120GB Zune sold just a little bit early

Whoop -- looks like the 120GB Zune couldn't wait for its formal debut on the 9th. Yep, sold to our tipster at a Fry's in Atlanta for $250, just like we'd heard. Anyone else spot one -- or better yet, the blue flash Zune? One more pic after the break.

[Thanks, Joe]

[4honor @ Sep 4th 2008 4:51PM]

Hey, if people are gonna buy it, release it as soon as you can!

[dg @ Sep 4th 2008 4:52PM]

Hmmm...

[Quen @ Sep 4th 2008 4:53PM]

lol hahahaha OWNED.

[tgrove @ Sep 4th 2008 4:54PM]

so is there new software???????????

[Mr. Snuggle Bunny @ Sep 4th 2008 8:26PM]

Not yet, but there's no doubt in my mind we'll be seeing an update when this is released.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Sep 4th 2008 11:29PM]

So it's just software improvements? I was considering selling my Zune 80.

[Darth Abe @ Sep 4th 2008 4:56PM]

Obvious troll is obvious

[kojo87 @ Sep 4th 2008 4:57PM]

maybe because $250 for a 120GB PMP is a really freakin good price. i payed that for an 80GB Zune a while ago and im happy with it.

[Brad I @ Sep 5th 2008 9:01PM]

Ha you have a Zune...nice.

[Darth Abe @ Sep 4th 2008 4:57PM]

Come on, software/firmware update?

[Jonathan @ Sep 4th 2008 4:58PM]

Ha. I was in Wal-Mart the other day and specifically looked for this. I wanted to be you, Joe! (Although I probably would have just taken a pic since I have the 80)

Congrats.

[mrpoo @ Sep 4th 2008 5:03PM]

The case looks different, 80GB Zune's have more of a matte finish than this seems to have. It appears to be more than just a capacity bump, although I'm guessing it's just minor cosmetic tweaks at most.

[EricR @ Sep 4th 2008 4:59PM]

Bet you someone gets demoted for this...

[Jonathan @ Sep 4th 2008 5:07PM]

Demoted from "guy stocking shelves at Frys" to... wait, what's worse than that?

[shady @ Sep 4th 2008 5:32PM]

greeter at bestbuy

[Homeboy @ Sep 4th 2008 5:01PM]

But the question is whether or not they have access to the new software. I could careless about the hardware since I'm more curious about the updates that will make it to my Z80.

[Thinker @ Sep 4th 2008 5:02PM]

Your comment:


Now that it has been "officially" released, we would like to know the
specs...

[mrpoo @ Sep 4th 2008 5:00PM]

Zune software is download-only, so I would guess if us old-school Zune owners haven't seen an update, the 120GB folks don't have anything new either. Presumably if there is something new, Microsoft can control distribution a little more carefully on that software front and it won't leak. Maybe we'll see something Tuesday.

[ALCie @ Sep 4th 2008 5:00PM]

Gizmodo has more of the unboxing.

It now has a black back, which should be interesting when it comes to Zune Originals. Black back with white etching. Sexy.

I really hope they introduce a lot with the software. For me, this is it. If they dont make some good improvements or show promise for the next generation it will be hard to back this product.

[CJ @ Sep 5th 2008 1:50AM]

I don't know, I'm thinking that this might be just a interim spec bump, just to keep people happy until a major revision (I'm looking at you, Mr. Blurrycam McZunetouch) can be finalised.

Same thing apple did with their 5th generation iPod, release a spec-bumped '5.5g' Video iPod, just to keep the player alive until the 6th gen comes out. It's just a shame that that particular series (5.5g) just happened to be the best-quality iPod that apple has produced sofar.

[Homeboy @ Sep 4th 2008 5:01PM]

Go and shot yourself with a shotgun.

[diuqil @ Sep 4th 2008 5:06PM]

If you've kept up with tech news recently, you'd know fat Zune tattoo guy removed his Zune tattoos and switched his allegiance to Apple.

