Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Zune is dead, long live Zune]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/zune-is-dead-long-live-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/zune-is-dead-long-live-zune/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/zune-is-dead-long-live-zune/#comments Like Zune's own Business Development Manager once said, all consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and today the (not so long) lineage of dedicated Zune hardware expires not with a roar, but with a promise to honor its warranties. Tucked away in the inner chambers of the Zune support site lies a page spelling out Microsoft's final words on the device, "Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy," it says, "we will no longer be producing Zune players." The Zune HD is survived by the Zune music service, which will continue to function with straggling standalone media players, as well as the Windows desktop, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms.

Zune is dead, long live Zune originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deaddiscontinuedWindows PhoneWindowsPhonezunezune 30zune hdZune MarketplaceZune musiczune music servicezune passZune phoneZune playerZune30ZuneHdZuneMarketplaceZuneMusicZuneMusicServiceZunePassZunePhoneZunePlayerMon, 03 Oct 2011 23:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune Originals shut down, humans revert to being average and uncreative]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/04/zune-originals-shut-down-humans-revert-to-being-average-and-unc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/04/zune-originals-shut-down-humans-revert-to-being-average-and-unc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/04/zune-originals-shut-down-humans-revert-to-being-average-and-unc/#comments Hard to believe that Microsoft's been offering consumers the ability to customize their Zune purchases for the better part of four years now, but as they say, all unbelievable things must one day face reality. Er, something to that effect. Without so much as a heads-up, the designers in Redmond have apparently decided to shutter the Zune Originals storefront. As of this weekend, no new orders for highly personalized Zunes are being taken, with interested Earthlings encouraged to throw creativity to the wind and opt for a mass produced alternative within Best Buy or Walmart. So, you're looking at two tidbits of import: if you placed your Originals order at 5PM PT on July 1st, you likely have quite the coveted device headed your way, and if you ever needed evidence that Microsoft was making WP7 its next Zune, well... you're welcome.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Zune Originals shut down, humans revert to being average and uncreative originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deaddesigndiykillkilledmicrosoftshut downShutDownzunezune hdzune originalsZuneHdZuneOriginalsMon, 04 Jul 2011 07:47:00 EST<![CDATA[16GB Zune HD drops to $169, edging closer to EOL?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/16gb-zune-hd-drops-to-169-edging-closer-to-eol/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/16gb-zune-hd-drops-to-169-edging-closer-to-eol/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/16gb-zune-hd-drops-to-169-edging-closer-to-eol/#comments
With Windows Phone 7 offering full Zune functionality and then some, the new mobile OS has clearly created a surplus of lower-capacity Zune HD devices, causing Microsoft to respond with a rather significant price drop. Typically, a discount would indicate an imminent refresh, but we doubt that's the case here. The 16GB Zune HD has shaved off $30, to $169.99, and you can now grab the 32GB version for $199.99 -- the same price you would have paid for the 16 gig before the drop, and nearly $100 less than the $299 you'll spend on a 32GB iPod touch. The 64GB model is holding fast at $349.99, but with a $70 plunge on the mid-capacity model, you might have just enough cash left over for that tattoo you've always dreamed of.

[Thanks, Daniel]

16GB Zune HD drops to $169, edging closer to EOL? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneHdprice dropPriceDropwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7zunezune hdZuneHdWed, 04 May 2011 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/zune-hd-finally-gets-an-e-mail-application-still-waiting-on-a-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/zune-hd-finally-gets-an-e-mail-application-still-waiting-on-a-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/02/zune-hd-finally-gets-an-e-mail-application-still-waiting-on-a-f/#commentsZune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a futureThe future of the Zune as a standalone media player is still a little in doubt, but its future of being able to send crucially important e-mails and, in return, get a boatload of spam is now fully assured. A free e-mail app has been added to the Zune Marketplace supporting Gmail, Windows Live Mail, and of course good 'ol POP3 accounts. Unfortunately all we have to gaze upon is that tiny screenshot over on the right, but it certainly looks familiar enough to fit right into the Zune ecosphere without making any waves. Just make sure you don't go looking for your Steely Dan collection inside the unread folder.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a future originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appe-mailemailgmailmarketplacemicrosoftpop3softwarewindows live mailWindowsLiveMailzunezune app marketplacezune hdzune marketplaceZuneAppMarketplaceZuneHdZuneMarketplaceSat, 02 Apr 2011 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft says Zune isn't exactly dead, that it doesn't want to go in the cart]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/microsoft-says-zune-isnt-exactly-dead-that-it-doesnt-want-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/microsoft-says-zune-isnt-exactly-dead-that-it-doesnt-want-to/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/15/microsoft-says-zune-isnt-exactly-dead-that-it-doesnt-want-to/#commentsMicrosoft sort-of says Zune isn't dead, doesn't want to go in the cart Microsoft is still offering neither a firm confirmation nor a denial of yesterday's Bloomberg report citing those "familiar with the decision" that Zune-specific hardware, a la the Zune HD, is dead. Now, much like last time, folks from the Zune team are rebutting those claims -- sort of. Dave McLauchlan, Senior Business Development Manager for Zune, made a long statement in the anythingbutipod forums, but he stopped well short of saying that the Zune hardware platform is alive and kicking. Here's a taste:
ALL consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and the Zune HD is 18mo old. We were completely frank about this year's Zune hardware being the WP7 phones, and we continue to both sell and fully support the Zune HD line of products. And as I've promised - we continue to bring new apps and games to the platform. More of those are in the works, I promise you.
The big question is whether that 18 month old Zune HD will ever get a phone-free replacement. Whether it's WP7 or nothing from here. That is what Zune fans want to know, and as of now they still don't.

