Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Heads up, Zunesters. Prepare for improved device recognition and improved reliability during sync (though not much else, apparently), because your 2.3 firmware has arrived. This update also fixes battery issues that some 30 / 80 users have been having, improving battery life with more power efficient codecs, which should come as a big relief. Wipe the tears of joy away from your eyes and go get your little buddy Zuned, er, tuned up. Nokia fans, you also get a cookie today — in the form of the first official update for your beloved internet tablet, the N810. Nokia hasn’t forsaken early adopters either, as N800 and 770 users get to reap the benefits and bug fixes of the OS update, too.

[Thanks, Kevyn, Ryan]

Read - Zune Firmware Update 2.3
Read - N810 First official OS2008 update

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Hey, we gave you the opportunity to voice your opinion on Microsoft’s original Zune back in August, so it’s only fair that the new kids on the block get their turn in the ring, too. This go ’round, however, we’re adding a little twist — focus your attention on the flash-based iterations only. The diminutive Zune 4 and Zune 8 were probably more highly anticipated than their HDD-based siblings, and considering that the rumors were literally all over the map leading up to the release, we can’t say anything really shocked us when launch day came and went. Granted, we were a bit bummed to find that these wouldn’t feature TV outputs, but hey, at least we got the option of adding more than just two lines of text to the thing’s rear, right?

By now, you’ve had more than ample time to give the flash-based Zune of your choice some serious play, and we’re sure you’ve logged a couple of complaints in your mind, so here’s your chance to get it all out in the open. If given the keys to the Zune 4 / 8 design lab, what changes would you implement? Add in a few more pixels? How about a few more gigabytes? Melt the whole thing down and shape it like a discus? Or is your heart still longing for the oh-so-elusive Zune phone? Whatever your wish may be, feel free to let the whole world know in comments below — you never know who’ll tune in.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable Video

J Allard, the mysterious, bedreadlocked, Lex Luthor-ish cat behind the Xbox, Zune and Zune 2 (amongst others) sat down for a Q and A with the New York Times and revealed some deep feelings — as well as future plans. Mainly, Mr. Allard talks about the hardships of dealing with record labels, the failure of the first Zune to penetrate the market, his hopes for the current generation of Redmond-anointed media players to kill, kill, kill, and the fact that a “Zune Phone” isn’t anywhere close right now (though doesn’t seem to be off the table). On the flip side, he hints at a future of merged Microsoft services, where you’ll be able to order up music, games, and videos on demand — all in one, centralized package. Says J, “Today we have Xbox live for $50 a year. We have Zune Pass at $15 a month. We don’t have a rationalized premium version yet. Fast forward a little bit, and you can image a menu like DirecTV. There is basic, there is enhanced, there is movie pack and NFL Sunday ticket.” Of course, right now it’s just a crazy tripped-out dream floating around the mind of J Allard… let’s hope it floats onto our screens soon.

Read - J Allard: Microsoft’s Plan to Be King of All Media
Read - J Allard: The Failures of the Zune and the Record Labels
Read - J Allard: Dancing Around the Cellphone Question

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one ’round these parts that’s wondering where all the fanfare went. Microsoft decided to do up the launch of its new Zunes without all the launch hullabaloo of the first time around, probably hoping the devices will speak for themselves — which they seem to doing alright at so far. At the same time, the company is throwing three times the advertising dollars at the Zune this year according to the New York Post, to the tune of $27 million. Time will tell if this move pays off for Microsoft. Jason Reindorp, director of marketing for Zune, stated it most clearly: “Our No. 1 business priority this year is we want to be the clear alternative to the iPod.”

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Nothing new to say about these things that you haven’t heard a hundred times already, other than the fact that they’ve finally graced us with their presence. The Zune 4, Zune 8 and Zune 80 are now available at a wide assortment of online stores, or you can score one from Microsoft directly at the Zune Originals store with custom text and artwork engraving, but it’ll mean waiting 5-7 business days for it to ship — the price remains the same. Unfortunately, if you want an “Original” you’re limited to the 4 and 8 at the moment, the Zune 80 will be available custom in December.

[Thanks, JoeP]

Read - Zune.net Compare Devices
Read - Zune Originals

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Say what you will about Wal-Mart (you hippie, you) but they’ve really been coming through with the broken street dates of late. This time it’s Microsoft’s new and improved Zune “2″ lineup making an appearance, almost two whole weeks before the supposed November 13th ship date. These were spotted in a Saint Louis Wal-Mart, and are reportedly for sale, though only the original-flavor 30GB model has the pricetag. Anybody else got a Wal-Mart friendly enough to share the goods?

