Category: MP3 players
nTren Bluetooth watches – wrist-based music player
Most techno-watches look like props from a cheap 70s sci-fi TV show. That's not the case with these nTren Bluetooth watches. They look like classic wristwatches, with the music functionality clever concealed around the watch frame. But it does still…
Opinion: Why isn't Apple letting us share music too?
Stuart Dredge writes…
I’m genuinely excited about Microsoft’s plans for the Zune Social community, allowing Zune owners to subscribe to each other’s dynamic playlists, and embed their latest listening in their blog or social networking profile.
It’s certainly more interesting than the Zune-to-Zune Wi-Fi track sharing that debuted in the first Zune, anyway. Zune Social would actually make me buy a Zune, if Microsoft was selling it officially over here in the UK. Note to Bill: sort this out soon, please.
With the caveat that I’m not a Jobs-hating Microsoft fanboy (or, indeed, a Gates-stomping Apple nut), Zune Social has made me wonder why Apple hasn’t done more in the area of music sharing – or at least communities around the music stored in our iPods and iTunes applications.
Microsoft's new Zune models: everything you need to know
It might’ve been the most poorly-kept secret in the consumer tech industry, but that didn’t stop Microsoft from giving its new Zune models the big reveal last night, as well as introducing new features for its Zune Marketplace store and debuting a new online community called Zune Social.
ZuneFest: Zune Social offers new way to share, while Zune Marketplace goes DRM-free
Besides launching new Zune models, Microsoft has also given its Zune Marketplace music store some new features, and introduced a new online community called Zune Social.
The latter is really interesting. It lets people create a ‘Zune Card’ that automatically updates to track what they’re listening to on their Zune – recently played tracks and all-time favourites. The schtick is that other Zune owners can then listen to their friends’ Zune Cards and buy the tracks.
ZuneFest: Microsoft unveils 80GB Zune 2
Also on the menu at Microsoft’s Zune launch today was a new top-end 80GB Zune, with a 3.2-inch screen and sleek black styling. It’s going to cost $249.99 in the US, although sadly there’s still no details on when MS will bring its players to Europe. Bah.
Anyway, the 80GB Zune includes the new Zune Pad touch-sensitive navigation button (NOT a scrollwheel, obviously), and features a revamped user interface and the ability to customise the display with your own wallpaper picture.
ZuneFest: Microsoft 's 4GB/8GB Zune takes on the iPod Nano
Phew, at last some hard fact rather than mere rumour. Microsoft has unveiled various new Zune models and related services / accessories, so I’m going to deal with them one by one. Starting with the new 4GB and 8GB Flash-based Zunes.
They’re available in pink, green, black and red flavours, and will sell for $199.99 in the US. Think of them as a direct rival for the iPod Nano, complete with a whizzy Zune Pad touch-sensitive navigation button.
ZuneFest: Zune 2 press release leaks online, get set for Zune Social community
Those pesky internet users, you can’t trust them to respect an embargo meant for journalists. Someone on the Zunerama forums has posted details from Microsoft’s Zune announcement, which goes out officially later tonight.
To be honest though, it doesn’t give anything away that hasn’t been strongly rumoured in recent days: a new 80GB hard drive Zune, two Flash-based models at 4GB and 8GB, and wireless sharing in all of ’em, as well as the ability to play TV shows recorded using Microsoft’s Vista Media Center.
ZuneFest rumour: Zune 2 to get DRM-free music?
So, there are deafening rumours that Microsoft will hold some kind of event today to announce its second-generation Zune (despite the fact that us Europeans haven’t even got the first one yet). Silicon Valley Insider has some new details.
Apparently Microsoft plans to use DRM-free music as a big selling point for the new Zunes. As the blog points out, this doesn’t exactly fit well with the existing Zune sharing system, which by definition requires DRM to ensure people pay for the tunes they’ve shared.
Microsoft conference in Redmond today rumoured to be Zune 2 launch
Quicksticks, get to Heathrow ASAP and book yourself a ticket to Redmond, Washington, as today Microsoft is rumoured to be unveiling their second generation of Zunes.
Old Billy Gates and Design and Development Chief J Allard will be presenting the conference, where they’re to reportedly launch the flash-based player, at 4GB and 8GB storage capacities, with Wi-Fi connectivity. The…
Patent reveals Microsoft's amazing plans for Zune playlist sharing
Despite shifting more than a million units of its first-generation Zune player, Microsoft is constantly fending off accusations that the device has been a flop. However, with Zune 2.0 on the horizon, some genuinely groundbreaking new features might help it turn the corner.
Check this patent out. It was filed by Microsoft last year, and describes two features that could make Zune a contender. First: a system to analyse your music listening habits, and push new stuff down to your Zune (with permission, obviously).
