Microsoft's 4GB / 8GB flash-based Zunes revealed by FCC

Well, would you look at this. Thanks to the oh-so-disclosing FCC website, we're now seeing drawings of what looks to be 4GB and 8GB versions of Microsoft's forthcoming flash-based Zunes. Sure enough, the pictures match the leaked photos from yesterday to a T, so it shouldn't be long before these things get officially official. Additionally, the documentation includes what appears to be a matching Zune FM transmitter module and dock, which is pictured after the jump for your enjoyment. Hold tight kids, the new Zunes are nearly here.

UPDATE: Looks like these bad boys should also have built-in WiFi (likely 802.11b/g enabled) courtesy of a Marvel 88W8686 chipset.

[Via Technabob, thanks Daniel G.]
Read - Flash-based Zunes in FCC
Read - Zune FM Transmitter in FCC

[Scott G. @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:12PM]

Assembled in China, hopefully they keep the lead out. Sure looks familiar though.

[charlie @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:25PM]

I don't remember hearing anybody complain about lead in their iPod so China must be doing ok.

[Edward @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:25PM]

LOL LEAD!!!
Nearly all electronics, including iPods, are Made in China.

[risk @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:39PM]

yes and we know how well that went for the xbox360...

[brokenkeyboard @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:11PM]

i would imagine it is RoHS compliant, and therefore lead-free

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROHS

[MonteVale @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:01PM]

Two words.
Too Small!

[Tim C @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:12PM]

i want prices, features and release dates.

[JohnTitor @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:59PM]

you want the Sansa View

[Anthony @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:17PM]

I'm starting to feel bad for MS. 4 & 8? They're DOA.

If MS really wants to make inroads they need to do something (besides FM) that Apple *isn't* doing.

8 & 16 would be more appealing. Or charge $75 & $100.

[Aaron @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:20PM]

How about an AM transmitter!


Seriously, what other frequency are they going to use?

[Anthony @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:13PM]

Sorry. I guess what I should have said was:

FM - big whoop.

Who's really listening to the radio on their players? I have it on my phone & it's never been in use. Sorry Carl Kasell.

I'd rather see wifi syncing & file "borrowing" (done right).

[JC @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:36PM]

Gym rats use the FM, fatty.

[Matthew @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:06PM]

Gym rats use the FM, fatty? WTF does that mean? Only thin people listen to the radio? haha you're a smart person.

[Golferal @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:21PM]

@ Matthew

Obviously you don't go to the gym or you'd know that they use FM to transmit the audio from the TV's by the cardio equipment.

THAT'S what he meant.

[Anthony @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:25PM]

You're right- I don't go to the gym. I stay in hotels 2 days a week & choose the channel I want to watch & ride a about 150 miles per week on the 5 other days. Oh, if you're interested: Calfee Dragonfly (SRAM Force & 15.5lbs) & a custom Techner TT.

However, the arguement is sound. I forgot about the other FM uses like that (though I wouldn't want to listen to Fox News, which is all I ever see on TV when I stay in Santa Cruz, where they don't have a gym, but give you a Golds pass).

[GoR @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:18PM]

Much better form factor than those iPod nanos... and, probably better built, you can FEEL the edges of the face of the nano.. its not flush with the backing. And they just feel cheap.

[Jonhimslf @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:23PM]

You haven't held this Zune, how can you make the call and say it's form factor is better? It might *look* better but the Nanos *looked* awkward but are actually pretty comfortable

[Eric M @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:21PM]

Looks pretty ugly. Fail Party of One, Mr. Zune? Right this way.

[St. Stephen @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:24PM]

after seeing this I am going to march down immediately to my local tattoo shop and get a zune tattoo..

[giislander @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:32PM]

LOLOLOLOL!!!

[Dave @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:26PM]

I want one because everyone hates them. They're the MP3 player nobody wants to be seen with. They appeal to my feelings of isolation. Besides, I'm so sick of iTunes I could puke blood.

[suv4x4 @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:17PM]

If Zune relies of pitty s... I mean purchases, they won't go high in the charts. I'm trying hard to like Zunes too, I liked the brown color in Zune 1. Also the WMA & WMV support + good Windows integration is really attractive (I wish they used WMP though and not some made up "Zune Center").

But god why does it have to be so god damn ugly? Those controls are laid out with zero elegance. Just look at it. I could make a better layout in 30 mins, this is just horrible.

It'll be pissing me off every time I look at it.

I'm still keeping my hopes high for Zone 3...

[a ham sandwich @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:27PM]

just a "hello from seattle"? nothing more?

[Blake Harris @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:54PM]

Yeah, I know Apple-bashing is the new trend, but jeez, couldn't Microsoft even make their product labeling original? Looks like the back of an ipod, with 'Hello from Seattle' in place of 'Made by Apple in California.' Does anyone at Microsoft actually get paid to think or does the 'Redmond, start your copiers' joke have a little substance?

[James F. @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:28PM]

No one is seriously excited about this right? I mean, I'm a MSFT stock owner and I'm not excited about this.

[Peppie @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:48PM]

I'm excited about this. You should be too, because if this fails (which it won't) your stock value goes down.

[LowRankFodder4MSfanboys @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:44PM]

"I'm excited about this. You should be too, because if this fails (which it won't) your stock value goes down."

HA HA! His stock value has been going down regardless!

