It looks like Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is finally showing Apple’s iPhone a little respect. After initially tearing into Apple’s device when it was first announced, Ballmer has now conceded that the iPhone and BlackBerry have a pretty firm grasp on the smartphone. Along with that, Ballmer also said that we shouldn’t hold our breath for a Zune Phone.
We kicked off the week with a review of HP’s MediaSmart EX487 Home Server, but after that brief dalliance with Microsoft it was Apple that caught most of the headlines. Much of it is rumor, of course, about what will launch at Macworld next week – A new unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro with integrated battery? A new Mac mini? An iPod touch HD tablet? – but the Dev Team gave us something more concrete with the release of yellowsn0w. If you’ve been waiting to unlock your iPhone 3G, now’s your chance.
Microsoft have responded to the spate of Zune 30 crashes, blaming a bug in the PMP’s code that leaves it unable to cope with the leap year. Since the problem will apparently reset itself on January 1st 2009, at noon GMT, the company is not planning an immediate fix; instead, users should follow instructions at the Zune forums which basically amount to letting the PMP’s battery expire and then restarting it.
Reports came flooding in stating that the 30GB Microsoft Zunes are killing themselves. This is not happening to just a few here and there either, it’s widespread. From what we gather there is some sort of weird bug that is somehow simultaneously killing all of the music players starting at 12AM.
Two new color variants of the Zune 120 PMP have been unveiled, the not entirely inspiring red and blue, in addition to the existing black model. Otherwise functionally identical, the new versions have silver touch-pad bezels and can be specified with the same choice of rear-panel patterns.
Microsoft execs may be denying that any self-branded cellphone is in development, but somebody connected with the company doesn’t seem to have got the same memo. CNBC’s Jim Goldman quotes “a good source” claiming Microsoft are combining the Zune and technology from Danger (the company behind the Sidekick) to create a device offering “true competition to the iPhone”. Codenamed “Pink”, a prototype could be finished in time to unveil at CES 2009 in January.
Microsoft have tweaked their Zune Pass subscription service to include a number of free-to-keep tracks every month, which users can continue to play even if their subscription lapses. From today, Zune Pass users will be able to select up to ten tracks each month to be kept in DRM-free MP3 format; the music can come from studios including EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group.
Microsoft have simultaneously cut the price of their flash-based Zune PMPs and launched version 3.1 of the media device’s firmware. Those unaffected by the lure of the iPod can now pick up a 4GB Zune for $99, down from $129, while the largest, 16GB Zune drops to $179 from $199.
Last year Microsoft launched their Halo 3 edition Zune in celebration of the release of what was one of the biggest Xbox 360 titles to date. This year they are doing it again with the release of the Zune Gears of War Special Edition Zune 120GB.
Microsoft have announced a special edition Gears of War 2 version of their Zune PMP, taking the 120GB version of their latest media player and branding it with the upcoming XBox 360 title. Set to launch at the same time as the game, on November 7th, the GoW2 Zune has a laser-etched Crimson Omen on the back, themed packaging and 244 pieces of preloaded game-related media.
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