GeekSugar

First Look at the Zune 2

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:02:42 -0800

With the official release date of the Zune 2 being tomorrow, I was happy to find this sneak-peek brochure on Techfresh, so I know exactly what to expect when these hot little players hit store shelves. With 80GB, 30GB, 8GB and 4GB models to choose from, plus color customizations, wireless sharing and scratch resistant screens, the Zune 2 will definitely be spicing up the gadget scene this holiday season. Stay tuned for pricing and updates!For your viewing pleasure, Audio Junkies has the larger version.

iPod Classic Verses Zune: Which Would You Choose?

GeekSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:02:54 -0700

I've always been an iPod sort of girl, but when a friend of mine whipped out his Zune at a recent barbecue, I felt a twinge of jealousy. A 3.2-inch screen? Wireless syncing? Awesome wallpapers? I was a little speechless. This realization made me wonder if there was a superior device of the two. Could a Zune really KO my iPod ?

I thought I should compare both the 80GB iPod classic and the 80GB Zune for this post, trying to level the playing field as much as I could. To see the pros and cons of each device, just read more.

80GB iPod Classic

Pros:

Holds up to 20,000 songs or up to 100 hours of video
30-hour battery life for song playback, five hours for video playback
Compact and thin at .41 inches thick
2.5-inch color LCD screen
Works with iTunes on either your Mac or PC

Cons:

Comes in silver and black only
No options for custom or specialty wallpapers

80GB Zune
Pros:

Holds up to 20,000 songs, or 250 hours of video
3.2-inch color screen
Touch pad makes scrolling through your media a breeze
Wireless syncing and sharing to other Zune users
FM transmitter allows you to tune in to local stations (or those radio programmed TVs at the gym)
Customize your Zune with engravings and wallpapers

Cons:

Comes in red and black
Glass screen
For PC only

Results:
Since the Zune and the iPod classic both come with a $250 price tag, and have similar capacity, it comes down to customization and compatibility. Although the Zune wins points for being so customizable – with downloadable wallpapers to trick out your device, the iPod has to take the title for being compatible with both Mac and PC users, since the Zune only functions in a Windows environment.

Which one do you sport – iPod or Zune?

What Is the Biggest Tech Rumor of 2008?

GeekSugar — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:15:56 -0800

The geek world thrives on rumors and gossip, like a big real-life, dorky version of Gossip Girl. Secret photos, screenshots, and info pretty much always get leaked (which is hardly a bad thing for the company at hand).

This year, many rumors turned out to be the real thing (like the rumblings about iPhone 3Gs, MacBooks, and iPods), but the most fun ones are almost always the ones that get debunked.

Some I wanted to be true (still holding out for that iPhone Nano), some were sad (questions of Steve Jobs' health that led to his death being mistakenly broadcast), some seemed likely (the Microsoft-Yahoo merger), and some got smacked down with such virility that you wondered if having a Zune really was that bad for the image.

Some may even still come true in 2009 (Kindle 2.0 and the iPhone on Verizon, perhaps?), but for those wily rumors in general, I say: Thanks. You make my job fun! So tell me: What's your favorite rumor of '08?

Source

Mother's Day Gift Guide: Digital Media Players

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:08:38 -0700

Yesterday, I suggested you consider getting your mother (or mother figure) a set of great headphones, for Mother's Day, but what if she doesn't have anything to plug those headphones into? It might be time to hook her up with a suitable MP3 player.

The Insignia 4-Gigabyte MP3 and Video Player has gained praise recently - namely from The New York Times - for its Bluetooth capabilities, which are still pretty rare in the MP3 player world. The player can transmit stereo MP3 music and video soundtracks to your headphones or speakers via a wireless Bluetooth connection, which means freedom from wires. It features 4GB internal flash storage that holds up to 1,000 songs, 4,000 photos, 50 audiobooks or 14 movies, is just over 0.6" thin and weighs 2.4 ounces and supports MP3 formats and most image and video formats. $160

For all you non-iPod folks, the Microsoft Zune 30 GB device, is available in four colors and stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. It also features wireless Zune to Zune sharing, a 3-inch screen and a FM radio, which isn't always the case with MP3 players.

It comes with some preloaded content, but the rest has to be purchased from the Zune marketplace. The device has received great praise and criticism because of its "sharing" features, if you've done your research and think it fits your mom's wants and needs the new pastel colors are pretty fly. $219.99

For additional ideas, read more

Apple's tiny iPod shuffle is available in five fun colors - blue, pink, green, orange and the original silver - for me, this automatically makes it the go-to, inexpensive player, but only because it's also got the basic functions in tact. It's half a cubic inch in volume, weighs half an ounce and features a stunning aluminum design with a built-in clip - which makes it ideal for exercisers, non-techies, now people that love colorful gadgets. The iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory and holds up to 240 songs. No screen or radio. $79

Of course, if you're feeling lucky, you should try and win her the iPod Nano and Chocolate Gift Set I'm giving away in honor of Mother's Day.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the giveaway post and I will do a random drawing on Wednesday, May 9 at 12:00 pm, Pacific Time. One entry per person - all repeat comments will be ignored. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account.

