Pocketables

Hallods launches F43 PMP with an actual 720p HD screen

A new HD-capable PMP launch is usually a routine affair with most devices having similar specifications and featuring WVGA (800x480) screens only suitable for displaying standard definition 480p video files. Hence in most cases, the extra resolution of HD video is wasted when viewed on the device unless you output the video to an external HD screen using HDMI for example.

That's about to change with the launch of the first HD-capable PMP with an actual HD screen. The Hallods F43 from Japan features a 4.3" screen with a resolution of 1280x720 complying with the 720p HD standard. Behind the impressive screen, the F43 includes 8GB of internal storage, support for microSD (16GB), and battery life for 10 hours of music and 4 hours of video. Codec support includes all the usual suspects for video, audio, and images including MPEG4, FLV, H.263, AVI, RM, DivX, MP3, FLAC, APE, and WAV.

Six new 3D games land on the Zune HD

Overall, it's been a pretty eventful week for Zune HD owners, and that trend continues today with the release of some new 3D gaming titles from Microsoft. Up until now, if you wanted to game on the newest member of the Zune family, you were forced to entertain yourself with basic games that belied the power of the Tegra chipset and seemed weak compared to the iPhone or Sony PSP.

Six new 3D game titles are available immediately from the Zune Marketplace, and all are free downloads while still supported with short ads when loaded. The firmware update to 4.3 brought not only tweaks and fixes, but also support for these new 3D games, which include PGR: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt, Lucky Lanes Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Piano, and Checkers. If the screenshots give any indication of the gameplay, then we should be in for a treat.

According to Microsoft, these new games are only the beginning, with plans to bring Facebook and Twitter to the platform sometime in the near future. Just what we need: more social networking apps.

[zune.net]

Faster browser and more in Zune HD update v4.3

It's now been a few months since the Zune HD starting popping up in our favorite electronics retailers, but for those of us who actually took the plunge, we have now been rewarded. Over the weekend, Microsoft released a new firmware update for the challenger from Redmond, bringing the version to 4.3, more speed to the browser, and a fix for a playcount bug that had been plaguing many users.

In addition to those improvements, there are quite a number of other tweaks and fixes. Some of the more notable ones are predictive text entry, full-width landscape keyboard, and faster startup along with faster app launching and closing. Also making the cut is an improved tap-to-zoom feature in the browser and a setting to choose either a mobile or desktop version of a website.

Since we reviewed the Zune HD back in September, I have used mine sparingly due only to the fact that I simply juggle too many devices. However, this new update fixes many of the issues I had, like the browser speed and the small landscape keyboard, so now I'm looking forward to bringing my Zune out of semi-retirement.

[zune.net]

There's nothing HD about the Zune HD

This guest article was submitted by Ben L.

I tend to be a serious HD junkie. I like my media in HD, and I like my displays to have HD resolutions. I even keep the same movies on my computer in 480p, 720p, and 1080p. More than anything, I love it when HD content is set up and displayed correctly so that it can be viewed the way that it was meant to be.

Sadly, some companies use the "HD" term as a buzz word to mislead consumers (perfect example here). In that regard, I have an issue with the Microsoft Zune HD that Jenn and Chris recently reviewed.

Before we jump in, I'd like to mention that I wouldn’t be writing this if the Zune HD wasn’t attempting to be a MID. But since it's got a web browser, an app store, and the whole shebang, I can't help myself.

Review: Microsoft Zune HD

Microsoft's newest digital media player is the Nvidia Tegra-powered Zune HD. In addition to sporting one of the sleekest designs on the market right now, the 2.6-ounce device features a 3.3-inch capacitive OLED touchscreen, WiFi connectivity for web browsing and streaming/downloading, HD radio receiver, 720p HD video support, and wireless access to the Zune Marketplace.

While all of this sounds very impressive on paper, does the Zune HD really "deliver the next level in music and video experiences"? Is it really "portable perfection" as Microsoft claims? Read on to find out.

Contributing Editor Chris King and I have teamed up for this review, which is presented in a "he said, she said" format. All of Chris' comments are in blue.

Reboxing the Microsoft Zune HD

No, I'm not getting ready to return my Zune HD. But since my GMT -10 timezone and the Best Buy store hours here in Hawaii put me among the last group of people to get the player on launch day and you must be sick of all the unboxings and hands-on articles you've seen by now, I've decided to put together a silly reboxing pictorial instead.

Have a look below and come back later for my full review. Update: Microsoft Zune HD review now available!

Save 15% on Zune HD (16GB for $187, 32GB for $246)

If the "Usually Ships: 6+ Weeks" on the product page doesn't cause you to break out into a cold sweat and you'd rather save some cash than be the first on your block to get your hands on the Zune HD this week, then head over to Dell.com and place your order there.

Using coupon code 6FWJ247J1P44CK, which is good for 15% off "great electronics" from now until Halloween (limited to one item only during checkout), the 16GB and 32GB players get slashed by $33 and $43.50, respectively, bringing their prices down to just $187 and $247. Dell is also offering free ground shipping until October 17th.

I'm one of those "gotta have it on launch day" people and since Amazon's release-date delivery option isn't available in Hawaii, I'll be standing in line at my local Best Buy on Tuesday. I know Chris will be doing the same in his hometown of Texas, but what about you guys?

Zune HD is almost here

Some people like to go out on Saturday night, while others like to visit one of their local Best Buy stores in rainy weather. Judging by the picture on the left, you can tell what I was doing, and that was stumbling upon a Zune HD in the wild. While Best Buy had it locked down in typical Ft. Knox-style, at least I was able to check out a few of the screens, even though nothing worked because it had yet to be connected to a computer.

I know this thing will be out for real in just a few short days, but I'm glad I got a quick sneak peek at the player, even though I couldn't do much with it. The capacitive screen worked great for scrolling and flicking through the sample pictures. Continue past the break for a few more pictures, and no, the bright blue nylon ties are not included with the Zune.

Apple updates iPod lineup and iTunes

After wondering earlier in the week what surprises Apple would have for us today, it looks like only a few of the predictions came true. While an iPod refresh was expected for the entire lineup, it is the one exclusion that is the biggest surprise: the lack of a camera on the iPod touch. It had been widely assumed that the new touch would become even closer in specs to its iPhone 3GS sibling, but apparently Apple has decided to wait until the next generation.

I won't delve into each and every product announcement today, but for a very brief look at some of the important updates from this morning, continue reading past the break.

Review: Sony X Series Walkman

Before the Zune HD and what is assumed to be the third-generation iPod touch are released to the touchscreen DAP/PMP-adoring public this month, let's take one last look at Sony's X Series Walkman before it's completely overshadowed and forgotten. The company's WiFi-enabled flagship player, which features an OLED touchscreen and built-in digital noise cancellation, received more positive attention when it was locked under glass at CES 2009 than after it was released in mid-June, so to say that the X Series has not been a mainstream success is quite the understatement.

But just because the masses haven't embraced it doesn't mean the player isn't any good. In fact, during the past few weeks that I've been using it, the device has become my favorite daily-use DAP because of its stellar sound quality and simple interface.