The new Zunes are official so let's get to it: a spec-by-spec scrap between Redmond's new Zunes and Cupertino's formidable iPod foe. Unfortunately, Microsoft failed to mention the all important battery performance of their new gear in addition to a few other minor details. Microsoft fans will tell you that's due to an iPhone-like surprise close to the November launch while haters will jump to the conclusion that this is a definite sign of trouble. Still even without that morsel, there's plenty of data to masticate for comparison. The Zune 80GB certainly holds its own when pitted against the 80GB iPod classic on a specification table. That's not the case, however, with the iPod touch as long as you're willing to sacrifice the bytes for the touch's bigger display and heftier price tag. It's a tougher call on the flash-based Zune vs. the iPod nano -- just how important is WiFi to you on a 1.8-inch display? None of this, of course, accounts for the oh so important user experience or the ecosystems supporting their respective players. As such, I'll reserve final judgment until I have the new Zunes in-hand. Until then you'd best dig in fanboys, that November release is a long way off. The tables that follow will provide the fuel to fight the flame wars for the weeks to come.
Follow link for tables.
Darryl Linington from Notebookheck writes: "Keebmon is a crowdfunded foldable workstation concept that combines a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 PC, a 13-inch ultrawide touchscreen, and a low-profile mechanical keyboard in a single aluminum device."
Standard controllers aren’t comfortable for everyone…
As an accessibility option for those that need it im all for it. As the standard control for ps6 helllll noo, touch controller would be the absolute worst.
Reading the patent itself this does seem to be intended with accessibility in mind as it attempts to solve comfort issues that some users have with overall size and placement. Im completely fine with the current layout but its nice to know this option is there. It is intended to allow customers the ability to resize the controller to there liking even those the company may not manufacture that size. So, its cool to see they are thinking like this even though this product may not be for me. I would still love to see it release and see the potential use cases.
This is interesting not only for accessibility reasons, but as a way to give players more control over their in game characters for core gamers.
I remember seeing the Tactus pop up buttons at CES 13 years ago and I was excited for the technology but I am not aware of any devices that used it.
The way gaming controllers are presented today is great, but I will always advocate for innovation in giving players more control and increased immersion.
Terrible idea. For most games, you need to feel the physical buttons because you're not looking at the controller. I hope they aren't serious.
Unless they've worked out a way for tactile feedback so you can feel them. Perhaps little air bladders that could inflate when a button is placed in that position, placed under a flexible screen? Maybe it wouldn't be the best controller for all of us, but I know people who have medical conditions that make holding traditional controllers very uncomfortable with their default button layouts, this could help them.
More accessibility options is never a bad thing, but man I hate that all electronics seem to be pushing touchscreen controls on everything.
They are just garbage
We are at the point in time when touch screen controls are cheaper to make than physical buttons. Just look at modern cars. More and more system controls are moved to the central screen now that all new cars come with screens. It's downright ironic too, considering just not that many years ago, people were warn to not use their phone while driving. Now all controls are moved to the central screen that you can't help but looking at screens while driving.
EXCEPT trying to connect your phone, lol. They make you stop to do that. But the big screen that is every bit as distracting as a phone, it's cool.
GAIME review - The G'AIM'E console is shipping now! MP1st spent some time with it & have our review ready. Is lightgun gaming back for modern displays?
Anything from Apple > Anything from Microsoft.
Does the Zune has Gapless Playback?
No? Oh well, looks like I'll stick to my ageing iRiver with Rockbox...
I actually can't believe that bladestar is getting disagrees. It is weird that people are so against certain companies. I can see people not liking a product line but it is rediculous that it carries over to the whole brand. Take me for instance... I'm not too big a fan of the PS3 but I love their cameras, cell phones, and walkmans.
Both Microsoft and Apple both have their flaws and both overcharge and have set some bad precedents at some point. I don't think Ipod are flawless (I own a nano)... I personally know people on their 4th Ipod because their other Ipods broke.
Sorry but I just hate generalized comments that are useless. It is good that Zune 2 has come out. We should all hope the Zune, the Zen, and whatever other listening device is able to make a dent on Apple's marketshare. We need competition so that prices are driven down.
-Joe
the hdd space is the only compliant i have about my zune. i like the software, i download a lot of music so paying a monthly fee instead of per album saves me lots of money. also if you don't download a ton of tunes you can pay per song or album if you want, the monthly fee is optional.
the zune has a bigger screen, no annoying wheel, and there is no conversion so uploading is faster.
i will defiantly consider buying one of these new zunes.