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Microsoft Launches the Zune
Doug-W writes to mention an Engadget post about Microsoft's launch of the Zune. From the article: "Not a lot of surprises in the specs department, but they've confirmed the basics we've known for a while, like WiFi, 30GB of HDD, built-in FM, a 3-inch screen and the basic music, pictures and video playback. They also finally let slip the screen res -- an unsurprising QVGA -- and some better news on the codec front: the Zune supports h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA. As for ballyhoo, wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing is where the real action is at, and it works pretty much like we've been hearing: you can share a full-length track with a friend, and they've got three times to listen to it over a three day period, after which they can flag the song for purchase on the Zune Marketplace -- unless they're an unlimited 'Zune Pass' subscriber, of course."
Mentioned is mp3 support for the new Zune... which brings to mind a question, what is an assumption about mp3 support? This is related to a recent "panic" when I found the version of Winamp I was ripping from only allowed me to create VBR mp3s, and I was not sure if my player supported VBR. Nowhere on the web could I find mention it supported anything other than simply "mp3", though it is a very new machine.
Short of ripping some tracks and transferring to give a listen I had no idea. Thankfully, my player does support mp3 VBR, though I've yet to confirm the rest of the players in the household also do.
The reason I ask, I've come to the conclusion unless something is explicitly stated , you cannot make any assumptions about functionality, or even "accessories" for that matter.
Consider, the player I have, which I absolutely love, so much so, I bought another for our daughter. Interestingly and to our surprise, the exact same player came in a smaller box. I figured better packing. Hmmmm, nope. The unit now comes without the AC adaptor for recharging. You can only charge the new units with the power from the USB connection unless you order the AC charger as an extra.
I know this wanders a bit off topic, but, I just wonder how many others have experienced the assumed, e.g., "VBR" compatibility for an mp3 device to find it can't paly VBR.
That aside, gotta love some of the comments on the article page -- e.g., one complains about Apple needing to also get a wide screen for their device... funny, I guess "wide screen" can be a fairly relative description.
Like a shit with a Canadian $5 bill smushed in the middle. Appropriate.
Trolling is a art,