Technology Blog

Zune 3 has been released by Microsoft on 16th Sep 2008. This update brings major changes to the Software, Device  & Marketplace. Below are the list of new updates which are now available with the addition of Zune 3.0.

Device Features:

New capacities
We’ve added 16GB and 120GB devices to the lineup, both with a glossy black front and a black metal back.

Buy from FM
Hear a song you like while listening to the radio on your Zune? Your device will identify it, and download it the next time you sync.

Browse Zune Marketplace wirelessly
Download music directly to your Zune: at home, at a café… wherever there’s a wireless hotspot.

Zune has partnered with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport to let customers wirelessly shop Zune Marketplace on their player at more than 9,800 McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S.

New Zune Originals
Even more designs for you to personalize your Zune.

Zune Channels
Combining the best features of podcasts and playlists, subscribe to channels by Billboard, The FADER, and radio stations like KROQ and KEXP.

Games
You can now play games on your Zune! Devices come preloaded with Texas hold ‘em and Hexic.

Audiobooks
One of our most-requested features is here: audiobooks on your Zune, from Audible.com and OverDrive.

Clock
You’ll never again wonder what time it is.

Read more about Zune players in our User’s Guide.

Software Features:

Mixview, Just for You, and Now Playing
Dynamic representations of your collection, as well as artist and song recommendations based on what you and other members of the Social are listening to.

Rich search functionality
Zune software will offer you suggestions as you type, helping you find the name of an artist or band even if you don’t know the correct spelling.

Social in the software
Set your favorite tracks, update your profile, change your status, and search for other Social members — all from within the software.

Read more about Zune software in our User’s Guide.

Social Features & Marketplace:

Windows Live Messenger integration
See your Windows Live Messenger contacts in the Social, and invite them to join with a click of the mouse.

New reputation badges
Get recognized for being a top reviewer or top forum poster.

E-mail notifications
Get a weekly digest of your friends’ activities and real-time notifications of new messages and comments.

More play data
In addition to number of total plays, now see how many times a track has been added as a favorite or sent to a friend.

Read more about the Social in our User’s Guide.

Discover music everywhere

• Buy from FM
• Tune into your favorite stations while on the go. Hear a song you like? Tag it for later purchase.
• Browse Zune Marketplace wirelessly
• Near a wireless hotspot? Shop for music and more right from your player.
• Social in the software
• Mark favorite tracks, update your profile, change your status, search for other members… all from within the software.

Download the Zune software. If you have a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, download the 64-bit version of the Zune software. Not sure what version you have? Click here.

Apple’s iPhone 3G is all set to rock the Indian market by the end of August or early September. The phone will be available through Vodafone and Airtel and only the 8GB model will be launched initially.

According to an anonymous source from Airtel, the iPhone 3G will carry almost the same softwares that are available in U.S. market, with some features customised to suit Indian tarrifs. Also the softwares will be available from App store with revised prices for the Indian consumers.

Initially, the 8GB model will be launched in India at an expected price between Rs. 11,500 and Rs. 12,000. The price does not include the data plan costs and import duty.

Most important of all, the 3G availability date has not yet been announced. 3G is a key feature of the iPhone. However, GPS will be present in the Indian version of the phone.

Airtel is the official carrier of iPhone 3G in India, but Vodafone has the 15 day launch advantage due to its global tie-ups. Still Airtel feels that Vodafone hasn’t been able to create the same impact on the prospective iPhone buyers, as Airtel has, with its aggressive marketing.

Both Vodafone and Airtel are allowing pre-orders, so it’s quite possible that the number of orders will easily surpass the quantity available.