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Gizmodo (gizmodo.com) has great Zune news, photos, videos and more
Zune HD + ZunePass and HD Dock: If your Apple hater is in the market for a PMP, there's no better option than the Zune HD—in terms of media capabilities, it kicks the iPod Touch's standard-def ass with HD radio, 720p video output, a killer OLED screen and a gorgeous, media-centric UI. It'll pl...
In addition to these social features, Xbox LIVE will also be debuting "News and More," a new section of the "Inside Xbox" channel, transforming Xbox LIVE into a full-fledged media portal. With a regularly-updated stream of content from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert, "News and More" b...
Geekologie reader Brian loves himself some Cisco. Lucky for him the design kind of resembles a post-Apocalyptic barcode brand-like symbol or something, so it could have the legs to last a lifetime. Unlike, you know, Zune guy. [Geekologie]
Your Zune, iPod, or other PMP Zune: Zune's software plays nice with Windows 7, but it's you only choice. And even moreso than Apple products, the Zune HD is locked to its client software, meaning there aren't any alternative for the time being. Luckily, Zune 4.x is fantastic software—it's ju...
• Dell 17" Studio 17 Notebook w/Intel T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive - $749.00 • Dell 20" Studio XPS 8000 Desktop w/Intel i5-750 CPU, 6GB RAM, 750GB Hard Drive - $899.00 • Dell Inspiron w/Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 3GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $499.00
• Microsoft Zune HD 32GB Media Player for $269.99 with free shipping (normally $289.99 - use coupon code BQ?GSVLT3DNGVC). • Olympus Stylus 7000 12MP Digital Camera for $150 plus free shipping (normally $198) • Alpine EX-10 Advanced iPod Controller with Bluetooth for only $35 plus free shi...
The last Zune HD firmware update apparently had one more trick up its sleeve: 3D gaming, finally. And while the new games might be late in coming to the Zune Marketplace, they look worthwhile. And more importantly, they're free. Anyone with Zune HD 4.3 should be able to mosey on over to the Zune M...
Ah Blockbuster, you've arrived just in time to ignore the growing popularity of iTunes/Zune Marketplace syncing, 3G streaming and in-flight Wi-Fi all while offering your service on a medium less convenient than DVD. But don't worry, I'm not angry. You're just hurting yourself. [Fast Com...
It's good to see Microsoft offering optimizations, but we're still waiting for a more major firmware upgrade: Social networking, IM, and YouTube should be top priorities. That being said, I still love the Zune HD—it's even wowed the notoriously hard-to-please Brian Lam.
Zune HD users should be able to download the latest firmware update now, and it's substantial enough to warrant grabbing ASAP. There's a speedier browser, predictive text entry (a la iPhone), and that's just the beginning. The download should be available through the Zune software, but s...
If you're on a Mac, it's easy to keep your Contacts synced—just tell Address Book to sync with Google. On Windows, you'll need a third-party app, like GO contact. That way, you can manage your contacts on your desktop, and have a local copy that's always synced up with what Google's got.
Windows 7 Sales 234% Higher Than Vista NPD declared sales for Windows 7 were 234% higher than the sales for Windows Vista in the same amount of time on the market, says Nick Wingfield at the WSJ's Seattle desk. Oddly, Windows PC sales were down, 6% lower than they were during the Vista launch w...
Today, at only 24, he's achieved a new level of stardom: His designs for Windows 7 will literally be seen by hundreds of millions of people over the lifespan of the OS. Microsoft hunted him down, and it was definitely a good call; Windows 7 is the best-looking Windows OS ever, and its style is r...
New Skin, Same Awkward Body Android 2.0 is glossy—not in an Apple "the whole world is shiny and reflective" kind of way, but more like molded plastic for a collectible action figure. The cartoon whimsy—the classic Google rainbow of bright colors—are gone. The iconography, redrawn for high...
The Dealzmodo • Last Minute Windows 7 Deals • Windows 7 Deals of the Day More Windows 7 Goodness • 27 Reviews of Windows 7 • 7 Reasons to Stick to XP • Battlemodo: Thin-and-Light Win 7 Laptops • HP Envy • Amazon Kindle Touchscreen App for Windows 7
The Launch Party • Readers' Windows 7 Launch Parties • Adam Frucci's One-Man Launch Party • Host Your Own Win 7 Torrenting Party • Microsoft Opens Its All-New Retail Store • Microsoft's New Windows 7 Ads • Apple's New Windows 7 Ads • 38 Ways to Put some Sex Into Windows 7
As you know, I sat down with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to chat about all of his projects this year. Windows 7 was obviously the biggie, so we talked about it and its less beloved predecessor. He contends that (poor) PC sales are "far more a function of the economy, right now" than any product,...
