Zune 2.0

The new Zunes have arrived, and the colors aren’t the only things that have been updated. Here’s everything you need to know about the new line-up:

The Devices

• 80GB hard drive model = $249
• 80 GB model  has 3.2-inch screen, but only comes in black.
• 30GB Zune isn’t being eliminated and will be offered at $199.
• 30 GB Zune gets Wireless Sync, the upgraded Zune to Zune transfer, and the recorded TV content to go, same codec support as the 80GB.
• 30 GB Zune will still be available in brown!
• The 4GB and 8GB flash-based models are $149 & $199 for (respectively).
• The flash-based Zunes come in pink, green, black and red, and are the smallest
• The Zune Pad (the big button) is touch sensitive, like the iPod’s Click Wheel
• Additional video codec support -  h.264 and MPEG4. You don’t have to convert everything to WMV.
• Zune and Zune Software now supports lossless audio
• The sharing feature has been expanded - you can send music and “other media” to other Zunes.
• Shared songs have no expiration date.
• Shared songs can be shared again with other people.
• Shared songs still have the 3-play limitation.
• All the old accessories are compatible with the new devices…
• Except…new Zune dock offers component out with the 80GB, composite out with the 30GB, and no video out for the 4/8.
• Screens are now made of glass as opposed to plastic in the 30GB
• Flash Zunes, even though smaller, have the same resolution as the 80GB Zune.

The Software

• Zunes do wireless syncing with your computer automatically when you’re in Wi-Fi range
• Wireless syncing will automatically sync one minute after activity is stopped as long as you’re in Wi-Fi range and attached to a power source
• You can manually trigger the Wi-Fi sync as well even without being connected to power
• Syncing will interrupt any activity you’re currently doing.
• Zunes will automatically import recorded content from Windows Media Center (so you can take your TV shows to go)

The Store (Zune Marketplace)

• Videos are now in the Zune Marketplace
• New music, some of which is DRM-free.
• One million songs are DRM-free.
• Zune Marketplace has 3 million songs total.
• No Wi-Fi Store
• Zune Pass (the monthly subscription scheme) work with the 1 million DRM free songs, but all songs you download with the Zune Pass will still be wrapped in DRM to be recognized as a rental.
• Zune Marketplace has music videos now, but no movies.
• Zune Marketplace has podcasts.

The Social Network

• Zune now has a social social-networking site and you don’t have to own a Zune to join.
• There will be community-generated charts to see what’s popular right now in the Zune community.
• Zune Social will launch in beta in November
• You won’t be able to send songs through Zune Social - just 30-second clips of what you’re listening to
• “Zune Cards” are web widgets that “reflect your musical preferences,” based on the music you listen to.
• The card can have custom pictures and backgrounds.
• They display your currently played song.
• You can also browse other people’s cards and sample the standard 30-seconds of the song to see if you like it.

Information here summarized from Gizmodo, and Gizmodo, and Engadget