[Thanks, Ed]

Continue reading Microsoft says Zune isn't exactly dead, that it doesn't want to go in the cart

Microsoft says Zune isn't exactly dead, that it doesn't want to go in the cart originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dave McLauchlanDaveMclauchlandeadmicrosoftzunezune hdZuneHdTue, 15 Mar 2011 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft reportedly kills off Zune hardware, will focus on software instead]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-reportedly-kills-off-zune-hardware-will-focus-on-soft/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-reportedly-kills-off-zune-hardware-will-focus-on-soft/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/microsoft-reportedly-kills-off-zune-hardware-will-focus-on-soft/#comments
Details are still emerging on this one, but it looks like Microsoft has finally killed off the Zune -- or the hardware side of things, anyway. According to Bloomberg, a "person familiar with the decision" has confirmed that Microsoft won't be producing any new Zune media players, and that the company will instead focus solely on the Zune software that already has a foothold on the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone devices (it's not clear if the name will stick around). Microsoft will apparently continue to sell its existing Zunes as long as it has stock of them. More as we get it.

Microsoft reportedly kills off Zune hardware, will focus on software instead originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsmicrosoftzunezune hdZuneHdMon, 14 Mar 2011 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune Insider reminds that Zune isn't dead, announces Zune HD launch in Canada]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/zune-insider-reminds-that-zune-isnt-dead-announces-zune-hd-lau/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/zune-insider-reminds-that-zune-isnt-dead-announces-zune-hd-lau/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/zune-insider-reminds-that-zune-isnt-dead-announces-zune-hd-lau/#commentsZune Insider reminds that Zune isn't dead, announces Zune HD launch in Canada We still have only an official non-denial from Microsoft about the continued livelihood of the name "Zune" as a brand, but now we have Zune Insider saying "Zune is not dead." Indeed we already knew that, but the question is what's coming in the future with Windows Phone seemingly getting all the company's attention of late. The future we still don't know about, but we do have some news about the present for Canadians: the Zune HD! Yes, our friendly neighbors to the north need no longer look south to purchase Microsoft's latest entry to the Zune series -- though "latest" is a somewhat sad designation for hardware that was released in 2009. However, there's still no Marketplace available: it'll strictly be a BYO tunage affair for now.

Zune Insider reminds that Zune isn't dead, announces Zune HD launch in Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadamarketplacemicrosoftpmpportableportable media playerPortableMediaPlayerzunezune hdzune marketplaceZuneHdZuneMarketplaceMon, 21 Feb 2011 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD Mac support secretly hidden in Windows Phone 7 Connector software]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/zune-hd-mac-support-secretly-hidden-in-windows-phone-7-connecter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/zune-hd-mac-support-secretly-hidden-in-windows-phone-7-connecter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/zune-hd-mac-support-secretly-hidden-in-windows-phone-7-connecter/#comments We've been begging Microsoft to somehow add Mac compatibility to the Zune for years, and it looks like there's a tiny little ray of hope buried in Redmond's Windows Phone 7 Connector for OS X: a simple plist modification will let it sync the Zune HD as well. That really shouldn't be any big surprise, since WP7's media interface is built on top of Zune, but at least it's something -- although we're still hoping and wishing for the full Zune suite (and Zune Pass) to make its way to the Mac someday.

Zune HD Mac support secretly hidden in Windows Phone 7 Connector software originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applemacmicrosoftos xOsXWindows Phone 7 Connectorwindows phone 7 connector for macWindowsPhone7ConnectorWindowsPhone7ConnectorForMaczunezune hdZuneHdMon, 10 Jan 2011 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA['Liberate' for the Zune HD unlocks hidden Windows CE potential]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/liberate-for-the-zune-hd-unlocks-hidden-windows-ce-potential/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/liberate-for-the-zune-hd-unlocks-hidden-windows-ce-potential/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/liberate-for-the-zune-hd-unlocks-hidden-windows-ce-potential/#comments Sure, we just spent the last four or five years chiding Microsoft for its anachronistic Windows CE interface, a UI which was holding Windows Mobile back in a post-stylus world, but now that Windows Phone 7 is here we get to start feeling all nostalgic, right? The ongoing Liberate project for the Zune HD, which just hit version 1.5.1, strips away that flashy Zune veneer and boots the device to Microsoft's stock CE 6.0 copy of explorer.exe. Notably, the latest version adds an onscreen keyboard and better right click support. Folks are using the freedom of CE to run applications like Foxit Reader, Opera Mini and Pocket Word, and with support for GDI, DirectDraw, and OpenGL ES 2.0 there's hope of gaming ports as well.

[Thanks, David R.]

'Liberate' for the Zune HD unlocks hidden Windows CE potential originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceexplorerexplorer.exehackliberatemicrosoftwindowswindows ceWindowsCezunezune hdZuneHdMon, 01 Nov 2010 20:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft rolls out Windows Live Messenger for Zune HD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/01/microsoft-rolls-out-windows-live-messenger-for-zune-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/01/microsoft-rolls-out-windows-live-messenger-for-zune-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/01/microsoft-rolls-out-windows-live-messenger-for-zune-hd/#comments The Zune HD may not have seen quite the explosion of apps that many had hoped for, but it's just gotten a pretty big one: Windows Live Messenger. That will naturally give you much of the same functionality of its desktop counterpart (also receiving an update today), including the ability to keep watch on updates from various social networking sites, and even use Facebook Chat. It'll also display the music you have playing right in the app and, just like the desktop version, it's free. Look for it in the Zune Marketplace right now.

Microsoft rolls out Windows Live Messenger for Zune HD originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appIMlive messengerLiveMessengermessengermicrosoftwindows live messengerWindowsLiveMessengerzunezune hdzune marketplaceZuneHdZuneMarketplaceFri, 01 Oct 2010 16:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft job posting hints at another Zune, or perhaps an internally-developed phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/microsoft-job-posting-hints-at-another-zune-or-perhaps-an-inter/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/microsoft-job-posting-hints-at-another-zune-or-perhaps-an-inter/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/microsoft-job-posting-hints-at-another-zune-or-perhaps-an-inter/#comments We'd heard rumors that a new Zune was on the way, but here's a spot of evidence that something's actually up: Microsoft's adding a senior mechanical engineer to help build "the next generation of portable entertainment and communication devices." While the job listing in question is technically for Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business, which oversees Windows Phone, it's clear that some things have changed since the Entertainment & Devices shakeup: "We are the team that shipped the Zune HD," the post reads. It appears that there's a new group within Microsoft called the Portable Entertainment Group which isn't afraid to design its own hardware and includes the Zune team, though whether that hardware be Zune, phone or something more obscure still remains to be seen.