In a revised statement, Microsoft says it has "no plans" to introduce any Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox 360. But—despite the fact they watched the same video you did—they claim Ballmer was referring to the PC. One more time, for posterity, this is what Ballmer said in reply to a question about p...
Ballmer just confirmed to Engadget that Zune integration IS coming to Windows Mobile 7, as was implied by these leaked screenshots earlier this year. [Engadget]
Though Windows 7 starts belting out its big opening number today, we're here to see the whole show from Xbox to Zune. Still, the chanting before the store opening—as brought to us by brightly-shirted store employees—told us what today was: "Windows! Seven! Windows! Seven!"
There's no time better than the present to join in on the Windows 7 excitement. Check out our guide to Windows 7 savings and this terrific HP package in addition to the Dell laptops in today's Deals. • Zune Gear Bag for $0.01 (normally $25). • Zune Travel Pack for $13.99 (normally $55).
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer defended notorious products like Windows Vista and Windows Mobile throughout our interview, but when it came to Zune, he did seem to admit that Zune HD nailed what previous Zunes simply couldn't. When I asked if he gave an order to make Zune better, he replied:
Just in case you missed it buried underneath the upgrade to Netflix Watch Instantly the other day, Microsoft has gone live with Internet TV on Windows 7 Media Center, offering content (of rather poor picture quality) from the following providers:
In this segment of my exclusive interview series with Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, I brought up the sore subject of Windows Mobile 6.5. After defending it, he cited another product that did well but suffers mounting criticism: Nokia smartphones.
Maybe something cooking for CES? Of course, his Blu-Ray comment may not mean that Microsoft is coming out with an external drive—he may have just been shooting down the idea that the Xbox 360 will ever have an internal Blu-Ray drive, by saying that any Blu-Ray the Xbox gets would have to be e...
In the first segment of our exclusive Steve Ballmer interview series, the Microsoft CEO and I talk about Natal, the blurring of console generations, and the surprising assertion that "you'll be able to get" Blu-ray add-on drives for Xbox 360.
Zune Video Marketplace Not a whole lot to write home about yet besides 1080p streams—it's a video store on Xbox, with movies for rent or purchase, TV shows, trailers—but Zune Video is here and it, um, works. You browse through the standard Xbox interface, like Netflix. We didn't get a chance...
What You'll Need Free hard drive space: VirtualBox is going to create a simulated hard drive (a hard drive image, to be specific) inside your current OS's file system. In other words, you'll need to have space handy to hold a standard OS install, plus whatever apps you're planning on using o...
They should make these retro-fitting guides for every single player and gadget out there: How to replace old, aging hard drives with solid state storage. This one is for the old Zune 80. [Andrew N Price via Anything But iPod]
Things I didn't expect to read today, part II: Steve Ballmer saying that the Windows 7 launch could in fact resemble Vista's very grisly debut: To recap, that's Steve "I'm going to fucking kill Google" Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft. Admitting Windows 7 could blow up in their faces as badly a...
Someone from the Department of No Shit (actually, it was Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, so pretty close) said that in a current study, most kids like the Apple products. It's really not surprising that most of the time, 100% of kids shopping for MP3 players want iPods, though in the fall, it s...
• Thank you to the Zune team for allowing us to have a demo unit of their newest player the Zune HD. • Thank you to Frog Design and Hartmut Esslinger for the Apple prototypes and Esslinger's original designs. • Thank you to Paul from Barcade for loaning us some vintage arcade games.
Microsoft's been consistently cagey about whether or not they'll make their own phone hardware "like Zune and Xbox," but today at a Windows Mobile roundtable, Robbie "Not Glacial" Bach put it straight: It's not happening. Officially.
I really didn't want to beat up on WinMo here, because at this point it just feels tired. But man, come on Microsoft, you're giving me no choice. Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't just a letdown—it barely seems done. Seriously, it reminds me of Windows for Workgroups
Study the clip at 28 seconds in. You'll see that the display is working fine before the white mask flashes back in. While OLED engineers in the audience can feel free to correct us, we think there's a strong possibility that the problem is software-based (and thereby firmware-fixable throu...
