As of this summer I am the proud owner of a Macbook Pro 13″. This of course was a interesting thing for me being an owner of a Zune HD which does not have a client on the Mac side for syncing.

BootCamp

Your first option is bootcamp, this one is free as long as you have a Windows license to use on your Apple computer. Because this one comes with MacOSX this is probably the more popular option.

Pro

• Faster speeds
• Less battery drain
• Very low cost

Con

• Must reboot to use
• Must maintain a second OS install completely

Parallels

This option is slightly more costly at $79.99 for a license. I personally chose this route because it would allow me to run windows applications right along side my Mac applications. Look for a complete guide on how to take this route to running Zune on your Mac coming soon.

Pro

• No reboot of computer needed
• Great for other Windows applications as well
• Run Windows applications right next to Mac software

Con

• Uses more battery
• somewhat Costly

Closing

The above information is why I decided to go the route I did. I planned to be using windows for only the Zune Software so it made no sense to me to run a completely separate operating system.

I personally have not experienced any issues with performance going this route. I highly recommend it to anybody wanting run the Zune Software on their Macintosh computer.

Look for more to come on this series I’ll be doing on Zune on Mac

Microsoft updated the Zune Software Today to get ready for the spring update. Included in it are things like Drivers for the Zune Phone, and a little known support for AVI files. Microsoft said it would be doing this later this spring.

The Catch: You can open the file in the software and view it in the collection, but at least as of now you have to convert it to sync to any device.

I assume this means we will just see a firmware update later this spring for the Zune HD to open it up to AVI files and add smart DJ. I’m still waiting on that Facebook app though…

Update: The playlist icons have been changed to black per user request as they were to bright in the pin menus on the Zune HD.

Michael Yaeger of the Zune team tweeted the following earlier today. Smart DJ is like Apple’s Genius, allowing you to create auto playlists. Later this spring we’ll be seeing it on the devices instead of just the software.

“I’m showing off Smart DJ on the Zune HD at CES…plans to release this to the public later this spring.”

Jason Dunn over at Zune Thoughts caught that the Zune Store now listed an official date (December 1st) listed for the new colors I found a few months back. The big question I have is will we finally see the facebook and twitter apps released on Tuesday as well? Only time will tell…

Costco has leaked that the new Wireless N network adapter for the XBOX. The question is what will be coming on that day besides it.

Microsoft has said that new apps for the Zune HD would be coming this month sometime, and the 10th is a Tuesday. The typical day for Microsoft to send out Zune Updates.

XBOX is also supposed to be getting an update sometime this month. So will we see the new stuff out this month on the 10th? Only time will tell.

The above images are straight from the source files of the Zune Software. You can check yourself using PE Explorer. The above colors are as follows from left to right: “Purple”, “Atomic” (looks to be orange), “Magenta”, and “Pink”.

Buy.com has multiple new videos up showing stuff about the Zune HD. Both of them reveal some new things but this one at about 33 seconds in talks about games. The one shown on the screen looks like a 3D racing game.

• Zune Pass Video
• Zune HD Device Video
• Zune AV Dock
• Zune Car Pack
• Zune Ecosystem
• Zune Xbox

Microsoft Cares on twitter was nice enough to record the above video of the Zune HD. At 15 seconds left to go there is a menu that includes apps after they click on Marketplace.

Gizmodo got a demo of the Zune HD plugged into a TV, This thing is going to be more then just a portable media player, it will be a whole media center. Check out the impressive video below.

Zune HD TV Interface Walkthrough from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

The whole interface changes to work on the TV, it looks darn slick.

[Via Gizmodo]

The Zune HD will come out Sept. 15th in 16GB and 32GB capacities. It will be priced at the earlier leaked $220 for the 16GB and $290 for 32GB.

Specs:

• Built in HD Tuner
• Output 720p video via the $90 dock
• OLED Touch screen
• Wi-Fi
• Web Browser
• Nvidia Tegra Process

Other Information:

When:

Pre-order starting Thursday, Aug. 13. Purchase in stores on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Where Online:http://www.zune.net/zunehd

Where in Store:

Place a pre-order in person at Best Buy beginning Aug. 16. If you want a sneak peek, visit select stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., areas on Aug. 22 and 23.

Press Release

Microsoft has announced Today that the Zune HD will be available in the Zune orginals store September 15th in 5 different colors. The colors are Blue, Green, Red, Platinum, and Black. You can see the picture of them above.

