Update party: Zune firmware 2.3, Nokia internet tablets get OS2008

Heads up, Zunesters. Prepare for improved device recognition and improved reliability during sync (though not much else, apparently), because your 2.3 firmware has arrived. This update also fixes battery issues that some 30 / 80 users have been having, improving battery life with more power efficient codecs, which should come as a big relief. Wipe the tears of joy away from your eyes and go get your little buddy Zuned, er, tuned up. Nokia fans, you also get a cookie today -- in the form of the first official update for your beloved internet tablet, the N810. Nokia hasn't forsaken early adopters either, as N800 and 770 users get to reap the benefits and bug fixes of the OS update, too.

[Thanks, Kevyn, Ryan]

Read - Zune Firmware Update 2.3
Read - N810 First official OS2008 update

[Dek @ Jan 29th 2008 2:11PM]

Am I the only person who actually likes his Zune? There's only one thing I don't like about it, and that's the fact that they make you move from WMP to the Zune software. Nothing hugely wrong with the Zune software, I just liked WMP and don't really like being forced to change. There's some people out there that hate iTunes. I'm not the only one.
That and the lack of video formats beyond WMV. There's some great free conversion tools, though.

I've had no problems with it. It connects fine, it updates fine, it transferred my entire 5000+ song library with no problems. It plays my music, it plays my videos, it doens't ruin my library, it's fast, good on batteries, syncs quickly, etc.

[The Dude @ Dec 18th 2007 6:43PM]

The Zune needs what Haier's Ibiza Rhapsody has and gets virtually no attention for...a fucking web-browser (Minimo.) Make use of that WiFi when you're not syncing or sharing. I don't expect Microsoft to embrace the Mozilla-based Minimo or any other 3rd-party mini/mobile browser but they do have their own (Deepfish) in the works that they could bring on over. Given, it wouldn't be the greatest mobile browsing experience since you're still navigating with a DAP's controls but I would still welcome it. Hopefully it's something that is thought of in the next Zune and made retro-active to older Zunes via firmware.

[steve @ Dec 18th 2007 6:55PM]

What use could you possibly have for a web browser when the only input you have is a d-pad and two buttons? Honestly? I understand your obsession with the internet, but not *everything* needs a web browser, especially one as crappy as this one would end up being.

[Ruben @ Dec 18th 2007 7:07PM]

The Zune doesnt need a web browser, and should never get one (in the form factor its in now). It makes no sense, and cant be implemented in a manor that wont be laughable and in direct comparison to the Touch, for which its falsely compared to now.

What the Zune can, and should get is WiFi radio, flagging those songs you hear on radio for purchase/add through subscription, Sideshow capability, and better and more through integration with the 360. Im sure alot of this will come with time. But keep a browser off of this.

Time to update.

Oh, and for some general information regarding the battery life. I noticed that using my music in lossless causes dramatic decreases in battery life (8 - 10 hours), while keeping it in a compressed format (pretty much any) maintains its 20+ hour battery life. This is from personal testing, and completely out of right field from what i discussed before.

[micropizzle @ Dec 18th 2007 7:09PM]

Have a pre-made set of bookmarks, or some kind of rss feed feature. That would be awesome.

[telepheedian @ Dec 18th 2007 7:27PM]

I actually think that Microsoft has this coming, look at Zumobi (www.zumobi.com) , the interface looks tailor-made to match the Zune's controls, and Microsoft is the developer. I imagine it will eventually come with a firmware update, possibly with IE branding.

[jakep_82 @ Dec 18th 2007 7:37PM]

@steve

"What use could you possibly have for a web browser when the only input you have is a d-pad and two buttons?"

If they ever decide to add something other than wireless sharing and syncing, like perhaps internet radio, a web browser will become very important. Many public wifi hotspots require you to accept terms and conditions, and that requires a browser. I have an ibiza Rhapsody and that's the only reason I use the browser, but it's important to have.

[the_boo @ Dec 18th 2007 7:53PM]

Yeah browsers are boring, how many hours a day do I really need to be on the internet? I haven't bought the browser for my DS, I don't use the browser on the Wii, why do I need one on an MP3 player? I would like to see a wifi store, that's a good idea, just have it setup at exclusive locations like iTunes.

[Benson @ Dec 18th 2007 6:44PM]

Hey Joshua!
It's not just for N810s, the non-beta OS2008 for the N800 has arrived, too!
It's Christmas!!

[Mark @ Dec 18th 2007 7:05PM]

Does this bring the N800 in line with the N810 in everything except the GPS and keyboard (ie hardware) features?

