Microsoft Zune third generation 16GB

The design of the flash memory Zune models offered in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities at $129.99, $149.99, and $199.99 respectively is almost entirely unchanged from the Zunes we reviewed last year. The face of the player is now covered with a glossy plastic that, although pretty, is more prone to smudges and scratches than the matte finish on last years model. The flash based Zune measures the same 3.6 inches by 1.6 inches by 0.33 inch as last years. Also, no changes have been made to the Zunes navigation controls, headphone jack, hold switch, dock connection, or 1.8 inch glass covered LCD.

Considering Apples strategy of altering its iPod design every fall (for better or for worse), its a little unnerving to see the Zunes hardware design at a standstill. The upshot of the Zunes lack of design tinkering is that it maintains the products compatibility with the handful of accessories designed for the player. The Zune comes packaged with a proprietary USB cable and a pair of earbuds with three sets of replaceable foam pads.

Features
The bulk of the third generation Zunes improvements are found by flicking through its main menu. New menu items for Games and Marketplace have been added alongside existing selections for Music, Videos, Pictures, Social, Radio, Podcasts, and Settings. The Zunes primary purpose as a high quality portable music player hasnt changed.

If anything, the enhancements offered by the third generation firmware have bolstered the unique music discovery and sharing features that have differentiated the Zune from the very beginning.

One of the more notable new features on the Zune is a Marketplace selection in the main menu that allows you to browse, preview, and download music directly from Microsofts Zune Marketplace online store. Within the Marketplace submenu you can choose between browsing Top Songs, Top Albums, and New Releases, or search for specific music by keying in a few letters. Songs can be previewed for 30 seconds with the option to add them to your virtual cart or purchase and download immediately.

By signing up for Microsofts Zune Pass music subscription service (a free 14 day trial is available), you can download unlimited music to your Zune for a flat fee of $15 a month. Otherwise, youll need to purchase songs a la carte by setting up a payment account in the Zune desktop software.

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Microsoft Offers 100 Credit For People Who Trade In PS3 For Xbox One

You can trade in your PS3 for $100 off an Xbox One, or you can just buy a PS4 that is already $100 less expensive (photo: jpghouse)

Want an Xbox One but you’re put off by the $499 sticker price? If you’re willing to part with your PS3 or certain newer models of the Xbox 360, and you live near a Microsoft store, there’s a deal you might be interested in.

Microsoft is currently offering a $100 trade-in credit for customers who bring in their old PS3, Xbox 360 E or Xbox 360 S (the two models still currently in production) to Microsoft stores and buy a new Xbox One.

That brings the Xbox One price down to $399, which matches the cost of Sony’s new PS4 console.

As The Verge points out, a new PS3 still goes for about $200 so trading in an old one for $100 in credit against a new console might be a better deal than you’re likely to get trying to sell the used console.

The Xbox 360 trade-in is trickier, as this offer is only limited to relatively newer models of the console, meaning those of us with 360s older than many elementary school kids are out of luck.

Of course, regardless of which console you trade in, you’re giving up access to all the games you purchased over the years, as the Xbox One is not backwards compatible, nor has Microsoft revealed specifics on a plan that would give Xbox One owners online or cloud-based access to all those games.

So PS3 owners with a decent library of games may just want to hold onto their consoles and spend $399 on a PS4 (when it has more than a handful of titles available to play).

by Chris Morran via Consumerist

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