So far, they're aiming for a "mid-2010" delivery, since it's further along than a Microsoft Research project, but not quite in the commercial pipe yet. Which puts it right in the Apple tablet's purported path. Oh, 2010 is going to rock. [ZDNet]
Squeezes into a jeans pocket Buttons are usable, but less comfortable than regular PSP Sony's software feels dated (browser, downloads, text entry) Next to a Zune HD or iPod touch, the hardware is unimpressive Download speeds hindered by dated 802.1b Wi-Fi standard
Update: Yeah, this thing is getting all sorts of lame and suspicious. Crazy bidding, sketchy seller—everyone with half a brain proceed with caution. Maybe just watch the insanity take place from afar. [eBay via Anything But iPod via Engadget]
Now, will this model eventually be released en masse to the public at the usual Zune HD price? Sure, it probably will. But, if this wacky series of tubes has taught me anything, it's that there are plenty of people who'd love to win this auction and yell "FIRST!" to the rest of us. [eBay via Anyth...
Twitter user Beninato quotes Ballmer in saying "This will not happen again" and "We've pumped in some new talent," and Pjozefak gives the blockquote in our headline: Microsoft screwed up with Windows Mobile, and it should have already launched. We've seen a few promising bits previews o...
Oh hello Microsoft Tablet, Turtle, Pure phones! Rumors about Microsoft's Pink phones are back, along with talk of a shrunken Surface...tablet. Numerous sources are reporting that Microsoft is working independently on the tablet and the phone.
Of course, as commenters have pointed out, it's possible, if not probable, that Microsoft is using the time-tested tactic of short supply to make sure it sells out everywhere. Until we get some hard numbers, there's no way to tell. In the meantime, here's how it shakes down (notice Microsof...
We hope Microsoft is questioning the decision too—the Zune HD is a really powerful little gadget, and that Tegra chip is capable of some impressive feats. We'd love to see the Zune HD opened up for more developers, and if there's enough buzz Microsoft might eventually do just that. [YouTube...
The first Zune HD commercial came out today, and it's an extremely brief look (more like a list, really) at a few of the PMP's main features. I really like the Zune HD, but this ad doesn't get me excited. The ad is so short that I'm sure it's just a teaser, to be upstaged by a legit ad soon, but seriou...
The big question: Can the Zune HD compete with the iPod Touch? I get the sense that Microsoft isn't trying to, exactly. Zune as Media Center The Zune HD is, like the other Zunes, Windows only. It can only sync with the Zune software, which is restricted to Windows.
The argument really comes down to the Zune HD, launching this week. It finds itself in an awkward position, essentially because of the effective limbo Microsoft's mobile OS is in—in other words you can't easily develop apps for both Zune HD and Windows Mobile, which Zune's Brian Seitz bas...
• AT&T Option GT Ultra ExpressCard Unlocked for $29.99 plus free shipping (normally $39). • 4GB Microsoft Zune with Car Pack and Premium Headphones for $81 plus free shipping (normally $105).
FM Radio Defiantly coming dead last to the FM radio party, Apple finally bestowed an iPod with a real FM radio, not some costly optional accessory. Why did Apple cave? Every single other mp3 player since about 2001 has had this. Your guess is as good as mine. The addition was announced without f...
I was trying to figure out what it was about the Zune HD's TV interface that I was enjoying so much, and then I realized: Unlike every other device of its size and capacity, this thing is a true portable media center. It's not as fast as a fully fledged PC running Windows Media Center, but it is zi...
As anyone who has used Windows Mobile in the last—well, ever, including the much-improved-but-still-only-tolerable-Mobile IE 6, this is a comeback for the ages. I just hope Bell wasn't swept away in the moment; if these observations hold, the Zune HD could be a certifiable Very Big Deal....
It probably doesn't matter anyway. As Fake Steve points out, the Seattle connection points to a Microsoft conspiracy. And the burns? Masochists with cigarettes looking for a quick buck most likely. Besides, even if iPods did burn you, you still wouldn't buy a Zune. [KIRO 7 via Fake Steve / Ima...
So yeah, we're not asking for the impossible here. We just want for Apple to let actual hardware upgrades be the reason for people to upgrade to the 3GS, not for them to have arbitrary software distinctions to separate their products. [Gizmodo's WWDC Coverage and Roundup]
The Zune 3.1 update is available now. It includes some major navigation updates to Zune Social, three free games (Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle) and "incremental" stability/performance updates to the Zune PC software and Zune firmware. It all sounds like good stuff to us, so go update...
Though Microsoft left their new Zune hardware relatively untouched, the firmware and corresponding software got a few nice upgrades that add a bit of functionality. In the firmware, Marketplace is now available over Wi-Fi, while FM Tagging lets you mark songs you hear on the FM Tuner, an...
They must be making popsicles in hell now, because Microsoft has come up with a much better way to expand your musical horizons than Apple iTunes 8's Genius in their new Zune software: MixView. Not only is MixView much prettier and more fun than Genius—we already knew that—it's also more us...
