Zune 3.1 released, Zune now cheaper than iPod
Microsoft has released firmware version 3.1 for all models of their Zune MP3 players.
The 3.1 update adds three new games: Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle. A new multi player mode for the existing Texas Hold ‘Em card game has also been added. The multi player mode uses the Zune’s Wi-Fi, letting players connect to each others Zunes. The new Checkers game also supports multi player.
The Zune Social online community was refreshed with a little UI visual action and a new feature called "like minded listeners," was added. The feature allows you to see the Zune cards of those with compatible music tastes.
The Zune PC software received an update too which includes software stability patches and performance improvements. To download the free Zune software and firmware update, open up the Zune PC software, click on Settings, and select Check for Updates.
Separately, Microsoft also announced price cuts for the Zune range. In an interview with Cnet, Zune marketing director Adam Sohn said moves were being made to "ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season." The prices put Zune’s flash players cheaper than Apple’s iPod Nano range.
The prices are as follows:
- Zune 4GB: from $129 to $99, a saving of $20
- Zune 8GB: from $149 to $139, a saving of $10
- Zune 16GB: from $199 to $179, a saving of $20
Source- Neowin
Windows 7’s new “play all” decoders, encoders and transcoding capabilities
When Microsoft finally releases its follow-up to Windows Vista and it’s time for the business and technology journalists (yes, bloggers are included in that grouping) across the world to decide if Windows 7 is the kind of operating system most people should want to use, Microsoft will be facing a deluge of biased individuals that, aware of that bias or not, won’t give Windows 7 a fair shake.
Maybe it’s wrong for a journalist to call out colleagues and fill you in on a dirty little secret that occurs across all sectors of this business, but, to be quite honest, I don’t think I’m saying anything that should come as a surprise to anyone who follows the news. Regardless of whether you believe in the greatness of Steve Jobs or you choose to use only Velocity Micro machines out of your hatred for Apple, one thing remains: the vast majority of journalists use Macs to write their stories and have a deep-seated love for Apple products.
Source- istartedsomething
Microsoft working on App-store like software distribution
Steve Ballmer, at the recently held developers conference at Sydney, Australia, said that Microsoft is working on a App-store like software distribution. Apple’s iPhone and App-store have really stirred the Windows Mobile Market. Though there are many ‘app-store like’ distributions, for example - Handango, they are not something that is offered directly from Microsoft. But at the same time Ballmer also mentioned there are no plans to mimic iPhone’s App-store.
During the question-and-answer portion of his time on stage at an event the company billed as "Liberation Day" for Australian developers, Ballmer said that Microsoft will soon launch a service that will let programmers sell their wares directly to consumers.
"I actually will agree that there’s some good work, particularly at Facebook. and also with the iPhone, where both of those companies have made it easier for developers to distribute their applications," Ballmer said when asked whether Microsoft would provide a way for developers to create software and distribute it directly to users.
"[They've] made it easier to kind of get exposure for your applications," Ballmer continued. "There’s not much money being made, but the general concept of giving developers a way not only to get their code distributed, but to really get visibility for the code, is a good idea."
Microsoft does have WindowsMarketPlace, where developers can distribute their Software to PC users. At the worst, Microsoft can plug-in a Mobile category and throw in a mobile client to access and install apps directly to your mobile.
Source- Neowin
Microsoft Research Unveils Codex Project
Microsoft Research’s Ken Hinckley has unveiled a prototype device based on two OQO Model 02s running together.
Named "Codex", Hinckley believes it’s the future for gadgets as "dual-screen devices have become the subject of increasingly elaborate internet fantasies. Now, rumors about an Apple "Brick" device have stirred up dreams of future tablets, such as the alluring One Laptop Per Child v2.0 concept photos.
Nintendo invested in their dual screen gaming device the DS Lite which has become very popular in all markets. Dual screen computing is common in businesses and is known to increase productivity so perhaps a dual screen device isn’t a bad idea for the future?
