Microsoft's new Zunes: officially in 80, 8, and 4GB sizes

We love a good non-mystery around here, and Microsoft's new Zunes are about as un-mysterious as they get. But we also love a good product refresh, and now that the cat's officially out of the bag we can really dig into the new Zunes, which definitely have a lot going for them. There's plenty to cover, so here's what you need to know.

Hard drive Zunes

• It's called the Zune 80 and, shockingly enough, it has 80GB of storage.
• Uses the new Zune Pad -- four way touch-sensitive d-pad (with up, down, left, and right buttons).
• It will sell for $250 (with "premium" headphones).
• Available only in black (to start).
• Screen size has increased to 3.2-inches (from 3-inches). As far as we know the resolution is still QVGA.
  
• Dimensions are 61.1 x 108.2 x 12.9mm (2.4 x 4.25 x 0.5-inches), some 1/3rd smaller than the classic Zune.
• The classic Zune will now be known as the Zune 30 -- it's not going anywhere. More on that in a sec.

New flash Zunes

• Zune 8 and Zune 4 are the names for the 8 and 4GB flash based models.
• Also uses the Zune Pad.
• These will sell for $200 and $150 respectively.
• Both will be available in pink, green, black, and red.
• It will feature a 1.8-inch screen (compare to the nano's 2-inch screen).
• Dimensions are 41.4 x 91.5 x 8.5mm (1.6 x 3.6 x 0.33-inches) -- compare to the new iPod nano, at 69.8 x 52.3 x 6.5mm (2.75 x 2.0 x 0.26-inches).

Everything else

• New Zunes ship in November, date not yet announced.
• All Zunes (including the Zune 30) will have a new, redesigned interface and feature parity. In other words, early Zune 30 adopters will have all the same software features as new Zune 80, 8, and 4 users.
• Additional native video codecs for h.264 and MPEG-4 -- users no longer need transcode those file types to WMV.
• Zune can FINALLY sync video from your Media Center PC! Jeez, took you friggin long enough, guys!
• WiFi sync to host computer! Includes moving over music, movies, photos, podcasts, etc.
  
• Podcast support! (Sorry, no over the air downloads -- sync only.) Podcasts can also be shared via WiFi.
• The 3x3 song sharing DRM has had its three day restriction removed, but users can still only play files three times.
• There is still NO wireless music store.
• The Zune software is all new and rewritten, and is supposed to actually be more than a rebadge of WMP10 now. Friggin finally.
• The Zune music store is going DRM-free, with over 1m MP3 tracks being made available for download. Other details (like which labels, whether there is a DRM-free upgrade path is for users who've bought music with DRM, price differences, etc.) are not yet revealed.

Accessories info after the break.

Microsoft's new Zunes: officially in 80, 8, and 4GB sizes

New Zune accessories

• 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)

[supermanxbox360 Posted Oct 10th 2007 7:59PM]

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IecJLK9SL.jpg

this link appears to be what the box is gnna look like that the new zune80 is gnna be in found it on punguin audio...

[supermanxbox360 Posted Oct 10th 2007 8:02PM]

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IecJLK9SL.jpg this linkappears to be what the box is gnna look like that the new zune80 isgnna be in found it on punguin audio...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 20th 2007 1:17PM]

For my education,
1. Does the Zune s/w have a separate category for podcasts (like iTunes has)?
2. Does the Zune s/w allow the download of podcasts or must one use a separate utility (like Juice)?
3. Is there a Zune forum where these things are discussed?

[kthoag Posted Oct 23rd 2007 11:07PM]

1. yes.
2. yes, and you can also put in a URL to find those podcasts that aren't on the Zune Marketplace (iTunes music store, for Zunes)
3. there are several, personal favorites of mine are at ZuneScene.com and Zunerama.com

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2007 4:18PM]

Lack of bookmarks is a non-starter for me, unfortunatley. Yes, lots of folks REALLY DO listen to audiobooks, and radio shows and other long podcast type content, and being able to pick up where you left off is critical...what the heck does "podcast support" mean without bookmarks anyway?

I wish they'd add that feature...it would be a sale.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 24th 2007 2:15AM]

I really would like to shrug my shoulders and say, "So what." to these new Zunes, but I must admit, they are looking more attractive.

Unfortunately I'm a Mac user (which apparently automatically equals Applefanboy) so I'll probably never get a Zune unless Microsoft supports OS X or I switch back to windows (which will never happen).

And to those of you saying ignorant things like "Fuck Mac Users" how can you say things like that when these are people who actually want to BUY the Zune. Doesn't matter how small the Mac market share is compared to the PC. The Mac market share is significant enough for Microsoft to notice. If it wasn't then why bother making Office for the Mac? Or writing any programs for the Mac?

Apple makes up 17-20% of the laptop market and they've seen nothing but growth these past couple years. Don't underestimate the Mac platform.

So, back to the Zune. Even though it's in the right direction, I really don't see it doing much damage to the iPod's market share. It's like the so called "itty bitty" market share that Apple holds in the computer industry...except in the Zune's case...way less. If I'm not mistaken, the Zune only holds like 1-2% market share. This redesign and interface update will entice buyers, but we all know everyone wants an iPod this X-mas.

And as for the "Apple isn't doing anything right lately" comments. I hope to God you're talking about Apple's newest decisions on the iPod line-up, because right now Apple is making alot of RIGHT decisions. Not saying Apple doesn't make bad decisions though. Mostly their unwillingness to budge on somethings. But they ARE trying (iTunes is becoming increasingly DRM-Free). Also, about the iPod Touch's storage issue. In order to make the type of product they wanted to make, Apple had to sacrifice storage in order to get the slim design and the excellent battery life that the iPod Touch has. Yes 8 and 16gig aren't much to work with, but can you name any other portable music device that does the same things as the iPod Touch (web browsing, wireless music store, etc) and do them better?

I think I'm about done now.

Apparent AppleFanBoy Out!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 24th 2007 2:27AM]

@ cp_kirkley

"I welcome the idea of being able to sync to my pc wirelessly. There are many times where I only needed to connect for a minute or two, to update a podcast, or making a playlist. Thats exactly what its for, it saves me the hassle of reaching through my bag to find my cable and plug it in for something so rediculously simple."

Couldn't the same be wanted for web browsing? Why should I have to bring my MacBook (or any laptop for that matter) just to check my email or to watch a quick YouTube video my friend told me about earlier? Being able to quickly do things online is a feature I appreciate and the wireless syncing found with the Zune is appreciated as well. Most things wireless nowadays are things I appreciate, like the Wireless iTunes Store for example.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 30th 2007 4:31PM]

For the record Zune 1.00 had video out. You just need to buy the package with the cords.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2007 10:56PM]

Am older and don't know much about these Zunes, but bought one for my son. Is it possible to load songs onto the computer using itunes and then to the Zune?