Zune 2 and Zune Flash Are Coming in 80, 8, and 4GB Sizes

It’s finally happening and we can breathe a sigh of relief! Too much of anticipation and speculation left us in a tizzy. The official word is that Microsoft’s next-gen Zune and the flash based Zune will be out soon. Aptly called the Zune 80, Zune 4 and Zune8 , the three models have what it takes to make them the forerunners in the MP3 market. All the new models feature wireless syncing with your computer automatically when you’re in WiFi range. The Zunes use the new Zune Pad, which is a four way touch-sensitive d-pad (with up, down, left, and right buttons). The 80GB Zune features a large, 3.2-inch screen and is smaller and thinner than the original Zune; it comes only in black. The flash-based Zunes, come in pink, green, black and red, and are the smallest of all.

A low down on the Zune 80
- It features 80GB hard drive.
- The new Zune Pad touch controls.
- Wireless sync.
- QVGA resolution.
- Dimensions are 61.1 x 108.2 x 12.9mm (2.4 x 4.25 x 0.5-inches).
- Zune Social, a beta online community Web site for you to hook onto for musical vents.
- Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. 3 Share full-length tracks of your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures and even audio podcasts.
- Built-in FM radio.
- Zune software will automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos, including music you have ripped into iTunes and Windows MediaPlayer, even transferring your existing playlists and song ratings in one easy step.
- Stream the music, pictures and videos from the Zune software on your PC to your Xbox 360 console using a wireless connection. Plus load customized music onto the Xbox 360 to play with your games.
- It will cost $249.
The classic Zune will be called the Zune30 henceforth. It’s going to get Wireless Sync, the upgraded Zune to Zune transfer, and the recorded TV content to go. It’s probable that they got the same codec support as the 80GB. It will now sell for $199.
The Flash Zune 8 and Zune 4
- Zune 8 and Zune 4 are the 8 and 4GB flash based models.
- They too use the Zune Pad.
- They cost $200 for Zune 8 and Zune 4 will sell for $150.
- Both will be available in pink, green, black, and red.
- They will sport a 1.8-inch screen.
- Dimensions are 41.4 x 91.5 x 8.5mm (1.6 x 3.6 x 0.33-inches).
Over all news
- The New Zunes will ship in November, date not yet announced.
- All Zunes (including the Zune 30) will have a new, redesigned interface and feature parity.
- Additional native video codecs for h.264 and MPEG-4 hence users no longer need transcode those file types to WMV.
- Zune can sync video from your Media Center PC.
- WiFi sync to host computer. Includes moving over music, movies, photos, podcasts, etc.
- Podcast support with over the air downloads, sync only. Podcasts can also be shared via WiFi.
- The 3×3 song sharing DRM has had its three-day restriction removed, but users can still only play files three times.
- The Zune software features WMP10.
- The Zune music store is going DRM-free, with over 1m MP3 tracks being made available for download.
New Zune accessories
- Zune Home AV Pack ($99.99) – “Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device, wireless remote, AC adaptor and composite AV output cable.”
- Zune Dock Pack ($49.99) – “Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device and AC adapter.”
- Zune Car Pack ($79.99) – “Redesigned FM transmitter/charger and dashboard grip pad.”
- Zune Cable Pack ($39.99) – “Sync cable, composite AV output cable and audio cable.”
- Zune Premium Headphones ($39.99)
- Zune Leather Case ($49.99)
- Zune Sync Cable ($19.99)
- Zune AC Adapter ($29.99)





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