Best Buy Canada offering 4GB Zune for free with purchase of a 16GB Zune

Best Buy Canada currently has a pretty nice offer going on the Zune -- buy a Zune 16 and get a Zune 4 for free. The Zune 16 is retailing for $179.99 and looks to only be available in black, but that aside it sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

A few items to note is that this offer is valid online only and (at the time of this posting) is showing a quantity remaining of 76. According to the Best Buy details, you simply need to add the black Zune 16 to your cart and the Zune 4 will be added automatically.

Sounds like a good deal to me, pick up a nice Zune for yourself, and get a nice extra for nothing. This would surely convince me to add a Zune to my collection, that is if I lived in Canada.

[Best Buy Canada]

Zune Originals adds new artwork, online exclusive colors

In addition to the new software and free Wi-Fi, Zune Originals has also received an little refresh with the introduction of the new Zune hardware. We have already seen the new Zune 120 and Zune 16 hit the retail stores in black, and now Zune Originals has also announced that the Zune 16 will be available in blue, red, pink and green as an online exclusive. Finally, customers will also have the option of choosing some new artwork as Zune Originals has added 14 new designs to give your Zune a little more of a personal feel.

[ZuneOriginals]

Zune 4 and 8 will apparently have no video out

According to Zuneinsider, the Zune 4 and 8 will not have video out. The 720x480 output is only for the Zune 80. Oh well, the Zune 4 and 8 probably wouldn't fit many DVD movies to output onto a lager screen anyways.

Zune 30 Owners: Will you Buy a New Zune?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

How do you know if a company is in a business for the long haul or not? Well, when you make sure that your old product stays up to date at the same time has you release a new product line; it’s a good indication that investment is not a problem and you’re in the market for good.

Apple reached the 100 million+ iPods sold by releasing new products every year and making sure that the previous iPod version was completely outdated. They might have sold more than 100 million iPods, but their customer base is much smaller than that number, because a lot of folks are simply buying the new model year after year.

As early adopters of the Zune, we appreciate that our Zune 30 will be upgraded with most of the benefits of the Zune 80, 4 and 8. But will it stop a lot of Zune owners from buying a brand new Zune? Certainly not me! I’m dying for the thinner Zune, the Zune Pad and the 640x480 TV out. But you, Zune 30 owners? What are you going to do? Are you going to buy a new Zune 80? Cast your vote now or enter your comment!

 

Do we say “Zune 80” or “Zune 80GB”?

It looks like there’s a bit of confusion on the web around the new Zune player names. Do we call them Zune 30, 80, 4 and 8 or Zune 30B, Zune 80GB, 4GB and 8GB?

If you read the official Microsoft press release, the official names seem to be the “GB” versions. But when we listen to interviews or read the Zuneinsider blog, for example, the “GB” is skipped.

Having to write for this blog, I wanted to know how I should write the product names! I contacted Kristin from the “Zune press team” and here’s the answer I had:

“Can totally understand the confusion, and actually, both are correct. In conversation, we only call the devices Zune 80, Zune 8 and Zune 4, but in print, you can choose to add the “GB” or not.”

Personally, I think that it sounds better without the “GB” and it gives the Zune more “personality”.  But from a mass market standpoint, adding the “GB” will help the customer to understand what he will get from a specific model.

Which one do you prefer? Do you like how they called the Zunes now?

Offical word from Cesar: No Clock

Before I go into what I think about his confession as to the missing clock on the new Zunes check out the video (Click Here).  Now lets the attacks on Zuneinsider.com begin.  Before anyone grabs a pitch fork and a torch think of it this way.  What would you want more: Wireless Syncing or a Clock?  Would you rather they work on making the device slimmer or a clock?

Why is a clock so important to so many?  Are you really that pressed for time that every device you own must tell you that its 6:44am?  If you do live by a clock why not invest in a nice Kenneth Cole, or a Seiko?  That is the job of those two devices is to tell people time, very accurately.  But being angry that an MP3 player doesn't also tell you time and cook you an omelet each and every morning seems like a waste of anger.   If you need a better reason to be angry just watch "My Super Sweet 16" but please leave Cesar and the rest of the Zune team alone on this one feature.  Come up with a better missing feature to be angry about.

*looks at his Timex watch*

Wow its getting late I have to get to work.

New Zune Players Release Date: November 13th, 2007!

Zuners, mark your calendars! Amazon takes pre-orders for the Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB and Zune 4Gb now and confirms that the release date for the Zune 2 is November 13^th, 2007. UPDATE: You heard it here first, but Microsoft confirmed the information to Gizmodo. Guys, you're getting a brand new Zune on November 13th!

