about-electronics.eu

Gizmodo: It’s not the first Zune dock (I believe Altec Lansing has the honor there), but this ZN90B one from iHome features an all-important alarm function and fits both Zune and Zune HD models.

The ZN90B dock is available for pre-order now, for $100, and has AM/FM presets, EQ controls and iHome’s “Reson8″ speaker chambers for what they’re calling “astounding clarity, depth and power.” It takes a pair of AA batteries when you’re on the move, otherwise is charged via the AC charger. Available sometime this month, it’d make a nice buy for anyone who wants to charge their Zune while playing music—otherwise, you’re probably better off just plugging the Zune into your existing audio set-up via the 3.5mm jack

read more

Stuff.tv: The online rumour mill is churning up some more news about Microsoft’s oft-predicted Zune smartphone. According to MSNBC’s resident tech columnist Jim Goldman, the software giant is beavering away on a highly evolved Zune codenamed “Pink”.

Goldman’s source says the device will combine the functionality of the current range of Zune music players (still unavailable in the UK) with phone technology from Danger Inc., the firm responsible for the T-Mobile Sidekick. Danger Inc. was recently acquired by Microsoft.

Sadly the source didn’t furnish Goldman with any feature or spec info, but he did say that the device could be unveiled as soon as CES in January 2009, with a possible release in February.

read more

Electronista: Microsoft will try to spark interest in its newer Zunes this fall with the launch of its first themed Zune Originals set, the company has revealed at a press event.

Where the previous custom engravings have largely been isolated efforts, the new campaign will bring a set of artwork for the players’ backs themed around the zodiac signs: at least Aries, Leo and Pisces are confirmed but is implied as including the remaining nine signs.

The new patterns should be available within the next two weeks; it’s not known how much Microsoft will charge for the artwork.

read more

TrustedReviews: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has picked up where he left off by battering Google Android and revealing future company plans. Sticking it first to the new open source G1 OS Ballmer typically didn’t hold back saying “You’ve got to remember Android is version one….and it looks like version one. They’ve got one handset maker, we’ve got 55. They’re available through one operator, we’ve got 175.”

He has a point but like the rise of the Google search engine its radically different approach to Microsoft could see it build up momentum very quickly. Besides, there’s a big difference between “one handset maker” and “one operator” and the fact other models for different networks simply aren’t out yet.

More constructive however was Ballmer’s admittance that the Zune brand will be incorporated into both Windows Mobile – in a similar vein to how Apple incorporated the iPod brand into the iPhone – and, rather intriguingly, Windows itself. “The Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc” he explained casually.

read more

Electronista: Microsoft is finally hoping to unify its Zune Marketplace and services with other devices, the company reveals in a recent job posting for a Software Development Engineer.

The firm hopes to develop a new, “unified entertainment service” that would work on not just the company’s music player and PCs but also on Windows Mobile devices and the Xbox console lineup as well.

At present, Microsoft’s storefronts are balkanized and don’t allow Xbox Video Marketplace content to be transferred outside of the game system, while protected Zune Marketplace content refuses to play on the Xbox even when the player is directly connected.

The listing makes it clear that the project is just starting and thus that Microsoft doesn’t expect to have a unified service for a significant amount of time.

read more

Ars Technica: The third generation of Microsoft’s Zune portable media player product line has been talked about and speculated for quite a while now, but very little has managed to leak out of Redmond, until now.

A Canadian has supposedly somehow gotten his hands on both 16GB and 120GB flavors of the Zune, both of which are expected to be released under Zune 3.0 (recall that the original Zune 30GB is considered first generation and that the Zune 4, Zune 8, and Zune 80 are considered second generation). 

If you doubt the authenticity of these pictures because the 16GB box is in English as well as French, recall that this is likely because the Zune came to Canada back in June. There really isn’t much else to glean from these images, other than the fact that the third generation Zune really doesn’t seem to have anything new going for it on the outside, except for maybe a little gloss on the front.

read more

Ipodnn: In an effort to boost the slow sales of its Zune media player, Microsoft is turning to Hollywood in order to license original content for it, according to new reports.

