Thanks to the FCC for this tidbit. It appears that a new 120GB version of the Zune will soon be available here in the U.S. Aside from the larger capacity drive, there appears to be nothing else different about this model. In fact, the Zune 120 (we’re guessing that this will be the name of course), appears identical to the Zune 80 design. No word on pricing nor availability but it’d be a good bet that the Zune 120 would be priced near $299. Of course, if Microsoft really wanted to try and push sales of the Zune, they could lower the price of the Zune 80 and have the Zune 120 start at $249. Is that too much to ask for?

[Check it out via BGR]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Zune 120, FCC

Let the Zune smartphone rumors begin anew - Chris Green of IT PRO has written a piece that claims that Microsoft is indeed working on a Zune-based Smartphone device. He writes that “sources close to the situation have confirmed that just a device is in the works..” Of course, one can easily imagine that Microsoft is indeed working on a Zune branded smartphone - especially since as Chris notes, all the pieces are there for Microsoft to undertake such an endeavor.

Consider the following:

1. Microsoft has the know-how on developing a mobile phone platform thanks to Windows Mobile

2. They have the expertise from the folks at Danger whom they acquired several months ago

3. They know how to create a music player thanks to the Zune team (which is really an incarnation of Windows Mobile)

4. They have an extensive online marketplace (though it’s not necessarily cohesive as of yet) thanks to the Zune Music Marketplace and the Xbox Live Video Marketplace.

5. They have a rich development platform.

So yes - Microsoft does indeed have all the pieces to create a Zune branded smartphone.

However, the same questions will arise if such a phone does get announced.

1. How will it compare against the iPhone?

2. Will this alienate manufacturers of Windows Mobile devices now that Microsoft is in the hardware biz with their own phone?

Question one would eventually be answered if such a phone were to come out.. but question two is far more interesting to contemplate.

It’s doubtful that hardware vendors would leave Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform if Microsoft were to create a competing phone product. The truth is - most smartphone manufacturers that use Windows Mobile do so because their customers demand it. The fact that a Windows Mobile device fits nicely with businesses running Windows platforms is just too hard to ignore.

There are of course alternative operating systems - notably Symbian, and Android - and undoubtedly companies would consider looking into these alternatives if they needed to do so.

Another interesting thought would be as follows:

If Microsoft were to create a Zune branded phone - what if they bundled that user interface with all Windows Mobile-based phones? Yes - the Zune device would not necessarily be unique but it the new software/user interface would help proliferate the Windows Mobile platform far more quickly than otherwise. This would also morph the Zune from a media player device to an entire platform.

Of course, all this is moot until we know for sure that Microsoft is indeed working on a Zune based Smartphone. One thing we do know for sure is - Microsoft is working hard on the next iteration of Windows Mobile.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune Phone

Zune owners who are also fans of Audible’s audiobooks will be happy to hear that the Zune is supposedly gaining Audible support later on this year. This unconfirmed announcement comes from Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows here. According to the posting, Audible and Microsoft have “completed negotiations on making the Zune AudibleReady!” Pretty cool news (though honestly, it doesn’t really affect me!).

[Check it out via GearLive]

Technorati Tags: Zune, Audible, Audiobooks

Wondering when the next Zune will be coming out? Well according to GNT, you might very well have to wait until 2009 for the next version to roll out. The French publication quoted Microsoft France’s Francois Ruault as stating that the third generation Zune media player will most likely make a worldwide release during the 2009 holiday season. That seems a bit too long for a hardware refresh if you ask us. When you consider that iPod fans get antsy if no new model or update comes out after some 6-9 months, then two years is definitely far too long of a wait. It’s hard to say whether this will actually happen of course. A new version of the Zune could very well come out first in the US followed by a release worldwide so who knows. In the meantime, I guess we’ll have to make due with the current version as well as the continued rumor mill.

[Check it out via Crave]

Technorati Tags: Zune, Zune 3, 2009

In case you missed it yesterday, Microsoft announced that they would be acquiring Danger - the company that makes the software for T-Mobile’s popular Sidekick mobile phones. It’s an interesting acquisition especially in light of the fact that Microsoft has of course the Windows Mobile OS platform. So what would Microsoft want with Danger? Does Microsoft want the services that Danger provides? Maybe.. but again - that’s nothing Microsoft couldn’t create themselves.

Perhaps the real driving force for the acquisition is as Lance Ulanoff of PC Magazine suggests - the teen market. Danger clearly understands how to create simple (if not cool) user interfaces for the younger audience and we all know how cumbersome the Windows Mobile UI is. If you look at the press release from Danger, you’ll notice that the company will be rolled up into the Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division. Could we see the beginnings of a new ZunePhone like platform coming out?