The New Zunes are not Manufactured by Toshiba

According to Reuters, the new Zune is an end-to-end Microsoft design and Toshiba is no longer the Zune player manufacturer.

The new 80 GB Zune and the Flash Zune are both in-house designs and manufactured by Flextronics.

J Allard said, "To build this product, we really needed to think about it end-to-end,". He also added, "It also brings with it cost advantages."

 

Source. Image by Wired

Comparison Charts: Zune 80GB vs. iPod Classic and Zune 8GB – 4GB vs. iPod nano

Here’s a comparison chart for the new Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB and the iPhone and the new iPods. The chart also includes the Zune 30GB. Click on the image to get a larger version of it.

Important information like weight and battery duration are still missing, but we're getting the big picture here.

Let me know if you spot something wrong in the chart.

What else should we add to the chart?

Official: Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB to be Released Next November

Engadget has official information on the new Zune players. The new 80GB hard drive based Zune is called the “Zune 80GB”  and dimensions are 61.1x108.2x12.9 mm (1/3rd smaller than the Zune 30GB). The New Flash Zune players are named Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB and they have an 1.8 inch screen (a bit smaller than the iPod nano's 2 inch screen). The Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB dimensions are 41.4x91.5x8.5mm.

Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB will ship in November, but no official date has been confirmed yet. As expected, Zune 30GB owners will get all th of the Zune 80GB software benefits. The new Zune firmware also supports native h.264 and MPEG-4!

DRM? The 3 day restriction is gone but the 3 time limit will still be there.

Other features announced earlier have also been confirmed by Engadget.

Here's the list of the new Zune accessories coming with the Zune 80GB, Zune 8GB and Zune 4GB upcoming release:

• Zune Home AV Pack ($99.99) - "Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device, wireless remote, AC adaptor and composite AV output cable."
• Zune Dock Pack ($49.99) - "Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device and AC adapter."
• Zune Car Pack ($79.99) - "Redesigned FM transmitter/charger and dashboard grip pad."
• Zune Cable Pack ($39.99) - "Sync cable, composite AV output cable and audio cable."
• Zune Premium Headphones ($39.99)
• Zune Leather Case ($49.99)
• Zune Sync Cable ($19.99)
• Zune AC Adapter ($29.99)

Many more pictures after the jump!

Flash Zune and 80Gb Zune Available Next November!

Journalists were invited to a press event today at the Zune Team campus in Redmond. The new Zune players we’re revealed to the attendees, but an embargo stops them from publishing the information until midnight, tonight. Nevertheless, King 5 station in Seattle leaked some (unconfirmed) precious information ahead of time. According to the station, Microsoft will release a new Flash based Zune player (4Gb and 8GB) available in black, pink, green and red. A new black 80GB Zune player (hard disc based), thinner than the 30GB Zune player and equipped with a 3.2 LCD screen, will also be released by the same token. All models will carry an FM radio tuner.

And guys, we’ve been expecting new Wi-Fi scenarios and they're on their way! The new Zune 2 firmware will sync music, videos and photos wirelessly from with your computer! Pretty cool! Isn’t it?

Prices? These are easy to guess as they match iPod prices… Flash Zune models will be priced at $149 and $199 for the 4GB and 8Gb respectively. The new 80GB Zune player will carry a retail price of $249. The new devices will be available mid-November. We still don’t know if the 30GB Zune player will be retired or if it will still be available and compatible with the Zune 2 firmware.

The Zune firmware has been redesigned from scratch, and that’s why no substantial Zune Firmware update has been released since the first generation Zune was released last year. Life is sweet, isn't it?

Silicon Alley Insider says that the Zune marketplace will have DRM free music. The Zune to Zune sharing would be totally or partially released from its DRM prison (still to be confirmed though).

We should also expect videos and podcasts from the Zune marketplace.

The Zune Squircle is apparently called the Zune pad...

More details later! images from rompres

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

 

A New Flash Zune to Debut Tomorrow!

According to sources close to Betanews, Microsoft will hold a special event in Redmond to announce the Zune 2 and Flash Zune. Bill Gates and J Allard will be on the stage to make the announcement. The new Zunes are expected in early November.

Apparently, the new HDD Zune will have a bigger hard drive and will also be thinner than the first generation Zune. The new Flash Zune will measure 3 inches long by 1.25 inches wide. The rumour also says that the Flash Zune will be video capable and would include a Wi-Fi feature and more storage than the iPod nano. 16GB Flash Zune? That would be great!

A new Zune community site is also expected and a completely new line of Zune accessories will be announced.

Let’s the fun begin!