The Zune 3.0 update is just hitting now chaps. Go grab it, update your PMPs and tell us how it goes in the comments. You can get the files here, and get the full Microsoft spiel about what's new here. [Thanks mbaronny!]
Devices And Platforms Should Never Be Exclusive: The iPod never really took off until it began supporting Windows with it's 2G iteration. Of course, Apple had more to gain from opening up to a much, much larger Windows user base, but it never hurts to make a product more widely available to t...
VulnoX: I had the same problems but that's all fixed now. Download ZuneMediaCollectionResetTool.exe from Microsoft and it will fix the auto sync delete problem. This update doesn't mention fixing this particular problem, but someone on one of the Zune forums I go to suggest this update an...
The latest Zune firmware update is going to hit today, fixing some of the issues people have been experiencing with their 30 and 80GB players. Among the fixes are "improved device recognition" and "improved stability and reliability on sync", which doesn't really tell us much, but shoul...
Only 10 of these gold-colored Zune 2s will be sold, in both 80 and 8GB sizes. Microsoft teamed up with the Goods to make these screen printed designs. I like the cross pattern. They're available next Saturday, in Seattle, if you feel the need to splurge. (No price listed but "Gold" plus "Limited...
And he still likes the iTunes Music Store over the Zune Marketplace, which is certainly understandable. A music store lives and dies by its selection, and iTunes is clearly the winner here. And while the Wi-Fi syncing is nice, it sucks up too much juice for Mossy's tastes. So his verdict, unsu...
Walt Mossberg, the Wall Street Journal's tech gnome, got a chance to play with Microsoft's new line of Zunes, and he was pretty ambivalent about them. While he thinks they're a noticeable improvement over the first generation, that's not really saying much seeing how unimpressed he was w...
vs. iTunes: What used to be quite a close match between the Zune suite and iTunes has turned into a one-sided first round knockout for iTunes. Apple's changed iTunes very little since a year ago, but Microsoft has completely re-vamped their offering. We'd rather them de-vamp this, take a loo...
This week on episode 106 of the Coolness Roundup, Stephen and Charlie laugh at the idea of $7250 speaker cables, talk up the Zune from Microsoft, and discuss the recent court win by the RIAA. The gurus of cool also answer listener email and offer up another rip-roaring Rapid Fire Roundup of C...
Next week's Target ad shows both a $199 price cut in the Microsoft Zune player—something we've covered before—and a brand new Blue Zune. We haven't seen this anywhere yet, but it looks like it's blue with light blue doubleshotting, and will be the same $199 that all the other Zunes are price...
Click Microsoft under "Shop By Brand" on the left side Click on the Pink Zune and add it to your cart. Click "Proceed to cart and checkout" under the black Zune check box. Remove the Pink Zune from your cart. The black Zune should now be in your cart for $109.
We're not sure what's worse; the Zune guy getting three Zune tattoos, or this painful-as-hell Microsoft blue screen of death (BSOD) tattoo up this guy's entire right arm. We're guessing this guy is a Windows fan, because nobody hates Windows THAT MUCH to endure hours of pain just for the co...
Four Xbox 360 Elites, four copies of Forza Motorsport 2 (you need a copy in each in order to enable multi-monitor support), an Xbox 360 HD DVD drive, Xbox 360 camera, Xbox 360 wireless headset, a Zune, the Xbox 360 Steering Wheel, three 37-inch Sharp Aquos 1080p LCDs, a 7-inch rear-view LCD...
Seriously, though, this has to be a good sign for Zune. The obsession, that is. Can another Zune fanatic explain the reasoning behind it to me? And is an iPod tattoo worse, because of the ubiquity? – Brian Lam Forum [Zune Scene, Thanks Nate W.]
With Microsoft venturing into Zune and Zunephone territory, it's interesting to see what this deal will do to help speed up development of the two products this year. Since Zune 1.0 was basically cribbed off Toshiba, and since Microsoft really wants to step things up with the 2nd generatio...
Thanks for the instruction to get my Zune to show as a hard drive on my computer. ... Now can anyone tell me how to transfer video from my Xbox 360 to my Zune? My next attack on the zune will be to hack the wifi system. ...
You know, it isn't just the iPod that gets tricked out accessories and protective cases every fourteen seconds. Proporta just announced a bunch of cases for the Microsoft Zune, which is good news for all those Zune users out there. Three cases—aluminum, leather and silicone—all serve to p...
