For those whose Zune software or firmware update did not go as planned, or simply hate the new software, there is a solution for you. Personally, I would not downgrade, but users with multiple songs with Asian Characters may want to downgrade until Microsoft adds the support for Asian Characters. Full guide and instructions here.

Stefan from IWAPZ posted If you only read one Zune review… tonight. Well, I checked the review out and I have to concur... Holy freaking review Batman! This review is totally insane how long and detailed it is. Good Job ARS!

Here's the good, bad, and ugly of it all...

Congratulations, Microsoft. Now keep working. 

The good:

• New firmware for the 30GB Zune
• Wireless sync
• 24 hours of battery life
• Attractive and usable desktop software
• FM radio
• Great interface, good screens
• Support for H.264, .MP4, and .WMV video files

The bad:

• No wireless music store
• No Mac support
• No video store
• Custom USB connector

The ugly:

• No HDTV for you, you dirty pirate

Read the entire review...

Here is a quote from mikehill33, a member of the Zune Online forums...

This is what happens when a Zune gets upgraded with the latest firmware then decides to lock up my entire machine. No uninstall, reinstall or anything. Welcome to the SUCK. Hammertime.

No Mike, this is what happens when you lose your temper.

Check out the rest of his pics...

My main Zune 30 was named Mobilitysite way back when. The Flash Zune I am keeping hasn't been named yet. My Zune 80 has the best name of all the names in the entire social....

Well, 2nd best... I forgot about Judie Lipsett. She named here Zune 30 Zunelicious.

The original Zune dock works with the 2.2 software, but most importantly, it works with the new flash drives, the Zune 80, and the upgraded Zune 30.

Earlier I posted that I was unhappy about not being able to use my original Zune Dock Cradle with the Zune 80. Well I got a comment from Keith that the folks over at Zune Scene had a suggestion in their forums.

1. Pull on the silver cover of the top of the circular dock.
2. Stick a pin or paper clip underneath and move it around the outside perimeter of the dock.
3. The silver cover should be loose and should come off.
4. With the removal of this facade, there should now be enough room to dock your Zune 80!

Well, I had already taken apart my cradle, but didn't think to try to dock it with the top layer of the cradle off. This guy did and it works!

Read on to see photos of this great find. Thanks Keith.

Read the rest of this entry »

I have to buy the new version of the cradle now...

UPDATE : Solved : Gen 1 Zune Cradle with Zune 2

The Zune 30 cradle will not work with the Zune 80. The connector is the same, but the orientation will not allow me to place the Zune 80 into the cradle.

I took the damn thing apart to see if I could do anything, but short of cutting out part of the cradle and making it unsightly, I am SOL. I will have to drop some loot on the new one I guess.

Ok, I have been running sites for a few years now (since like 1998) and I have known this Canadian named Jason Dunn for 4-5 years now. He's a great guy and he happens to run the great resource I am referring to... Zune Thoughts.

Zune Thoughts is a Zune Community that has reviews, news, and forums. In fact, the very best coverage of the New Zunes were found at Zune Thoughts.

If you've read our About Page, Jason's great job at Zune Thoughts almost prevented this site from happening. I decided to go ahead and join the social though...

Well, unless you are a Zune Team Member. Remember the orange and magenta Zunes with the Zune 1 launch? Well, these Citron (or yellow) Zunes are in that unique category.

Any Zune Team Member want to sell theirs? Call me! Tyler has my number.

Anyhow, ZuneGuy has the official word on these...

I've seen a few posts today about the Yellow (or Citron) Zunes. I've also seen a lot of speculation as to whether this is a "hidden" product. I'll shed a little light on this. They do exist. They are the ship-gifts given to the team for launching the product. Just like last year when we gave out Magenta and Orange devices, these are a special run just for us. There you have it, mystery solved.

P.S. I have to say, I really, really like mine. Good job manufacturing team!

Source : Zune Thoughts

This LunarLocal's Mini Review of the Premium Earbuds. His text is in black, mine is in blue. Keep in mind that I am assuming the one you can buy are the same as the ones that come included with the Zune 80.

So I found extra money in my bank account and went for the headphones. I thought they were going to be 49.99 like last year's, but Walmart had them (i got the only pair) for like 40 dollars.

PROS:

• The cloth cord cover is AMAZING. It feels great, looks unique, and prevents tangling like nothing I have ever seen. I agree 100%, the cloth is so nice and slide easily over you clothing.
• The slider around the two cords of the headphone end are much easier to slide than the previous model, probably to its greatly reduced size.
• The magnets on the headphones are much easier to align and attract each other perfectly. This is a really nice feature and helps keeping these things from getting all bunched up in your bag.
• Instead of the felt looking cloth over the speakers under the rubber inserts, it is a metal mesh. Probably much more durable. The metal is nice, but I am most impressed with the rubber inserts. Getting a good seal is much easier and helps the overall sound a ton.
• And of course, the sound quality is the best I've ever had in a pair of headphones. (I refuse to buy any headphones for over a hundred dollars.)  I'll buy high end stuff, but that's because I can and I love to buy gadgets. But yes, these things sound AWESOME. By far the best earbuds that COME WITH a device.
• The original models came with three sizes of inserts to choose from. The new ones come with four.
• These came with a little cord thing with a pink elastic loop. I have NO idea as to what this is for.

CONS:

• The only thing I do not like is the removal of the little magnetic pin from the first model. It let me find the Right and Left headphones with great ease, but now I have to look for the little letters. However, along with the removal of the pin came the ease in aligning the magnets and I guess not having the pin is the lesser of two evils.