Source: Microsoft Research Blog
Via- Neowin
Announcing: Virtual Earth 6.2 and Virtual Earth Web Services 1.0
If you follow Microsoft Virtual Earth I’m sure you’ve picked up some blog posts that posted some of the features for this release, but those posts mysteriously disappeared. Information leaked out and you wondered, "Was that real?" Well, finally the definitive source on the new Virtual Earth Web Service and the new Virtual Earth Map Control 6.2 I deliver to you. If you want to skip the descriptor and just get coding you’ll be happy to know the Virtual Earth AJAX Control SDK on MSDN, as well as, the Virtual Earth AJAX Control SDK on MSDN, as well as, the Virtual Earth Interactive SDK have both been updated.
Users can now build mobile applications with Virtual Earth, which offers more features and enhancements to support mobile platforms such as, Windows Mobile, RIM Blackberry and Apple iPhone. Rich imagery creates immersive mobile end-user experiences that bring location-based information to life.
Source: MSDN Blogs
Windows Mobile 7 release delayed
According to Cnet News.com Microsoft has been informing its partners that it will be delaying Windows Mobile 7 to the second half of next year.
Windows Mobile 7 was widely expected to be released to device partners and operators early next year. The delay could severely set back sales of Windows Mobile devices as Apple’s iPhone sales grow stronger and Google’s G1 android device looks to make an impact in the smartphone market.
Earlier this year news leaked about multi touch, motion gestures and a new UI for Windows Mobile 7 pictured below which drew huge excitement from Windows Mobile and smartphone fans. 
Despite HTC updating Windows Mobile with the touchflo interface and Samsung introducing its own interface on top of Windows Mobile the operating system still requires an overhaul to bring it in line with touch based devices. Here’s hoping that Microsoft get Windows Mobile 7 out as soon as possible as we are all looking forward to it.
Microsoft has not commented publicly on the news.
View: Windows Mobile
Source- Neowin
Apple Introduces New iPod nano
Apple® today introduced the new fourth generation iPod® nano, the thinnest iPod ever featuring a sleek new design with a curved aluminum and glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors. The new iPod nano incorporates Apple’s breakthrough Genius technology which automatically creates playlists from songs in your music library that go great together, with just one click. The new iPod nano also features a refined user interface, a high resolution portrait display and a built-in accelerometer which automatically switches to Cover Flow® when rotated and automatically goes into Shuffle™ mode when lightly shaken. The new iPod nano gives users up to 24 hours of music playback or four hours of video playback and is available worldwide immediately in an 8GB model for just $149 and a 16GB model for just $199. Both models come in silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, (PRODUCT) RED and black.
“The iPod nano is the world’s most popular music player and we’ve made it even better for this holiday season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We think users are going to love the amazing new design, the automatic Genius playlist creation, as well as automatically going into Cover Flow with just a turn of the wrist.”
The new iPod nano—the thinnest iPod ever—features an elegant new design that beautifully blends a brilliant two-inch display with a gorgeous curved aluminum and glass enclosure. The new contoured design fits even more comfortably in your hand.
Source- Apple Press Release
Apple Announces iTunes 8
Apple® today announced iTunes® 8, the next major release of Apple’s ubiquitous music and video player for Macs and PCs which is seamlessly integrated with the most popular online content store in the world (www.itunes.com). iTunes 8 includes the new breakthrough Genius feature, which lets you automatically create playlists from songs in your music library that go great together—with just one click. Genius helps music fans rediscover favorite songs in their existing music library and suggests related music on the iTunes Store they might want to add to their music collection. iTunes 8 features new ways of viewing your music and video libraries, and adds television programs in stunning high definition for sale on the iTunes Store.
Using Apple’s breakthrough Genius feature is easy—select any song, click the Genius button, and iTunes instantly creates a playlist of songs that go great together from your own library. You can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later. You can even create Genius Playlists on-the-go with the new iPod® classic, iPod touch, iPod nano and iPhone™. The Genius sidebar appears right in iTunes and recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don’t already have, based on the songs you select.
Source- Apple Press Release
