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Josh's Windows Weblog

Covering Windows, Office, and every Beta in between.

The Details On New Zunes

Well try as I might I was not able to score a pass to the super secret Zune event tonight in Redmond. Even if I am feeling a little frustrated with the Zune folks, I have to say that the news that has come to light so far will give folks plenty of reason to give Zunes a chance this holiday season.  Here is a run down of what we know:

  • 2 Flash models (4GB & 8GB) New 80GB HD Model
  • 4 way touch sensitive pad on new devices
  • DRM Free music from new Zune Marketplace (sweet)
  • Wireless Sync from a Zune to your PC (how long till we can get it to sync to WHS over the Internet?)
  • Podcast support
  • TV episode downloads coming
  • Sync of Windows Vista Media Center content
  • Removed 3 day restriction from the 3x3 play model on shared songs. I would really like to see them remove this and use watermarking instead.

Engadget has the first pics I have seen tonight. Paul has some additional info.

2nd-gen-zune-03

Those of you who have already invested in the Zune 30 (or Zune v1) you aren't going to be left out in the cold here, there will be a firmware update coming that will enable all of the features that are possible with the hardware on that device. They will also continue to sell the Zune 30.

Official announcements are due out at about 9pm tonight...until then here is the price breakdown to expect when they hit stores this November.

  • 4GB  - 149
  • 8GB - 199
  • 80GB - 249

What do you think?

Published Oct 02 2007, 10:35 PM by Josh Phillips
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Comments

 

Matt Freestone said:

Ok, so everyone already knows what a huge Zune fan I already am, but this is the holy grail for me!  Wireless sync and Vista Media Center sync, those are the 2 HUGE things I have been dying for.  Can't believe they actually did that.  Frickin' awesome!

Thanks for the info Josh, been waiting all day!

October 2, 2007 9:56 PM
 

Jaxim said:

I can't wait until the new firmware update is released. I think it's in Microsoft's benefit to release it ASAP; that way current users can help hype the Zune until the new Zunes are released in November.

I'm not sure about the touch pad. Before I got the zune, I thought the Zune should have an iPod-like touch pad, but after using a Zune, I like the fact that I can stick the Zune in my pocket and feel and click the wheel w/o having to take it out of my pocket and look at it.

But I do like the thinner size and the fact that it will now be able to sync to Media Center - which is a HUGE persuasive buying point to potential buyers when they are considering an iPod or a Zune.

Until Apple makes a 30GB+ iPod Touch, I think the Zune may have potential to compete with Apple. Time will tell.

October 2, 2007 10:22 PM

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About Josh Phillips

Josh Phillips - Long time IT Pro and founder of windowsconnected.com
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