Update: Check out the large images of the colors made as a mock up

[via Zune Email]

Jasmine France

◄ Back

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Picture 1 of 13

Mp3 insider

Gizmodo got the leak on this one from somebody at Best Buy.  The prices are as follows…

• 16GB $220
• 32GB $290

Hopefully more info will be coming out tomorrow…

[via Gizmodo]

The above picture is from the FCC filings of the Zune HD. The Earbuds used in their tests were the Zune Premium Earbuds V2. So are these the ones that will be included? Click on them image to show it better…

]]> http://t03.us/2009/08/zune-hd-to-include-premium-earbuds/feed/ 0 http://t03.us/2009/08/zune-hd-has-eq-and-other-features-to/ http://t03.us/2009/08/zune-hd-has-eq-and-other-features-to/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:07:05 +0000 Josh http://t03.us/?p=1428

Cnet is now my favorite site… They have posted their info about the Zune HD and here it goes….

720P Video:

The Zune HD supports 720p video content, which you’ll be able to purchase directly though the Zune Marketplace software. Video content purchased (or rented) through your Xbox can also be downloaded and transferred to your Zune by checking for them in your Zune Marketplace purchase history.

The Zune HD will bring the EQ back to the Zune according to Donald.

Now Playing Screen interface

The music playback screen has also been given a lot of work. Without the benefit of a navigation pad or playback buttons, users will need to tap the middle of the screen once to access a large four-direction onscreen cross for play, skip, reverse, volume. Controls for favorites, shuffle and repeat are found conveniently near the bottom of the screen, instead of buried in sub-menus.

Another cool thing is the Zune will pull in artist info and pictures:

The Zune’s coolest music trick, though, is that it automatically pulls in a gallery of band photos, biographical info, and similar artist recommendations for any currently playing song–regardless of whether the track is from Zune Marketplace or your friend’s hard drive or torrents. It’s feels a little more like digging through Last.fm now, instead of just a straight-up music directory. If the Zune’s connected up to Wi-Fi, listings of related artists will link though to the mobile version of Zune Marketplace, where tracks can be streamed and purchased directly.

As for the browser there is NO flash support.

[Source Cnet]

Later Today I am expexting an official announcement. But more pictures of the Zune HD are coming out via a Zune MVP on twitter. The pictures were removed in fear of them still being under NDA, but I was able to grab a few of them before they were deleted.

GDGT is having a party and Microsoft is going to be there showing off their Zune HD.

Quoting MSMobiles.com

If you live in San Francisco or vicinity, you might be interested to drop by to this event, where Microsoft will be presenting Zune HD and Windows Mobile phones to the public (there will be also HTC presenting their Windows Mobile phones)…

I personally think this means it is safe to assume that Microsoft will be announcing the Zune HD to the world on the 4th.

Quoting GDGT

San Francisco! You ready to show off your have list and geek out on gadgets for an evening with team gdgt, Veronica Belmont, and 18 companies showing the freshest gear? We’re taking over ther DNA Lounge and hope to see you there.

The party is all ages and open to the public. First attendees will walk away with some great swag — but everyone who shows is eligible to win some gear from RIM, Sony, Zune, Sonos, Plantronics, TiVo, and more!

RSVP on Facebook or in the comments and be prepared to check out all kinds of gadgets and demos from our awesome sponsors…

So you lucky people in or around the San Francisco area better go get plenty of pictures and video for us less fortunate people.

[Thanks Clubdirthill]

Day 3 of Volvoshine’s leaking stuff and he took it to the browser realm this time.

Quoting Volvoshine’s Tweet

RR: What is the Zune HD’s web browser like?

TK: The browser is fully featured and very usable, I’ve used the ZuneHD and I loved it!

What “fully featured” means is open for interpretation. This could mean flash and silver light, or it could just mean it will browse the web like the iPhone does.

What do you think it means? Comment below with your thoughts

Ryan Rea (Volvoshine) posted the second part of his interview with his source today. This time the question revolves around games on the Zune HD.

RR The question everyone asking.. Will the Zune HD offer games?

TK Yes, the Zune HD will be a new chapter in mobile gaming for Microsoft

What exactly does this mean? Perhaps the Xbox games on the Zune HD are true? Stay tuned for more Zune HD info…

Source: Volvoshine

Ryan Rea (Volvoshine) is doing a mini interview with one question a day to his source. The first question was:

Ryan Rea what kind of battery life are we looking at?

TK it should be roughly 5X more then the current iPod touch

The current iPod Touch is rated for 36 hour of audio and 6 hours of video. So if this is true you will be seeing 180 hours of audio on the Zune HD and about 30 hours of video. This translates into 7 and a half days of listening audio and 1 and a quater days watching video.

If this turns out true that would be very impressive indeed…

[Source Volvoshine's Twitter]

Ryan Rea over at Neowin.net posted an interview with his insider at Microsoft. He is calling him TK for now. The following is some interesting tid-bits from the interview and my comments on them…

RR: What are you most looking forward to with the ZHD & Zune 4.0?
TK: Improved battery life, multi-touch and movies.