Hot on the heels of yesterday's Zune Firmware update, here's the Zune Software update. The update fixes some bugs in the installation process and also adds Vista support. Either hit the download page or use the Zune's self-update to get the new version. – Jason Chen
Zune Boards say picture viewing is also less laggy, but don't notice anything new in the way of features. To update, just connect your Zune, right click on it, and "Check for Zune Device Updates". Left: An interesting Zune ad. – Jason Chen Zune Boards
Continuing the Zune Accessories parade, today we have both the DLO Leather Zune case and the DLO Action Jacket, which is an armband case for the Zune. We still question the need for Zune cases, seeing as they're made out of a pretty scratch-proof rubberized plastic, but some people really l...
The Zune hacking continues, and now an enterprising coder almost has it running on his Mac. The XNJB software he used is not quite able to transfer files to or from the Zune yet, but so far it's able to recognize Microsoft's player and display its file structure. It's a start, and it even works w...
You've read our review, seen whether iTunes or Zune was right for you, seen other reviewer's takes on it, and even learned everything you need to know about the Zune in our Q&A. Now it comes down to...
You want a bigger screen: Zune. You want a movie and TV store: iPod. Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and want streaming: Zune. Xbox 360 owners who purchase music and don't want streaming: iPod. You want a built-in FM tuner: Zune. Zune Product Page [Amazon] iPod Product Page [Amazon]
When we're making a comparison between the iPod and the Zune, it's also important to note that the software makes a big difference in your music experience. You'll have to use the software suite extensively for both playing back music at your computer and organizing songs onto your portab...
Music Organization/Playlists: Zune only has regular playlists here, which causes my own experience to suffer since I love smart playlists. Both Zune and iTunes have smart playlists, except on Zune it's called Auto Playlists and they're kind of hidden. And when you view a playlist in Zune...
The review starts off positively enough, but then the anchors weigh in with their valuable opinions. Watch as Soledad O'Brien whips out an iPod shuffle for seemingly no reason; marvel as Miles O'Brien demand that Microsoft hire better design guys. Overall, an extraordinarily in-depth r...
The thing is pretty straightforward. The problem I have with using it is that I keep using the 5 way pad (up, down, left, right, select) as an iPod wheel. Apple habits, and fanboys, die hard. –Brian Lam All Things Zune [Gizmodo]
Now that we know what the Zune can do, let's take a look at how big the Zune actually is compared to the iPod. You may have seen the size comparison before, but not everybody has a latest generation iPod, so here's how the 30GB Zune stacks up to the 5G, 4G, and 3G 30GB iPods. Plus an iPod Nano thrown i...
Much better than a Zune suppository, this repository of Zune animation stems from their comingzune.com teaser site. Apparently after putting up a few videos, Microsoft had so many artists wanting to put their own Zune content online that MS just decided to make another site to dump all the...
Microsoft was kind enough to get us some hands-on time with the Zune, not batting an eye as we eagerly slided the player down our pants, enjoying the material it was made out of. Our thoughts first, then a gallery later. So the big news: The Zune will be upgradeable. How? Let us explain...
The Zune patent filing originally explained a DJ Wi-Fi feature where one person could DJ for up to four other Zune users via the Wi-Fi. That idea has since been canned according to Cesar Menendez. Menendez doesn't state specifically the reason that the DJ feature was removed, but many Zunen...
Undoubtedly fake, this mockup of the Zune with WiFi headphones not only gets the thickness of the Zune wrong, but the whole concept of WiFi headphones is a bit weird and impractical. Imagine losing yet another pair of headphones because someone bumped into you on the street, not to mention...
Bad news for Mac users—the Microsoft Zune won't be Mac compatible at launch time. Thanks to the Zune not supporting mass storage mode, and the fact that Microsoft hasn't made a Mac version of the Zune Marketplace software, the Zune will be Windows-only for the time being. But seriously, how...
J Allard is a big shot at Microsoft, with the official title of "Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect." To us, he's the guy that woke up Microsoft to things like, um, the INTERNET. And the man who convinced Billy G. to go ahead with the Xbox. Here's a great profile of him, from Wired.
Yup, today's the day that Microsoft shows off its Zune portable media player for real, and that means it's time to check out what accessories will be available at launch. Right now, there's three main accessory packs that Microsoft is hawking: the Home AV Pack, the Car Pack and the Travel pa...
iSight Windows Driver Contest New Xbox 360 SKU Confirmed? Zune News Trifecta Microsoft's Zune Announcement Zune Officially Announced KuroDock, Smallest iPod Dock Ever Latest iPod Patent: Proximity Detection Griffin Tempo Sport Armband for iPod and iPod nano