The first rumor of a new Zune in development came our way in June and then last week a photo suggesting that a second version Zune was soon to be a reality surfaced. Now comes the biggest bit of gossip yet about the reality of Zune 2 courtesy of Zune Scene: their inside source tells them that Zune 2 will go on sale starting October 16. Isn’t that less than one month away? Hey Microsoft, you better wake up and announce this thing officially or are you just waiting until that wave of “Halo 3″ mania passes us by?

Zune Scene further establishes that the new Zunes will come in 4GB, 8GB and 80GB versions and that they will be available in red, black, pink and a green that best resembles the one found on …

Microsoft has announced the launch of its new Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 designed for use with notebook computers providing wireless mousing without the need for any transceiver sticking out of your USB port.

According to Microsoft, over half of the notebooks shipping next year are likely to have Bluetooth built-in, and a wireless Bluetooth mouse makes connectivity even more convenient than a traditional wireless mouse that requires a separate piece plugged into your notebook to receive the signal.

FairUse4WM has been fairly well known for its ability to the Windows Media DRM and with its latest version 1.3 it boasts to be able to completely remove the digital rights management restrictions from songs purchased from the Zune Marketplace; a feat to which it was previously unsuccessful.

This, like most of these situations, will likely be short lived. Microsoft is undoubtedly already well on there way with a new version of software for the Zune to combat the latest FairUse4WM version. But, until then you can use this to release your songs from the DRM clutches. If you’re too late for this version you’ll likely get another chance, that is until Microsoft figures out who the heck “viodentia”, (the FairUse4WM author) is.

via Electronista

Microsoft released news of a new keyboard and mouse combination targeting those that are at the computer for extended periods of time and could benefit from a more ergonomic design. The Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 bundles the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 with the Wireless Mouse 6000 together for a $150 package that should hit shelves in July.

Both components of the ergonomic desktop connect through 2.4 GHz RF-wireless connections with a USB receiver. The keyboard keys has a winged design which according to Microsoft will give your hands a more natural position while typing, and the mouse fits your hand “as naturally as a handshake”.

The mouse has a number of nice features including 4-way scrolling, an instant viewer to navigate between open windows (Alt-Tab too tough?), a magnifier to catch that small print and a both pieces have a battery life …

On June 10th Microsoft will be releasing a watermelon red version of its Zune media player. The new red color will be sold exclusively through Target and Amazon, and it looks to possibly be a limited edition version like the pink Zune with it’s 100,000 unit cap.

This watermelon Red Zune version joins the original colors of brown, black and white along with the pink version and the upcoming Halo 3 Zune expected in September.

Aside from the new red color, the functionality of the Zune will be just like the others with a 30GB capacity, 3-inch screen, FM tuner and the wireless Zune to Zune sharing. If you’ve been holding out for a color that’s a break from the norm, here’s your chance.

Engadget

A couple of weeks ago Microsoft started banning mod’d Xbox 360 game consoles from Xbox Live (just the consoles, not the user accounts). The modified consoles were able to play copies of games which Microsoft felt was not fair to everyone. Due to this Microsoft started detecting the game consoles when users would log on, and banning them from Xbox Live when found.

Now, in just a matter of days the hacker community has volleyed back to Microsoft with firmware called called iXtreme Firmware 1.0 which when installed will prevent Microsoft from detecting the modified game console and hence avoid any potential banning. I’m sure it’ll now just be just a matter of time until Microsoft retaliates. Game on!

Source: Xbox360FanBoy

Until recently Xbox 360 owners were able to download a firmware hack which allowed them to play backed-up games and essentially boot-legged copies of games on their game console. They were also able to participate with them on Xbox Live seemingly without any notice from Microsoft, but that appears to have changed.

Apparently with the recent Spring Update earlier this month and coinciding with the beta release of Halo 3, Microsoft has shown that they are able to detect and ban those consoles with modified firmware. When consoles with the modified firmware is detected users will receive an error code (Status Code: Z: 8015 – 190D). As a result, Microsoft is permanently banning modified console from the Xbox Live service, but they are not banning the individual user account. When trying to connect through the modified …

Now that the Simpsons have a new feature film heading for the big screen Fox has teamed up with Microsoft to make a shiny yellow Simpsons-themed Xbox 360 to help promote the movie. The 360 case and controller have been given a glossy coat of Simpsons-yellow paint along with a big picture of the top half of Homer’s head on the side.

For those of you that are Simpsons collectors or Xbox Collectors, actually getting your hands on one of these Simpson’s Xbox’s might prove to be difficult as Microsoft is only making 100 of them. The units that they do make will be used to be given out and different events and promotions for the Simpsons movie.

