Microsoft Updates Their Zune and Harware

We told you earlier that Apple wasn't the only one with news to announce on the 9th, and Microsoft didn't disappoint.  Microsoft released a couple interesting updates to both their Zune music player and their computer hardware accessories.  Microsoft hardware has come a long way, and it's now become one of the standards for gamers and hardcore computer users who demand a high level out of their computer parts.  There latest improvement is the use of BlueTrack Technology in their mice.  BlueTrack is being presented as the next evolution in optical tracking technology.  It allows a person to use their mouse on many different services, even if they are not a solid or consistent color or texture (no need for a mouse pad).  This may not seem that big but anyone that uses a mouse on the road will be happy, no more need to carry a mouse pad or find a nice clean surface to use.  It will even work on carpet, which is nice for some lazy Sunday browsing in your living room.  My favorite new hardware is the Arc Mouse (pictured above).  This is a mobile mouse that has an interesting fold up design that allows it to collapse for travel as well as storing its own wireless usb transceiver.

Next Up, we have the new Zune.  The only appearance different is that there is a new color available, blue, everything else is internal and software changes.  The flash Zune player (pictured right) is now available in both 8gb and 16gb versions for $149 and $199 respectively.  This is staying on par with Apple's new iPod Nano in price per gigabyte.  For the larger hard drive based Zune, Microsoft has bumped the storage from 80gb to 120gb.  Available for $249, this is also staying on par with Apple's iPod classic. 

The firmware update for the Zune is due to be released on September 16th and will be backwards compatible.  Meaning the firmware will be available for previous versions of Zune's as well as new ones (teaching an old dog new tricks).  This has become standard practice for Microsoft, as not to leave their early adopters in the dust, much unlike Apple.  The new software will feature "buy from FM" that allows users to listen to a song through the FM radio on the Zune, and then download the song they were just listening to through the Zune's wi-fi capabilities (hear it, download it).  A nice feature that one-ups the Apple wi-fi Music Store.  We'll see if this feature works as well in practice as it does in theory though.  The Zune is slowly but surely becoming a nice full featured device.  It offers certain upgrades on the iPod but seems to be lacking in the user interface and ease-of-use software that apple is known for.  Hopefully Microsoft can get their act together and make the Zune a true competitor to the iPod, in the portable media player market.