"We are excited to offer Canadians an alternative music experience with Zune," said Craig Tullett, Group Manager, Zune Canada. "With wireless capabilities and a unique social experience, Canadians can continue to discover and share music in new ways."

Good 

Yes, Canadians will be able to get their hands on the  3 Zune models (some of which you can already find) and take advantage of the ZuneOriginals customization within the next couple months.  Canadians will also be able to experience the ZuneSocial and create their own custom ZuneCards just like their US counterparts.  There are a couple things, however, Canadians will have to wait on.

Not So Good

The Canadian offering in 2008 will first include Zune players, Zune software and the Zune Social, an online music community, before launching the Zune Marketplace online store later this year.

The Zune Marketplace and The Zune Pass will not ba available at the initial launch.  Most of the article's features mention 'Spring of 2008' until you get down to this:

• Zune Marketplace (to be launched later in 2008). Zune Marketplace is designed to make it fun to browse. Choose from over 3 million songs and a broad collection of albums, music videos and digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s to download and sync to a Zune.
• Zune Pass (to be launched with Zune Marketplace later in 2008).For about the price of one CD per month consumers can get flat-rate access to millions of available songs. They also have the option to buy songs, albums and music videos individually.

Bummer.  If our Canadian friends haven't waited long enough and now this?  Let's hope they don't wait too long, aye?...

[zune.net/press]

Comments

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Guest User   | 24.177.102.xxx | 2008-01-08 13:37:15 Who cares. No one uses the marketplace anyway. Reply | Quote 0   1

sianlee   | 121.222.238.xxx | 2008-01-08 13:43:52 The marketplace? Isn't that the place where you buy the music? If so then how are people going to be able to put music legally onto the Zune? Reply | Quote 0   1

faceofbass   | 24.9.14.xxx | 2008-01-08 14:56:14 I've had a zune for a year and a half and have never even seen what the market[place looks like! Reply | Quote 0   1

Guest User   | 67.127.189.xxx | 2008-01-08 17:27:51 I wouldn't be surprised if the CRIA is the reason for the Marketplace being delayed. They're the people behind charging a tax on blank CD's and DVD's in Canada because they think the only reason people buy blank discs is to pirate music and the money supposedly goes to the artists. (Keeps the CRIA going, more likely...) IIRC, they're also now charging a tax on MP3 players "for the artists", so I'm sure the Zune is affected by that. If they're going to tax everything else, I could see Microsoft having to delay the Marketplace and the subscription format due to the CRIA wanting a piece of the action of every track sold or every Canadian sub. Reply | Quote 0   1

Guest User   | 24.86.167.xxx | 2008-01-08 18:29:37 "Filled with non-American spellings of words like "colour" and "favourite," Yeah, for some strange reason MSFT Canada tends to send out press releases in Canadian English (which incidentally is closer to British. You know, the guys who invented the language?).[smiley=wink] Reply | Quote 0   1

boxhunter   | 122.106.120.xxx | 2008-01-08 19:24:48 I myself don't use the marketplace aswell but thats pathetic MS. Hmm maybe they are getting more countries to the Zune then later allowing Zune Marketplace to consumers. Market Strategy?? Reply | Quote 0   1

pj.paito   | 142.46.130.xxx | 2008-01-08 20:05:48 I am Canadian and i wouldn't use the use the marketplace anyway and right now if i try to access ZuneOriginals.net i just tells me " ACCESS DENIED Sorry, this site is currently unavailable from your location. Please visit Zune.net for the latest news and information. " lol Reply | Quote 0   1

Skiks   | Registered | 2008-01-08 20:59:43 Guest User wrote: "Filled with non-American spellings of words like "colour" and "favourite," Yeah, for some strange reason MSFT Canada tends to send out press releases in Canadian English Not really, only for Canadian releases. Go up on Zune.net/press and you'll see they wrote that article differently than other press releases. And as an American, I have the right to be ignorant. The British clearly speak British, not English (j/k) [smiley=wink] Reply | Quote 0   1

x9   | 58.168.42.xxx | 2008-01-09 00:00:32 I don't see why you're all surprised that the marketplace will be opened later in other countries. Remember that the iTunes Music Store also opened long after the iPod players were released (in Australia, at least). Reply | Quote 0   1

Leif902     | 98.18.105.xxx | 2008-01-09 01:48:08 That's too bad. I have a Zune 80 and am in love with the Marketplace, I have a Zune Pass and it's a great way to get music. I'm sorry for those of you in Canada. Reply | Quote 0   1

shotgun_photo   | 70.53.67.xxx | 2008-01-09 04:00:18 you mean i will have to turn to other methods of getting music? and vids? what ever will i do ? [smiley=laugh] Reply | Quote 0   1

Guest User   | 142.109.3.xxx | 2008-01-10 17:59:33 Ummmmmmmmm, us Canadians are allowed to download music for free, so we don't need the marketplace. The Canadian gov't puts a surcharge on every CD/DVD you buy so that people can download for free. Also, a new $70 fee is going to be placed on all new mp3 players over 30gb, because the artists are complaining so it gives you even more incentive to download free music. Ahhhhhhhh, I love this country[smiley=laugh ][smiley=laugh][smil ey=laugh][smiley=lau gh] Reply | Quote 0   1

Anonymous - re:   | 205.250.109.xxx | 2008-01-17 12:32:51 Guest User wrote: Also, a new $70 fee is going to be placed on all new mp3 players over 30gb, because the artists are complaining so it gives you even more incentive to download free music. [smiley=laugh][smile y=laugh][smiley=laug h][smiley=laugh] Actually, they government decided that it wasn't fair to add extra charges onto mp3 players and such because not everyone downloads music illegally, so that idea was dismissed. No extra charges! Reply | Quote 0   0

Guest User   | 24.86.167.xxx | 2008-01-11 03:38:27 "Not really, only for Canadian releases." Yeah, note the press release location: "Toronto, ONT" (that's Canada btw). Also "MSFT Canada": that's the Canadian subsidiary. When in Rome...[smiley=wink] Reply | Quote 0   1

*Greg*   | 66.215.69.xxx | 2008-01-12 22:36:52 If you are usung the Zune Marketplace then you are completely missing the point. "Vibrations are good"; say the Beach Boys. Why pay for them. Dream of a Global open source. Go Green or die. Zune Zune Zune..... Reply | Quote 0   1

Anonymous   | 75.164.43.xxx | 2008-01-17 17:21:39 Reply | Quote 1   0

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