Review Roundup: Microsoft Zune HD

Microsoft started shipping the new Zune HD on 15th September in US. The Zune HD features 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen (480 x 272), HD Radio, WiFi b/g and HDMI out via optional dock. The player measures 4.01” x 2.07” x 0.35” and weighs 2.6 ounces. Battery life on the player is 33 hours for music and 8.5 hours of video playback. The four main features of Zune HD are Wireless sync, HD video out via optional dock, brilliant OLED screen and web browser. Zune HD is available in 32GB Platinum Silver model for $289.99 and 16GB Onyx Black model for $219.99.
Below we have added links to 10 best Zune HD reviews available online:
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FCC Inquiry Turning Into Cat Fight Between Apple and Google

Last month, FCC asked Apple, AT&T and Google several questions regarding rejection of Google Voice applications from Apple’s App Store. AT&T in its replay said the company had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice Application. Apple in its reply said that the company didn’t approve Google Voice App, but they are continuing to study the Google Voice app.
Google submitted a heavily redacted statement in response to FCC’s questions. However, today FCC and Google released unredacted statement:
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Power of Grand Central and Open CL in Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Hardmac has posted results that illustrate performance improvements in Snow Leopard when an application makes use of Grand Central and Open CL technologies. Christophe Ducommun who is optimizing his applications MovieGate for Snow Leopard has sent results of performance tests done on his Quad Core 2.66GHz Mac Pro to Hardmac. The performance tests compare frame rates and CPU load in Snow Leopard and Leopard for the application.
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ARM Announces 2GHz Dual Core Cortex-A9 Processors

ARM today announced two dual core chips based on Cortex-A9 architecture. The first chip delivers more than 2GHz clock speed while drawing less than 0.25W of power per CPU. The second chip is slower at 800MHz, but consumes half the power at 0.12W for each CPU. These are the first multicore ARM chips coming to the market based on Cortex-A9 architecture, which ARM launched last year.
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Google Releases Chrome 3 with Performance Improvements

Google has released Chrome 3 – the third major update of Chrome browser that Google launched just one year back. Google says the new release comes hot on the heels of 51 developer, 21 beta and 15 stable updates and 3,505 bugfixes in the past year.
In Chrome 3, Google didn’t add many new features, but the company focused on speed improvements for the browser as well as a fresh redesign of some of its features. Google says that Javascript performance is 150 percent faster than the very first beta and is 25 percent faster that most recent stable release (Chrome 2). We have added tables above showing Javescript performance.
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iPod touch Speed Test and More Apple Tablet Rumors

Apple released updated iPod touch models last Wednesday and claimed that the new 32GB and 64GB models are 50 percent faster than the previous generation iPod touch. Macworld’s Dan Frakes has posted basic performance tests for boot process, game launches and performance of a few web tasks. Performance tests compared iPod touch 2G with iPod touch 3G (late 2009).
Dan says, “While the results vary from task to task, the new iPod touch – which Apple dubs the “iPod touch (late 2009)” – is noticeably faster across the board. Booting is dramatically faster, as are launching applications and browsing.”
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HP Announces Six New PC Systems for Holiday Season

Microsoft started shipping new Zune HD today, but the day belonged to HP as the company announced four new laptops, two netbooks and one all-in-one desktop. The first two notebooks that HP announced are Envy 13 and 15 that are housed in aluminum and black plastic shells. Design of both the notebooks looks MacBook Pro inspired with aluminum casing and MacBook-like trackpad that HP calls “clickpad”.
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Microsoft Ships New Zune HD Touchscreen Media Player

Microsoft has announced the new Zune HD touchscreen media player is available now along with updated Zune PC software. As we already known Zune HD features an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) multitouch screen, an NVIDIA Tegra HD processor and HD Radio capabilities. The HD tag on Zune is slight misleading as the OLED screen is not HD capable and you need a separate Zune HD AV dock to actually play 720p video on HDTV. However, the OLED screen on Zune is simply brilliant with great color reproduction and excellent video playback.
Read More and Watch Zune HD in Action

