New Zune HD Firmware update available
Microsoft has released a firmware update for the Zune HD. To install it, you need to bring up the Zune Software on your PC and go to Settings -> Device -> Player Update to download and install version 4.3. I just did the process and it took about 3 minutes to complete. All my video and music files remained intact after the update.
Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows has all the details on what changes were included in this update. Mainly “faster-better” tweaks (which is good!).
Death of the Zunes… long live the Zune HD!
Paul Thurmott’s SuperSite indicates that the current Zune models (8/16/80/120 GB) are all being discontinued in favor of the Zune HD model. With the current models no longer being manufactured, you’ll need to buy one now while supplies last if you have your heart set on getting a non-Zune HD model. I guess this is a logical step in the evolution of the Zune models, so I’m wondering what the new lower-end Zunes will look like? Will they be the same form factor as the soon-to-be-released Zune HD, half the size, etc.?
Apps on the Zune HD?
A blogger for the Seattle Times wrote a brief comment on what he saw at at Zune HD demo recently, and the most interesting part of his comment is his reference to Apps on the new device. Apparently, he saw “Apps” on the main menu screen of the demo unit, and the Zune demonstrator mentioned that Microsoft wasn’t ready to discuss the possibility of Zune applications or app developers.
This is extremely intriguing, since most people want games and cool apps for their mobile devices. Since the iPod Touch has such apps and games, it only makes sense for Microsoft to follow suit. From what I’ve read, you can create apps for the existing Zune models now, however, these apps are made via a gaming programming language and are not the easiest to create. In fact, it’s down right hard to create a Zune app now since you have to jump through a lot of hoops and hacks to do so.
Hopefully, Microsoft will have a easier way of creating Zune apps and will provide good documentation to potential developers. I’m not entirely sure what the Zune OS is based on (i.e., is it a derivative 0f WinCE, Linux, etc?) but I hope app development is easier than for the Windows Mobile OS devices (Pocket PC and Smartphones). I’m currently working on writing an app for the Palm Pre WebOS device (Linux OS) and it is surprising easy to create apps (I plan to discuss more about this on my tech blog), however, the WebOS programming tools aren’t very mature and there’s lots of holes and lack of capability currently. Hopefully, Microsoft will make programming for the Zune HD much easier.
Zune HD Demo at local Best Buy Stores
Apparently, the Zune HD has been spotted at several different local Best Buy stores in the US. It still isn’t available for purchase, but representatives at Best Buy were demoing certain features of the Zune HD. Here’s a link to one person who commented on what he saw at a Best Buy demo. In general, it sounds like all the features talked about in the beta reviews still hold for the production units.
The only downside noted, is that the Zune HD doesn’t come with the premium ear buds but rather the standard ones. This seems strange, since my Zune 80 came with the premium ear buds which I really like (since they insert into your ear canal and cut out a lot of background noise), and the Zune HD seems to be the high-end Zune in the product line. Whatever the case, I have an extra set of Zune premium ear buds (from last Christmas) which I can use when my current ear buds give out.
Here’s a pdf file that contains a list of cities that will be demoing the Zune HD this weekend at a local Best Buy store.
The New Zune HD… a Very Sweet Device!
I’ve been out of the Zune scene for a while (just enjoying my Zune 80 watching videos), so I haven’t been keeping up with the latest Zune technology. I did receive an email yesterday from Zune.net regarding the Zune HD, which prompted me to take a look at this next-generation media player from Microsoft. I’m glad I did, as it appears to be a really cool device!
If you check out the specs for the Zune HD, it is smok’in hot. As they say, “the 3rd time’s the charm” when it comes to Microsoft products, and this definitely is a charmer. I love the thinness of the Zune HD along with its OLED touch screen (yes, the entire screen is touch sensitive instead of just the small touchpad on the current Zunes). They updated the operating system to run more smoothly and have animated screen transitions (much like the iPod Touch and iPhone) and the ability to access HD Radio (for free!) and play high def videos out to a external TV Monitor (via a dock) is great for videophiles.
The battery life is suppose to be pretty good (compared to the current Zunes), and the Zune HD comes with a full Internet web browser (connecting via WiFi). There’s even a popup on-screen keyboard for typing in web addresses, etc. Just like the iPod Touch and iPhone, the Zune HD comes with an accelerometer which allows you to rotate the unit from portrait to landscape mode very easily.
The only bad thing about the Zune HD, is the size of the storage space. Currently, the max you can get is 32 GB, so switching from a Zune 80 with 80 GB of storage to only 32 GB is a drastic change. However, I currently only have about 60 GB of space being used on my Zune 80, so I could trim it down to less than 32 GB and still be comfortable with my loaded videos. Still, it would be nice to have more storage space.
I can understand why Microsoft chose to max out the new Zune HD at 32 GB, however. Microsoft probably wanted to have a device that was priced under $300 US, and to do so they needed to limit the storage to 32 GB if they used FlashROM as the storage media. I’m sure we’ll probably see larger capacity Zunes appear next year, but only if the price of Flash storage technology comes down as well.
