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Microsoft’s Courier tablet: We need one immediately
Our friends at Gizmodo recently got a fantastic scoop, revealing a project that Microsoft has been working on, known as the Courier tablet. This device has been a secret for the Microsoft for a long time now. According to Giz, this is more than just a concept device, but rather, Courier is in the “late prototype” stage.
Courier has two 7-inch screens that are touch sensitive, and are designed to be interacted by touch or with the very pen-like stylus. On its hinge is a home button like the iPhone, and this hinge serves as a virtual “pocket” to hold items that are moved from one screen to the other.
No word on price or availability just yet, but you have to admit that it looks quite sexy. Of course, this may not even come to fruition, but it’s a bold challenge to Apple’s dominance in the sexy multitouch devices department.
Read More 
| Gizmodo
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Zune HD Review: Music discovery at its finest
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Features, HDTV, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video,
We’ve had the new Zune HD in our hands for a few weeks, and now that we’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly get to know it at an intimate level, we figured it was time to share - but first things first. We’ve gotta say it. Microsoft has been consistently wowing us over the last few months. Say what you will about Windows 7, Bing, et al, but at the end of the day, they are solid offerings that stack of well against their competitors. Then of course, there’s the Xbox 360, which just received a dashboard overhaul, making it even more useful and feature-rich, and there is even more to come this fall. For us to even be thinking about Microsoft in this way is a huge departure from even just one year ago.
So, all that said, where does the Zune HD fit into all this? Well, as we’ve posted previously, the thing has an OLED 16x9 display, and packs in the NVIDIA Tegra processor. Those two pieces of news has us super-excited to see if this thing would live up to the hype. Does it? Go grab a drink and get comfortable, because we are going to delve right in.
Click to continue reading Zune HD Review: Music discovery at its finest
Zune 4.0 software now live - go get it!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, Software,
It is now September 15th, and that means that you are now able to go and grab the Zune 4.0 update. Go ahead and do it, if you love music. The Zune.net site is still undergoing maintenance, but if you have the old version of the Zune player, just launch it and have it check for updates, and you’re golden.
Zune.net now streams entire Zune music catalog in the browser (even on Macs!)
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Music, Software,
One of the main gripes we’ve had with Microsoft as it pertains to the Zune platform is that they have stubbornly decided to keep it to a PC-only experience, leaving those of us who live in OS X out in the cold. Well, starting today, that changes. Kind of.
You see, the Zune Marketplace is now a part of Zune.net. Aside from having the largest audio and video podcast streaming directory, Zune now allows you to log in and listen to music from the Marketplace in any browser that supports Silverlight 3. Technically, Microsoft says that this experience is officially supported in Internet Explorer and Firefox, but we will have to give it a shot in Safari. Anyhow, the caveat here is that you can log in as a Zune Pass subscriber and stream music. This doesn’t solve the problem that those on a Mac have where they can’t sync their Zune hardware or download music. Still, though, it’s a step in the right direction, and a nice bonus for Zune Pass subscribers to be able to access and stream music, including Smart DJ playlists, on the fly. This basically turns any computer running IE or Firefox into a terminal for you to log in and crank those Zune tunes, and we like it.
For those wondering, any activities you do with Zune.net stream will also be reflected in your Zune account and Zune Card. How cool is that?
Zune 4.0: The Complete Feature List Rundown
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
The wait for the big Zune refresh that a lot of us have been clamoring for is finally over. Today, the Zune HD launches, available from the Microsoft online store, Amazon, Best Buy, and others. Alongside that launch comes a much-improved Zune software and services package. That’s right, Zune 4.0 is here, and there’s lots to cover. Let’s dive in and take a look at all the major new features in Zune 4.0, as well as some of the smaller pieces of fit and finish that make this release shine, including the Zune Marketplace, Zune PC software, Zune on Xbox Live, and Zune.net.
ZUNE 4.0
From everything we’ve seen as it pertains to the Zune 4.0 software, this update is all about making music more enjoyable to listen to, easier to discover, and easier to manage. In addition, you get movies in the Zune Marketplace now (both rental and purchase,) Xbox Live integration, and a bunch of other features that make Zune 4.0 one of the best pieces of media management software that we’ve used to date.
