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Yup, I know the Zune has basically already come and gone but I was doing a little spring end-of-the-year cleaning and wanted to put these up. Overall the player was cool. I definitely like the scroll function on my nano more and wish the text would scroll across, as opposed to staying static (so you can’t read what the entire song title is as you search through). My other complaint was that after using the Zune for three weeks in NYC (on the street, subway, and trains to Conn) I have yet to run into a “social interaction” - the reason I bought the Zune in the first place. I know I could go on about the Zune but I’d rather you just enjoy the quick peep show and when the time is right, we can blog more about Microsoft’s DAP.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s current in-house genius, has confirmed that the Zune will continue to expand its functionality over time. We know that you can currently share music files between Zune’s but it was unclear if video would act the same way. Steve confirmed that video sharing will be added in the future and left out the fact that some heavy DRM restrictions will be included with that offering.

Additionally, while the ZunePhone rumors swirled around a few times over the past few months we now have confirmation straight from the horse’s mouth. So there you have it, the Zune will officially kick the current iPod’s ass in both the video and communication arena.

Read [Bloomberg] Via [Engadget]

It’s 11.14.06 today, and you know what that means.  Yep, you’re right - Microsoft’s new portable audio/video player the Zune hit store shelves this morning.  This is a wrap up of our Zune coverage thus far.  And if this thing is half as popular as the iPod, you can expect us to cover them for years to come.  Check out our Zune tag here, or click on for the entire list.

• Zune Marketplace: Songs to be re-downloadable
  


• Zune Premium Earphones and Wireless Remote


• Microsoft strikes deal with Universal, to pay for every Zune sold


• Belkin releases a boatload of accessories for the Zune


• Microsoft gets ready for Zune, launches Zune.net


• The cans and can’ts of Zune WiFi


• 5 reasons the Zune is causing Apple to have nightmares


• Breaking: Pre-order Zune on Wal-Mart.com


• Zune and iPod get compared


• Zune factory pictures, mass production has begun


• Zune gets a price: $229.99 ($249.99 final)


• Zune won’t be undercut on price by iPod


• Sorry Mac-heads, no Zune for you


• Apple forces Microsoft to rethink Zune pricing


• Zune battery life revealed: 12 hours music, 3.5 hours video


• Microsoft says Zune phone is coming soon


• Video: Zune-to-Zune in action


• Microsoft Zune coming today!


• Zune approved by FCC, confirmed as a repackaged Toshiba Gigabeat


• Microsoft Zune details leaked


• The Microsoft Zune is in the wild


• Zune docks up with the Razer Pro|Type Multimedia Keyboard


• Microsoft plans to spend hundreds of millions to compete with Apple’s iPod/iTunes

If you’re planning on getting a Zune this holiday season and have an Apple computer, you best be thinking again.  Microsoft’s new Zune player and Zune Marketplace will not be compatible with the Mac at launch-time - but expect it to be in the near future.  This is no news to get worked up over (unless you have a Mac) since Microsoft has already announced their strategy is to get Zunes in the hands of MP3 player-less people, and lets be honest - most Mac-heads are already equipped with an iPod anyway.

Read [Gizmodo]

Microsoft released most of the info about their upcoming Zune last week, but failed to deliver the battery life expectency.  Battery life on portable players can sometimes be the most important factor when making a purchase.  Thanks to a tip that Engadget received, we’re not reporting that the Zune will get 12 hours of continuous music playback, and 3.5 hours of video playback. 

Why did we not know that yet?  It’s likely because Microsoft was ready to announce it and then Apple dropped the bomb by upping the iPod’s batteries.  The new 30GB iPod lasts for 14 hours of music and 4 hours of video playback.  They also announced the new 80GB model has 20 music and 6 for video.  This may not sound like a big deal to you, but for some people, this will be the deciding factor in which device they purchase.  Don’t get to caught up in these numbers though, because Microsoft is probably setting up a new battery deal with the manufacturers right now.

Read [Engadget]