Out with the Old Zune, In With the New Zune HD

The Zune is joining the ranks of cast-off technology as Microsoft rearranges its product line to keep pace with morphing media consumption. Paul Thurott recently blogged, “I met with the Zune folks today and one bit of information than I can discuss immediately is that the Zune HD will be the only device type going forward.”

Microsoft currently produces several models of the Zune: 4GB Zune, 8GB Zune, 16GB Zune, 80GB Zune, and the 120GB Zune. All models wil effectively be discontinued. A backward glance at Zune’s history reveals a rocky three years of difficult competition with other media producers. Launched in an unsuccessful attempt to dethrone Apple’s domination of the mobile media market (still unsuccessful), the Zune somehow managed to gain a sizeable following.
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Duracell has come a long way in the battery charging world and now is trying their hand in Smart Power charging stations. The Duracell myGrid eliminates wires all together and allows you to charge up to 4 devices at one time. It is compatible with Nokia, Motorola, Blackberry, and Apple products like the iPhone and iPod. All you need to do is attach a Power Sleeve or Power Clip to your devices and then when you need to charge just lay it on the ultra-slim power pad. The myGrid will automatically shut off when it is being touched and can detect when metal or moisture comes into contact. It will charge in the same amount of time as your standard charger but without all of the cords.

Duracell also has introduced some new portable battery chargers and other portable device chargers. Their new portable battery charger can recharge AA or AAA NiMH batteries in about 60 minutes. If you are interested in the myGrid it will hit the shelves in October for around $80. And the other 10 Duracell Smart Power devices are in stores now. Here is a Press Release from Duracell that goes over their new line up.
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In order to reinvent their already tiny mp3 player Apple has come out with a third generation iPod Shuffle. Going back to their original design only condensed down to smaller than a stick of gum. It holds 4 times as much as the second-generation model, now holding 4GB or 1000 songs.

Another new feature has moved all the controls to the ear bud headphones. This makes it impossible to use any other set of headphones that you might prefer. Crammed in the new control system you can play, pause, change playlist, adjust the volume, and are able to hear the artist and song title.

This model comes in a all aluminum case in two colors black or silver. It also features a stainless steel clip to attach it to your clothing. In order to compress the size of the case they had to sacrifice 2 hours of playback, which leaves you with a total of 10 hours of playback on one charge.
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Vuzix is stepping up their personal video eyewear by coming out with the first ever widescreen video goggles. The iWear AV310 will display a true 16:9 aspect ratio of a 52in screen viewed from 9 feet away. They look amazing and can run off a single AA battery for a full 5 hours. These new glasses are equipped with adjustable ear buds and hypoallergenic nosepiece that you can set to your comfort. Also will have an independent focus adjustment. Amazingly the visor only weighs less than 4 ounces.

Vuzix CEO Paul Travers said, “We are committed to providing our customers with the latest innovation in this exciting category and are delighted to provide the world’s first and only widescreen video eyewear.” Travers went on to say, “The revolutionary iWear® AV310 Widescreen is the ideal choice for the mobile consumer who’s craving a way to significantly enhance their portable viewing experience.”
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UPDATE: Seems we were informed wrongly. This is actually regarding the iPod TOUCH not the iPhone, though it is highly likely that it will actually break you into both devices. Either way it is about the version 1.1.2 firmware which HAS been hacked. You can get the direct dish over at TUAW. Our original coverage remains below for a little extra enjoyable reading.

The Brits have their release of the iPhone today and most were worried that the new iPhone firmware was going to mean they are pinned to O2 like a tail on a donkey for the foreseeable future.

Well it looks like they will for a few days, maybe less, but if you own an iPod Touch then you need not worry your noggins any longer as that crazy Erica Sadun just announced that the new version of the Firmware for the iPhone iPod Touch (version 1.1.2) has already been hacked like a Piñata.

If you want to check out the details and hack the 1.1.2 firmware on your iPhone iPod Touch then simply head over to TUAW for the juicy goodness.

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