Microsoft job posting hints at another Zune, or perhaps an internally-developed phone originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hiringIEBjobjob postingJobPostingjobsMCBmechanical engineerMechanicalEngineermicrosoftphonePortable Entertainment GroupPortableEntertainmentGroupZuneZune HDZuneHdSat, 11 Sep 2010 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD taking to the skies with United Airlines in-flight entertainment trial]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/04/zune-hd-taking-to-the-skies-with-united-airlines-in-flight-enter/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/04/zune-hd-taking-to-the-skies-with-united-airlines-in-flight-enter/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/04/zune-hd-taking-to-the-skies-with-united-airlines-in-flight-enter/#comments Microsoft and United hooked up back in June for a hardware-less Zune partnership, which seems to have turned out pretty sweetly for both parties. Dave McLauchlan, chief Zune HD evangelist, has dished the news that the two companies are stepping up their relationship with a set of 500 Zunes being provided for long-haul flights to Hong Kong and Australia. Before you cry foul and say you never get on a flying tin can without your own media, Microsoft's angle here will be to preload those OLED-sporting babies with exclusive content, including flicks that haven't yet made it to a DVD release. Dave himself has been running around movie studios and closing deals, while the Zune HDs in question have now been encased in rubber, had their screens protected, and batteries charged. See them in a group shot after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD taking to the skies with United Airlines in-flight entertainment trial

Zune HD taking to the skies with United Airlines in-flight entertainment trial originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairlinesdave mclauchlanDaveMclauchlanentertainmentflightflyingin-flightin-flight entertainmentIn-flightEntertainmentinternational flightsInternationalFlightslong haulLongHaulmicrosoftmp3 playerMp3Playerpmptesttrialuaunited airlinesUnitedAirlineszunezune hdZuneHdSat, 04 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD could have all-new model in the works]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/zune-hd-could-have-all-new-model-in-the-works/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/zune-hd-could-have-all-new-model-in-the-works/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/zune-hd-could-have-all-new-model-in-the-works/#comments The Zune HD continues to rank among our all-time favorites in terms of industrial design, so it's good to hear that Microsoft isn't entirely abandoning the PMP sector for its new Windows Phone 7 hotness. Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet has consulted her tea leaves (and in-the-know tipsters) and emerged with the strong feeling that some new Zune hardware is brewing up in Redmond. Little specificity is available, beyond the obvious postulation that a new ZHD would probably be driven by an ARM CPU and take some software pointers from WP7, but we're told to look toward the early 2011 horizon and see if we can't spot any sexy new media players emerging. A mirage is as likely as the real deal right now, but it's always fun to look to that horizon, no?

Zune HD could have all-new model in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mary jo foleyMaryJoFoleymicrosoftmp3 playerMp3Playerpmprefreshrumorspeculationupdateupgradezunezune hdZuneHdWed, 01 Sep 2010 16:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune Pass for UK gets briefly teased, priced?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/zune-pass-for-uk-gets-briefly-teased-priced/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/zune-pass-for-uk-gets-briefly-teased-priced/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/18/zune-pass-for-uk-gets-briefly-teased-priced/#comments If the above picture is to be believed, it looks like Microsoft's Zune Pass is gearing up to make its UK debut. An across-the-pond tipster via LiveSide apparently stumbled upon (and was able to successfully score the 14-day trial) a Subscription page with pricing tiers. In addition to the tryout period, there were also options for a £8.99 (about $13.74) one-month pass and £26.97 / $41.23 for three. Further details are just barely hinted at in the sidebar, but if it's anything like the US progenitor, we're looking at an all-you-can download music service and ten DRM-free MP3s each month, playable on Windows, Xbox 360 (soon), Zune devices (still not available outside US), and Windows Phone 7. We know Microsoft is planning to move its "challenging" music service into every country its phones will venture, but that little tidbit doesn't absolve this image of scrutiny. Try as we might, our UK editors are unable to find this screen anywhere. According to the original tipster, even though he has access to the trial, he still can't use it. We'll keep digging and will let you know what we find.

[Thanks, Ian]

Zune Pass for UK gets briefly teased, priced? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaingbgreat britainGreatBritaininternationalkingdommicrosoftrumorrumorsukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7zunezune hdzune passZuneHdZunePassSun, 18 Jul 2010 13:24:00 EST<![CDATA[The iPhone's display blows away every other display we've ever seen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/26/the-iphones-display-blows-every-other-display-weve-ever-seen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/26/the-iphones-display-blows-every-other-display-weve-ever-seen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/26/the-iphones-display-blows-every-other-display-weve-ever-seen/#comments In resolution and detail that is -- there has been a lot of fuss about the iPhone 4's new so called retina display and now that we've had some time to check it out ourselves we have to say, there hasn't been enough fuss about it. As videophiles we understand that resolution isn't everything, but boy is it a lot. Now we realize that all the talking in the world can't convey how awesome the screen displays text and video, so instead we crunched a few numbers to put things into perspective. The advertised pixels per inch (PPI) of the iPhone's display is 326, but what does that really mean? Well the calculated PPI of our 1080p 60-inch Kuro: it's a meager 36 -- luckily we don't sit 12 inches away from it. In fact a 1080p TV could only be 7-inches if it wanted to match that PPI. A 60-inch HDTV would have to have a resolution of 16815x9500 to match it -- gasp -- which is four times the horizontal resolution of 4k! Speaking of which, a 4K display could only be 14-inches. But the iPhone isn't like an HDTV; its main purpose is to display text, not video. So what about a 20-inch PC display, how many pixels would it need to match the PPI of the iPhone? Try 5600x3500, which is about double the horizontal resolution of WQXGA at 2560x1600.

