We have a good new for all the Zune users as Microsoft has released a Firmware version 1.2 with which you can easily update your Zune. The firmware does not provide any new functionality like web browsing, native DivX support etc but enhances the player’s performance related to navigating menus and scrolling through music, movies, and pictures. Well something is always better than nothing. For further information on updating, you can visit Zune.
Technology
TagCoby to flaunt portable mp3 micro system in Korea
Korean company Coby has popped up with its latest MP-C341, a portable mp3 micro system for home-use, featuring a unique Alarm function to give you a wake up call on your favorite song with a wise screen that displays the video of the song. Offering built-in 512MB/1GB memory, SD/MMC card slot, FM radio and voice recording, the new mp3 micro system can download and play mp3 files through USB port. You may connect the MP-C341 with other portable devices and can use it as an external speaker, owing to its AUX function. The portable mp3 also includes professional digital stereo earphones, USB cable, installation CD, detachable shoulder strap and 100-240V UL AC Adapter. It comes in a 11×3.3×3.3mm dimension. The MP-C341 is expected to hit the Korean market in January next year and you will have to pay about 80,000(KRW) for 512MB and 100,000(KRW) for 1GB model.
Coby to flaunt portable mp3 micro system in Korea
Korean company Coby has popped up with its latest MP-C341, a portable mp3 micro system for home-use, featuring a unique Alarm function to give you a wake up call on your favorite song with a wise screen that displays the video of the song. Offering built-in 512MB/1GB memory, SD/MMC card slot, FM radio and voice recording, the new mp3 micro system can download and play mp3 files through USB port. You may connect the MP-C341 with other portable devices and can use it as an external speaker, owing to its AUX function. The portable mp3 also includes professional digital stereo earphones, USB cable, installation CD, detachable shoulder strap and 100-240V UL AC Adapter. It comes in a 11×3.3×3.3mm dimension. The MP-C341 is expected to hit the Korean market in January next year and you will have to pay about 80,000(KRW) for 512MB and 100,000(KRW) for 1GB model.
Amazon to Launch its Own MP3 Store
Amazon had been of offering a huge range of varied goods like Electronics, Apparel, Computers and what not. Now they have decided to launch a MP3 store that exclusively sells the non-DRM tracks. The most exciting feature of this store will be that it will sell these tracks with variable prices. The customers will find this feature appealing and will find a good mp3 collection in a format that is good for all the devices. This strategy looks to be influenced by the impact of Microsoft’s announcement that made it clear about Zune not supporting it’s own PlayForSure DRM. Yahoo! Music, Napster, URGE and others based on PlayForSure have had a devastating effect on their business. This bold move by Amazon will help it make a good market and may give a tough fight to Apple’s iTunes market as Amazon promises to provide variable pricing to both major and indie labels which they had been demanding for long.
MyVu: Video Eyeglasses For iPod from MicroOptical
Video Eyeglasses are still in their development stages and some are planning to develop eyeglasses with Fiber Optics so that its only you who knows of the distinct feature of them. Well taking the development another step forward, MicroOptical has released MyVu Video Glasses for the iPod. Positives: The really cool glasses feature a viewing experience that can be compared to that of a 27-inch TV when viewed from a distance of 6-feet. A must buy device if you are bed ridden and are bugged up watching the same shows and movies on the traditional TV sets. It will be better if you upload some movies and some good numbers to your iPod and enjoy the show. The eyeglasses also feature a good set of noise isolating head phones for a complete theater experience, and a small pendant with which you can control the video of the display. At first you may find that the display has all washed out colors. This is due to the fact that the MyVu has been designed in such a way that you can also remain aware of your surroundings while you are enjoying your favorite movie. MyVu comes with an integrated battery that offers you enough juice to watch three full length movies without recharging it. When the package arrives you will get an installation guide and a cool pouch to keep your glasses scratch-free. The pouch also offers you enough space to store your iPod along with your glasses in it. Negatives: Along with some great technology integrated in the device there is also some scope for improvement. First of all you cannot adjust the colors of the display and it looks washed out some times. Secondly, the display’s quality is really poor if there is a lot of ambient lighting in the room. And you will have to reduce the lighting or go to a dark room for better viewing. And finally the device has a high price tag of $299 that according to me will fetch only a few buyers for the device.