QUICKPLAY
One of the first things you’ll notice about Zune 4.0 is the Quickplay screen. Similar to the Quickplay area on the new Zune HD, the Zune desktop software gets similar treatment. Here you’ll be able to pin specific content to the area, get a look at new content you’ve recently added to your library, pull up recently played content, and also get direct access to your Smart DJ mixes. Smart DJ, you say? Yes, read on.
Click to continue reading Zune 4.0: The Complete Feature List Rundown
Zune HD size comparison gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Displays, Features, Handhelds, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video,
The Zune HD launches today, and we know a bunch of you are considering picking one up, but want to know how it stacks up agains other items like the iPod touch, and even the older hard drive based Zune 120 (since they’re all on clearance now.) We’ve taken the liberty of putting together a size comparison gallery that puts the Zune HD up against those very items. Yup, check out our Zune HD size comparison gallery for all the goods.
Read More | Zune HD size comparison gallery
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Zune HD unboxing gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Galleries, Handhelds, Microsoft, Portable Audio, Portable Video,
That’s right, y’all. It’s Zune HD day, and Microsoft’s newest portable PMP is ready to make its debut. Of course, we’ve got your hook-up, and have put together an unboxing gallery looking at the Zune HD, as well as everything else in the box. We must say, we were definitely stoked about this. For gadget lovers and lusters, the Zune HD is an adrenaline rush, what with its thin profile and gorgeous screen. Be sure to check out the full Zune HD unboxing gallery for all the goods.
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We will of course have a Zune HD review coming for you as well, but since Microsoft opted to give us review units that wouldn’t work until the Zune 4.0 software update was available, that’ll have to wait a bit. We don’t wanna go singing the praises of (or totally trashing) a device until we’ve had some legitimate time to play with it while fully functional, thank you very much. But hey, if you like the pictures, then be sure to also check out our Zune HD size comparison gallery as well.
Read More | Zune HD unboxing gallery
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Microsoft Zune services offline in preparation for Zune HD and software launch
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
While not as exciting when the Apple Store online goes down, you should still be aware that Microsoft has taken all Zune services down in preparation for the launch of the Zune 4.0 software, and the release of the Zune HD tomorrow. We are guessing things will be functional again around midnight tonight. In fact, you may wanna stop by Gear Live around that time as well. Just sayin’.
Microsoft’s take on today’s Apple announcements
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software,
One things we’ve been wondering today, admidst all of the Apple It’s Only Rock and Roll event news, is how Microsoft was feeling, especially as it pertains to their Zune business, which is set for a major overhaul in six days. We got in contact with a Microsoft spokesperson, and asked them about what they thought of the new iPod and iTunes announcements. Here’s what they had to say:
Since our debut, Zune has offered a different kind of end-to-end digital entertainment experience that includes wireless MP3 players, a robust online store, music community and innovative software features that help users easily find the music and videos they love.
The entertainment experience for consumers hasn’t changed that much after Apple’s announcement today. Our point of view has always been that people want to be entertained, and they want a better way to watch and listen to the digital entertainment they love. We’re interested in getting you your content where you want it in rich, exciting ways. We look forward to sharing more on September 15th.
Okay, so Zune is all about music and videos - not games, video recording, and all that other stuff. We get it, and we like the focus. What we don’t like, though, is how Microsoft allowed Apple to steal their thunder by announcing the new line-up way after Microsoft announced the Zune HD, followed up by Apple launching the new iPods a week before the Zune HD hits stores.
In the meantime, if you’re a music fan looking for a new music player, we say wait until the fifteenth. What you see come out of the Zune camp may surprise you. All of you. I’ve already said too much.
Microsoft’s Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is ultra thin
Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Design, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,
Microsoft is jumping on that whole thin-is-in bandwagon with the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. As the name implies, this is a Bluetooth-only device, powered by AAA batteries. The keyboard slopes downward, making the front event thinner. There’s also a curved keyboard layout, which Microsoft refers to as Comfort Curve. The keyboard is $89.95, and the numeric keypad is an extra $44.95. You’ll see these on store shelves in October.
Read More | Microsoft
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