Video Quality Comparison: iPod nano Vs Flip Ultra Camcorder

NewTeeVee has posted a side-by-side comparison of video quality of new iPod nano and Flip Ultra Camcorder. The video comparison covers shooting indoor and outdoor. According to the website, overall, the Flip offered a much better picture indoor and out, providing way more detail in the image and the Flip microphone was also a little better. However, from the video we can see that iPod nano is also not that bad.
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LG Officially Announces First Android Based Handset GW620

LG today officially joined the Android moment by announcing GW620 handset. The new handset features a 3-inch touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Like all other Android handsets, GW620 will incorporate mobile applications and services developed by Google. LG says that GW620 will support social networking functions right out-of-the-box and will have a user-friendly interface.
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Motorola Launches First Android Based Handset CLIQ

This week Motorola launched their first Google Android based handset CLIQ. The company calls the new handset “the first phone with social skills” to highlight its social networking live widgets that integrate Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, MySpace, Yahoo, Last.fm and more on the home screen. The new widget interface is called MOTOBLUR and it gives the user control over various interface features.
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AMD Unveils Radeon HD 5800 Series Graphics Card and New Name Vision Technology

AMD unveiled the new Radeon HD 5800 graphics card series that will start shipping later this year. The new top of the line graphics card can power up to six DisplayPort outputs running at full resolution (2560 x 1600). The card is also capable of merging the six images into one single image as large as 8192 x 8192, if the displays allow it. AMD calls the new technology Eyefinity and it will allow pros and gamers to have panoramic views just like human eyes. AMD will announce Radeon HD 5870 and HD 5850 later this month. No other information about the new graphics cards was released.
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iPod touch Teardown Reveals Space for Camera and 802.11n Chipset

Everyone was surprised on Wednesday when Apple announced new iPod touch without integrated camera. However, teardown of the new iPod touch done by ifixit reveals that Apple left in room for a camera at top of the device circuit. This gives legs to the theory that Apple decided to remove camera in last stages of device development.
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Palm Announces Second webOS Handset Pixi

While the whole world was busy talking about new iPod lineup, Palm introduced their second webOS handset Pixi. The Palm Pixi is a smaller and sleeker candybar shaped cousin of Pre with full QWERTY keyboard. The phone will come with 2.63-inch 320 x 400 touchscreen, 2-megapixel camera, EV-DO Rev.A, Bluetooth, GPS and 8GB of on-board storage.
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Apple Launches New iPod nano with Built-in Video Camera

Apple today launched new iPod nano that comes with video camera, mic and speaker. The nano allows users to shoot video, view it on their nano and upload it to YouTube via their computer. Along with the new video camera iPod nano also gets a bigger 2.2-inch display, FM radio with live pause and iTunes Tagging and built-in pedometer.
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Apple Announces 2GB iPod shuffle and 160GB iPod Classic

Apple today announced that 2GB iPod shuffle is now available for $59 in five colors silver, black, pink, blue and green. The 4GB model also gets the color makeover and it is available now for $79.
“iPod shuffle is the world’s smallest music player and now comes in five great colors starting at just $59,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
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Apple Introduces iTunes 9 Featuring iTunes LP and Home Sharing

Apple today introduced iTunes 9 with features like iTunes LP, Home Sharing and Genius Mixes, as well as redesigned store and improved syncing.
“iTunes 9 is a great iTunes release, with innovative features that make using iTunes better than ever and iTunes content richer than ever,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iTunes LP, for example, lets artists share more of their creativity with fans and gives music lovers the feeling of being immersed in an entire album with art, lyrics, liner notes, photos and videos.”
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Apple Unveils New iPod touch without Built-in Camera

Apple today announced the new iPod touch without the much-rumored built-in camera. The 8GB iPod touch is now available for just $199, along with new models, which deliver twice the capacity for the same price, with the iPod touch 32GB model for $299 and 64GB model for $399.
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Live Coverage: Apple’s “It’s Only Rock and Roll” iPod Event Wednesday 10 AM PST / 1PM EST

That's all from the live event, we will posted detailed coverage of all the announcements made by Apple later today.