But like we said at the start, resolution isn't everything and a Blu-ray Disc on our 60-inch HDTV is still more enjoyable than watching video on a phone no matter what the resolution. This is mostly due to the size of the display, but also because of the distance we sit from it. And in addition to the small size there is the lower contrast, and the lack of surround sound. But that doesn't change the fact that once you spend some time using the iPhone 4, all of a sudden everything else does seem to lack detail and other screens we used to love, like the older iPhone and the Zune HD, look down right fuzzy -- can you tell which image above is the Zune HD and which is the iPhone 4? Sadly the iPhone isn't the perfect HD fanatic's companion though, because it still requires us to convert our 1080p content to 720p, and although the video looks great on the display, there's no way to get HD on to our bigger screen -- we're keeping an eye out for a HDMI to iPhone dock. One thing is for sure though, when it comes to detail and flat out resolution per inch, the iPhone is the new boss.

The iPhone's display blows away every other display we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hdiPhone 4Iphone4pixel densityPixelDensityPPIZune HDZuneHdSat, 26 Jun 2010 19:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Visual Boy Zune brings Game Boy emulation to Zune HD (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/visual-boy-zune-brings-game-boy-emulation-to-zune-hd-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/visual-boy-zune-brings-game-boy-emulation-to-zune-hd-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/visual-boy-zune-brings-game-boy-emulation-to-zune-hd-video/#comments Once hacked, the Zune HD's rabid fanbase wasted no time in ensuring the device could play Doom. Now, the ZuneBoards want to give it Zelda, too. User BackAtIt has taken the wrappings off the first working emulator for Zune, which is currently capable of playing Game Boy and Game Boy Color ROMs, but little else -- though this "Visual Boy Zune" app is ported from the same VisualBoyAdvance code that's enabled handheld emulation since 2004, it's in early alpha with quite a bit of work left to do. A recent update enabled state save emulation and a ROM selector, but there's no audio output, let alone Game Boy Advance support; BackAtIt says he'll need to rewrite much of the codebase to take advantage of the Zune HD's Tegra architecture. Still, it's never too early for a proof of concept video, and you'll find two blurry ones after the break -- unless you'd rather try it out for yourself at the source link.

[Thanks, MK1000]

Continue reading Visual Boy Zune brings Game Boy emulation to Zune HD (video)

Visual Boy Zune brings Game Boy emulation to Zune HD (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 May 2010 06:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emulationemulatoremulatorsGame BoyGame Boy AdvanceGame Boy ColorGameBoyGameBoyAdvanceGameBoyColorGBGBAGBChomebrewMicrosoft ZuneMicrosoft Zune HDMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdNintendovideoVisual Boy AdvanceVisual Boy ZunevisualboyadvanceVisualBoyZuneZuneZune HDZuneHdTue, 11 May 2010 06:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD: yes, it plays Doom]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/zune-hd-yes-it-plays-doom/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/zune-hd-yes-it-plays-doom/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/zune-hd-yes-it-plays-doom/#comments
 No matter how weak or powerful the gadget, one brave soul will always broach the all-important question: can it play Doom? Just four days after hacking the Zune HD and unleashing the OpenZDK, the Zune community has received its answer. ZuneBoards forumgoer Netrix has opened the portal to the familiar alien hell, where gamers will writhe in agony as they struggle with tilt and touchscreen controls. Those who persevere regardless will find the app runs any of the original Doom WAD files. Full installer available at the source link; see OpenZDK's power in action after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD: yes, it plays Doom

Zune HD: yes, it plays Doom originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Doomhackhacksid SoftwareIdSoftwareMicrosoftMicrosoft ZuneMicrosoft Zune HDMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdOpenZDKportportedvideoZuneZune HDZuneHdTue, 20 Apr 2010 22:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD hacked, OpenZDK now available to developers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/zune-hd-hacked-openzdk-now-available-to-developers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/zune-hd-hacked-openzdk-now-available-to-developers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/zune-hd-hacked-openzdk-now-available-to-developers/#comments
Well, it looks like the first 64GB Zune HDs landing in customers' hands may not be the biggest Zune news today after all. As proudly announced the ZuneBoards website, the Zune HD -- and all earlier Zunes, although the potential there is a tad more limited -- "have been hacked." While obviously not the first hack of any sort for the devices, this is described as the "first true hack," and it has made the concurrently-released OpenZDK possible. That effectively gives developers "access to everything XNA withheld before," which more or less opens to doors to any type of application that can run on the Zune hardware -- games, emulators, app stores, you name it. Of course, there's not a ton for average Zune users to play with at the moment, but developers can find all they need to get cracking at the source link below.

[Thanks, jhoeforth & Dilpickle1]

Zune HD hacked, OpenZDK now available to developers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackhackedmicrosoftopenzdkpmpxnazunezune hdZuneHdFri, 16 Apr 2010 13:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Zune HD 64 starts sliding out, unboxing proves the bump in capacity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/microsofts-zune-hd-64-starts-sliding-out-unboxing-proves-the-b/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/microsofts-zune-hd-64-starts-sliding-out-unboxing-proves-the-b/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/microsofts-zune-hd-64-starts-sliding-out-unboxing-proves-the-b/#comments Microsoft's extra capacious Zune HD just went on sale last week, and already orders are hitting the doorsteps of eager music lovers. A tipster with a commendable level of kindness dropped us a gallery's worth of unboxing photos, and as you'd expect, nary a thing has changed on the outside. On the inside, however, things are downright zany. Zany, we say! Have a look below if you're curious, and be sure to let us know in comments if / when your own Zune HD 64 arrives.

