Zune120
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All Zune models not named 'Zune HD' on the outs
Microsoft guru Paul Thurrott of SuperSite for Windows fame has read the writing on the wall. According to the reps he spoke with, production has ceased on all Zune models before the upcoming Zune HD. In other words, when supplies run out, Zune 4, 8, 16, 80, and 120 are as good as dead, with only this year's model left standing. Shed a tear for the old guard, and keep an eye out for what we're hoping will be some pretty sweet sales as everyone tries to clean out stock. [Via ZuneSpring]
Blue & red Zune 120s available just in time for the holidays
It looks like Microsoft's trying to reel in shoppers not only through price cuts this holiday season, but by introducing some new colors as well. The folks up in Redmond have just made blue and red versions of the socializing little PMP available on its Zune Originals site. Prices start at $249, and the company suggests placing orders by the 19th to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve. Sure, It may not be a Gears of War 2 special-edition, but it's definitely an alternative to black. So if you've been looking for something to give that special someone -- and nothing on our guide matches your style -- be sure to hit Microsoft's site to check out all your options.[Via zunerama]
Gears of War 2 canvasses special-edition Zune
Microsoft couldn't let the gory, highly-anticipated launch of Gears of War 2 (chainsaw duels! Rhhhahaararggg!) pass without bloodying a Zune or three in the process, Halo 3-style. Specifically, Microsoft has laser-etched that pesky little "Crimson Omen" onto a glossy black Zune 120, pre-loaded the device with 244 pieces of "Gears of War" media -- the soundtrack, concept art, behind-the-scenes vids and so forth, nothing you won't be able to find elsewhere -- and squeezed it all into some "collectible" Gears packaging, featuring our testosterone-addled protagonist pondering the meaning of life. The whole kit will run you $280, with pre-orders at Walmart.com and Amazon.com (and a whole mess of Canadian shops) starting at 3AM PT / 6AM ET. It'll start shipping on November 7th. And still can't sync to your Xbox. Close-ups after the break.
Zune 80GB price cuts, Zune 120GB and 16GB hitting shelves early
As the story goes, Mr. Blurry Cam walks into a Harborcreek, PA Wal-mart and spots this, the Zune 80GB on rollback ($50 off list) and new $250 Zune 120GB. The blue Zune 16GB (not pictured) was said to be in stock as well. So while the 3.0 firmware won't be official until the 16th, some of you might be lucky enough to stumble upon the new Microsoft gear just a bit early. [Thanks, Craig P.]
Poll: New iPods vs. new Zunes, what're you buying?
It would have been juicier if Microsoft hadn't announced the fall Zune lineup a day early and gone directly head-to-head with Apple's newly refreshed iPod lineup, but the fact is that if you're in the market for a new player the past 48 hours have delivered a slew of new options. Microsoft concentrated on the software side of the equation with Zune 3.0, but Redmond's players themselves got a WiFi music store, some new games, and Buy From FM, while Apple added in new Genius playlists across the board and updated the iPod nano's form factor and UI. At the high end of the capacity scale, the Zune seems to have the win on paper -- both the Zune 120 and the iPod classic frustratingly top out at 120GB, but the classic's stagnated essentially at the level of the 5.5G video iPod while the Zune 120 carries all the features of its smaller siblings. On top of all that, you have the newly-thinner iPod touch, with all of its browsing, media, gaming, and third-party application features -- and the lost purity of purpose adding all features those entails. That's a ton of choices -- so c'mon, kids, what's it going to be? %Poll-19372%
Zune 16GB and 120GB boxed in the wild?
We can't verify the claim, but we have no reason to doubt the authenticity of this picture taken of Microsoft's new 16GB flash-based Zune 16 and FCC approved, 120GB Zune 120. It's not the backstory we find so solid, it's more the thought that some lonely soul is busy Photoshopping Zune rumor images on a Friday night -- an ennui so black we could not possibly fathom. Oh and the French? Zune's in Canada remember, blown-up international and the source country of this photo.