If you’re curious, do a Google search on “Zune HD Reviews” and you’ll find several different videos showing the Zune HD in operation. Although I’m perfectly satisfied with the performance of my current Zune 80 (which I mainly watch TV Recordings), it would be great to have the ability of surfing the Web at a Starbucks, McDonalds, or any other WiFi hotspot with my Zune device. HD Radio would be great also, along with having a much lighter Zune in my pocket!
For those who can’t wait for a Zune HD, you can pre-order one now from Amazon.com and Bestbuy.com for delivery on Sept 15th.
Zune 30’s will come back to life tomorrow!
The ZuneInsider site states that Zune 30’s all stopped working today because of a leap year issue (2008 has 366 days), and that the Zune software will correct itself on January 1st, 2009. So, just let your Zune 30’s battery drain and then sync/charge it after noon GMT. This is only a problem with the Zune 30’s, since it is affecting a specific component only present in that device. The 2nd generation Zunes (Zune 4/8/16/80/120) are not affected.
Now, noon GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) should be the following for those in the US:
EST: 7 am
CST: 6 am
MST: 5 am
PST: 4 am
AKST: 3 am
HST: 2 am
Man, that was a close call for Microsoft. I guess the next time this could happen is in 2012, so mark your calendars! 
UPDATE: It looks like the Zune 30s are starting to wake up today, on January 1st. Lots of owners reporting on the various Zune forums that their devices are syncing and coming back to life again.
December 31st, 2008: All Zune 30 devices have stopped working!
The big news for Zune 30 owners, is that as of today their Zunes have stopped working. Yes, that’s right. It seems that ALL Zune 30’s (with both the original and updated firmware) have a frozen screen on boot up. Here is Microsoft’s response found on the zune.net home page:
Customers with 30gb Zune devices may experience issues when booting their Zune hardware. We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!
What a giant programming blunder! A nice New Years’ Eve present from Microsoft.
I’m sure Microsoft is scrambling now, and lots of Zune programmers are frantically fixing the problem and putting together a firmware update. Hopefully, these “bricked” Zunes CAN have their firmware updated in their current state. However, what if the solution cannot be administered to the Zune by consumers? What if the update needs to be done with special hardware or special tools that the consumer doesn’t have? Will Microsoft have a gigantic recall of Zunes 30s?
Of course, the online and printed news will soon have this information plastered across the world by tomorrow. That kind of press certainly won’t help with Zune sales.
I’m crossing my fingers that when I sync my Zune 80 (and my wife’s new Zune 8), I don’t see the dreaded frozen screen…
Microsoft finally has an Online Store
After all this time, Microsoft finally brings online their own Internet store. Seems strange that it took so long for Microsoft to catch up with the vast majority of online vendors to sell their wares. You probably won’t find huge discounts, but at least they now have an Internet presence with their products. 
Along with selling software, they also have Zunes for sale with associated Microsoft accessories. Personally, I would search Amazon.com for Zune accessories (both Microsoft and 3rd-party manufacturer) for the best deals.
RIAA Changing their tactics against music downloaders
Every once in a while, I’ll come across an article describing how the RIAA is sueing private individuals for sharing copyrighted music files on the Internet. From what I’ve read, the RIAA has never successfully won a suit in court. Instead, they usually settle out of court accepting a few thousand dollars from the defendant. Here’s an online article that describes a change in tactics for the RIAA: Instead of sueing individuals (which apparently is very costly), they are asking ISP (Internet Service Providers) to shutdown the Peer-to-Peer file transfer of music files. So if you get your music via these P2P networks, your days may be numbered!
A User’s 1-Year Zune 80 Review on Cnet
Here’s an interesting review on cnet.com from a person who owned a Zune 80 after one year. He mostly critized the Zune in his article for lack of desired features, and I disagree with him. Obviously, I must think the Zune is a formable MP3 player since I’ve created this web blog , however, I do honestly think it is a very nice media device. I’ve also owned my Zune 80 for one year now, and I’m very happy with it. Admittedly, I primarily use my Zune for watching videos (which may not be the norm compared to most people listening to purchased music), but I also like the FM Radio Tuner and the ability to watch and listen to video/audio podcasts. The Zune interface is very easy to use, and I do like the Zune Software on my Desktop PC.
Understandably, the iPods are more prevelant since Apple hit the market first and made the portable MP3 players very popular. In fact, the name “iPod” has become a generic label for all MP3 players, just like “Kleenex” for tissues and “Band-aid” for bandages. Most people don’t know what a “Zune” is, but they certainly know the name “iPod”.
One thing is for sure, the Zune user interface is very nice, so much so that rumors are stating the Zune UI may be integrated into the Windows Mobile OS for phones and handheld devices. So will the Zune ever be as popular as the iPods? Probably not, unless Microsoft does some very heavy advertising….
