Just like clockwork, Microsoft updated their Zune software to go alongside the Microsoft Zune HD release. This means that the Zune desktop software also got a fresh new update too.

Upon restarting the Zune software, you will now be greeted by an all purpose “home page” named the Quickplay page. You will see a quick rundown of a Welcome message, what’s new in the Zune Marketplace and your playback history – which… didn’t pick up on anything I’ve played in the prior iteration of the Zune software so far.

The side to side scrolling of within this window… seriously Microsoft. The Zune software breaks every last one of your design conventions for Windows applications and guess what… it works so damn well. Keep it up.

All of the past issues I had, sluggish interaction and the inability to hover over one track or highlight it and just click once to start it… gone. The Zune desktop no longer feels as sluggish as it once did. It transitions, plays, changes colors and looks like no other Microsoft product. The playback screens look just like the Zune 3 software initially, but they behave a bit differently.

I’m still playing but so far… I’m loving it.

UPDATE: It seems like the Zune 120 will get updated to version 3.2 (34) from 3.1 (50) – does that mean that we’re not getting the 4.x update for the player that’s on the Zune HD?

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!

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.