[Thanks, Jp3009]

Gallery: Microsoft Zune HD 64 unboxing


Microsoft's Zune HD 64 starts sliding out, unboxing proves the bump in capacity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft zune hdmicrosoft zune hd 64MicrosoftZuneHdMicrosoftZuneHd64now shippingNowShippingon saleOnSalepmpportable media playerPortableMediaPlayershipshippingshipsunboxingzunezune hdzune hd 64ZuneHdZuneHd64Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Kin is basically a Zune HD inside, can go for a weekend on a charge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/kin-is-basically-a-zune-hd-inside-can-go-for-a-weekend-on-a-cha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/kin-is-basically-a-zune-hd-inside-can-go-for-a-weekend-on-a-cha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/kin-is-basically-a-zune-hd-inside-can-go-for-a-weekend-on-a-cha/#comments In a discussion with Kin product manager Derek Snyder this afternoon, we've confirmed that both the Kin One and Kin Two are built on the same foundation as the Zune HD -- in other words, they're running NVIDIA Tegra silicon, and there's no reason that anything you see on a Zune HD couldn't run just as well on a Kin. Of course, that's a purely theoretical statement at this point since Zune apps don't work on Kin as it stands -- the platform's completely closed, though Microsoft has been insistent that we should keep a close eye on its over-the-air updates after launch as features evolve. Either way, that's a marked (and curious) departure from Windows Phone 7, where Microsoft's been taking an all-Qualcomm, all-the-time approach.

Realistically, we've gotten the impression today that Kin doesn't come close to tapping out a Tegra's horsepower, but that might be by design: Snyder also mentioned that a key goal of the development phase was to make sure that the phones could go a whole weekend without a charge. Running a Tegra at full bore 24 / 7 doesn't lend itself to miserly power consumption, so the overall simplicity of the UI -- and the lack of 3D gaming -- might play a role there.

Kin is basically a Zune HD inside, can go for a weekend on a charge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinkin onekin twoKinOneKinTwomicrosoftnvidianvidia tegraNvidiaTegrategrazunezune hdZuneHdMon, 12 Apr 2010 18:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD 64 goes on sale early]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/zune-hd-64-goes-on-sale-early/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/zune-hd-64-goes-on-sale-early/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/zune-hd-64-goes-on-sale-early/#comments Well, it's not April 12th, but it looks like you can now order a Zune HD 64 nonetheless -- straight from the Zune Originals website, at least. As expected, the device runs $349.99, and the 16GB and 32GB models have now also been knocked down to $200 and $270, respectively -- all of which are naturally available in the usual range of different colors, and with custom designs for an extra $15. You'll also, of course, get the latest v4.5 firmware pre-loaded on the device, which packs new features like SmartDJ that Microsoft was recently kind enough to demonstrate for us.

[Thanks, Henry and Jonathan]

Update: Turns out the Zune HD 64 won't come pre-loaded with the v4.5 firmware -- you'll be prompted to download it when you connect the device.

Zune HD 64 goes on sale early originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>media playerMediaPlayermicrosoftpmpzunezune hdzune hd 64zune originalsZuneHdZuneHd64ZuneOriginalsFri, 09 Apr 2010 14:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD v4.5 firmware now available]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-now-available/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-now-available/#comments It seems a handful in the Twitterverse have already discovered, but in case you're among those not in the know, so to speak, Microsoft has rolled out firmware 4.5 for the Zune HD. To recap, that includes Smart DJ mix, personalized recommendations, Marketplace support for TV, and expanded video codec support, a number of those features you can see in our hands-on piece (video embedded after the break). As usual, the update runs via the Zune desktop software, so plug in and enjoy!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD v4.5 firmware now available

Zune HD v4.5 firmware now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.5firmware 4.5Firmware4.5microsoftmicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneHdsmart djSmartDjzunezune firmwarezune hdzune hd firmwareZuneFirmwareZuneHdZuneHdFirmwareMon, 05 Apr 2010 13:24:00 EST<![CDATA[64GB Zune HD launching April 12th for $350, current models reduced $20]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/64gb-zune-hd-launching-in-april-12th-for-350-current-models-ge/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/64gb-zune-hd-launching-in-april-12th-for-350-current-models-ge/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/64gb-zune-hd-launching-in-april-12th-for-350-current-models-ge/#comments Let's just be nice and feign surprise, okay? Good. With that out of the way, Microsoft has announced a 64GB version of Zune HD, due out April 12th via the Zune online store (and later via other retailers) with a handful of color options and a strapping $349.99 price tag. Not to be outdone, the 16GB and 32GB will each receive a $20 cut on the MSRP, to $200 and $270, respectively -- whatever Amazon and Newegg slash beyond that is up to them. It seems "as soon as possible" is the motto for when the price drop is taking place, so if your favorite online / brick-and-mortar retailer isn't yet honoring the extra Andrew Jackson in your pocket, have patience. So now we're left with a v4.5 firmware release date as the remaining piece in this puzzle, but Microsoft promises to solve that riddle wrapped in an enigma "in the coming days." Right. Press release after the break.

Continue reading 64GB Zune HD launching April 12th for $350, current models reduced $20

64GB Zune HD launching April 12th for $350, current models reduced $20 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>64gb64gb zune hd64gbZuneHdbreaking newsBreakingNewserpmicrosoftmicrosoft zunemicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropzunezune hdzune hd 64zune hd 64gbzune originalsZuneHdZuneHd64ZuneHd64gbZuneOriginalsWed, 31 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD v4.5 firmware 'coming soon,' adds SmartDJ, new codecs, and Marketplace access via AV dock (update: video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-coming-soon-adds-smartdj-new-codecs-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-coming-soon-adds-smartdj-new-codecs-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-v4-5-firmware-coming-soon-adds-smartdj-new-codecs-a/#comments We know you've been waiting at the edge of your seat for that added codec support and SmartDJ for Zune HD, patient ever since its CES unveiling, and now we're here to assure you that it's coming with the next firmware update, version 4.5. We had a chance to preview both SmartDJ and Marketplace access via the AV dock connection this afternoon (video coming soon) -- the former being very smooth and easy-to-use, the latter being convenient except for having to input text using the simple remote and an on-screen keyboard. According to Marketing Manager Michael Yaeger, there's nothing in the cards right now for a new, more text input-friendly remote. While we had his attention, we also asked him about Mac support and international Zune HD releases -- neither of which he could answer definitively, but it doesn't sound hopeful in the near future. As for release date, we couldn't get anything more specific than within the next few weeks, but at least it's next on the docket. Press release after the break; so with that out of the way, how about some answers on that 64GB model, eh Microsoft?