• Steve is back in stage and he thanks Norah Jones. Steve thanks everyone for coming.
  
• So no surprise announcement from Apple. Basically it was just music event with new iTunes 9, iPhone OS 3.1 with Genius Mixes support and new iPods. And the "one more thing" was the most boring ever done by Apple.
  
• It looks like that's it from Apple event as Steve has invited Norah Jones to play some live music on stage.
  
• Apple is showing iPod nano ad. Steve is now showing Environmental checklist for iPod lineup that shows that iPods are Arsenic free, BFR free, Mercury free, PVC free and highly recyclable.
  
• The nano now has 2.2-inch display, polished anodized aluminum casing, microphone and speaker, voiceover, and built-in pedometer. The 8GB model will be $149 and the 16Gb model will be $179. iPod nano is available today in nine colors.
  
• Steve says nano is the most popular player in the world and Apple has sold over 100 million nano. Along with video camera Apple is also adding FM radio and Genius Mixes feature to Nano.
  
• He says we have build a camera into the back of every nano. He compares the size of nano to pocket camcorders available on the market.
  
• Steve is back on stage he says "one more thing". And it's "Video Camera"
  
• Next is iPod classic, it gets 160GB hard drive for the same price of $249. Apple is introducing 5 new colors for iPod shuffle. It will be available in 2GB model for $59 and 4GB model for $79. Apple will also ship a Special Edition 4GB shuffle made of polished steel for $99.
  
• Now he is showing a new iPod touch ad. The ad is dedicated to gaming experience on iPod touch.
  
• Phil adds "we have learned that $199 is a magic price point so that's what we're going to do with iPod touch." 8GB touch will now be priced $199, 32Gb will be $299 and 64GB will be $399. No 16GB model in the lineup.
  
• Phil says iPod touch is more affordable gateway to App Store at $229 and no monthly fees.
  
• Phil is back on stage. It looks like Steve has give full control of the keynote to Phil.
  
• The first hour of the keynote has been all about software, no hardware yet....
  
• EA is showing Madden NFL 2010, it will come to App Store very soon.
  
• Gameloft is showing a FPS called Nova that looks like Halo. The graphics are really good and you can listen to your own music while playing the game and multiplayer is available over Bluetooth and WiFi.
  
• Gameloft is up now. They say that more than 20 million Gameloft titles have been downloaded from App Store and they have 35 titles available.
  
• The game he is showing is Riddim Ribbon, which is like a combo of Wipeout and Rock Band.
  
• Next up Tapulous, Ben Decrem from Tapulous says "when we launched a year ago, our crazy goal was to get 1 million users.. we got that in 3 weeks."
  
• They are showing Prince of Persia. Ben from Ubisoft says "Apple has created a world class gaming experience on this platform."
  
• Now game developers are coming on stage to show their new games. First it's Ubisoft.
  
• Playing a demo video for different games on the iPod touch.
  
• Phil says iPod touch has over 21,178 game and entertainment apps compare to 3,680 for DS and 607 for PSP.
  
• He now compare it to Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and Dell netbook, saying that it bring more functionality than the first two devices and it fits in the pocket.
  
• Now phil is talking how great iPod touch is. He says that customers have figured out that touch is not just a music device but it's a great pocket computer also.
  
• So Apple has sold over 50 million iPhone OS based devices in about 2 years.
  
• Phil says Microsoft has 1.1 percent market share. iPod touch is the fastest growing device in iPod lineup and Apple has sold over 20 million units.
  
• iPod has 73.8 percent market share and Apple has sold over 220 million iPods.
  