[theflew @ Dec 18th 2007 7:17PM]

Yes

[skyline_gtr777 @ Dec 18th 2007 7:52PM]

Not exactly, the N800 still has 2 sd slots instead of the N810's 1 micro sd slot, and the N810 has more ram if I remember correctly

[Benson @ Dec 18th 2007 9:00PM]

Software is nearly equivalent now; only SW differences are because of HW differences.
Same clockspeed, and same RAM, but N810 has:
* 2 GB more internal storage, 1 less cardslot. (microSD instead of N800's SDs, as skyline pointed out.)
* GPS
* multicolor LED (for email notification and such)
* keyboard, and correspondingly worse D-pad.
* brighter backlight & transflective display for daylight-friendliness
* auto brightness ambient-light sensor
* fixed-orientation VGA camera, N800's is rotatable to point away from user.

[Riom @ Dec 18th 2007 7:20PM]

"N700 / N770 users get to reap the benefits" - no, this update doesn't include the N770. And the N700 is a Japanese bullet train, not a Nokia Internet Tablet. :-)

[SuperQ @ Dec 18th 2007 7:29PM]

And there is no such thing as an N770 anyway.. it's just the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet.

[Bob S. @ Dec 19th 2007 10:07AM]

Thanks. After reading the inaccurate info in the Engadget post last night, I scoured Nokia's site, maemo.org, and the tablettalk forums looking for some kind of verification.

Considering your correction came less than an hour after their post, maybe the Engadget editors will be kind enough to correct their info and spare others the hassle. Someday.

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2007 11:51PM]

No OS2008HE yet, but it's supposedly on its way. So, take heart 770 owners, you may yet get what you want.

[William @ Dec 20th 2007 6:40PM]

I bought the N810 at Circuit City for $479. Tried for days to go online with the N810 using my new bluetooth Blackberry Curve (AT&T). Spent hours on the phone with Nokia, and AT&T. Couldnt be done. Im very frustrated. If the device only uses Wifi, its useless to me (Wifi is completely unreliable). Nokia finally told me the N810 is only compatible with Nokia bluetooth phones. What a joke. I am returning this thing to Circuit City.

[Ryan @ Dec 22nd 2007 12:57PM]

Did you try wap instead of isp in the connection settings?

I've been connecting with both my 770 and my N800 to a number of Bluetooth phones over the past year. If anything, it's probably an issue with the phone.

[Ryan @ Dec 22nd 2007 12:59PM]

Nokia lied, I've connected it to a Sony Ericsson, two Samsungs, a Motorola, as well as two Nokias.

[charlie @ Dec 18th 2007 8:03PM]

Applied the Zune update, didn't notice much. Went to apply the 770 update but instead had to look for an update to engadget, sadly neither seem to exist.

[Mickey @ Dec 18th 2007 10:48PM]

Yeah... No love for the 770's. Perhaps we'll get a OS 2008 hacker edition in the coming months...

[Arnie @ Dec 18th 2007 9:26PM]

I hope this fixes the issue for some of the people(including me) who have problem playing back audio on their Zune device. I have a(pending an exchange) Zune80 original and the device would randomly reboot while playing audio. It was very weird to say the least. This happened from day one. Apparently after going on the Zune forums found out that I was not the only one so returning mine but still like it enough that I am willing to try for an exchange instead of just returning the thing. Hope the new update and unit should be without any problems :-)

[chad_small @ Dec 19th 2007 10:08AM]

I got a Zune as a gift and sold it after having to deal with the nightmare that is the Zune software. Everything you wanted to do was so convoluted and unintuitive that I am now bald from pulling my hair out. The Zune does not need new features it needs a good sync'ing/media management tool. It's so horrible to use since they MADE everyone move from the old iTunes like model that I would not recommend ANYONE buy one. Yes, it's that bad!

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2007 2:28PM]

Ah yes, the Achilles heal of the Zune. Hardware that can keep up with iPod Classic, but software that's actually worse than the Zune 1.0 WMP-hybrid software.

[Dan (thoughtfix) @ Dec 19th 2007 12:26AM]

I just posted a huge run-down of OS2008 for those who are interested. My head hurts after all that blogging. I'm going to go play wii.

http://tabletblog.com/2007/12/internet-tablet-os2008-review.html

[AcidElement @ Dec 19th 2007 1:32AM]

Funny how Engadget has to combine two completely independent announcements from Nokia and Microsoft into one article...

Has anyone ever seen Apple share an article with another company or product? Just some food for thought :)

[Kozzi @ Dec 19th 2007 6:33AM]

Let's The Flamewar Begins !!

oh wait..

[Oscar Salinas @ Jan 22nd 2008 11:33PM]

Hi, i just wanna get out with my rage, because few days ago i yelled to that fuck#ng piece o SH#T called ZUNE, i never seed Software so stupid, i tried 100 time to install in windows vista, i lost one day of m life tryin' install that thing and i simply cant do it, just stinks!, i downloaded every path recomentation firmware, and nothing, when i come back to XP, problems with sync, missing a lot of files, OH MAN! This is the worst portable Media player i never seen!, i have an ipod 80gb and iphone, and despite i dont like itunes, i never had problems with the sync!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!
ZUNE SUCKS!!!