The Kicker zKICK ZK500 in High Resolution

http://www.kicker.com/06/kicker_home.html

I like speakers that sound good, speakers that have a bit of muscle; that's why I just wasn't all that impressed with the Altec Lansing M604. I've written about the zKICK ZK500 from Kicker before, but since it was hard to make out much detail about the unit from the video I took at CES (YouTube and their low-res quality), I thought I'd upload some sweet high-resolution images.


[click the image above for the 2000 pixel wide JPEG, 879 KB]


[click the image above for the 2000 pixel wide JPEG, 802 KB]

I can't wait to check one of these out when they start shipping!

Zune Desktop Software 2.3 Fixes Explained

Well, well - it seems that 2.3 software update contains more than just a few little fixes - there's some very significant stuff in the update. I've re-published the list here for your convenience.

"Key Marketplace fixes

* Allow users to view top music videos in marketplace
* Misc improved error messaging including splitting sign-in issues into 4 separate errors for customer and support benefit
* Resolved most cases where retrieval of subscription download history stalls
* Better handling of accounts that have expired credit cards
* Podcasts with spaces in their name can now be subscribed to
* Marketplace no longer blocks explicit content purchases when parental controls are set to allow
* Points balance label is now updated when user purchases new points

Key Player UI fixes

* Allow zooming in/out (2x, 4x, fullscreen) during video playback to prevent stretched playback
* Ability to switch Zune to GDI mode through command-line parameter

Key Podcast fixes

* Allow subscriptions to podcasts larger than 10MB
* Fixed some parsing errors that prevented some podcasts from syncing to the device
* Fixed bug where podcasts were unsubscribing themselves

Key Setup fixes

* Fixed numerous bugs affecting build to build upgrades
* Improved installation for users accessing from corporate networks
* Fixed driver uninstall failures
* Included device 2.3 firmware in client download
* Failure in creating system restore point no longer blocks client installation

Key Sync fixes

* Fixed issues with reverse sync
* Fixes issues with sync meter UI showing incorrect information as to what is on the device
* Fixed issues using wireless sync with multiple devices to the same PC
* Fixed a few different issues setting up wireless sync
* Device is no longer being reported as full even after deleting large file from device
* Device content is no longer being turned into guest content when it shouldn’t be
* Content with bad metadata now shows properly so it can be removed from device
* Turning off “autolaunch when a Zune device is connected” no longer prevents “Sync Now” from working from a wirelessly connected device
* Podcast bookmarking is now transferred/saved to the device
* Wireless sync connection continues to work after rebooting host computer
* Unsubscribe podcast from device now works properly
* Changing album art in the client now updates the device as well
* Duplicate tracks are no longer synced to the device twice

Key Xbox Streaming bug fixes

* Xbox Streaming now monitors the rip folder if user changes default location
* No need to reinstall client to fix Xbox Streaming when upgrading from XP to Vista

Key Infrastructure fixes

* Vista x64 customers can now get to web help from error messages
* Client no longer crashes if database is corrupted

Key Library fixes

* Changes in pictures or video metadata made outside client will now get updated in the library
* UI is now smoother during file groveling
* When a track is added to an album we will now always update the track on disc
* User can now update album art for marketplace tracks
* 'Unknown Artist' metadata is no longer written to files when writing out user edit of album name
* Renaming an artist now more reliably keeps the change
* Two different copies of the same album no longer get duplicated down to one when it shouldn’t
* Access violation no longer occurs when checking song properties in the burn list
* Multi-disc albums imported from iTunes no longer show in the client as a single disc album
* Thumbnails for video content now extract on XP properly."

from Zune Thoughts.com

CES 2008: Gates delivers his last keynote

Microsoft Corporation co-founder and chairman Bill Gates keynoted Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada with a variety of announcements. He announced that this will be his final CES appearance as a keynote speaker and described what he envisions the second digital decade to be.