[ALCie @ Sep 4th 2008 5:06PM]

No, please elaborate, before I start to make assumptions.

[mymaclife @ Sep 4th 2008 5:14PM]

I want one along with a house in New Orleans, a ticket to the Democratic convention and herpes!

[Kenny Crudup @ Sep 4th 2008 5:13PM]

I'm still surprised s/he actually stopped for the door-checker goons at Frys; I blow right past 'em (and the inevitable long line of sheep waiting to exit) while looking them in the eye and bidding 'em "'Bye!". Frustrates 'em to no end, as they think they're actually doing something useful with those orange magic markers.

[Fry Guy @ Sep 4th 2008 6:07PM]

I just bring a pink highlighter when I go to Fry's. I mark the receipt as I'm walking out and say, "Thanks, but I've already marked it."

[Dragod @ Sep 4th 2008 5:14PM]

I paid $220 for a black Zune and the Zune Car pack. I saved something like $130 at Sam's... And that was only for my Zune 30.

[Sam Zebian @ Sep 4th 2008 5:17PM]

I wonder if it syncs with the pc this guy has, because I remember they made you wait until the downloadable software update was available to even use the device so even if someone did get they're paws on one early, they wouldn't be able to use the software and show it off online. Clever Microsoft, clever.

[sracer @ Sep 4th 2008 5:33PM]

The 120 comes preloaded with the 2.5 firmware. It will sync just fine with the current software.

[JKT @ Sep 5th 2008 1:34AM]

Not to sound like a noob, but this is news to me: You actually cannot use a Zune until you download special software from Microsoft, who limits when that software is available, so you cannot use your new purchase until Microsoft says so?!? Wow. Just .... wow. And you anti-Apple folks still say Cupertino is trying to control your life more than the guys in Redmond?

[John @ Sep 4th 2008 5:19PM]

It's called Ebay it for 2 or 3 times what it is worth...

[Michael @ Sep 4th 2008 5:20PM]

"I'm still surprised s/he actually stopped for the door-checker goons at Frys; I blow right past 'em (and the inevitable long line of sheep waiting to exit) while looking them in the eye and bidding 'em "'Bye!". Frustrates 'em to no end, as they think they're actually doing something useful with those orange magic markers."


I have never been to a Fry's but why do people wait in the line to leave if you don't have to?

[Sam Zebian @ Sep 4th 2008 5:29PM]

I think it's like at BJ's wholesale where they check your receipt before they let you go. (I said WHOLESALE, not BJ's alone, don't tell the dumb joke about the name!)

[ALCie @ Sep 4th 2008 5:24PM]

Oh I get it now.

Zune. What a great punch line!

/sarcasm

Maybe you should try using one? Very solid player, looks great. Its ACTUALLY an alternative.

[digitallysick @ Sep 4th 2008 5:38PM]

To me it doesnt matter if its a 200gb zune, if the software sucks then its a bad deal. When they make it show up as just an external drive that works cross platform let me know. My brother has an old fashioned Motorola mp3 player, uses SD cards, shows up on any computer as an external drive, you can drag and drop. Thats the way it needs to be

[kastonie @ Sep 4th 2008 5:41PM]

@ mymaclife
Fuck you.
I have a 80gb zune and I am from new orleans.

Have a nice day

[calereneau @ Sep 4th 2008 5:47PM]

I'm actually hoping that the rumored software update includes Mac support. My old 80g Zune broke (my fault) last month and I've been playing nice with a nano since then. I would really like this new model, as Zune is far better than the iPod Classic, but if it doesn't work with my Macbook, I'm out.

[Joshua Walters @ Sep 4th 2008 6:36PM]

For the last time, there is no rumored software update, and I would doubt that it would include .Mac support yet.

I will shit bricks if they come out with an update in the next 2 weeks, much less if it had .Mac support.