Daily Tech: Latest Zune Update Offers TV Show Downloads!

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:00:23 -0700

OK Zune lovers, your update has arrived! The Zune 2.5 software update can now be downloaded for free and includes great sharing features that allows you to get copies of your friends tunes! - Engadget
If you were keen to preorder Wii Fit on Amazon, you're unfortunately outta luck. According to Kotaku, it's already sold out. Thankfully I got my order just in time! - Kotaku
Your laptop is out of juice and you can't seem to find an outlet. . . . What is one to do? Thanks to Switched, there's lots of solar-powered emergency products to help you survive a power crisis. - Switched
The iPhone is spreading its wings yet again by adding 10 more countries to its availability list by the end of the year. - Gizmodo
Kevin over at CrackBerry got his hands on a brand new BlackBerry 9000 and here's what he had to say about it. - CrackBerry

Daily Tech: New iPod Touch, Nano, Upgraded iTunes Announced at Let's Rock

GeekSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:51:53 -0700

Let's Rock updates! The hot new iPod Touch comes out today, the new iPod Nano is much skinnier and offers a larger screen, and iTunes 8 offers HD Shows, grid views, and genius playlists. - Gizmodo
Googlers head off to Greece to celebrate Google's 10th anniversary in style. - Valleywag
Microsoft's new flash Zune, which comes out Sept. 16, will cost $250 for the 120GB model, $199 for the 16GB model, and $149 for the 8GB model. - Switched
Air Canada will start rolling out Aircell's Gogo wireless Internet service by Spring of 2009 for international flights. - CrunchGear
It's rumored that Sony will be unveiling a new e-reader at an upcoming event on Oct. 2. - Engadget

Daily Tech: Countdown to "Let's Rock" in San Francisco Begins

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:02:28 -0700

Apple's "Let's Rock" event kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco, and rumor has it that Apple will be releasing iPhone firmware 2.1 and announcing new iPods. - CrunchGear
Heading out to any sporting events in the upcoming months? Switched has a list of five tips to improve your sports photos. - Switched
A 120GB Zune has just appeared on Amazon for $248. - Engadget
Love this! Now you can find out whether you need to take an umbrella with you in the morning with a new webapp called Umbrella Today. - Lifehacker
iTunes 8 is already on its way. It was accidentally leaked on the middle of the iTunes webpage last night. - Gizmodo

Geek Tip: Get Radio for the iPod Touch and iPhone!

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:01:49 -0700

So far, there have been so many apps released for the iPhone and iPod 2.0 update that I haven't had to wait for any apps yet (though I have questioned the usefulness of many). That is, except for a radio app. The absence of a radio option has frustrated some iPod users, as shown in this week's iPod vs. Zune post. That changes now - if you have an iPod Touch or iPhone.

AOL Radio is a new app for those who have upgraded to the 2.0 firmware update, and it provides over 200 radio stations, including your local radio stations (when you're in the area, and when you're not), as well as Internet radio stations. One drawback for first gen iPhone users is that there are not as many stations as there are for 3G, but radio on your little device is certainly still an auspicious start!

Have You Been Injured by Your Gadgets?

GeekSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:07:43 -0800

I hope you're not eating right now: A Zune owner is suing Microsoft for injuries he sustained from using his mp3 player, saying that the headphones shocked him and now he experiences bleeding and "fluid leakage" from the ears (!!!). When I stopped gagging and shuddering, I remembered other infamous iPod and cell phone-related injuries. For instance, I know to avoid electrical storms, because of the Colorado kid who was struck by lightning while wearing his iPod and ended up with damaged hearing and burns from the headphone cords.
Aside from dropping an iPod (a 2nd-generation 30GB) on my toe, I have never suffered a gadget-related injury. What about you guys? Tell me your geek pain stories!
Source

How Low Can the 8GB Zune Go?

GeekSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:50:38 -0800

On Friday, Engadget announced that the 8GB Zune had dropped in price from $199 to $179. Well what a difference three days makes on Amazon! The green and red models are down to $176, while the black model is now only $170. Who said you needed a huge 80GB version anyways. With 8GB storage capacity you can still store up to 2,000 songs, 25,000 pictures or 25 hours of videos.

And best of all, the pink model is only $174, which makes it a great Valentine's Day gift option-hint, hint!