A lengthy and comedic video presentation was shown to the eager crowd describing what life will be like for Gates after he steps down from regular Microsoft employee responsibilities. There were spoofs of pursuing a musical career, a movie career, and even a newscasting career.

Proceeding to more serious matters, Gates said that there are three essential elements for the next ten years of information technology. First, he stressed the importance of proliferating high-definition video everywhere. Second, Gates emphasized that HD video will go hand in hand with easier, faster, and more accessible connectivity over the Internet. Finally, he drew a picture of technology adopting a more natural interface for ease of use.

On the third point, Gates pointed to touch screen and voice recognition technology as tools in the revolution at hand. He described a world wherein users will be able to use technology with friendlier controls than ever.

Gates said that at the center of all this will be Windows Vista and Windows Mobile technologies. Microsoft believes that mobile phones and PCs will be important pillars in the next generation of electronics.

Gates was then followed by top Microsoft exec Robbie Bach who announced a partnership between the Microsoft Xbox Live online service and top media entities. The Xbox 360 game console is touted as the next big thing in the entertainment scene with its ability to download high-definition videos.It will also be host for IPTV programming.

There are many more details on the Bill Gates keynote address for CES 2008. You can browse through raw notes by following the link below. Stay with us for more on CES 2008.

Zune 2.3 Firmware Includes Great Podcast Support

The Zune 2.3 firmware upgrade brought some very cool Podcasting features that, simply, aren't getting enough attention.

As mentioned in Zune-Online, subscribe and unsubscribe options are now made available with all Podcast files.

How does this work? It's fabulous.

If someone shares a Podcast with you and you like what you hear, you can subscribe to the Podcast right within the Zune device. The next time you sync up your device with the player, you will be subscribed to that content.

And the converse is true as well. If you don't like what you've got, you can unsubscribe from the device too.

Great job Zune team. This device continues to get better and impress us more and more.

Firmware Update 2.3

Zune will be issuing a firmware. There are no new features in this update, but it does address some issues we’re reading about in the forums. Specifically the battery issue affecting a small percentage of Zune 30/80 GB users - this update provides some performance improvements:

• Improved device recognition
• Improved stability and reliability on sync (both wirelessly and while connected to a PC).

from Zune Insider

Zune 80 in the CNet Prizefight

Donald Bell, Jasmine France, and Josh Lowensohn at CNet do a comprehensive review and comparison of Zune 80 vs iPod Classic.Kudos for the team at CNet for doing a thorough review - in the areas of Navigation, Sexiness, Compatibility, Sound and Science, and Wallet Factor. As for the winner? Well, clickthrough to the article to find out!

from Zune Insider

7 Ways Zune Beats iPod?

The Zune 2 system, simply, is gorgeous. It’s better for the consumer in a number of way that, at this point, the iPod simply can’t touch.

Of course the best part about competition is that Apple will respond to all of these issues in future releases. The entire portable media player space just got a lot more serious now that Microsoft is so serious about the portable media player space.

But here they are – Zune got ‘em and iPod don’t. There are more, it's just that seven seems to work in pieces like these.

Podcast as top-level entry. It always bugged me that Podcasts were a “category” in music (or video) in the iPod. That was just so wrong on so many levels that it is great to see that cleaned up. Don’t get me wrong, I have music and Podcasts on my Zune - there is just a time and place for everything (and now they both have their place).

Bonus – I can now shuffle music content and not worry that an episode of the Bitterest Pill will show up in the mix.

Wireless sync. I love people with $300+ media center docking stations for their iPod who still have to disconnect and move their iPod every time they want new content on their player. Us Zune types don’t now. It is 2007 and it’s time to let wireless do what it was meant to do.

Bonus – Park your car in the garage and hit a quick sync on your Zune. You’ll have the latest stuff when you pull out for your next errand. Podcast sync just grew up.

Wireless sharing. There is a point to this that is obviously moot unless there is another Zune owner in the room but Microsoft’s focus will keep that from becoming a problem soon. Now I can really check out why Jacket Brown is so into CSS.