[Thanks Brad]

Price Drop: Buy a Zune at $199 MSRP

Good news Zune fans! Microsoft officially dropped the Zune retail price. The %20 drop brings the Zune to $199 from $249. This is good news for mainly two reasons. First off, a %20 price drop is cool if you’re planning to buy a Zune. Right? But even more important, this is probably an inventory clearing… Not that we don’t like the Zune 1.0, but we’ve been waiting for the 2G Zune and the flash for so long, that it makes us happy to see the 1G Zune go.

Check the prices at your favorite retailer, Zune prices may drop well below the $199 price point. We have seen many times the Zune on sale at $179.99 when the retail price was still $249.99. What will be the rock bottom price for the Zune now? Let us know if spot a nice offer.

Proof of an Imminent Zune Release for this Fall?

The picture above was taken on July 20^th 2007, the day after Microsoft announced the 1.2 million Zune sold. The exact same week where Microsoft sales reps. were invited to Redmond for an annual meeting on what’s coming in the next year... The picture found on Flickr does not say a lot, except that something related to the Zune is “Coming this fall"... Hourra!!!

There are many rumors about an 80GB Zune player coming soon, but I heard something about a 60Gb Zune player instead! This comes from a Microsoft employee unrelated to the Zune team but present at the presentation at the end of July. During the Zune presentation, someone also asked if a PSP style Zune was on the roadmap and the answer was “not for now”. Too bad, it would have been really cool. The new Zune models were not shown to the reps during the presentation.

I'm digging for anwers…If you hear something, let me know.

Second Generation Zune and Flash Based Zune on Their Way…Says iLounge

According to a new post on iLounge, new details have emerged about the new Zunes currently under development. Apparently, two new Zunes were previewed on Monday at a day-long event organized for Microsoft's developers.

The first Zune presented at the event was the expected new Flash Zune. The device as been described as being larger than the nano with the same features as the 30Gb Zune currently on the market.

The post also revealed a second generation Zune (2.0 Zune) under development as well. The Zune 2.0 would have bigger hard drive (60Gb, 80Gb or 100Gb?) and would also be built we a bigger screen.

That being said, even if iLounge enjoys an extremely good reputation, this is still only a "we heard that" kind of information. Those features like a bigger screen could also be the inspiration of the moment and could also be subject to change without any notice...

The thing that bugs me about the bigger screen is how could they integrate it without making the second generation Zune (Zune 2.0) larger than the 30Gb Zune we currently have. If they only stretch the screen, it would mean that the 320x240 aspect ratio would have to change and I don't think this would make sense.

I firmly believe that a larger Zune is not an option. A new generation would necessarily need to have a smaller form factor. No?

New Zune and Wi-Fi Scenario on their way

In a recent interview, Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Zune, confirmed that a new Zune will be announced shortly. New Wi-Fi scenarios are also going to be released. It sounds like the month of May will be an exciting month for the Zune. It's not clear though if we are only going to see new announcements or if we are actually going to see new products and features right away. A Red Zune is expected by the end of May but we don't know if new features are going to be released at the same time. Let's hope! The Zune needs a bit of the "redbull" effect.

Here's an excerpt of the article:

We think of [the Zune] as a broad entertainment offer that is driven by music at the moment," he said. "We will start to play more aggressively in a broader number of categories." The current Zune is just the "tip of the iceberg," he said.

In the next month or so, Microsoft plans to reveal more about its vision for the future of Zune, he said.

Beyond the form factor, Microsoft is also likely to expand the Wi-Fi capabilities in the Zune, Stephenson said. Without revealing any specific plans for new Wi-Fi capabilities, Stephenson described scenarios that are being discussed in the marketplace, such as the potential for Zune users to download music over Wi-Fi in public hotspots or to synch with their PC-based music collections while at home.

[via Gizmodo]

Zune Rumor : Zune 2.0 for Next August

“If the person was correct and our ears didn't fail us, the next-gen Zune will be available in August. Unfortunately for the first-gen Zune team, the next version will feature gaming”. gizmodo

Let me see… We know that we should get a flash Zune before next Christmas and gaming is part of the plan for summer 2008 at the latest.

But! The release manager from the Zune team said “today” on the Zuneinsider that the first generation Zune player is not dead and Microsoft is still developing on the device:

Some of the comments I read said things like “Microsoft is abandoning this generation of Zune,” but nothing could be further from the truth. We see Zune today as simply the baseline – not the endgame. That means we’re still planning on adding features to the existing platform just like MS has done with the XBOX platform (recall that Xbox Live was not part of the initial v1 launch but was added later), plus the fact that Zune has wireless which can make the potential very interesting.

Well, can we have the first and second generation Zune alive and available at the same time? What if the first generation stays as the hard drive based Zune player and the second generation Zune is a flash Zune or Zune phone with a different set of features?

One thing is sure: Zune Rumors will gain momentum in the next few months! Stay tuned!

Zuneinsider