It’s been leaked for a while now at Fry’s, but Microsoft has finally confirmed new Zune updates. Nothing big on hardware, the real magic of this release is on the software side. On the hardware side, we see a new blue Zune and storage increases, along with some price drops. So what do the new Zune hardware options look like?
120 GB: $249.99
80 GB: $229.99
16 GB: $199.00
8 GB: $149.99
4 GB: $129.99
Now the part you’ve been waiting for. Being crippled since launch, Microsoft is finally putting the built-in WI-Fi in Zunes to good use. How so you might ask? With the new Zune 3.0 update, Microsoft will finally bring the Zune Marketplace directly to the player. Whenever you’re within a Wi-Fi hotspot, or within you’re home network, you’ll be able to ” browse lists of featured new releases and top songs and albums sorted by genre” or you can ditch all of that and search for what you want with an on-screen keypad (I can hardly imagine what that’ll be like). Those who have a Zune subscription will be able to stream music as well. Microsoft has also added a new FM feature which gives you an option to purchase tracks you hear off the radio. These tracks will be automatically downloaded to the Zune as soon as you’re within a Wi-Fi connection. There are a handful of other features, which you can read below straight out of Microsoft’s press release. These new software updates will all be made available on Sept. 16.
More Ways to Discover Music: Channels and Picks
The new Zune software update taps expert sources, recommendations from the Zune service and online music community, and the user’s own play data to create a dynamic, digital music experience where discovering music is easy and seamless.
• Channels. Channels are an exciting new tool for music discovery. Customers can explore channels programmed by experts from the music industry such as the Billboard Top 100, The FADER magazine and KEXP radio, in addition to workout-themed channels tailored for high, medium and low impact, and top chart channels from all genres and subgenres. The powerful Zune software will even create custom channels for each user, based on favorite artists and genres. Channels are included with a monthly Zune Pass subscription and can be synced to the device for playback on the go. For non-Zune Pass subscribers, the Channels are available for a la carte purchase. • Personal Picks. Now the Zune software learns what kind of music users like and makes personal recommendations. When users log onto Zune Marketplace, they’ll find a new area called Picks where the Zune recommendation algorithm will suggest artists, albums and tracks based on the music they have been listening to, as well as channels they might like and listeners like them in the Zune Social. • The Zune Social online music community. Customers can connect with millions of like-minded fans and share music via the Zune Card, a real-time playlist of each user’s favorite and recently played tracks that can be accessed on the Web or within the Zune software, or synced to the Zune device. Zune Pass subscribers can play full tracks from Zune Cards synced to their device while on the go, and now the playlists will even automatically update with the most recently played tracks when Zune connects to a wireless hot spot. It’s like subscribing to a free feed of music from the sources people trust most — their friends. Powerful Software
The Zune PC software is a free download at http://www.zune.net that provides rich discovery and media management capabilities to help consumers make the most of their existing music collections, in addition to providing access to the Zune Social and Zune Marketplace so they can add to it.
• Mixview. Customers can select an artist, album or Zune Card to activate a dynamic, visual mosaic of related music and listeners. With each click users can take the view in a new direction, creating a fun, graphical way to discover new music. Mixview works with users’ current collection of music, in addition to tracks and albums from across the Zune Marketplace. • Now Playing. The improved Now Playing view is more interactive and cinematic. Users can sit back and enjoy the combination of great artist imagery, colorful effects, bio information and data from the Zune online music community, all combined in a full-screen view. They can also click to dive deeper into the music behind the picture, providing another great way to interact with their collection. A new firmware update will also improve the experience on the Zune device. In addition to the new wireless functionality, Zune will bring new features customers have been asking for:
• Games on the go. Two free games, “Hexic” and “Texas Hold ’Em,” will keep users entertained on the go. • Audiobooks. All Zune devices will feature support for audiobooks this fall from industry leaders in the digital distribution of audiobook content. • Audible. Customers can visit audible.com to download and sync favorite books from the 50,000 titles available from over 600 publishers and content providers. • OverDrive. They can download content from sites powered by overdrive.com, including 7,500 libraries’ Web sites worldwide. (http://search.overdrive.com)