Microsoft has sent executives to talent agencies and production companies over the last few months to find video programming that would be available either exclusively for the Zune or launch first for the device before being offered elsewhere.

At the same time, Microsoft again denies rumors that a Zune-branded cell phone is being developed. While the company is calling its efforts to add the dedicated multimedia content for the player as still in the “exploratory phase,” the new video programming would take advantage of the Zune’s social networking capabilities.

Via Zune Social, users could download the favorite digital music of characters from a new show or receive its soundtrack.

read more

VNUNet.com: Microsoft has unveiled a limited edition version of its Zune digital media player to commemorate the DVD release of the documentary Joy Division.

The Zune devices have failed to make any significant impact on the market dominance enjoyed by Apple’s iPod, but Redmond is pressing ahead with a Zune player designed by record cover artist Peter Saville.

The film will come pre-loaded on a custom black Zune 80 player etched with an adaptation of Saville’s artwork from Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album.

Five hundred limited edition players will be available for purchase on 17 June through online Zune stores.

“Joy Division chronicles the story of the seminal post-punk band via first-hand accounts from surviving band members and those who worked closely with them during their brief but highly influential existence,” said Tom Atencio, the film’s co-producer.

read more

Electronista: Microsoft has let slip details of some of the first special edition, second-generation Zune players. A team up with Reebok will see the electronics giant produce a custom Zune to match its partner’s Allen Iverson Answer XI sneakers. The variant on the Zune 8 will include a large engraving of the Denver Nuggets basketball player and also pack related content on the jukebox itself, such as TV spots, interviews, and Iverson-chosen music.

Teaser shots hide any custom coloring on the player, though Microsoft adds a special carrying bag. Like most limited Zune runs, the Reebok set will ship in small numbers (60 pairs).

read more

Anything but iPod: There are a few problems with in-vehicle accessories such as player docks and other player specific accessories. Let’s say that you bought an iPod and had a dock professionally installed to look and work seamlessly with your car’s stereo or after market head unit. Then you finally see all the cool features and devices you are missing outside of the fascist iPod ecosystem. Now you have to tear out that incredibly slick install you just paid top money for.

IME has developed an answer to this problem with the IME Dock. The modular dock system will give you a clean install and allow you to upgrade your device across different brands. Each dock will power and supply audio and video line out to your factory stereo or after market head unit.

Currently docks for Microsoft Zune, SanDisk Sansa, and iPod. But IME also has future plans for other players and mobile phones. An interesting thing that I found out while talking with IME was that the Zune dock system has been selling the most preorders. 

read more

PMP Today: Myvu’s known for their personal media viewers that allow you to watch videos comfortable instead of squinting at your PMP’s tiny-ass screens. They’re not exactly the most fashionable things in the world but I suppose they serve their purpose. At CES 2008, however, Myvu showed off two new media viewers that look more like sports shades instead of something out of a bad sci-fi flick. The Myvu Shades have the same “glance down” feature as the original Myvu viewers, which allows you to watch the video while remaining aware of your surroundings at the same time.

The Myvu Crystal increases the resolution from 320×240 to 640×480 and has a 35% increase in the field of view over other Myvu models. It’s also more inconspicuous, as it looks like a pair of sunglasses with earbuds attached. Both Myvu models work with all PMPs, including the iPod with video models, the Zune, Sansa-View, mobile phones (select Samsung models and the Nokia N95), and portable DVD players. Watch out for them in spring 2008!

read more

Anything but iPod: The Zune Marketplace subscription will allow you to sync two different Zunes and two different computers with the same account. What I found out by accident is that you can actually use a completely different brand of player for the second device. You may not even need a Zune; you may be able to sync two non-Zune PlaysForSure MP3 players.

read more