Spectulative Zune HD shots

    It seems like there could be another Zune variant coming out sometime (according to Engadget). It could be called the Zune HD (which when Googled will reveal the product and the famous hard drive mod). No word on specs yet (other than it being a touchscreen device), but with a name like Zune HD, that screen had better kick some serious ass. Engadget comments have linked this to the HTC Touch Pro since the form factor and screen size and position look similar.

Branhower on 10 Apr 06:05 PM | View | Reply

Possible Firmware Feature Leak

    Now, this is pure speculation, but a product description page over at Fry's (http://shop3.frys.com/product/5705192?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) has an interesting feature set to list for the Zune. I'll give you the short version, listing what Zune users would consider new:

Tagging songs from FM radio (obviously the radio station needs to broadcast the song info for this to work)

Device to Cloud-Access thousands of wireless Hotspots around the country to update your music collection (downloading to device from Marketplace, this reporter assumes)

Zune Channels-Downloads personalized playlists to your device based on sources such as music experts, celebrates, or popular radio stations.


Sounds pretty sweet if you ask me, but this is still a little behind what Archos has to offer. And this is pure speculation, but I haven't seen my little internet radio request.

Update: Here's a better look at what's going on, it's going to be a whole-experience upgrade:
http://www.insidethecircle.net/2008/09/live-blogging-at-microsoft.html

And an Engadget article, courtesy of Bald_Gye:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/zune-3-0-video-blowout-with-just-a-hint-of-a-zune-phone/

Branhower on 7 Sep 04:14 PM | View | Reply

iPod Games Ain't Got Nothin' on This! - Updated for 3.0

    
This may seem like it's a Photoshop (and it is, I had to add the gradient! ;) ),but this is a portion of my Zune's main menu as of yesterday. And to prove it's no lie, I offer you this:

That is a game (Rock Rain SD) currently running on my Zune. I now have three; the other two are the Zuneboards official Clock (ZBClock), and XnaTetris. Both pretty cool casual games, and Rock Rain has some pretty stellar graphics.

How did I do it? Well, thanks to Jamezspot, I followed this link (which was actually from a Gizmodo link he posted), installed the required programs, and compiled some source code. Now, for me, the two examples provided did not work (Galactic Wars 3 had some invalid characters in a filepath, and Alien Aggressors was made using an earlier version, so it said). But, I went over to the Zuneboards game thread, and downloaded a few, and they all were neatly compiled and deployed to the Zune. It's actually really easy guys! You may have read in my blog that this process is not n00b-friendly, well; it really almost is. The only easier solution is game deploying right from the software, which is what we'll probably see in the next update.

Some Updates:

The link in the tutorial says you need XNA 3.0 CTP. For the new 3.0 firmware, you will actually need XNA 3.0 Beta, (here). I'm assuming you can still use Visual Express (here) to compile the games. I can't try it out because I no longer have a Zune.

Branhower on 12 May 03:27 PM | View | Reply

Spring Update For Zune

    
Yes, we are having a update that will go 'live' tomorrow morning. Bald, gapless playback is included so make a decision quick! To the rest of you, download it tomorrow. Scratch that, mine just updated so just turn on your software and hope.

zuneary bypass on 6 May 12:35 PM | View | Reply