Better battery life is a cool thing that I’m looking forward to, hopefully it will effect older hardware as well. Multi-touch is obviously only coming to the Zune HD. Movies now this has been a rumor but it should be good to finally have them.

RR: I’m assuming that it would include HD content, Because the HD is going be a awesome portable Video player with it having HDMI out and such.
TK: Yes sir

I now assume by that, that we will see 720P videos in the marketplace…

RR: What are the sizes of The Zune HD?
TK: 16GB and 32GB, Microsoft is considering adding a 64GB Zune later on in the model year

As rumored earlier today…

RR: When is Microsoft planning to ship the Zune HD?
TK: Early September

Can we just get a confirmation on September 8th already?

RR: How much is Zune HD projected to cost?
TK: The prices are not set in stone yet, but the 16GB will be somewhere in the range of $249 -$280

If they can hit that price with 16GB then I can imagine the 32GfB will be around $290-$330.

[Full Interview]

Click for Larger Image

While this is not a official image it is a image based on the screens shown on the new leaked pictures at Gizmodo.  I think this gives you a Good idea of what the new Now Playing screen will look like on the player.

]]> http://t03.us/2009/06/what-the-zune-hd-now-playing-screen-looks-like-full-size/feed/ 1 http://t03.us/2009/06/rumor-zune-hd-comes-in-1632gb-sizes-launches-september-8/ http://t03.us/2009/06/rumor-zune-hd-comes-in-1632gb-sizes-launches-september-8/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:43:27 +0000 Josh http://t03.us/?p=1171

As suspected a leaked document states that the Zune HD will come in 8GB and 32GB capacities. Along with a September release date.  This is all unconfirmed but Gizmodo says it looks pretty real. Just waiting for Microsoft to say something.

[via Gizmodo]

Ever wanted a sandal that is also a metal detector? If you haven’t you sure want one now I’m sure. The first time I saw these I thought they were genius. Why not take something close to the ground and make it into something else that has to be close to the ground? One word describes it for me like I said “Genius”. And you can get them for only $59.95.

Buy from Hammacher Schlemmer

This is a guide on what has been confirmed and what has been been rumored for the  Zune HD.

Official links

• Press release
• Zune HD Page

Pictures

Confirmed Specs

• 16:9 OLED Touch Screen (480×272 resolution / 3.3 inch screen)
• HD Radio Receiver
• HD Output (through dock)
• Windows CE based
• Internet Explorer bases browser that is optimized for touch
• Wi-Fi
• Playback of 720p video on the device itself
• Nvidia Tegra
• 2 Colors in stores (Black & Platinum)
• 3 Colors on Zune Originals (Red, Blue, Green)
• 16GB ($220), 32GB ($290)
• Release Date: September 15th 2009

Picture Analyzed (w/ size of device)

Click for larger image

Updated August 14th 3:24PM CST

Microsoft has teamed up with Ford and Funkmaster Flex to giveaway a awesome Truck. Here is everything that you will find inside…

8″ and 6.5″ Kicker speakers in front doors, with custom fiberglass pod

Pink square 6.5″ Kicker components in rear doors

Pink square Four 8″ Kicker subs behind rear seats, installed in a custom sub box

Pink square Two Kicker amps

Pink square Car PC powered by Microsoft Windows XP mounted in center console

Pink square Internet on the go with Sprint wireless AirCard

Pink square TV on the go with Slingbox

Pink square Wireless keyboard and mouse

Pink square Two 7″ headrest monitors featuring built-in DVD player

Pink square One 10″ flip-down monitor with VGA input

Pink square One converted factory screen to display movies, computer, and Xbox 360 in-dash

Pink square Custom Zune display mount connecting to trailer hitch to display Kicker Zune player

Pink square Full Katzkin custom interior

Pink square Suede headliner and interior parts

Pink square Xbox 360

Pink square Custom Zune paint job

GotZune also pointed out something intersting, the giveaway ends on September 8th. AKA the same date as the supposed Zune HD release. I think we can now confirm when the Zune HD will be released to the public.

The official site has now launched for the Zune HD touting the following information…

Quoting official site

Touchscreen:

Get quick and instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3 inch screen and vivid 16:9 OLED display (480×272 resolution), premium entertainment is at your fingertips.*

HD Radio:

Tune into all your favorite stations with crystal clear reception. With an integrated HD Radio receiver, you can access a variety of HD Radio stations at no additional cost. Plus, tag the songs you like for later purchase.

HD video out:

Watch supported 720p HD movies, TV shows and videos in high definition on your HDTV through the Zune HD & AV Dock (sold separately). Or take them with you for premium entertainment on the go. Additional dock and HDTV are required.*

Wireless:

Connect, update, and buy content wirelessly from Wi-Fi hot spots. Stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.