Update: Now with a video demonstration, after the break.

Gallery: Zune HD v4.5 firmware: SmartDJ and Marketplace access via AV dock

Continue reading Zune HD v4.5 firmware 'coming soon,' adds SmartDJ, new codecs, and Marketplace access via AV dock (update: video!)

Zune HD v4.5 firmware 'coming soon,' adds SmartDJ, new codecs, and Marketplace access via AV dock (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.5av dockAvDockdockfirmware 4.5Firmware4.5hands-onmarketplacemicrosoftmicrosoft zunemicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdsmart djSmartDjvideoxvidzunezune hdzune hd 4.5zune hd firmware 4.5zune marketplaceZuneHdZuneHd4.5ZuneHdFirmware4.5ZuneMarketplaceMon, 29 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD 64 makes surprise appearance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-64-makes-surprise-appearance/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-64-makes-surprise-appearance/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/zune-hd-64-makes-surprise-appearance/#comments The link's dead now, but there's no mistaking the appearance of a Zune HD 64 on the official Zune website. Hey Microsoft, got something you want to tell us? A 64GB Zune HD, perhaps, doubling the capacity of your previous top-ender? How about global availability? Click the source link to see for yourselves... go 'head, don't cost nothing.

[Thanks, David H.]

Zune HD 64 makes surprise appearance originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>64gbbreaking newsBreakingNewsleakmicrosoftzunezune hdzune hd 64ZuneHdZuneHd64Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Talkin' Windows Phone 7 Series gaming with Microsoft at GDC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/#comments
We already got a look at Microsoft's little XNA show-and-tell as relates to Windows Phone 7 Series, but our colleague Andrew Yoon over at Joystiq had a chance for longer sit-down with Xbox Live general manager Ron Pessner and XNA Game Studio manager Michael Klucher at GDC today, and he's been kind enough to share the interview with us. The main topic of conversation was the company's plans regarding Xbox LIve and, specifically, how it would be integrating it into Windows Phone 7 Series. And believe us, there was plenty to discuss -- including the sweet science of porting games from Zune HD to 7 Series phones ("it's 90, 95 percent code reuse... in an hour or couple of hours, we're taking games that were written for Zune HD and putting them on the phone"), the importance of maintaining a consistent gameplay experience amongst different hardware, and the reasoning behind limiting devices to asynchronous multiplayer. What are you waiting for? Hit the source link to embark on this miraculous journey of discovery.

Talkin' Windows Phone 7 Series gaming with Microsoft at GDC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesgamingGDCgdc 2010Gdc2010Michael KlucherMichaelKluchermicrosoftRon PessnerRonPessnerwindows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhone7Seriesxbox liveXboxLivezune hdZuneHdThu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook app now available for Zune HD (update: it's also broken)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/facebook-app-now-available-for-zune-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/facebook-app-now-available-for-zune-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/facebook-app-now-available-for-zune-hd/#comments You've been up nights, we know, and now Microsoft has finally ended your torment: the long-promised Facebook application is now available for download to the Zune HD. Go wild, but not too wild, alright everybody?

Update: So we just got a chance to download and play with the app a little -- and just like the Twitter app, things don't seem to be quite fully baked at launch. We couldn't get anything of the tabs to load apart from our personal photos, and there wasn't any confirmation when we sent in a Zune music status update -- although it did show up on Facebook, so it obviously worked. The photo viewer lets you leave comments, but you can't pinch-to-zoom -- or zoom at all, actually. We're sure Zune HD owners will be happy -- it's free, after all -- but we're going to assume Microsoft and Facebook have something far better planned for Windows Phone 7 Series.

Update 2: It's not just us -- the official Zune Twitter account confirms that the Facebook app is "experiencing some issues accessing data." We'll let you kow if we hear anything else.

Gallery: Facebook app now available for Zune HD



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Facebook app now available for Zune HD (update: it's also broken) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapplicationsbreaking newsBreakingNewsfacebookfacebook appFacebookAppmicrosoftzunezune hdzune marketplaceZuneHdZuneMarketplaceMon, 01 Mar 2010 22:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Zune music / video services going wherever Windows Phone 7 Series goes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/microsoft-zune-music-video-services-going-wherever-windows-pho/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/microsoft-zune-music-video-services-going-wherever-windows-pho/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/microsoft-zune-music-video-services-going-wherever-windows-pho/#comments Hear that, globetrotters? Just months after your hopes and dreams were obliterated, we're now hearing that the Zune HD and its associated music / video services are going international, and it could happen by the end of the year. At least that's the word given to Mary Jo Foley from Casey McGee, Microsoft Senior Marketing Manager. In a recent sit-down, Casey noted that the company's Zune music / video service "would be available in all countries where Windows 7 Phones will ship," and while it has yet to make that full list of nations publicly available, we already learned that the new mobile OS has gained support from mobile operators all over Europe. Putting two and two together can be difficult at times, but hopefully we aren't reading too much into this (painfully simple) equation.

Microsoft Zune music / video services going wherever Windows Phone 7 Series goes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>globalinternationalmicrosoftMicrosoft Zunemicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdpmpwindowswindows mobile 7windows phonewindows phone 7 seriesWindowsMobile7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Serieszunezune hdZuneHdMon, 15 Feb 2010 19:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD drops $30-$40 at Amazon, Newegg]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/zune-hd-drops-30-40-at-amazon-newegg/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/zune-hd-drops-30-40-at-amazon-newegg/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/zune-hd-drops-30-40-at-amazon-newegg/#comments
This looks like it may be more of a price war than an official price drop, but anyone in the market for a Zune HD may one to pay a visit to Amazon or Newegg fairly soon, as they're now both selling the device for what appears to be the lowest price yet. While there's no telling how long it'll last, you can now snag a black 16GB Zune HD for $189.99 ($30 off the MSRP), or a 32GB Platinum Zune HD for $249.99 (a discount of $40). As of this writing, most other retailers seem to be offering nothing more than $20 discounts, though we have a suspicion that may change in the near future.

