Q: In the past, you guys talked about a program that allowed you to record Internet radio and YouTube videos pretty easily. What was the name of the program again? - Stephen

Q: Is the new Microsoft tablet going to be something that will be worth considering vs an iPad? — Tanya

Many of Microsoft’s Zune media players that froze up on the last day of 2008 because of a glitch involving their internal clock were functioning properly Thursday as the new year was ushered in, according to the company. However, a few people were still complaining of problems operating the devices.

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. is giving an early holiday gift to people who pay for all-you-can-listen access to the Zune digital music store: 10 songs to keep each month, included in the $14.99 monthly subscription fee.

SEATTLE - It is almost unthinkable that any one human could pick up where Bill Gates left off when he ended his full-time tenure Friday as Microsoft’s leader.

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. is offering cash rebates when people make purchases after using its search engine as the software maker begins to reveal how it plans to take on Google Inc. following the failure of its $47.5 billion bid for Yahoo.

For years, hotels have tried to provide the best creature comforts and services. But now, many are adapting to the digital age. So when you book hotel rooms, pay attention to the amenities offered.

SEATTLE - Come Super Bowl Sunday, Amazon.com will get a leg up in the digital music race it's running against Apple Inc.'s iTunes Store. And not just any leg: Justin Timberlake's leg.

Chances are, someone on your Christmas list wants an MP3 player. Manufacturers have been busy. New models boast vivid color screens for viewing pictures and videos. Some even have touch-screen controls.

NEW YORK - Perhaps the Zune has spent some time at a Seattle spa: The newest version of Microsoft’s media player is slimmer, stronger and more intuitive than its first-generation sibling.

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. took the wraps off its second-generation Zune digital media players late Tuesday, showing three models that bring the software maker's offerings more in line with Apple's market-leading iPod.

SEATTLE - In another setback for Microsoft Corp.'s unprofitable entertainment and devices division, the company says it is planning to spend at least $1 billion to repair serious problems with its Xbox 360 video game console.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Apple Inc.'s recent rollout of songs without copy protection software at its iTunes Store has given consumers new flexibility, but questions have emerged over the company's inclusion of personal data in purchased music tracks.

SAN JOSE, CALIF. - Apple’s iTunes Store started selling thousands of songs without copy protection Wednesday, marking the trendsetting company’s latest coup and a model for what analysts say will likely become a pattern for online music sales.

Record stores are disappearing faster than Kevin Federline’s “Playing with Fire” vanished from the Billboard 200. According to a recent report by NBC Nightly News, there were 4,685 chain record stores in 1992, compared with just 1,695 today.

Q: Can you tell me the differences between the Zen, the iPod and Microsoft’s new MP3 player? — Jonathan

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp.'s Zune music player looks a lot like an iPod, acts a lot like an iPod and will cost about the same as an iPod. The software giant said Thursday that it will charge $249.99 for the device, signaling that it isn't planning to spark a major price war to gain market share.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp.’s effort to compete against Apple’s iPod juggernaut will focus on the idea that people want to be able to easily share music with friends and others.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Could the company that helped catapult the legal music download market with iPods and iTunes now kick-start the online movie market?

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp.’s answer to Apple’s iPod will be built by Toshiba Corp., the software company confirmed Friday. The gadget, which will be one of the products marketed under Microsoft’s ‘‘Zune’’ brand, will let people share songs, photos, music playlists and other content with others via a wireless connection.