Photo leaks confirm new Zune, near-term launch
updated 11:45 am EDT, Tue October 2, 2007
Zune 2 Photo Leak
New photos have all but confirmed the imminent arrival of new Zune models within the month, says an unnamed employee from a major American retailer. The worker notes that his store has received "cardboard cutouts" that are exact matches for the photos leaked last month and already reveal key features. A smaller, flash-based model is now certain and will have video playback as a cornerstone. The circular directional pad has also been replaced with a less misleading beveled, square pad, the photos show. Microsoft is now known to be producing pink and red colors on launch rather than withholding them for special editions, as with the original version.
Although a specific release date was not provided with the leak, the mockups are part of a display set intended for unveiling on October 7th, suggesting an announcement before then and a ship date on or shortly after that period. Previous reports have suggested that devices might be available by October 16th, though one had a release as late as November.
No specification sheets have accompanied the leak, though again previous reports have suggested 4GB and 8GB flash players at $150 and $200 with an 80GB model selling at the $250 price occupied by the original 30GB player before a price cut meant to clear out stock of old models.
still a buggy product
10/02, 11:58am reply
Regarding the Zune, reviewed by engadget: "We came away underwhelmed and not at all surprised -- and why? The expectations were for Microsoft to deliver a "Microsoft" player and system; maybe not too shabby looking, but not very usable, and definitely bug-ridden."
dliup
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Joined: Jan 2006
Wow, they look so
10/02, 12:03pm reply
boring. Well that will probably add another million to their sales.
yawn
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
Brown?
10/02, 12:17pm reply
Thank goodness... looks like the brown is still available.
fishtech
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Joined: Jun 2006
Packaging idea?
10/02, 12:22pm reply
I understand the packages will sport a day-glo orange "NOW 30% LESS MISLEADING" label. :-)
aspooner
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Joined: Apr 2005
Design
10/02, 12:23pm reply
It never fails to amaze me at how unattractive most products from Microsoft continue to be! You'd think that with a workforce as big as theirs, they'd have at least one person with a real sense of esthetics.
thinkman
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Joined: Jan 2005
MS marketing genius
10/02, 12:24pm reply
Yep - they got the "Im a doofus" market all sewn up!
Again, as I have said many times before - people buy stuff because it looks cool and works. MS has yet to comprehend this.
Doofuses.
robttwo
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Joined: Nov 2005
This is terribly similar
10/02, 12:26pm reply
to previous iPod generations. Even the feature sets are similar, but doubtless they're half as well-implemented.
UnCal
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Joined: Sep 2007
DOH!
10/02, 12:27pm reply
You can't polish a t***.
Mr. Strat
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Joined: Jan 2002
Totally Crack-a-lacken
10/02, 12:57pm reply
The new zunes look like they were designed by 70s era Solviets. How is it they expect to make inroads into this market with inferior products. I suppose they'll ship another million of these bricks to retailers and sell less than 50,000 like the previous iteration of this still-born player.
robttwo is spot on-only a doofus would even consider stepping down to a zune.
Monde
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Joined: Jan 2004
They look like a**...
10/02, 01:10pm reply
Just like everything that M$ makes. M$ has no class or original thinking at all. What's with the dog c*** brown????
howiethemacguy
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Joined: Sep 2007