According to Zune.net, the fix for the dead Zunes is dead simple:

My Zune 30 is frozen. What should I do?

Follow these steps:

1. Disconnect your Zune from USB and AC power sources.
2. Because the player is frozen, its battery will drain—this is good. Wait until the battery is empty and the screen goes black. If the battery was fully charged, this might take a couple of hours.
3. Wait until after noon GMT on January 1, 2009 (that’s 7 a.m. Eastern or 4 a.m. Pacific time).
4. Connect your Zune to either a USB port on the back or your computer or to AC power using the Zune AC Adapter and let it charge.

Once the battery has sufficient power, the player should start normally. No other action is required—you can go back to using your Zune!

Let’s see if this really works. Good luck to all that’s affected.

[ Zune.net ]

Apparently at 12am, any Zune 30 that had been updated with the most current firmware just stopped working. Mind you, I own a Zune 120 but even so, this might affect my Zune as well.

The following sites are covering the story as it develops:

Engadget: [ 30GB Zunes Mysteriously Begin to Fail ]
Gizmodo: [ All Together Now!: 30GB Zunes Failing All At Once ]

I’ll update this post as I receive updates too. Two friends, two dead Zunes. All hail the Zune-ocalypse!

Whatever the above cryptic message means (iPhone perhaps!?) if Hideo Kojima and Konami is behind it, expect genius. Find out, well as much as above, from [ Konami ]

No. I won’t count Metal Gear Solid Acid. Ever.

I normally don’t like to start rumors… but I’ve yet to see anything mentioned anywhere about the Motorola Aura. It’s going to be their upscale “answer” to the Nokia 8800 series.

It’ll come at a premium price, be made of premium materials… and yes. I’ve actually seen it.

More when I can actually talk about it.

A quick collected list of gadget rumors going on over the weekend and morning:

• iTunes 8.0 and iPhone 2.1 on September 9th?
• Nokia to release the 5800 “Tube” on October 8th?
• New Zune features leaked
• GM Volt EPA rating could be cut by new standards
• Joost to go from the desktop to browser only? Screenshots!
• Adobe CS4 is nearing the door?

More news, reviews - I have my reviews of the Mint 220 and my first year with MagicJack - and gadget stuff upcoming.