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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Popularity: 6% [?]

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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Popularity: 7% [?]

Windows Marketplace for Mobile is getting ready to launch. With the blastoff date less than two weeks away, Microsoft provided an enthusiasm-building announcement to prepare for the launch.

Todd Brix is (get ready for this title) The Senior Director for Mobile Platform Services Product Management at Microsoft. His report on Tuesday provided a we’re-on-schedule update and promised a great new slate of applications to be available on Windows Marketplace for Mobile. In addition to the expected, he announced that users of the old mobile platform (Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1) would have access to the online store as well as users of the yet-to-be-released Windows Mobile 6.5, which is scheduled for availability this fall.
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Popularity: 6% [?]

Digital frames are popping up everywhere these days. Even my grandmother received one for her 85th birthday, right along with a pair of fuzzy, pink slippers. I’m pretty sure that even if she did know how to work it, it wouldn’t tweet. And yours probably can’t tweet, nor can it view pictures on Facebook, Flickr, or Picasa. But the new SilverFrame, the latest and greatest digital photo frame from SilverPac, can do all of the above.

This 10.1-inch touchscreen-operated digital frame is Wi-Fi enabled and actually connects with several photo-sharing social networking sites. But really, it’s more like a mini computer than it is a digital frame. Windows CE 6.0 R2 is the operating system, supporting Windows Sideshow and Live FrameIt. It is also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing users to send images directly to the frame from their mobile phones. Additionally, the SilverFrame has USB ports and a multi-card reader, just in case you’re set on uploading pictures the old fashioned way. Images can be stored on the SilverFrame’s 1GB of onboard memory, and two 1.5W speakers provide impressive stereo quality sound. The SilverFrame even comes with an IR remote control and AC adapter.
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Popularity: 8% [?]

Verizon Claims It Will Sell the Pre in Six Months

As if yesterday’s news that AT&T plans to sell the Palm Pre weren’t enough to keep the Internet buzzing, Verizon’s Chief Operating Officer, Lowell McAdam just announced that his company plans to sell the Palm Pre as soon as six months from now. In addition to their plans to sell the Palm Pre, Verizon also announced that they plan to begin selling the new Blackberry Storm around the same time. That, of course, comes as no big surprise, as they were already the exclusive carrier since last year.

While AT&T and Verizon will most likely benefit from the shared sales of the promising-to-be-popular Pre, it is Palm that is will reap the greatest harvest. Allowing other companies to share in the selling (and having such a short-lived exclusive contract with Sprint) was a smart move on Palms’ part, which is already glowing in the 11 percent uptick of their shares. The increase in their shares came about after yesterday’s announcement that AT&T would also be selling. (By contrast, Sprint’s shares dropped by 3 percent.)
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Popularity: 6% [?]

AT&T is angling to keep its exclusive iPhone deal until 2011. The arrangement is set to expire this year, but the telecom giant would like to keep the blockbuster device tied to its network — and away from other wireless rivals.

According to the Wall Street Journal, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson wants Apple to stick with Ma Bell for an additional few years as the company continues to expand and strengthen its wireless network. Stephenson plans to embrace wireless service as customers’ primary telephone service — he wants customers to be able to use a cell phone in a service bundle instead of a landline, for example. Because iPhone users tend to be extensive users of AT&T’s data service, AT&T likes keeping the device around to help “future proof” their infrastructure.
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Popularity: 4% [?]

SanDisk has taken this idea of digital music and ran with it. They have just introduced slotMusic, which plays on microSD cards. Because of the failed attempt to control or stop illegal downloading of music they decided to release a DRM free format for mp3 albums. Many big named record labels have already signed on like Sony BMG, BMI Music, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group.

Over forty artists are available now including Chris Brown, Coldplay, Daughtry, Katy Perry, Nickelback, and Tim McGraw. They also released some classic albums by ABBA, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and KISS. The 1GB microSD album is priced at $15, which includes high-quality (320kbps) MP3s, artwork, videos, and other digital content. Here is a Press Release from SanDisk talking more about the artists and the slotMusic microSD cards.
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Popularity: 8% [?]

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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Popularity: 6% [?]

All of the new features that have been added to the Apple iPhone 3G are great but wouldn’t you rather have a battery you don’t have to charge every 5 minutes? Sources say they are not sure if the battery life is any shorter on the new iPhone, but it may have to do with the faster Internet or all the new applications built in. But whatever the cause is, I have some simple tips to make your battery last a little longer, without sacrificing any of your precious web surfing time.

1. Lower the Brightness - The iPhone 3G is brighter than the original iPhone, but do your self a favor and crank it down to 10 - 20%. Go to Settings, then Brightness.

2. Turn off your Wi-fi - If you are not using your Internet constantly, turn off your wi-fi connection. Also, you should disable the new wi-fi network scanner. This will save some of your valuable power bars. I would do the same with your Bluetooth option. Go to Settings then Wi-Fi.

3. Only use 3G when you are ready - Just use EDGE when you are checking email, the weather, and other simple tasks. Turn on 3G when you are surfing, watching videos, or downloading apps. Apple should have made this happen automatically but they didn’t so try it out. Go to Settings then General then Network.

4. Don’t use vibrate when playing games - If the game allows you to turn it off, then that is one more way you can save a little juice. Most games you will not even notice when it’s off.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

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.

Popularity: 18% [?]