When they do finally add support for OSX, it will be very much played up. They will talk about it for weeks before it happens. Its not going to be bundled in some random rumored firmware that just magically shows up.

[SearchX @ Sep 4th 2008 5:47PM]

@ALCie

I have a Zune 30. It's not all that great. The Zune Software is extremely buggy. (Software doesn't recognize my Zune is plugged in so I have to unplug and replug it in, had it crash on me multiple times) I am much happier with my iPhone.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Sep 4th 2008 5:47PM]

To answer your question, I think we ALL know who, if anyone would do that.

. . . .

wait for it . . .

Zune (now Reluctant Ipod) Guy!

[HOOPER @ Sep 4th 2008 5:50PM]

I know Apple is all about good design and stuff, but the Zune's box looks way better than the iPod. At least it's better in that regard?

[anon @ Sep 4th 2008 5:58PM]

@SearchX
That sounds like the experience I go through every time I connect my ipod or my wife's ipod to either one of our computers. I've sat waiting for half an hour for itunes to see the darn thing before I nearly chucked it out the window, but it's usually 5-10 minutes. Great software those things run. I can't wait for that thing to die so I can get a better player. Oh look, a new Zune is out with twice the storage of my ipod for a cheaper price with more features. I'll get one of those. Might have to 'accidentally' drop the ipod a few times...

[Ike Turner @ Sep 4th 2008 6:04PM]

Brush your teeth sucka!

[mrpoo @ Sep 4th 2008 6:06PM]

Spoken like someone who saw a non-working model at Best Buy, and who clearly has never used the Zune software.

[allislost @ Sep 4th 2008 6:09PM]

If you don't like it then don't buy it. Your personal vendetta against anything non-apple has reached a new level of absurdity and every comment that you post has become comical.

what a FREAK...

[Jake E. @ Sep 4th 2008 6:11PM]

@SearchX

If the few bugs and crashes with the Zune bothered you, how the hell do you live with an iPhone?!

I've got a 3G so I know what I'm talking about... unfortunetaly. =/

[AlexNC @ Sep 4th 2008 6:12PM]

I bought a Zune30 last year for $99. Great little player. A bit of a pain using the proprietary software, but it works well. I just wish Apple and Microsoft would open their player up a little to allow 'drag and drop'. Other than that, it does everything I want it to. It basically stays in my car at all time acting as a jukebox. I just use LG my phone for traveling.

[waiownsyou @ Sep 4th 2008 7:12PM]

I like what you said until you got to the end where you talked about your LG phone. Not only is showing off random things you have not cool, but you should at least show off things that are worth showing off.

[Decoy @ Sep 4th 2008 6:16PM]

Jubei: Me too, me too, mee tooo meeee tooooo meeeee tooooooo meeee tooooo x infinity

Every single Zune thread! What!? What the hell is your problem!? Does this get you off? What the hell is your motivation for always, ALWAYS trolling the Zune threads to post "Me Too"?

This is your chance to explain yourself once and for all. Make a good clear point through that smug, smirking, smarmy style you can't resist using.

[Blitz @ Sep 4th 2008 6:19PM]

I bought the Zune 30GB when it first came out. The first GUI was great, loved it. Then the updates started coming out, the GUI was horrible, all the new features were only halfway there. My audio books wouldn't load correctly, podcasts would download but not play, my files would go missing. I got very frustrated, but I waited patiently for over a year for new software updates. One update even bricked my unit, and it took 6 weeks for them to ship me a replacement. Much later I even installed unreleased tweaks from microsoft from friends who shall remain nameless.
I'm an Apple hater, but I was so frustrated with the Microsoft Zune, I actually spent $320 on Amazon for a 32GB iPod Touch. I'm happier with the iPod Touch than I have ever been with any gadget I've ever purchased in my entire life of 30yrs. I can't priase it enough and I use it's other features as much as I do listening too it.
I would will NEVER buy another media player from Microsoft, and would never suggest one to ANYONE, even my worst enemy.