http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/tags/Blue/default.aspxTags: BlueenCommunityServer 2008 SP1 (Build: 30619.63)http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/09/16/zune-3-0-has-arrived.aspxWed, 17 Sep 2008 01:58:00 GMTd5e57398-b9ef-4490-9955-07cbb4e4a80d:501464Brandon LeBlanc3http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=501464http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/09/16/zune-3-0-has-arrived.aspx#commentsAs was announced last week - the Zune Team rolled out their Zune 3.0 release today consisting of updated Software and Firmware which is now available for all to enjoy at the updated <A href="http://www.zune.net/" mce_href="http://www.zune.net/">Zune.net</A> website. <A href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunesoftware/download.htm" mce_href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunesoftware/download.htm">Click here</A> to go directly to the Zune 3.0 software download page. Once you download and install the Zune 3.0 software, your Zune device once it's connected will be offered new firmware. You can now enjoy new features such as <B>Channels</B>, <B>Personal Picks</B>, <B>Mix View</B>, <B>Buy from FM</B> and more. Oh and the new Now Playing screen is pretty slick too! Also hitting store shelves as we speak are 2 new Zune devices: the <A href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zuneplayers/zune16gb/default.html" mce_href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zuneplayers/zune16gb/default.html">Zune 16</A> and <A href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zuneplayers/zune120gb/default.html" mce_href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zuneplayers/zune120gb/default.html">Zune 120</A>. And the Zune 8 is now available in shiny blue-on-silver. As readers of the blog are aware, I've expressed keen interest in picking up a Blue Zune 8. And I did! To celebrate today's Zune 3.0 release I figured I'd post some unboxing shots of the new blue Zune 8. <P><B>The Box</B></P> <P><B></B><A title="Blue Zune 8 Box by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863317987/" mce_href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863317987/"><IMG alt="Blue Zune 8 Box" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2863317987_a0c53b1e42_t.jpg" width=67 height=100 mce_src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2863317987_a0c53b1e42_t.jpg"></A></P> <P><B>Opening the Zune 8 Box</B></P> <P><B></B><A title="Unboxing Blue Zune 8 2008-09-15 005 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863318767/"><IMG alt="Unboxing Blue Zune 8 2008-09-15 005" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2863318767_a64e33a01a_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Zune Manuals by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2864153310/"><IMG alt="Zune Manuals" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2864153310_752ba7b51c_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Removing the Zune Manuals by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863321197/"><IMG alt="Removing the Zune Manuals" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2863321197_9dfeddce47_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Welcome to the Social by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863321699/"><IMG alt="Welcome to the Social" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2863321699_58ac989183_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Unpacking Zune Accessories by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2864155202/"><IMG alt="Unpacking Zune Accessories" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2864155202_19915d10af_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A><BR><A title="Opening Zune Accessories Box by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863322759/"><IMG alt="Opening Zune Accessories Box" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2863322759_0ccdcb4f9b_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Sync Cable and Headphones by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863323315/"><IMG alt="Sync Cable and Headphones" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2863323315_fdf42f258e_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Text on inside of Zune Accessories Box by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863323799/"><IMG alt="Text on inside of Zune Accessories Box" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2863323799_19e74e19ee_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Colored Zune Headphone ear buds by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863324315/"><IMG alt="Colored Zune Headphone ear buds" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2863324315_8b5014bf01_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A></P> <P><B>Unboxed</B></P> <P><B></B><A title="The Blue Zune 8 Unboxed by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863324987/"><IMG alt="The Blue Zune 8 Unboxed" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2863324987_887dbd5075_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A></P> <P><B>The BLUE Zune 8</B></P> <P mce_keep="true"><A title="The BLUE Zune 8! by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863319843/"><IMG alt="The BLUE Zune 8!" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2863319843_38e2e65221_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="The Blue Zune 8 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2864152350/"><IMG alt="The Blue Zune 8" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2864152350_5ea97a39cf_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Side view of Blue Zune 8 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863325907/"><IMG alt="Side view of Blue Zune 8" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2863325907_14b9e3d1ec_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Blue Zune 8 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863325483/"><IMG alt="Blue Zune 8" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2863325483_116490184a_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A></P> <P>I also did some shots comparing the Blue Zune 8 with a Black Zune 8 and a Zune 80. Take a look:</P> <P mce_keep="true"><A title="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863326729/"><IMG alt="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2863326729_f6d7c9511d_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2863327181/"><IMG alt="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2863327181_05763a817a_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A> <A title="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80 by brandonleblanc, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleblanc/2864160724/"><IMG alt="Comparison: Zune 8 (Black), Zune 8 (Blue, and Zune 80" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2864160724_994d23a5cf_t.jpg" width=100 height=67></A></P> <P>Zumerama does an <A href="http://www.zunerama.com/2008/09/first-look-zune-16gb-player/" mce_href="http://www.zunerama.com/2008/09/first-look-zune-16gb-player/">unboxing of a Zune 16</A> and Paul Thurrott <A href="http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/zune120_photos.asp" mce_href="http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/zune120_photos.asp">unboxes the Zune 120</A>. Jason Dunn from Zune Thoughts also <A href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90574/visiting-zune-hq-for-the-zune-3-0-briefing.html" mce_href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90574/visiting-zune-hq-for-the-zune-3-0-briefing.html">discusses his recent trip</A> to Zune Headquarters in Redmond which is also worth a read. </P> <P>The Zune 16 is available in stores in all black however today it was announced that people can order different colored Zune 16's exclusively via <A href="http://www.zuneoriginals.net/" mce_href="http://www.zuneoriginals.net/">Zune Originals</A>. Zune Originals will offer the Zune 16 in blue, red, pink and green as an online exclusive only. New artwork will also be hitting Zune Originals as well!</P> <P>To help users utilize the new wireless functionality in their Zune devices - the Zune Team is <A href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/sep08/09-16EveryZuneUpdatePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases" mce_href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/sep08/09-16EveryZuneUpdatePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases">also announcing today</A> that it is working with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport Inc. to offer Zune users <EM>free wireless access</EM> to the Zune Marketplace from more than 9,800 participating McDonald's restaurants across the United States. </P> <P>I'm always looking to discover new music. Add me as a friend on the Zune Social and let me know of some new music I should try out. </P> <DIV> <DIV id=zunecard_small class=zunecard></DIV> <DIV><EMBED id=flashUserCard height=135 name=flashUserCard type=application/x-shockwave-flash width=250 src=http://zcards.zune.net/xweb/lx/swf/zunecardmedium.swf flashvars="baseURL=http%3a%2f%2fzcards.zune.net%2fzcard%2fusercardservice.ashx%3flcid%3d1033%26src%3dexternal%26zunetag%3dLord%2bRomulox" salign="tl" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#FFF"></DIV> <DIV></DIV></DIV> <P mce_keep="true">&nbsp;</P><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://windowsteamblog.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=501464" width="1" height="1">Featured NewsDigital MediaZuneMusicZune 8ReleaseZune 3.0Blue