• iTunes demo is over Phil and Steve are back on stage and Phil talks about iPod.
  
• It is iTunes Extras feature now showing cast interviews, exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes footage and photo galleries like on DVD or Blu-ray disc.
• Now Jeff is showing iTunes LP features that allows you to view animated lyrics and liner notes, performance videos, artist and band photos and more.
• The iTunes 9 interface is very clean and way easier to navigate. Facebook and Twitter integration is also very intuitive.
  
• He is now showing the new and improved Sync that allows you to do selective transfer of Music, Movies, TV Shows, Audiobook and Applications. You can decided what you want to transfer Automatically and what you want to transfer manually.
  
• Jeff Robbin is now demoing iTunes 9. he starts by showing the new App organization feature.
  
• Apple has also redesigned the store to make it easier to find new artist, songs and movies. And like we wrote before Apple has added iTunes LP feature.
  
• You can now copy songs, TV shows and movies to up to 5 computers in your house. You will see all the computers in iTunes so that you can simply drag and drop content.
  
• iTunes 9 adds App management, improved sync and Home Sharing up to 5 computers
  
• iTunes 9 will have Genius Dj that will play songs from your library that go great together.
  
• Steve says that iTunes is the #1 music retailer in the world and is available in 23 countries. Apple has slod over 8.5 billion songs and they are introducing iTunes 9 (like we said)
  
• Apple is also adding ringtones for iPhone that will be priced $1.29 compared to $1.99 charged by most carriers.
  
• App Store has over 75,000 applications and Apple is introducing iPhone OS 3.1 that adds Genius feature for App Store. That will recommend applications based on previous purchases.
  
• He asks Phil Schiller to join him for the presentation. He announces in 2 years Apple has sold over 30 million iPhones.
  
• He says "I'm very happy to be here with you all. As some of you might know, I has a liver transplant." he thanks everyone at Apple for their support.
  
• So Steve is back and is on stage now.. gets a standing ovation.
  
• The whole atmosphere is of Rock and Roll.
  
• Apple is playing a rock song today.
  
• We are in the hall and the keynote will start in few minutes.
  
• iTunes Extras will bring cast interviews, exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes footage and photo galleries like on DVD or Blu-ray disc.
  
• According to Apple, iTunes LP is a visual experience of the record album. A gorgeous, immersive digital version of select albums that allows you to dive into beautiful animated lyrics and liner notes, performance videos, artist and band photos and more.
  
• The new feature in iTunes 9 are faster navigation, easy preview and buy, iTunes LP, and iTunes Extras.
  
• But like we said in Apple Event Rumor Roundup iTunes 9 will be available as soon as the event finishes.
  
• However, when you click on the download link it takes you to iTunes 8.2.1 download page.
  
• iTunes 9 is already online via this link: iTunes 9
  
• Will Steve Jobs do the keynote, what do you think?
  
• Just twenty minutes remaining.

We have added Apple Event Rumor Roundup that you can read till the Apple Event starts.

Apple invited analysts and media to a press event on September 9th that will be held at Yerba Buena Center for Arts in San Francisco. It is rumored that Apple will launch the next generation iPod lineup with integrated camera and iTunes 9 at the event. There are also rumors that the event won’t be just iPod only and we might see a new device (may a tablet) at the event. We will be doing live coverage of the event at live.TechzTalk.com on Wednesday September 9 starting at 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST / 6 PM London. Please join us then to find out what Apple has up its sleeve.

Intel Launches Core i7, Core i5 and Xeon Processors with P55 Express Chipset

Intel today introduced new Core i7 and Core i5 chips. The new processors are more affordable versions of Core i7 900 series and comes with dual channel memory interface in place of triple channel setup found on 900 series. The new processors also feature Turbo mode that enables the processor to scale up to 3.6GHz for i7-870, 3.46GHz for Core i7-860 and 3.2GHz for i5-750 by switching off one or more core.
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