According to Engadget the Simpsons game will actually not be coming with the unit as you might think, and Microsoft has skimped a little bit on the …

Microsoft has released the Spring Update for the Xbox 360 which is now available for 360 owners to download through their console. The Spring Update promises to increases communications through integrating with Windows Live Messenger and cut down on downloads that are not intended for your geographical area.

With the Messenger compatibility, Xbox 360 owners will be able to add up to 600 Messenger contacts to their Live account in addition to the 100 gamertag contacts. Up to 20 contacts can be on the same conversation and as many as six conversations can be held at one time.

Some other features in the updated dashboard include achievement pop-ups that contain more details such as showing what the achievement was and it’s value right in the pop-up. Microsoft has improved on providing downloadable content, including the ability to watch …

Market Watch has recently identified a filing to the FCC by Microsoft which adds more fuel to the rumor mill about a potential Zune Phone. What makes this filing even more curious is the fact that Google Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Intel Corp are also listed as taking part in submitting this device to the FCC.

Many speculators have written about a possible phone from Microsoft ever since the release of the iPhone from Apple. The thought is that Microsoft might try to take the same route with their portable media player that Apple did with the iPod, making some type of mobile phone from the Zune player. The difference being the iPhone is intended for cellular networks, while the rumored Zune Phone would be intended for a type of network based VoIP connection. The filing …

Crunchgear got a tip yesterday that a Zune Phone from Microsoft is in the works, and as far as tips go they seem to think this is a pretty solid one. According to the tip, executives from Microsoft are currently working out details of the product and its release.

The gadget site states a number of “known” details about the rumored Zune Phone and it’s launch. First, the new mobile phone would be a smart device that interfaces with the existing Zune product but will not run Windows Mobile, despite being a Microsoft product.

The Zune cell phone will have connectivity to sync up with the Xbox 360 to stream media content through a wireless connection. This sounds pretty cool, but we’re just not sure how practical that would be. Transferring movies from the Xbox to the mobile media player …

Today Ford announced that they have teamed up with Microsoft to offer some in-car software to enhance the use of digital audio players, mobile phones and multimedia in their vehicles. Ford Sync will be powered by Microsoft Auto Software and provide voice activated communications and entertainment in select Ford vehicles.

Sync is planned to be available in 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles yet this year and will allow users to access their mobile phone, mobile music and will host almost any digital media player including the iPod and Zune, all from voice commands or from controls on the steering wheel. Integration will happen via either Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones or a USB 2.0 port inside the vehicle to connect digital audio players and most media storage devices. The Microsoft Auto software will support …

Microsoft and Sprint have announced an alliance in which the companies will develop and deliver a range of mobile search services for Sprint’s business and consumer customers.

The initial offering enables Sprint customers to use Windows Live Search for mobile on their wireless phones to search location-based content from the Internet. The new mobile search service based on Windows Live aims to provide a single access point to relevant online content based on a keyword or phrase. The search will include the Sprint catalog of offerings such ring tones, games, and screen savers as well as nearby stores and restaurants.

Windows Live Search for mobile offers features such as maps and directions but requires users to input their location by entering their ZIP code, address, or city and state. Future versions of the service are planned to enable consumers to give permission to automatically locate them …

Designed specifically for the weary road warrior with too many gadgets to carry, Microsoft has created the Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000. The 8000 is a 4-in-1 device that functions as a slide presenter, a laser pointer with digital ink, a media remote control, and a 2.4GHz Bluetooth laser notebook mouse.

The mouse contains all the standard features you would expect from a wireless mouse with a few nice extras thrown in. The bottom of the mouse contains control buttons for screen navigation forward, back and full screen). The 8000 also contains some attractive media control capabilities that are compatible with RealPlayer, iTunes and Windows Media Player. The presentation keypad also acts as a media control that allows users to play, pause, change tracks, and adjust volume.

Microsoft plans to have the Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 available in mid-October …

Microsoft recently announced the most information yet on its upcoming Zune digital music player and service. The latest information focused on the Zune’s capabilities that let users share music with friends. The Zune can store and display video and pictures, comes with a 3-inch liquid-crystal display screen, a 30-GB hard drive, FM tuner, and will be available in three different colors: black, white, and brown.

Microsoft also plans to debut the Zune Marketplace into the Zune ecosystem. The Zune Marketplace is an online music store where customers can import existing music, pictures and videos in many popular formats and purchase millions of songs. The service will offer the standard features such as genre browsing, top songs, albums, artists, new releases, and featured items. Microsoft will also offer Zune Pass, which is an online subscription that allows users to download …