MobiBLU flaunts Cubisto media player with 1GB and 2GB capacities
MobiBLU has popped up with the Cubisto that you may easily reckon as a colorless substitute for the Cube 2 (color screen). Supporting the MP3, WMA and WMA DRM formats, the Cubisto can accommodate Windows Media PlaysForSure as well. You may choose between the 1GB for $89.99 and the 2GB for 109.99. Though, the MobiBLU has cut down the price tag considerably but it comes with average storage and features and there isn’t much special to boast about. Even battery life does seem to have declined to 8 hours from 10 hours per charge. No words on availability.
iKaraoke confers your voice to your favorite music
There are many sweet voices that never come to the audiences as they fail to breach the walls of bathrooms. You must have heard many of such heart pouring voices around you. Focal in Japan is all set for the iKaraoke, an iPod accessory, featuring a mike and an FM transmitter that enables you to give your own voice to some seriously damn good music. It runs smoothly between the 76MHz and 90MHz range, wherever you travel or reside. The ‘vocal cut’ feature allows you to cut the voice of original singer on MP3 files to replace it with your own voice. You may present one set of iKaraoke to your friend who possess slightly better chords than you. No words on pricing but you may expect it to be there in the Japanese market by Christmas.
AOC flaunts Ultrathin V500 PMP on the Christmas Eve
The year 2006 has witnessed countless portable, slim and minute gadgets all the way through the year. A Chinese company, AOC introduced their latest PMP on the eve of the Christmas to close the year with yet another slim and sleek multimedia player. The hot V500 is marginally thicker than the ultraslim players available in the market. Major specs of new V500 are: 1) 128MB to 2GB of memory or capacities 2) 2.4-inch, 1600 TFT LCD 3) 320 4) 240 pixel 5) 10,000 colors 6) MP3, WAV, MPEG4, AVI, JPEG 7) FM radio 
Upgradeable firmware 9) Games 10) USB 2.0 connectivity 11) supports WIN98SE/ME, WIN2000, WIN XP Though, there is no exact information as regards the pricing and availability, you may expect V500 to hit the Chinese market soon for a reasonable cost.
Hacha and Spansion intros Hacha R280 PMP
The long awaited media player that was in the development stages from the last one year has finally been unveiled. The model has been developed by Hacha with some help from the world’s largest NOR provider Spansion. The Hacha R280 has a load of some outstanding features that include: 1) ARM926EJ-S 240MHz Processor 2) Built-in DSP and Java Accelerator 3) 16MB SDRAM upgradeable to 128MB 4) 2.83-inch QVGA display 5) Adobe Flash 6) Java Applications 7) Up to 30-hours of Battery Backup The availability and the price has not yet been disclosed by the company. But stay tuned for some more details ASAP.
Dyne to extend MP3 player series with Tuny 9 and Tuny 11
Dyne isn’t the big name that promptly comes to you, though they already have released eight Tuny players. Cherishing the Christmas festival, the company has proclaimed its two latest players, the Tuny 9, and the Tuny 11 (through their website) that they earlier showcased at CeBIT and CES. As far as Tuny 9 is concerned, it presents a 2″ display with 260K colors and 176 x 220 px resolution. Offering 18 hours of audio battery life and 8 hours for video together with lithium-polymer battery, the Tuny 9 can play MP3, WMA, OGG audio, MP4 video at 10 FPS as well. Other major specs of Tuny 9 are: 1) 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB models 2) 45 x 82 x 14 mm 3) FM Radio 4) Voice, FM, and Line-in recorder (in MP3 format) 5) Bluetooth capability 6) Supports TV out Whereas, Tuny 11 is as sleek as Apple’s nano and designed quite similar to Median’s M-Cody M30, but its poor 8 hours battery backup for MP3′s and 3 hours for video is nowhere near to the mighty players. Offering 1.7″ display with 65K colors and 128 x 160 px resolution, the Tuny 11 also can play MP3, WMA, and WAV audio, SMV video. Its other important features are: 1) 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB models 2) 80 x 36 x 7.9 mm 3) Lithium-polymer battery 4) FM radio 5) Voice recorder Though, no exact information of pricing is available right now, we may expect Tuny’s to hit the Korean market for a reasonable cost soon.