Zune 2’s Are Here
10.03.07 - 12:16pm
Microsoft has showcased their new Zunes for the holiday season and while they are not likely to change anyone’s mind from buying one of the new iPods, they are a definite step up in the Zune revolution.
There are three new Zune players - a 4Gb and 8Gb flash-based model and a 80GB hard drive model.
The 4Gb and 8GB Zunes have a 1.8 inch screen, on which video, photos, TV and music lists can be viewed. Colors come in black, red, green and pink. They retail for $149 and $199.
The 80GB model comes in black only with a 3.2 inch screen. It retails for $249.
All the new models come with a new “Zune pad” which replaces the click wheel with a new touch sensitive pad. Basically you can flick or click. They are also smaller, thinner and less clunky than their predecessor. They also have built in FM tuners.
The Wi-Fi aspect has been upgraded to include wireless sync and expanded sharing capabilities. Songs sent to other players can now be kept for an unlimited time but still for no more than three plays. Also television shows recorded in Windows Media Center under Windows Vista can now sync to be played on your Zune.
Microsoft has also added a new Zune website. Similar to MySpace the website allows users to share songs, see what their friends are listening too, make comments and create profiles.
No exact release date was given on the new Zunes although they are expected to be available at the same time as the new Zune Social website, sometime in mid-November. They are available for pre-order from Amazon or Circuit City.
Owners of the old Zune’s are not told to go buy a new one but rather a software update will be made expanding the old Zune’s capabilities to match the new ones.
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