Consider the possibilities. The second generation Zunes already have a compelling user interface and with the addition of Danger’s expertise in the mobile arena, we could very well see the beginnings of a new Music/Mobile phone from Microsoft - the long supposed ZunePhone - all powered underneath by Windows Mobile. A powerful OS, a solid music player, and a cool user interface could very well be attractive to the teen market if not many others. It’s an interesting prospect and one I’d welcome if it was true.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Danger, ZunePhone

Are you looking for a new Zune 80GB media player and can’t find one? Don’t worry either - you’re not alone. They’re incredibly hard to find right now - heck it took me five tries on Tuesday morning before I actually came across one and that was the second to last one too! I went to three Best Buy locations around Los Angeles and no one had any 80GB models. I dropped by a GameStop and they didn’t have any Zunes whatsoever and then finally I found one at a Circuit City store. I NEVER GO TO CIRCUIT CITY!!! Don’t even get me started with Target too (grumble). In any event, the Zune 4GB and 8GB appear to be in good supply but the 80GBs are definitely hard to find.

According to this posting over at Ars Technica, Microsoft claims that the Zune 80 is hard to find because of “high demand”. Hmmm do you believe that or do you think Microsoft is artificially amping up the demand by keeping the supply low? HMMM…

The folks at Zunescene apparently have some insider info that claims the 80GB is roughly six weeks behind production schedule due to a manufacturing problem over the summer. WTH???

Ah.. so what to believe? Is it in high demand or is it in low supply? Or perhaps - it’s really both. Yes.. people are definitely looking at this player - especially after a series of positive reviews but it would be even better if they can actually see and obtain the player themselves!!!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune 80GB, Microsoft Zune 80GB, High Demand, Low supply

It’s been pretty quiet on the Zune front over the last several weeks but this week things got interesting as Gizmodo managed to get some screenshots of what appears to be the Zune 2 player as well as the Zune flash player. The pictures show an 80GB Zune player as well as 4/8GB Zune flash players. According to the super small screenshot image, the Zune flash is available in black, red, pink, and greem while the new version 2 Zune 80GB is available in black.

About the only really interesting feature thus far is the navigational controller in the lower middle of the player. It’s unclear if it’s a rocker style controller or a touch sensitive system. Based on the renderings, it appears the new players have a glossy look to them (which we would also assume would be scratch-resistant). BTW.. I’ve yet to scratch my Zune after nearly a year of ownership!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune 2, Zune Flash Player, Zune, Microsoft Zune

Hey folks - was busy for a few days now so I didn’t get a chance to update the site. As you probably know by now, Whiz Byte managed to get some insider information on possible upcoming Zune products. In particular, the Microsoft rep they talked to confirmed this much: “Zune follows the cycle of the consumer electronics cycle so you can expect an update later this year prior to the holiday season. “

According to the rep, the Zune will following three “predictable paths” for future upgrades and expansion:

1. Increasing the number of styles, sizes, and price points for the device family
2. Moving the Zune towards “parity with iPod” by developing support for video, podcasting while also building on the “key differentiators” like Wi-Fi and FM tuning
3. Expanding into international markets since the Zune is strictly available in the U.S. right now

You can read more about this at Whiz Byte.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Zune next generation, 2nd generation Zune

The folks at Zune Scene have been informed by a Microsoft insider that there will be a new 80GB next generation Zune device. The device is apparently code named “Scorpio” and is basically a big brother to the long rumored Flash based Zune, code named “Draco”. Mass production for the Scorpio will supposedly begin at the end of July with target introductions in time for the 2007 holiday season. You can expect Scorpio to also feature the Wi-Fi functionality found in the current Zune and in the anticipated Flash based Zune.

AND for the record - that picture is from the folks at Zune Scene. I’m creative.. but not THAT creative.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft Zune, Scorpio, 80GB

I was perusing the web this evening and I came across this somewhat outdated posting over at MobileWhack which talks about the supposed upcoming Zune 2.0 and flash based Zune. Nothing really new here although I did find the reported feature list to be rather humorous. According to MobileWhack, the new Zune would come with a larger hard drive, be thinner in size, support video playback, and come with integrated WiFi. Now really folks.. if the next generation Zune didn’t have any of those features, would it really be considered a new and better Zune? Can you imagine this being the description of the next Zune player?

The new Zune will feature a smaller hard drive, be larger in physical size, lack video playback, and will require a serial port cable to sync

Sorry.. I just think it’s funny that’s all. We here at ZuneSphere also will report on vague news stories sometimes. Heck, we reported on the super vague Zune 2.0 details a few months back here. The point is - rumor reporting can be pretty funny sometimes (and heck.. sometimes disastrous as found with the Engadget iPhone reporting) especially when you consider that the exact opposite of the rumors would be rather ridiculous indeed. 

[Check it out]

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