I was walking around the building and I forgot about a lot of the fun things we did in the building.  One of them is the "music wall."  It is amazing how fast things change.  I went into a partner meeting and came out two hours later.  Someone had completely plastered the wall outside the conference room.  This was just some random act and not sanctioned by the managers.  I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

I'm a bit surprised by this, but I've been asked four times in the last three days to do an interview on Zune.  I've thought a lot about it and I think this is what I want to do.  If you want to do an interview, send me your questions in email and I'll answer them as soon as possible.  Remember - things are crazy here since we are within six weeks of launch.

Anyone who knows me knows I spend a lot of time traveling.  Recently, I've spent a ton of time in Australia.  Last time I was in Sydney, I ran across this kiosk in the Virgin store.  Essentially, you walk up, make your selections and plug in your device.  It then transfers your content to the device and gives you a receipt to download a second copy to your PC when you get home.  Do you guys think you'd ever use a Zune kiosk like this?

I like to give you guys a glimpse into what we do over in our building (also known as BCA).  Well, you've seen our cubes.  It turns out we're about to shake things up a bit and move to our new space downstairs.  Yep, Moving day is almost upon us.  I'll be sharing an office with a great guy (Fred) until December.  I think I'll sneak in the building tomorrow and make a fort out of the crates that look like giant LEGOs.

I've been asked several times to add certain sites to my right-hand nav.  I'vedone a few.  Others are coming, I swear!  I got to thinking, I really should add as amny as possible.  I suppose I could just copy Cesar's list, but that wouldn't be nearly as fun.  Send me your favorite zune link, Iand I'll try to add all of them this coming weekend.

OK, ok, ok..  I hear all of you.  My site is BORING.  I broke out the Photoshop today to try to whip up a new logo and the results were not pretty.  So...Anyone want to try their hand at making a Zuneguy logo/banner?  I've got a Zune poster (yes, the one in my cube photo) for the best design.  Bonus points if you provide a new Blogger template to go with it (yes I use blogger!)

My good friend Dave over at Zunster just posted a link to VAF research (http://www.vaf.com.au/).  VAF is one of our partners making speakers and speaker docks.  While I'm in the partner business and all partners are important, I have to admit I have a special place in my heart for VAF.  These are really speakers you have to hear.  I first heard them connected to a iRiver Clix when I was working on the PlaysForSure team and they sounded great.  Phillip over at VAF has been working extra hard to take advantage of the better sound quality of the Zune Player.  As another good friend, DaveMac said, "wow, Phillip, you really hit it out of the park!"  Well said, mate. 

I've been using Windows Live Writer to post this blog for a few weeks now.  I have to say, I'm very impressed.  I only have one issue.  For some strange reason, it has stopped working from behind the company firewall.  It used to work.  I don't think I made any configuration changes.  Oh well, I'll just be resigned to post from home (unless someone from the team takes pity on me and helps me fix the settings) 

I recently got a Logitech Harmony remote (thanks Scott).  I've been using it quite a bit lately.  I'm trying to get all my home media equipment set up under one controller.  This includes my Zune.  Is this a scenario anyone else would like, or am I a bit over the top on this?

I'm looking at Podcasting and podcasting tools right now.  This thought occurred to me to ask everyone what 1.)  what tools do you use to create Podcasts and 2.) what accessories would you like to see to help you consume them? 

Sorry for not posting this weekend.  It was (finally) sunny in Seattle and I decided to build and fly model rockets with my boy (BTW, "the sizzler" was my favorite).  Back in the office now, so expect some updates.

In case you ever wondered what it is like over here in Zune, I decided to take a picture of my cube (yes, we are all in cubes including J Allard and Bryan Lee).  After snapping the picture, I realized that there are some of my "projects" in my space.  See if you can spot any of them (hint- one is under the coat).

The thought occurred to me today that I should give a little background about myself.  I've been working on MP3 players for about 8 years.  The first player I worked on was the Rio PMP 300.  I wasn't at MS at the time, but that's a story for a different day.   Since then I've worked on many (too many to count) MP3 players including doing the bizdev for the PlaysForSure efforts (again, a topic for another day).  I've been working on the Zune team since April trying to get you guys some great accessories.  Over the next few days, I hope to tell some of the backstory about this project. 

I was fortunate to be able to visit the factory where the Zune players are being built and they let me take some photos.  I thought you guys might like to see the line and how the devices are put together.

I've been overwhelmed by the responses I've been receiving!  I just counted the email in my in-box.  I've received over 50 mails directly to me about accessories and ideas.  That's so cool!  I'm trying to answer most/all of them so be patient (I've still got a day job).  I think I'll have a few non-accessories posts a little later tonight.

I was driving into work today and the topic of the new Nano came up.  As it turns out, Apple moved the connector 2mm over in the new design.  In addition, they went to square corners.  Now my friend's Nano accessories don't work (or look bad).  Has anyone else had a similar experience?  What do you guys think?

I just got a mail asking where my RSS feed is.  I accidentally deleted it.   So...tonight when I get home, I'll add it back in.  Sorry about that.

Wow, I've started to receive lots of emails already (and fortunately not a lot of SPAM).  Below are the first ideas that have come off the line (in no particular order):

• Colored Headphones
• Dual headphone jacks
• LCD remote
• Wi-Fi detector
• Boombox
• Wireless headphones
• In-car dock
• Ipod connector adapter
• Alarm clock
• Mini speakers
• Cup holder

The good news is that most of these are in the works in one form or another.  Keep the ideas coming!

...Since I'll be testing product tonight (and playing Star Wars Lego 2), I thought I'd share my Gamertag in case anyone is interested.  Catch me online - BillWitt27.

Another member of the Zune team is blogging.  Dave Caulton is a very smart guy (and a personal friend) and he's been with the team since the beginning.  His blog can be found at http://www.zunester.com.  It's worth a look.

Felix sent in some interesting ideas.  It looks like he really (really) wants brown headphones for his brown device.  Having iconic headphones is a model that has worked pretty well for others.  I'm sure that someone is currently thinking about something similar.  He then asked for a dock that plugs into a 360.  I've not tested the USB pass-though features of the docks I've seen to date, but I bet it works.  Looks like I've got some "field work" to do.

The one problem with my job is that I can't talk about specific products any one partner is building.  However, I can ask you guys what you'd like to see (and then maybe have it built).  So, send me your best ideas.  I'll post the most interesting ones and then vet them with the partners.  How do you get in touch with me?  email me directly ([email protected]).

Well, I can finally talk about what I've been doing for the last five months.  Zune has officially gone live today.  So, what exactly to I do?  I'm the 3rd party accessories guy.  If you saw the press release today, I'm the one interfacing with the partners to build an ecosystem of devices that support Zune.  In the coming weeks, you'll be hearing more from the partners about exactly what they are doing.  It is very cool.