Web browser:

Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a full-featured web browser including tap to zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.

There is also a countdown in the source code that has yet to show up as of this posting.

Click for Larger Image

Click for even more high res image

Microsoft confirmed rumors today that it would be releasing the Zune HD later this year. Sizes and prices are yet to be announced however we do have some confirmed specs.

• U.S. Only
• HD Radio Tuner
• OLED Touch Screen
• Based on Windows CE
• Internet Explorer Based Browser
• Flash Memory

Quoting CNET

The software maker also said that at next week’s E3 trade show in Los Angeles it will announce details on a new Zune-branded video service for the Xbox that will replace the current Xbox Live marketplace for TV and movies. The company didn’t announce details or specifically say that content will be playable on both Zunes and the Xbox.

Currently videos purchased via the Xbox can’t be played on a Zune, although both stores use a similar back-end infrastructure to serve up content. Over time, Stephenson said the goal is to move toward a world in which content purchased once can be played on a variety of devices.

Microsoft plans to offer the new Zune video service in a number of European markets, in addition to North America.

The Zune HD having a HD radio will give it a competitive avantage in the market.

Quoting CNET

Microsoft plans to continue selling its hard drive-based model, which will have a software QWERTY keyboard, but said it plans to eventually discontinue its other flash models in favor of the Zune HD.

Stay tuned for more info to come…

[via CNET]

Coming in “early autumn”, probably in September along with the Zune HD UK users at least will be seeing Zune content in xBox live. What this all means isn’t totally clear but we should be finding out sometime in the next week. According to sources at Microsoft it will include music, TV shows, and movies. As for the Zune HD they confirm it will have a few of the features we have seen that it has been rumored to have. Keep checking back for the latest news. For the full article check out the via link.

[via Gaurdian]

Paul Thurrot the host of Windows Weekly on the TWiT podcast network and admin of WinSuperSite has stated the Zune HD will land in September. He told us in the form of a tweet which is the same way many things are being leaked these days.

The interesting part of he tweet is he says they aren’t about the Zune HD, but never says if they aren’t about something else. Only time will tell I guess…

We now have “confirmed” features of the Zune HD. Neowin.net posted a pretty complete feature list today on their site. The following are the “confirmed” features the device will have.

|

• 3.6 inch-ish OLED full touch screen.
• NVIDIA Tegra powered.
• 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 120GB? versions.
• HDMI Connection to stream straight to your TV.
• HD Radio.
• Web Browser.
• WiFi compatible, with wireless marketplace.
• Released, early fall.
• International release of the Zune device itself.
• Home AV packs, Car packs, Charge packs.

None of these come as a shocker to me except the 4GB version. I just ask myself “WHY?”. I guess it goes with Microsoft’s ever need for tons of Windows versions. The next section of features are more of rumors at this point they have not been confirmed.

• Camera?
• Company insiders tipped us off with the possibility of a limited edition dock accessory in various colors.
• 3D Xbox Game Support?
• Windows Mobile 7 preview bits included? (Maybe these reports mean an early WinMo 7 beta?)

Are any of those things actually necessary? No not really. Why would one care if their media player had a camera? The rest of it I am not even going to comment on.

Quoting Neowin:

There has been a tremendous amount of buzz created throughout the past week regarding the Zune HD, with a ton of speculation regarding the device. We were asked by some members of the Zune team to remember, the device is still months away. The specs, UI, and the device form factor itself can change before the launch later this year. We’re excited, just as many of our international viewers are excited.

The entire Zune platform is being completely overhauled, just as Steve Ballmer mentioned back at CES earlier this year. You’ve got the software division and the hardware division. There have been reports and speculation that this could possibly be the last Zune release, however I’m very confident that Microsoft is going to be competitive this time around with the Zune.

They then say something very interesting at the end of the article:

Quoting Neowin:

Keep your eyes open on May 14, your Zune software might just be updating.

[via Neowin]

Today WMPowerUser got its hands on some 3D images of the Zune HD. I don’t know how real these are but boy they look nice. VolvoShine has said they are real but he questions the specs they put along with it in the post. More info to come though.

[via WMPowerUser]

In the ever increasing saga of the Zune HD another spec of it has been leaked by the now well known VolvoShine. He posted today on Twitter the following:

Quoting Volvoshine’s Twitter:

Volvoshine: How much is 2% of 3.2 inches

VolvoShine: @RMGDDN what is 3.2 inches referring too? any Zune fanboi should know that

VolvoShine: @TurboFool 3.2 + 2% =?

VolvoShine: If no one got my hint, the screen should be Aprox!! 3.6 inches

Well 3.2 + 2% = 3.264 so I’m not sure where all the numbers come from, but he said in his last tweet the screen should be about 3.6”.

Source: Volvoshine