[Thanks, Keith]

Zune HD drops $30-$40 at Amazon, Newegg originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondiscountmicrosoftneweggpmpprice dropPriceDropsalezunezune hdZuneHdTue, 02 Feb 2010 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD Facebook app will be ready when it's ready]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/zune-hd-facebook-app-will-be-ready-when-its-ready/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/zune-hd-facebook-app-will-be-ready-when-its-ready/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/zune-hd-facebook-app-will-be-ready-when-its-ready/#commentsZune HD Facebook app will be ready when it's ready Sit down, child, we've got some bad news. This is going to come as a real blow, but the Zune HD Facebook app, the one promised to be here by the end of January, isn't going to make it in time. Microsoft has said it's "still coming soon" but that it just isn't going to be done until at least February. We realize how hard this will be for you, since there are just so few ways to log into your FB account (or someone else's) right now, but you're just going to have to be strong. It'll be here eventually, and when it does that den of sin will finally turn into the profanity-free social network we've always talked about.

Zune HD Facebook app will be ready when it's ready originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appfacebookfacebook appFacebookAppmicrosoftmicrosoft zunemicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdzunezune hdZuneHdWed, 27 Jan 2010 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune 4.2 update released, what's new?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/zune-4-2-update-released-whats-new/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/zune-4-2-update-released-whats-new/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/zune-4-2-update-released-whats-new/#commentsZune 4.2 update released, what's new? We're receiving word from multiple early-bird readers indicating that they've received the 4.2 update on their Zunes and that, now that they're out of that nasty maintenance window, all is right with the world. That said, our tipsters are not spotting any major differences, and neither are we, certainly nothing as exciting as 4.3 brought to the Zune HD. What about you? Have you been granted access to 4.2 yet? If so, let us know in comments if you've found anything fresh and exciting. And, if you haven't, feel free to discuss the weather -- it sure has been a little crazy 'round these parts lately.

[Thanks, Brent R. and Bryan]

Zune 4.2 update released, what's new? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.2microsoftmicrosoft zunemicrosoft zune hdMicrosoftZuneMicrosoftZuneHdupdatezunezune 4.2zune hdZune4.2ZuneHdTue, 26 Jan 2010 07:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Scheduled Zune maintenance could last for up to 24 hours]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/scheduled-zune-maintenance-could-last-for-up-to-24-hours/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/scheduled-zune-maintenance-could-last-for-up-to-24-hours/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/scheduled-zune-maintenance-could-last-for-up-to-24-hours/#comments
Regular Zune users may have already noticed the alert warning of some impending downtime, but those that haven't should know that Microsoft is advising folks that some maintenance scheduled for tomorrow could last for as long as 24 hours. That will begin at 10PM PST on January 25th, and will affect all Zune services, including Zune Pass, Zune Marketplace, Zune.net streaming and Zune video on Xbox Live. Once the service is back up, users will also have to update their PC software, and users of Zunes other than the Zune HD will also have to update their device's firmware. This scheduled maintenance is also apparently just that, maintenance -- although Microsoft is promising that things like Smart DJ and other features announced at CES, as well some as "unannounced features," will be rolling out in another update sometime this Spring.

Scheduled Zune maintenance could last for up to 24 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downtimemaintenancemicrosoftscheduled maintenanceScheduledMaintenanceupdate-4zunezune hdZuneHdSun, 24 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD getting Xvid, Smart DJ, ever more appealing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/zune-hd-getting-xvid-smart-dj-ever-more-appealing/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/zune-hd-getting-xvid-smart-dj-ever-more-appealing/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/zune-hd-getting-xvid-smart-dj-ever-more-appealing/#commentsZune HD getting Xvid, Smart DJ, ever more appealing We know you were put off by the whole Twitter censorship debacle last month, but Microsoft and the Zune HD have moved past that (honest) and they want you to come along as well. They're enticing everyone to forget about that bone-headed move by, well, throwing everyone a bone and adding in Xvid support, part of full compatibility with MPEG-4 part 2 Advanced Simple Profile. DivX will not be coming out to play, but Smart DJ will be, a feature that isn't so much new but is newly portable, providing a counterpoint to the iPod's Genius and, since you can use it to stream content from the Zune Marketplace (when connected via WiFi) it begins to approach the functionality of apps like Pandora or Slacker Radio. Tasty, indeed, though at this point we're not sure when Microsoft will be throwing us this juicy firmware update.

Zune HD getting Xvid, Smart DJ, ever more appealing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divxfirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdatemicrosoftsmart djSmartDjxvidzunezune hdzune marketplaceZuneHdZuneMarketplaceTue, 12 Jan 2010 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD Twitter app updated, dirty words no longer censored]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/zune-hd-twitter-app-updated-dirty-words-no-longer-censored/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/zune-hd-twitter-app-updated-dirty-words-no-longer-censored/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/zune-hd-twitter-app-updated-dirty-words-no-longer-censored/#comments Microsoft promised us it would remove the silly content censorship from the Zune HD Twitter app ASAP, and here we are a day later with version 1.1, which lets you see all the schoolyard swears you could ever want. High five, assholes. Unfortunately, we're not seeing a huge performance improvement: it's a tiny bit snappier, but we're still seeing unresponsive buttons, laggy scrolling, and random WiFi disconnects. On to version 1.2!

P.S.- Screenshot of the new non-censoring app in action after the break. Be careful, it could damage more delicate constitutions.

