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23

During preparation of an event had the opportunity to take this photo of 23 Nokia Nseries computers (or phones as they used to be called)

Coming Zune

OK, so this seems to be the Microsoft answer to the Apple iPod monopoly. ZUNE
As we could expect the device is not much different from the Apple version. Form factor and especially the required buttons are kind of default set. Ofcourse one thing which is missing are the button ctrl-al-del. Reminds me of images of Windows CE mobiles years back which showed these 3 buttons prominantely present in order to reset the device.
On the posivitive side I read it might have WLAN and some sharing and community aspects. These would be great!

Let's see what's coming to us to next view months

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Zune: what we know, think we know, and don't yet know

 

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Ok, so we got off the horn with Microsoft just a few minutes ago and realized that making heads or tails of all this Zune stuff is probably driving some of you crazy . (We know others are probably just getting driven crazy by all the posts we've been writing about it. Sorry, it's our job!) So here's what we know for sure, think we know according to inside sources (i.e. yet unconfirmed information), and what we don't yet know at all about the Zune.

What we know (for sure)

• Zune is the name of the project, the brand, and the device.


• The first Zune device will be launched this year, with more devices to come in 2007.


• The Zune brand encompasses not only the device, but the software that will drive it, as well as a music, movie, and media service the Zune device family will use for acquiring, sharing, and discovery of said media. Music will be the first angle of service that is launched, "connected entertainment" being the ultimate goal.


• The Zune media service will heavily leverage community aspects and recommendation; emphasis is being placed on using Zune to discover new artists, media, etc.


• The Zune media device will be drive-based, and have WiFi.


• The Zune brand is intended to be an entirely vertically integrated end-to-end solution, not unlike the iPod / iTunes / iTunes Music Store triumvirate.


• The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover.


• Zune is under Microsoft's new Entertainment & Devices Division, and is headed by, among others, Robbie Bach, J Allard (Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect), and Bryan Lee (Corporate Vice President and CFO, Entertainment and Devices Division), which accounts for the division of this project from the rest of Microsoft, similar to how the Xbox project was also strictly separated.


• The logo we had is, of course, real.


• Microsoft's launched the Zune's viral marketing site. [Thanks, bv]

What we think we know (and are pretty sure of)

• They'll be showing off the device by the end of next month, and will aim for a November release.


• Microsoft will buy your way out of iTunes in order to convert you to a Zune user.


• The Zune will come in multiple colors.


• Pyxis is the codename for their nano competitor which would also include video capabilities; Alexandria is the codename for the software that powers the Zune experience.


• A Microsoft portable gaming system is in the works, and will be a part of the Zune family. This device should have Xbox Live Anywhere integration. This may or may not be an Xbox co-branded portable, but is probably going to be the portable gaming / media device we've been hearing about for years.


• Microsoft's ad campaign will include a Super Bowl commercial.


• The Zune will have a bevy of accessories at launch; it'll probably be cheaper for accessory makers to develop for the Zune port than pay the Made For iPod tax.

What we don't yet know

• Whether the Zune media service will offer the same kind of all-you-can-eat subscription media services as PlaysForSure media services like Napster and Vongo. Supposedly subscription will be offered, but downplayed in favor of song purchase (which is the opposite of most PlaysForSure services).


• Whether you'll actually only be limited to sharing with up to 10 people nearby, as rumored, and that they won't get the protected files, but will "bookmark" them for later purchase.


• Exact device specifications for the first Zune device, as well as its price (though we hear it could be as much as $399).


• Whether it'll include XM and/or Sirius service as rumored (we doubt it).

Let the analysis begin!

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[via Engadget]

Zypad wrist computer

This link in the Dutch Magazine Elektuur shows a futuristic wrist-computer, the Zypad.

Via the dutch reseller BESD it leads to an Italian manufacturer called Eurotech. Here is the product page and spec sheet

Available in Windows CE or Linux version it houses a small touch screen with pen, WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, mini-SD memory slot and much much more. Last but not least a "tilt and dead reckoning system" (if user is not moving for long time a beacon signal can be send out to a server in order to alert somethin gis wrong). Look for yourself on the spec sheet, pretty impressive nifty little machine.

Maybe something for Kraftwerk to use and show on one of their upcoming shows??
or do we stick to the thought of "beam me up Scotty!"

Flickr Uploader for Nokia N72 (and N70, N90)

WoW! Since I am still eagerly awaiting to get and use a N73 or N93 this is THE opportunity to experience the Nokia Online Sharing tool. Installed it right away on my N90. Had to install both the .sis as well as the .cfg in my N90, but than it worked! Uploaded to my flick page.

But web2.0 world is'n't web2.0 world if you cant mess around with the settings. So why not use the ATOM protocol to use this upload tool for my typepad as well? Settings entered I could straight post to my typepad atom feed, without using my beloved Lifeblog application. neat ain't?

Flickr Uploader for Nokia N72 (and N70, N90)

Nokia has released the Flickr uploading tool for the Nokia N72. Although unsupported, it also works on the Nokia N70 and N90. The tool allows you upload images to Flickr from  both the built-in Camera and Gallery applications. You can configure the upload to send the original or a medium or small-sized image.

[via All About Symbian - News]

N72 Online Share app. test

According to the Nokia support site intended for use with Flickr, but if you have a typepad account than nobody is stopping you from playing with the settings, right? So this photo uploaded from my N90 using the N72 Online Sharing application.

CIDI as an coffee alternative for MIDI

Coffee rulz!
Just installed my espressomachine in my kitchen and pressurized that magnificent machine.
Made a tastefull espresso for myself and a creamy cappucino for my wife.
Than I read this article on BoingBoing... flashbacks to my old C64 with my 16kB memory extension card and the sleepless assembly programming nights.

Wondered: did I now buy the right coffee machine, does it have any digital interface, e.g. CIDI as an coffee alternative for MIDI?? anyway coffee still rulz

Vintage tech: Commodore 64 espresso maker plugin

Xeni Jardin: Scanned from a 1985 issue of the Italian computer magazine Microcomputer: a coffeemaker timing device for the Commodore 64. Link (thanks, Señor Tonto)

[via Boing Boing]

S60 Podcast

Bernardo pointed out this excellent podcast on the s60 site. Great interviews about my beloved mobile OS.

Voice of S60 Podcast

 

If you haven’t subscribed to the Voice of S60 podcast, you should. It’s the best way to get some expert insight on the world’s leading smartphone platform. And now it’s way easier - the iTunes issues were fixed and you can subscribe to the feed there.

On today’s episode, an interview with Elice Endsedt, S60 Usability Expert.

[via Rawsocket]