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Hold On To Your MP3s: Zune Phone Coming in 2009?

geeksugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:00:30 -0800

For those of you who prefer products that don't begin with an "A" and end in "pple," then 2009 may be a good year to switch phones. Rumor has it that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be announcing a Zune-like phone at CES.

Said to be coming with the Zune's sleek style, it will also be pulling features from other popular phones, like a fold out keyboard (a la the G1), as well as some iPhone style goodies like an accelerometer. The potential price for the "Zunephone" has yet to be leaked, but I'm guessing that detail will be a minor one for some Microsoft fans come January.

Source

Daily Tech: Google Reveals "An Almost Complete" Android Phone

geeksugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:55:27 -0700

It hasn't officially been announced, but Google showed off its latest pics of a working Android Handset at a Developer Day in London. — Engadget
The Internet provider Wayport will be enabling wireless music downloads for Microsoft Zune customers in WiFi hotspots at more than 9,800 McDonalds. — CrunchGear
MTV has just launched the Backchannel, a new online game that mixes chat and social networking tools. Basically providing you with a new place to complain about characters on The Hills. — Switched
Note to self. Be sure to erase all the data on my cell phone before I sell, recycle, trade, or give it away. A woman's phone ended up on eBay after she donated it to charity; with all of her personal information intact. — Consumerist
George Lucas decided to make a "surprise" appearance at the official launch party for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed at Best Buy in San Francisco. — Crave CNET
It's giveaway time! Be sure to log in to your TeamSugar account for your chances to win geek-chic beach gadgets and accessories! — geeksugar

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

Zune Adds New TV Titles to Its Video Store

geeksugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:37:13 -0700

The recently opened Zune Marketplace store is set to add more than 400 new episodes of popular television shows to its online line-up — with 19 popular titles coming this week. Shows like The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Lipstick Jungle (woot!), are all set to make their Zune Marketplace debut.

Each show is said to be 160 Microsoft Points per episode (approximately $1.99).

Do You Own an MP3 Player That's Not an iPod?

geeksugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:34:32 -0700

GameStop has announced that it will stop carrying Microsoft's Zune because of shabby sales — a blow to the heart of the device that was hoped would be a worthy opponent to Apple's iPod. I feel a tiny bit for the little guy, who's an underdog fighting the good fight of consumer competition.But in my own personal microcosm, I don't actually know anyone who owns or has owned the Zune, while I have had many iPods (and my iPhone) and most of my friends have also owned multiple iPods. I struggle to even think if I know anyone with a non-iPod. But I want to know — do any of you own an MP3 player that Apple didn't make? Source

Do You Own an MP3 Player That's Not an iPod?

Yes, I have a non-iPod MP3 player!

Nope, for me, it's always been iPods.

Something else. See my comment below!

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

Microsoft Re-Introduces the Zune a Day Giveaway

geeksugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:14:26 -0800

Microsoft is back on the scene with their Zune a Day contest, and thanks to CrunchGear we were able to take a look at their new trippy commercial (see below).

To participate in the Zune 8GB giveaway, which runs each day until Mar. 31, you will need to go to "Hotmail" on your cell phone, or you can go here to have Micosoft send you a text with the link. From there, sign into Hotmail with your existing Passport or Windows Live ID (if you have one) and send an email to winazune@live.com with "Go Zune" in the subject line.

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

Have You Been Injured by Your Gadgets?

Yes, I have been injured. See my story below.

No, I thankfully have not been injured in any way by my tech.

Something else. See my comment below.

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!

Say "I Love You" With A Valentine's Day Zune

geeksugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:02:13 -0800

Zune has decided to spread the love this Valentine's Day with their updated Zune Originals. The latest addition to the Zune family includes a fancy red 80GB that you can enhance with romantic laser-engraved designs on the back. Inspired by the "themes of love and sharing," these new graphics can be paired with your very own personal message (three lines of text max). All Zune Originals designs are free with purchase for a limited time and are wrapped in special packaging when ordered. You can choose from over thirty unique designs for the back of the Zune, or you can choose one of the lovey-dovey ones I've featured below!

Special Edition Nylon Zune: Love It or Leave It?

geeksugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:00:17 -0800

Most critics believe the Microsoft Zune will never measure up to the iPod. Still, you can't say Microsoft isn't trying to earn cool points wherever possible. Nylon Magazine has teamed up with Microsoft to create a limited edition Zune player, available only at Urban Outfitters for $250. The device is limited to a run of 1,000 pieces, and comes in a pretty pink 30GB package that's silk-screened with graphic bling designed by Dani Stahl. It comes pre-loaded with Nylon TV videos, special mp3s and music videos. It's certainly more flashy than the previous plain pink edition. Do you love it?

Special Edition Nylon Zune: Love It or Leave It?

Love It

Leave It

It's so _______. (Leave answer in comments!)

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.

Red Zune Out June 10th

geeksugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:30:24 -0700

There has been a whole lot of talk about the next wave of colorful Zune players and it seems the wait is nearly over. The new limited edition red Zune joins an existing line of brown, black, white and pink Zunes.

Zune allows users to wirelessly share songs, playlists, and photos. The 30 GB device 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 new red player will be available exclusively at Target and Amazon.com for thirty days beginning June 10th. After that promotional period you will be able to pick them up at any major retailer. It will cost around $220.

To check out additional images of the red Zune,

Want To Carry A Watermelon Zune?

geeksugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:01:33 -0700

Yes, that was supposed to be a Dirty Dancing reference. Albeit diluted, but still. We previously reported the new version of the Microsoft Zune, will be released May 1st for $250, but Gizmodo reports it's shipping now.

Nope, you can order one of the girly-pink players at Amazon right now, but there are only 100,000 of them, so you'd better get 'em while the getting's good. Of course, not all 100,000 of them will be sold by Amazon, but the company's site says they're in stock now and selling for the usual $249.99 price.

This model is said to be lighter than the limited edition hot pink Zune. Basically it has all the same features as the limited edition version, including the super-sized 30GB capacity. I'm not a Zune user, but but the watermelon color (see images below) is just delicious!

Love It or Leave It? The New Pink Zune

geeksugar — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 07:59:09 -0700

The new version of the Microsoft Zune - yes it's pink - will be released on May 1st for $250. This model is said to be lighter than the limited edition hot pink Zune. Basically it has all the same features as the limited edition version, including the super-sized 30GB capacity. Let me know if you're feelin' it or not. Stay tuned for more release info!

Love It or Leave It? The New Pink Zune

Love It

Leave It

Something else. See my comment below!