Gilly has an interesting post about the Zune Service being made available outside the US. You can see details here:

http://mymicrosoftlife.com/2010/02/15/zune-going-international-by-year-end/

Note that this is about the Zune ‘Service’ which presumably means the marketplace will be available to accompany the new Windows Phone 7 Series phones that will have Zune functionality. No word yet on the release of stand alone Zune players in Europe.

Microsoft today announced the Windows Phone 7 Series, which is their latest mobile OS offering. It’s very different than the existing Windows Mobile platform with some very cool additions. Of most interest to us inclusion of Xbox Live and of course the Zune Music Service.

The Zune part of the device looks just like it does on the stand alone Zune Players.

Devices are supposed to launch in time for Christmas 2010. No specific UK news apart from Vodafone are listed as a carrier partner.

MS released a long (22 mins!!) video demo of the platform:

http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/LauraFoy/First-Look-Windows-Phone-7-Series-Hands-on-Demo/

We have the Zune pass available again for £15.99. Once you place your order we will email the pass code within 48 hours.

You can put your Zune HD player into a recovery mode so that you can try to do either of the following:

• Reinstall the device software
• Erase the device completely, and then install the device software from scratch

We recommend just reinstalling the device software before you consider erasing the device completely.

Method 1: Reinstall the Zune device software

To reinstall the Zune device software, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the On/Off button for about 10 seconds until the player restarts.
   

2. Immediately press and hold the Media button until CONNECT ZUNE TO YOUR PC is displayed on the screen.
   

3. After CONNECT ZUNE TO YOUR PC is displayed, connect your Zune HD to the computer that has the current version of the Zune software. Then, update the device to the current version of the device software.

You should now be able to use the player again.

If your Zune HD still does not work correctly after you follow these steps, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Erase the Zune HD and reinstall the device software

If the steps in Method 1 do not resolve the problem, follow these steps.

You should be aware that when you follow these steps, the player’s software and all content that is stored on the player will be removed. This includes music, videos, pictures, podcasts, friends, apps, and audiobooks.

When it is possible, we recommend that you sync your Zune HD player with the Zune client software on your computer to back up any Zune Marketplace content before you continue.

For more information about how to back up your content, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

1. Press and hold the On/Off button for about 10 seconds until the player restarts.
   

2. Immediately press and hold both the Media button and the Home button until CONNECT ZUNE TO YOUR PC is displayed on the screen.
   

3. After CONNECT ZUNE TO YOUR PC is displayed, connect your Zune HD to the computer that has the current version of the Zune software, and then update your Zune HD to the current version of the device software.

After you give your Zune HD player a name, and configure some other settings, you should be able to use the device again.

We sometimes get questions about places to repair Zune’s in the UK. There is nowhere actually in the UK that we know of, but rapidrepair.com will work with UK customers. Your Zune would just need to be shipped to them in the US and they can ship back to UK no problem.

Remember if you got your Zune from ZuneThings we cover the 12 month warranty, so check with us first to see if your Zune is still covered.

To guarantee delivery in time for Xmas from ZuneThings, please place all orders by Monday December 21st.

We have just launched ZuneForums.co.uk, a community for UK Zune users and fans. We will keep the discussion focused on information and advice UK related.

Please take a look and join in the discussion!

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Just a quick reminder that you can follow ZuneThings on twitter for Zune HD stock updates and some future special offers.

https://twitter.com/zunethings