Rumor Mill: Details of Zune 2.0 and Flash Zune

Apparently, an unnamed Zunescene editor bumped into a Zune team employee during a business trip. Without even thinking about it, the Zune team member disclosed all the details of what we should expect from the flash and second generation Zunes to be released later this year. I thought they had very strict non-disclosure agreements?

Anyway, here's what the rumor says:

• Zune 2.0 and the Flash Zune will be out this year
• Zune 2.0 is like Generation 1.0 but thinner
• Larger hard-drive
• Flash Zune is 3" by 1" 1/4 by 1/4
• Flash Zune is video capable
• Flash Zune's Screen covers 75% of the front
• Flash Zune will have WiFi
• Flash Zune will have doubleshot
• Design phase is over, but some tweaks to hardware will occur.
• 2.4 million next gen Zunes will be made before 2007's holiday season, and that 2/3 of them are the Flash Zune players.

Take all this with a grain of salt. All those features are the ones the market expects from the flash and hard drive based Zunes. I wonder if Zunescene got this information the same day they photoshopped some Zune pictures to make people believe they had a baby-pink Zune?

 

Source [via ]

Comments

[Sneaker Joe]

I read this last night on Zunescene and I was a little irratated that there could be a version 2.0 so soon. Thinner....whatever, who cares? larger HD, that's the part that grinds my gears, but all that is heresy. Also, I've heard this saying like 3 different time this week, "Take all this with a grain of salt" what is it's actual meaning? Anyone?

[poxtomod]

F#@K MICROSOFT!!!

The current zune is aptly designed and constructed with the ability to handle more features and functions. A 2.0 version is not necessary till at least mid 2008. And maybe I don't know releasing it to other countries might be a decent business plan as well.

MS has failed to deliver on the promise of the Zune with in regards to it's competition. This seems like a desperate act to gain more sales (though really won't), and expand the market share. Yet in reality they will be screwing 1st gen owners who might never again be fooled into buying their mp3 products again.

If MS really plans to offer a Spring Feature update, as promised, I am not talking about that recently released Bugfix they sent out either, then this may be acceptable. Us early adopters deserve more respect, we deserve to see further development on our Zune 1st gen.

I publicly vow to never buy another zune model if it is abandoned now, or at least if there are no new feature updates released. I will side with the ipod fanboys and drink the koolaid that everyone else is drinking... even though I hate Apple.

[Bob SPencer]

MS did say they will continue upgrading the Zune 1. I am excited about Zune 2 and will just sell my old Zune on eBay to get one of the new models.

poxtomod chill!
time goes by and things change...

[rom]

Zune... please mount as a portable hard drive before transforming into 2.0 and a flash-zune, will you please? :)

[Eric]

I have heard from numerous Microsoft representatives that they will continue to upgrade our Zunes even if new versions are released.

I read the article on ZuneScene, and I highly doubt that the information the ZuneScene editor provided was accurate. Information like this would never be disclosed to the public, especially with the competition between Apple and Microsoft.

Will new Zunes actually be developed? Of course. It's has been Microsoft's plan from the getgo to create not just one device but an entire lineup of devices branded with the Zune logo. But as for the supposed "leaked information," I think it's just hype over the rumors that have been flying around for months.

So people, I know alot of you are frustrated with Microsoft's neglect of all your suggestions and complaints, but you just have to be patient. More updates will come for all of us die-hard Zune fans.

Eric

[poxtomod]

I think everybody realizes that there were expectations on the original zune release that have not been met. I dont undersand why the zune has a better processor and hardware than the ipod but has less functions. The zune shoud be identical in the features aspect, compared to its competition -ipod. It almost seems like the 1st gen is a glorified beta test for system and marketplace.

As far as info on upgrades MS has been far to silent, for far to long, when was the last official statement anyways...Also there are far to many excited people that cant wait to buy 2.0, the same who bought 1.0 5 months ago. This is telling MS that it might be better to abandon the old for the new zune.

Don't get me wrong I love my zune, but like I said before it seems that it has been abandoned, the question remains whether or not 2.0 will be similar to features on the 1.0s (possible feature upgrades). They should be hands down.

I also despise the idea of selling my hardware for something new, that is just as capable as my original. Maybe I am silly that way but if I waste my money like that I would not be able to buy other things.

[Eric]

Well, you have to remember that the iPod is already on its 5th generation of full-sized mp3 players. This is Microsoft's first venture into portable music, yet the Zune, at least in my opinion, dominates the iPod in most categories. Despite the lacking support and updates, I think that the Zune is already a better device than many other options out there now.

Sure, I want more updates, just like everybody else here. But, even if the Zune was completely abandoned tommorow by Microsoft, I would no doubt still keep my Zune.

I wouldn't frustrate yourself over new Zunes that may or may not come out. Microsoft has already planned for another firmware upgrade later this spring. And with new colors being introduced (pink, red), it shows that Microsoft's focus is still on the original Zune.