We are at that time of the year where companies reveal their new products for the upcoming holiday season.  I know its only the beginning of September, but this is the time of the year when people do the most spending.  Its true for me.  So, what treats did Microsoft unleash for Zune that we will want sitting under our tree?

Hardware

Storage is the biggest hardware change for the new Generation 3 Zunes.  There is a 120Gb hard drive based Zune, and a 16Gb flash Zune.  Rumor has it that the 80Gb Zunes are on their way out.  Other than the storage, MS added an all black 120Gb Zune and a blue 8Gb flash Zune.  This is where I have an issue with MS.  Blue has been a color that many Zune fans have been looking for since Gen. 1 Zune.  I know it most definitely was on my wish-list.  However, of the 4 different capacity Zunes (4, 8, 16, & 120) only the 8 will be available in blue.  Apple just released 9 colors for its iPod Nano, and we can’t even get blue on more than one flash device.  The MS campaign for the Zune was called ‘You make it you,” so a few more colors might help the individuality factor.

The real improvements for the Gen. 3 Zunes come from the software updates.   Read on to learn more.

Software

Microsoft has added a number of new and fun features to Gen. 3 Zunes.  First, all updates are available to all Zune users, so the first Zuners are in luck.  Here’s a rundown of all the new goodies:

Buy from FM – Tag songs as you listen to them on the radio.  Then once you sync your Zune, you can purchase your picks from the Zune Marketplace.

Device to Cloud -Gives you the ability to access Wi-Fi hotspots to update your music/videos and browse and buy songs from the Zune Marketplace, including songs you tagged via the radio

Channels -Are custom music playlists created by various sources:  music experts, top radio stations, chart toppers from different music genres, and even ones geared for exercise.  The channels are included in the Zune Pass price.  However, if you don’t have a pass, you can purchase individual channels.

Personal Picks – Zune software learns what type of music the listener likes, and uses that information to make music suggestions.  When using the Zune software, there is a section called ‘Picks’ that will recommend music based on what kind of music you have on your Zune, what channels you listen to, and what similar Zune users like. 

Books – FINALLY!!! – Support for audiobooks, Audible, and OverDrive

Games -Two free games are included with the new Zunes – Hexic and Texas Hold ‘Em

MS makes some excellent functionality updates to their Zune line.  Being able to download music on the go is a much welcomed edition, and puts the Zune’s built-in Wi-Fi to good use.  Plus, I am also a fan of being able to tag songs on the radio.  I can’t even count how many times I’m in the car and a song I love comes on the radio; I want to remember to download it later, but I never do.  Mental post-it notes just don’t work.  I think these updates will help the Zune compete with the iPod classic and Nano.  However, I was disappointed that web browsing was not one of the included updates.  I wanted to see MS put out their version of the iPod Touch.  Hopefully, MS will have something soon, because they will need it to try and keep pace with Apple.

Via Zune Thoughts and Got Zune

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