running DRM-free music trials on iTunes rivals, it is not said if Total Music would be DRM-free. But removing DRM from the digital music landscape could be the the next big cause, giving a competitive advantage to its champion.

Microsoft have official dropped the price of the Zune from $249 to $199 in hopes of stirring up some sales against the mighty iPod.  With the announcement from Apple coming tomorrow, I’m not sure a quick $50 off the price will do to much at the moment, but whatever, $50 off means you can buy some decent headphones or quite a nice pile of songs.

Not only have super-group (ex GnR guys) Velvet Revolver survived three years of mishmash, they have released a new album and partnered with Zune to release Gas & A Dollar Laugh - an Exclusive track.  It’ll be interesting to see how many copies get downloaded and if we see more music coming exclusively to the Zune Marketplace.  BTW, the reviews for VR’s new album have been pretty positive- here’s what Monsters n Critics said:

“this album blows the doors off its predecessor. Save a pair of disinfected ballads (”The Last Fight,” “Gravedancer”), Libertad is all about hand-grenade chords, drag-racing riffs, and circus-tent choruses. The ageless McKagan and Slash continually gun for the disorderliness of their former band (most notably on the punkish opener “Let It Roll” and its lewd brother “Spay”), while Weiland sounds–knock on wood–positively clean and like a voice of boisterous renewal on tracks like “Mary Mary,” “She Builds Quick Machines,” and the melt-in-your-mouth cover of ELO’s “Can’t Get It Out of My Head.” Obviously egos have been checked at the studio door, as Velvet Revolver have already exceeded their anticipated existence. And now that existence goes back on the clock, trying to outshine a second album that’s head-and-shoulders better than the first. “

Sounds like I may pick up a copy!

WhizzByte have been given the following information after asking if they could confirm any details regarding Scorpio (the new 80gb model) and draco (the flash based zune). This is the reply: ”We have seen the rumors floating around, but we haven’t announced specific dates or details for the next generation of the Zune devices or service. That said, Zune follows the cycle of the consumer electronics cycle so you can expect an update later this year prior to the holiday season.

There are three predictable paths along which we’ll expand Zune:

• Device family – adding in new sizes, styles and price points
  Features – we’ll move towards parity with iPod building in support for video, podcasting, etc and at the same time build on key differentiators such as the wireless feature, the FM tuner, etc
• Geographic Markets – we’ll start to expand the international footprint of Zune over time but only when we can ensure an offering which is tailored to that market
• And one thing about Zune that’s really great for consumers is that the device is future-proofed. Consumers can buy without fear of their device becoming obsolete. Zune’s software (firmware) can be updated so their device gets automatically updated with new features when the new software is launched.”

Whizzbyte also asked if they were going to set out the Zune Spots, in not just concerts but possibly malls and other places as well. I did not get a reply at this point. So using the above information, it is confirmed that there will be a model out in time for Christmas. They are also going to expand the support (expand from the states) probably after the new models come out. Also it says that the newer models will mimic the features of the iPod, ie nano style, shuffle, etc… and maybe add some new stuff to play in with the wi-fi capabilities. Possibly an internet application?

Maybe a zune phone is in the works, although not directly said but they did say that they were basically following the same path apple laid out.

Zune is now available in 5 colors - White, Black, Brown, Pink and the new Red edition.  No one can say Microsoft isn’t trying hard to stay in the game - even though the amount of Zune haters out there seems to grow every day.  Go Zune, Go Red! Thats what ZuneGroove says!

My Chemical Romance will launch the second leg of their extensive tour in support of their Number One Rock album, the RIAA gold-certified, The Black Parade. The second round of the U.S. arena tour, produced by Art Show - a national touring division of Goldenvoice - will kick off in Houston, TX at the Reliant Arena. Tickets are on sale Saturday, February 10, 2007 via Ticketmaster.

The Black Parade, an epic theatrical concept album about mortality, has been named “Album Of The Year” by Blender Magazine, stating “My Chemical Romance transcended the cliché…to craft a grandiose epic that just might make them the biggest band in the world.” Rolling Stone says “The Black Parade is the best mid-Seventies record of 2006, a rabid, ingenious paraphrasing of echoes and kitsch from rock’s golden age of bombast.”

The week after its release, The Black Parade claimed the Number One spot on SoundScan’s Rock, Alternative, Top Albums Retailers, Indy/Small Chain, Internet, and Digital Album Charts. It also shot to Number 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, selling more than 240,000 copies its first week of release. The first single, “Welcome To The Black Parade,” has enjoyed eight weeks at the top of the Alternative / Modern Rock Radio hits in the U.S. and the singles chart for two consecutive weeks in the UK.