The ultimate ultracompact MP3 player.
(Credit: SanDisk)Awhile back, SanDisk released some fairly major firmware for both the Sansa Clip and the Sansa Fuze. Well, technically, the update for each is a different piece of software, but most of the fixes and enhancements are similar, so I'm treating the two as one here.
I finally got around to installing the new firmware on the Clip and I have to say that it's definitely a worthwhile install (most firmware is). If you haven't done it already, make sure you do--I've included some basic steps for updating Sansa players below.
Perhaps the most exciting thing for audio format nerds is the addition of support for both Ogg Vorbis and FLAC file types. This added feature certainly gives the Sansas a leg up on the competition, as only a handful of other MP3 players offer such playback. (Cowon is a notable example.) In addition, the players now support the most advanced Audible AAX format (type 4), and they include enhanced control over audiobooks and podcasts.
For more information on features and bug fixes offered by the firmware, head to SanDisk's Web site to read all about Sansa Fuze Version 1.01.15 and Sansa Clip Version 1.01.29.
Now with more features and a brighter screen.
(Credit: SanDisk)Read the SanDisk Sansa Fuze review.
Read the SanDisk Sansa Clip review.
Updating the SanDisk Sansa player's firmware
- Download and install the Sansa Firmware Updater.
- Attach your player to the computer and open the app.
- Check the Firmware box and click Download Now.
- Unplug the player when prompted to finalize the upgrade.
The entire process should take under 10 minutes. Be aware that at least 6MB of free space is required for the Clip's firmware.
The latest Zune firmware update brings new features to every generation of Zune hardware.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)Microsoft has just released firmware version 3.1 for all models of the Zune MP3 player, and an update to the Zune PC software. The updated firmware adds three new games: Checkers; Sudoku; and Space Battle; as well as a new multiplayer mode for the existing Texas Hold 'Em card game. The multiplayer mode takes advantage of the Zune's Wi-Fi, letting players connect to other players with Zunes. The new Zune Checkers game also supports wireless two-player gameplay.
The Zune Social online community got a refresh as well, receiving a general visual makeover and a new "like-minded listeners" option now appears up on the right, displaying the Zune cards of listeners with similar musical taste.
Also included in the update are incremental improvements to stability and performance of the Zune PC software, such as improved play count reporting and content synchronization.
To receive the free Zune software and firmware update, open up the Zune PC software, click on Settings, and select Check for Updates.
(via Zune Insider)
Don't let the new color fool you. The third-generation Zune update is all about the software.
The best thing about the upcoming third-generation Zune? I already own it.
Just like last year's free update for first-gen Zune owners, Microsoft has confirmed that all existing Zune owners will get a free third-generation firmware upgrade once the product sees its official launch on September 16. Not "Apple free"--but "free" as in zero-cost.
As earlier articles have already shown, the details for Microsoft's third-generation Zune MP3 player hardware have been revealed as a few of the devices have accidentally hit the shelves. This year's Zune hardware offers a new color option (blue) and 120GB hard drive and 16GB Flash capacities, but is otherwise unchanged from the hardware we saw with its second-gen players. This means that side-by-side, it should be nearly impossible to tell a third-gen Zune apart from an updated second-gen Zune.
So, what will the new Zune update get you? Let's recap the leaked features.
Device to Cloud
Finally, the Zune's Wi-Fi feature does something worthwhile. With the ability to access public and password-protected Wi-Fi hot spots, your Zune can now update itself on the fly and download tracks directly from Zune Marketplace. Zune Pass users will get the most from this feature since they'll be able to stream as much music as they want directly from Zune Marketplace as an added value. Pair this feature up with a speaker dock and you essentially have a killer commercial-free jukebox.
New firmware updates for the Zune allow you to tag songs on FM radio to download later.
(Credit: Microsoft)
FM radio tagging
We've been a longtime fan of the Zune's RBDS-enhanced FM radio, but the third-generation firmware promises to make the feature even better. So long as the FM radio station you're listening to supports RBDS or RDS song data, you'll be able to earmark any song you hear and download it later when you connect your Zune to your computer or over Wi-Fi in the Device to Cloud scenario. Seems like a great feature for folks who often use the radio to discover new music, and again, Zune Pass subscription users will now have a new way to milk the most new music from their monthly fee.
Zune Channels
If you've already played around with your Zune's Social and Zune Card features, you probably know that you can automatically download recently played songs from folks you've befriended using Zune Social. Think of Zune Channels as the Friends feature on steroids (or better yet, think of it as Rhapsody Channels). You get regular and automatic updates of new music from channels you select based on artists, genres, DJs, and celebrities. You'll also get a personal recommendation channel based on ratings you've made to your music library.
Channels can be updated by connecting the Zune to your computer or using a Wi-Fi hot spot, and content will refresh weekly by flushing old songs out and bringing new tracks in. Zune Pass users will have the option to hold onto any of the Channel content, while non-subscription users will be bound by the Zune's three-play rule with the option to buy.
... Read More
If Apple wants to get $9.95 for every App Store-upgraded iPod Touch, it needs to do a better job guarding the firmware.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)Thursday's leak of the free iPhone firmware update may have given Apple a little heartburn, but the iPod Touch firmware upgrade making the rounds might induce a coronary in the company's accounting division. Apple hasn't released specific sales figures on how many iPod Touch models are in circulation, but assuming the device makes up a modest slice of the 22.1 million iPods sold last year, Apple stands to lose a fair chunk of money if users find their way around paying the $10 upgrade fee.
What do you guys think? Is Apple's $10 upgrade charge for the new Touch firmware too much to ask? Any of you ethically conflicted about cheating Apple out of the fee?
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Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
