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
posted Oct 2nd 2007 2:04PM
Assembled in China, hopefully they keep the lead out. Sure looks familiar though.
I don't remember hearing anybody complain about lead in their iPod so China must be doing ok.
LOL LEAD!!!
Nearly all electronics, including iPods, are Made in China.
yes and we know how well that went for the xbox360...
i would imagine it is RoHS compliant, and therefore lead-free
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROHS
Two words.
Too Small!
i want prices, features and release dates.
you want the Sansa View
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.
How about an AM transmitter!
Seriously, what other frequency are they going to use?
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).
Gym rats use the FM, fatty.
Gym rats use the FM, fatty? WTF does that mean? Only thin people listen to the radio? haha you're a smart person.
@ 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.
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).
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.
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
Looks pretty ugly. Fail Party of One, Mr. Zune? Right this way.
after seeing this I am going to march down immediately to my local tattoo shop and get a zune tattoo..
LOLOLOLOL!!!
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.
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...
r u kidding me? what is it with microsoft copying apple to the point of where the info sits on the back of their players? come on....
You're . . . that's a joke, right? I mean . . yes, that's a joke. I would have recognized it immediately had it not been for so many completely stupid rips on the Zune based on the insurmountable fact that it's not an Apple product.
I, for one, might be halfway interested in having this for a 'going-to-the-gym' device if the price point is right. Certainly a more appealing form factor than the new nanos . . . read, not necessarily a better design, but I'm with the original crowd that reeled (and is still reeling) at the 'fatty' nano.
eww the new nanos are nasty. thats why im getting the touch. im talking about the old ones. i have the old red nano and it looks almost exact.
its funny that they make their own accessories cause no one else wants to lol
cause apple doesn't make any ipod accessories right? lol what are you thinking?
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.
just a "hello from seattle"? nothing more?
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?
No one is seriously excited about this right? I mean, I'm a MSFT stock owner and I'm not excited about this.
I'm excited about this. You should be too, because if this fails (which it won't) your stock value goes down.
"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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ha! Ha!
You're good.
"Force Apple to innovate".
What's that 8mm thick iPod 3.5" widescreen display doing on the shelves then?
I made a solid Zune product after having Mexican for dinner last night, if you know what I mean.
"Come on MS. Force Apple to innovate."
Funniest. Line. Ever.
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.
"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!
it looks like the plug for the fm transmitter is different from zune 1's. does that mean rebuying all accessories?
Oh my gosh I can hardly wait to get my.. ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
anyone else notice the serial is in binary???
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.)
Actually, it's just alternating ones and zeros, not binary. They just put that there as an example of where the serial would be.
"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?