Bonus – Next trend in viral marketing for new media content? You read it here first.

Subscription music. This has always been a killer app for portable media players but implementation has always been sub-par. That changes with the new Zune.

Bonus – mix wireless sharing with subscription music and their online social network and we might just see that “future of music” we kept hearing/reading about.

Xbox integration. Xbox’s market share is impressive. Being able to both plug your Zune into an Xbox and being able to stream subscription music and Podcasts to your Xbox not only makes the Apple TV concept a little silly but give you a great excuse to own a Gears of War machine.

Bonus – Once you start consuming media through your Xbox (minus Halo of course), you’ll start investigating other cool elements that Apple ain’t got either (like Vongo and Amazon Unbox).

Free upgrade. When has Apple ever added something new to the iPod and helped a previous owner upgrade at no charge? I pray this is the future of the portable media player.

Bonus – Closeout 30 gig Zunes and a generous 3-device allowance on the Zune software means you’re going to quickly see multi-Zune families.

Radio. I seldom listen to radio but found myself in the gym watching a news clip on the monitor that caught me eye. They do that broadcast the audio on FM thing so I switched over quickly, got my fix and went from there. 3 minutes of usage total – but it was nice to have.

Bonus – We live in crazy world where a radio nearby is never a bad thing. Usage will continue to plummet but having that option in the case of an emergency is a comfort (and a reason to hawk your “other” radios on eBay.

It’s been awhile (long time?) since I’ve been thrilled with a Microsoft product.

I’ve always love my iPods and thank Jobs for letting us strap a jukebox to our belt. But, there is a new game in town that has just kicked things up a very serious notch.

from Zune Luv

New Zunes get unboxed, reviewed, and Microsoft firms up plans

Well Zuneinites, the new models are primed and ready for store shelves tomorrow, but we've got first looks and reviews today. As Microsoft's new media players make their way into the hands of eager beavers across the internets, we're here for you, picking up the pieces and putting it all together. As it stands right now, we've got videos and reviews from a number of sources, including (but not limited) to: CNET, Zune Thoughts, and Zunerama. All of the sites currently have unboxing videos and / or reviews of the new units, and Zune Thoughts even has an informative video on some firmware update problems they discovered with the Zune 80. Some interesting Zune Marketplace info has also come out, including details that the DRM-free track cost will be $.99, or 79 Microsoft Points (the same as pricing on protected tracks). Additionally, we've received the official word from Microsoft on the Zune Originals, as well as all the confirmation you'll ever need that the Zune-bomb really does drop tomorrow. Hold on to your hats folks, it's going to be an exciting week.

Read -- CNET First Look: Zune (second generation, 80GB, black)
Read -- Zune Thoughts
Read -- Zunerama: Full Zune 2 coverage
Read -- Microsoft Unveils Device Customization via New Zune Originals Store, New Zune Players

from Engadget

Zune Originals

Zune's next move takes their support of emerging artists and literally puts it on their sleeve. Zune Originals is a collection of 27 original works by 18 international artists designed to be engraved onto the back of the device. On the Zune Originals site, visitors will be able to customize their Zune by size, color, illustration and with up to four optional lines of text—all free of charge, at least for the time being.

Zune.net
Zuneoriginals.net

Zune Firmware 2.1, and Zune Marketplace Update is Online

Have Fun Playing with all the new stuff...

CNET Review Zune 80 Gets An 8.3 -- Excellent

Last November, Microsoft released the first-generation Zune to a predominantly iPod-toting nation. While the first-generation Zune is not without its devotees, the device came to epitomize Microsoft's awkwardness at marketing itself as hip. Having survived its freshman hazing, the Zune is back for its sophomore revenge, and the iPod has every reason to be frightened. With a new design, higher capacity, wireless sync capability, larger screen, and integrated support for audio and video podcasts, the new 80GB Zune ($249) is finally giving everyone a true alternative to the iPod.

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/...tag=prod.txt.3