The Zune IS going to fail. It's got Microsoft's clumsy degign all over it. Jesus, that can't even layout the back of it with any originality.

[Peppie @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:17PM]

Before you prove how idiotic you are, you should at least attempt to back up your claims about stock value.
http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=MSFT
Just watch the trend from at least five years back. Then compare it to today and take into account the new zune launch.
Way to be an ignorant apple fanboy...

[potato @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:29PM]

Just when I thought MS might be doing something cool with the Zune... where's the 16GB version MS? Without a decisive edge over the iPod it's doomed for failure.

[andy @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:29PM]

its funny that they make their own accessories cause no one else wants to lol

[Mark @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:37PM]

cause apple doesn't make any ipod accessories right? lol what are you thinking?

[Edward @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:29PM]

Looks like another solid Zune product.
The problem though is that, although all Zunes have been good products, they haven't really offered anything AMAZING to draw the masses away from the iPods. Bluetooth/Wifi wireless sync, built-in FM transmitter, built-in Nike+ish pedometer, ...

Come on MS. Force Apple to innovate.

[slice @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:30PM]

It doesnt make much sense for microsoft to release 16GB versions.. They might woo a handful of geeks but alienate a major part of the market due to higher cost. Its most likely a business decision than anything else.

[suv4x4 @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:29PM]

You're not doing anyone favor to call an uninspired mp3 player "another solid Zune product".

I want to see them succeed, but if at Microsoft honestly believe this is a solid mp3 player, they won't.

[Matthew @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:42PM]

Ha! Ha!

You're good.

"Force Apple to innovate".

What's that 8mm thick iPod 3.5" widescreen display doing on the shelves then?

[Andy S. @ Oct 3rd 2007 11:17AM]

I made a solid Zune product after having Mexican for dinner last night, if you know what I mean.

[Quix @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:00PM]

"Come on MS. Force Apple to innovate."

Funniest. Line. Ever.

[Cody Musser @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:31PM]

I thought we just read that these were supposed to have storage capacity that exceeded the competition? 4 and 8GB is par for the course... how unexciting.

[SAGExSDX @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:31PM]

it looks like the plug for the fm transmitter is different from zune 1's. does that mean rebuying all accessories?

[Richard @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:32PM]

I can't wait for these! I love my Zune so far, but onl have a couple of complaints.

Where are all the 3rd party accessories? Granted it took a long time for the iPod to get to where it is now, but I would have thought there would be more available for the Zune by now.

Also, if it's a video player, why can't I download videos from the Zune Marketplace?? They need to upgrade and overhaul that thing before these come out!

With that said, I'll probably pick up a flash Zune to use when I work out, but I'll be holding out on the larger capacity HDD model until I max mine out, or they release video downloads.

[noazark @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:33PM]

i am partial to all things microsoft, hate mac, but love ipods, i am a fan of good product not a particular name. but this is exactly what the ipod nano profile should have come out like. i do agree that 8 and 4 G's are kinda not a big deal. 16 would be a wonderful addition and maybe even (God forbid) cause some real competition with ipods. doubt it, but hey, its worth a chance.

note: i didnt clame this was a good design, just good profile. too bad ipod gave up the form to microsoft.

[LowRankFodder4MSfanboys @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:51PM]

"i am partial to all things microsoft...
...i am a fan of good product."

HA HA HA! Can you say Oxymoron? I think you can!

I bet you do ALL your 'good product' shopping at Wal Mart, right?

HA HA HA!

ass!

[Brad @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:34PM]

Oh my gosh I can hardly wait to get my.. ZZZzzzzzzzzzz

[Sam Zebian @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:41PM]

anyone else notice the serial is in binary???

[Sam Zebian @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:01PM]

anyways, i own a current zune, and I have to say it is the best DAP I have ever owned, better than the Zen vision M and better than any ipod that's been made. (feature and build quality being considered) Can't wait 'till the 160 or 80 GB zune, i might get a flash based zune for track or something, because there is no way in hell i'm going to run with a hdd-based player.

(I just realized that may be what i can use my old zune for when i upgrade, 'cause if i have a new zune, I can care less about my old zune.)

[Dave @ Oct 2nd 2007 3:03PM]

Actually, it's just alternating ones and zeros, not binary. They just put that there as an example of where the serial would be.

[Quix @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:09PM]

"better than any ipod that's been made. (feature and build quality being considered)"

Riiight. After owning 4 rock-solid iPods and briefly playing with a dusty Zune at Toys R Us (fitting) and its cheap-feeling fake scroll wheel, I have to completely disagree with you. And perhaps you haven't heard of a brand new iPod with a touch screen and other features the Zune can't even dream about?

"Can't wait 'till the 160 or 80 GB zune"

At which point Apple will probably have a 1TB iPod.

Seriously, how much does Microsoft pay people to gush over this "Me too! (but made by Toshiba)" product? Microsoft needs to stick to what it's good at. Which is, uh, um, hmm...keyboards and mice?

[Ignacio @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:43PM]

I smell a lawsuit coming... from Disney. ;-)

[Mark @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:43PM]

WTFOMG!!!! It's rectangular!!! It's copying the nano!! Oh... wait... so are like 90% of all electronics. Maybe you can claim they copied the idea of a screen from apple too, or playing music.

[Andy @ Oct 2nd 2007 2:46PM]

The round/square "button" is actually a touchpad that allows for flick gestures to control the on screen action.