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Zune boys and Zune girls, it’s time to get your collective underwear in a bunch over some hot new accessory action — namely, the Zune Car Pack. The automotive add-on features an FM transmitter, plus a grip-pad and charger, so you can crank your lossless WMAs of Countdown to Extinction without having to take your eyes off the road… or suffer the embarrassment and danger of driving with earphones in. The transmitter stores your two favorite (read: least static-filled) stations, so you won’t have to remember any complicated digits, and can be all yours on November 13th for $79.99.

[Via PMPToday]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

We know you’ve heard a lot of Zune 2 info today, but we’ve got the word on some other details and features that we thought our loyal, highly intelligent, and downright handsome readers would like to know. Also, the folks at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer have scored some quality hands-on time with the 80GB version, and you can see breathtaking video of the interface in action after the break. But first — here’s more goods on Microsoft’s newest entry into the media player world:

• The new players will support lossless audio of the Windows Media variety (don’t go screaming FLAC just yet)
• The WiFi is just b/g, so no n, a or x (the sexiest form of WiFi)
• Microsoft is still in the testing phase for battery life and will have numbers “later”
• You can manually sync up the player wirelessly on battery power, but you can’t do auto-sync — you’ll need the dock for that action
• All your old accessories are said to work with the new models
• The screens are glass, not plastic
• Green is the new brown… but brown is sticking around on the 30GB models
• You can connect the Zune to an Xbox 360 to create “your own soundtrack”

[Thanks, Nikropht]

Continue reading Zune 2 bits and pieces, plus an in-depth interface video

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

The official announcement is still pending, but at least one early AP report confirms tomorrow’s (or tonight’s) Zune 2 launch will include a slimmer, black 80GB player with a 3.2-inch screen, as well as 8 and 4GB flash players (duh), all apparently capable of WiFi sync of music, movies, and photos (something the iPhone and iPod touch still don’t do). More as we get it. Of course, without a video store or the ability to play anything other than WMV, video on both new Zune 2 devices is still trivial, so we’ll cross our fingers Microsoft gave their customers a hand here and put some decent codecs in this time around.

Also, on the more rumor side of the spectrum, Silicon Alley Insider has it that he 4GB will start at $150, with the 8GB at $200, and the 80GB at $250, and that Microsoft will also launch is overdue DRM-free music store (although we’ve no idea how that will play out for Zune to Zune song sharing).

Read - Zune announcement pending
Read - Pricing and DRM-free rumor

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Well, would you look at this. Thanks to the oh-so-disclosing FCC website, we’re now seeing drawings of what looks to be 4GB and 8GB versions of Microsoft’s forthcoming flash-based Zunes. Sure enough, the pictures match the leaked photos from yesterday to a T, so it shouldn’t be long before these things get officially official. Additionally, the documentation includes what appears to be a matching Zune FM transmitter module and dock, which is pictured after the jump for your enjoyment. Hold tight kids, the new Zunes are nearly here.

[Via Technabob]
Read - Flash-based Zunes in FCC
Read - Zune FM Transmitter in FCC

Continue reading Microsoft’s 4GB / 8GB flash-based Zunes revealed by FCC

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/microsoft/Zune_1_running_firmware_2_1_Zune_2_coming_Wednesday’; Here it is, direct from a trusted source close to the situation — a Zune 1 running firmware 2.1, which will bring all the Zune 2 software goodies and UI tweaks with it when those bad boys are announced on Wednesday. That’s right, we also have confirmation that Microsoft will be making the Zune 2 announcement on Wednesday, which should give the Zune tattoo guy plenty of time to get some new ink before the holidays.

Update: We’re now being told that while Microsoft will announce and discuss the Zune 1 firmware update on Wednesday, it won’t be available until sometime later — presumably when the Zune 2s hit the market.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Don’t go betting the farm or anything, but “according to sources close to the situation,” Microsoft will be unveiling the second-generation of Zune players come Tuesday. Apparently, Mr. Gates and J Allard will be attending the shindig, and it sounds like both the “thinner” HDD-based Zune and the flash-based Zune will indeed be launched. The overall design of the HDD Zune isn’t set to change all that much, but the 3- x 1.25-inch flash Zunes “are said to look much like the iPod nano,” and they should include video playback capabilities and larger storage capacities than “competing products.” As expected, Redmond wouldn’t respond to the hunches, but if these rumors prove true, we could see the new flock of Zunes hit shelves “this November.”

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!