As
expected, Microsoft is busting out the
Zune
today, and we've got the rundown. Not a lot of surprises in the specs
department, but they've confirmed the basics we've known for a while,
like WiFi, 30GB of HDD, built-in FM, a 3-inch screen and the basic
music, pictures and video playback. They also finally let slip the
screen res -- an unsurprising QVGA -- and some better news on the codec
front: the Zune supports h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA. As for ballyhoo,
wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing is where the real action is at, and it
works pretty much like we've been hearing: you can share a full-length
track with a friend, and they've got three times to listen to it over a
three day period, after which they can flag the song for purchase on
the Zune Marketplace -- unless they're an unlimited "Zune Pass"
subscriber, of course. You can also share playlists and pictures with
your buddies, along with what we suppose are "unprotected" homemade
recordings. So far Microsoft isn't mentioning
Live Anywhere
functionality, but they do hint heavily at future software updates to
take even better advantage of the wireless capabilities. Of course, it
all really comes down to matching your Zune with that snazzy new fall
wardrobe of yours, and to that end the Zune comes in black, brown and
white. Sadly, Microsoft still won't spill the beans on pricing and
availability (other than a vague "this holiday season"), so we'll keep
an eye out for that just like always.
Source:
engadget