Continue reading Zune HD Twitter app updated, dirty words no longer censored

Zune HD Twitter app updated, dirty words no longer censored originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipmicrosofttwittertwitter appTwitterAppupdatezunezune appzune hdzune hd appZuneAppZuneHdZuneHdAppFri, 18 Dec 2009 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft updating Zune HD Twitter to stop censoring tweets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/microsoft-updating-zune-hd-twitter-to-stop-censoring-tweets/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/microsoft-updating-zune-hd-twitter-to-stop-censoring-tweets/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/microsoft-updating-zune-hd-twitter-to-stop-censoring-tweets/#comments Microsoft definitely copped some of Apple's lame App Store antics with its tweet-censoring Zune HD Twitter app, so now it's time for the infuriatingly vague PR-speak backtracking -- Redmond just pinged us to say it's "identified the issue" with the Twitter app and that a naughty words-enabling update is coming "as soon as possible." That's a pretty lame response, considering the "issue" is that the app is coded to actively censor tweets -- not exactly an "oops" moment, you know?

Here's the entire statement:
The recently released Twitter for Zune HD application has been abbreviating some explicit words in tweets when viewed on the device; however these explicit words do appear in their full text on the Twitter site or on any other Twitter client. We have identified the issue and are taking steps to update the application as soon as possible to ensure Twitter for Zune HD users are able to view tweets in their original state.
Flack silliness aside, it's still the right step -- let's hope this update addresses the performance issues we noticed as well.

Microsoft updating Zune HD Twitter to stop censoring tweets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censor tweetcensorshipCensorTweetmicrosofttweetstwittertwitter appTwitterAppzunezune appzune hdzune hd appZuneAppZuneHdZuneHdAppThu, 17 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/zune-hd-twitter-app-now-live/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/zune-hd-twitter-app-now-live/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/zune-hd-twitter-app-now-live/#comments It was a slow rollout today, but the promised Zune HD Twitter app is now live in Marketplace. We've been playing with it a little since we got it, and while it's definitely one of the more attractive mobile Twitter clients we've come across, it's also distressingly laggy: it's stalled out several times just scrolling a list of tweets, button presses go ignored, and refreshing data seems to cause all sorts of consternation -- our Zune's dropped its WiFi connection several times now. Not sure what's going on with that, but we've definitely seen some far more polished apps running on the Zune, so we're hoping these glitches get cleaned up soon.

Update: Turns out there's a bigger problem here than just poor performance -- as reader Scott Zero points out, it censors naughty words out of tweets in your timeline. (Seriously -- here's his original tweet that we've highlighted above.) Sure, it's a free app, but this kind of active content censorship just rubs us the wrong way -- even worse than Apple's various Twitter-related App Store shenanigans. Bleh.

Continue reading Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets!

Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappsmicrosofttwittertwitter appTwitterAppzunezune hdzune hd appZuneHdZuneHdAppWed, 16 Dec 2009 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[MSI's MT-V660 goes to the Zune HD bank for design 'inspiration']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/msis-mt-v660-goes-to-the-zune-hd-bank-for-design-inspiration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/msis-mt-v660-goes-to-the-zune-hd-bank-for-design-inspiration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/msis-mt-v660-goes-to-the-zune-hd-bank-for-design-inspiration/#comments Well, at least MSI has good taste. We can't fault the company for nabbing a multitude of Zune HD stylistic elements in the creation of its new MT-V660 PMP -- outside of general moral qualms, of course -- because the results are predictably attractive. Such brazen style-lifts aren't a first for MSI, who took quite a few pages out of the MacBook Air book for its first X-Slim. Like we said, good taste. The MT-V660 itself has a 3.2-inch WQVGA screen and a codec-friendly Rockchip RK2806 chipset instead of the Zune's Tegra. No word on price or availability.

MSI's MT-V660 goes to the Zune HD bank for design 'inspiration' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kirfmsimt-v660pmpv660zune hdZuneHdWed, 16 Dec 2009 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/twitter-for-zune-coming-tomorrow-facebook-where-are-you/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/twitter-for-zune-coming-tomorrow-facebook-where-are-you/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/twitter-for-zune-coming-tomorrow-facebook-where-are-you/#comments Poetically enough announced via a tweet, the Zune team has given word that the long-awaited Twitter app is coming to Microsoft's little media player that could. Coupled with November's release of 3D games, by our count that leaves only Facebook left as the promised Zune app officially registering M.I.A. More details for tomorrow's release in the morning, and with so many Twitter apps available on other platforms as case studies, we'll be expecting some good things here, mkay Redmond?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Twitter for Zune coming tomorrow, @Facebook where are you? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apptweettwitterzunezune appzune hdzune hd appZuneAppZuneHdZuneHdAppTue, 15 Dec 2009 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD getting magenta and purple flavors on December 1st]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/28/zune-hd-getting-magenta-and-purple-flavors-on-december-1st/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/28/zune-hd-getting-magenta-and-purple-flavors-on-december-1st/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/28/zune-hd-getting-magenta-and-purple-flavors-on-december-1st/#commentsNot enough variety in your Zune HD color palette? How about a friendly dab of magenta and purple to mix up the proceedings? Microsoft's Zune Store is now showing some grayed out selectors for purple and magenta color options for the player, which will apparently be available on December 1st -- just in time for something or other. No word on whether these will be available for both 16GB and 32GB versions, but pink already representing on the 32 gigger, we'd really hope Microsoft would spread the love down to the cash strapped.

[Thanks, Jerel]

Zune HD getting magenta and purple flavors on December 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>magentamicrosoftpurplezunezune hdZuneHdSat, 28 Nov 2009 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune HD 3D games video hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-3d-games-video-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-3d-games-video-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/11/zune-hd-3d-games-video-hands-on/#comments It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke -- the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren't nearly as intense, but they're just as smooth. Best of all? They're free -- although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we'd love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

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Zune HD 3D games video hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d games3dGamesengadget videoEngadgetVideofeaturedfeaturedvideofeaturesgamesmicrosoftportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideovideozunezune hdZuneHdWed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST