More rumors about the Zune 2.0 appeared today talking about a slimmer device comming out in August, available in 7 colors (no brown!), with a 6 GB flash version. Additionally we should expect a v1.5 firmware release with more Wifi functionality, lyrics support on the Zune Marketplace and more codecs. Read the details below...

Zune 2.0

• Slimmer than first version - We don't know how slim, but we're promised that it will be significantly slimmer than the first one. Not a cheesy 2 mm, slimmer.
• 7 different color models - When it launches, there's will be 7 different colors. We know for a fact that brown has been dropped.
• Flash version will also come - A 6 GB, portable flash drive will also launch aside with Zune 2.0. Too bad we don't know what this will look like.
• Use as a portable hard drive - Zune 2.0 (not the flash one) can be used as a portable hard drive. Now you can carry your Word docs, PDF's, and whatnot.

Firmware v1.5

• Updated WiFi - WiFi will significantly improve in this version. About time. Finally. What it is, we don't know. Hopefully, there's wireless syncing, and buying stuff on Marketplace on-the-go.
• Lyrics support - Now you can view lyrics along with your songs when you play. I don't know what took so long, but now we have support for that. Marketplace will also be updated, to include accurate lyrics to be sold along with the songs. Lyrics are an extra 10 cents.
• Extra codecs support - More codecs will come supported. Not more info. than that.

 It doesn't matter if there are no more details available, we like rumors either way!

Source: Zune-Online.com | Zune News and Forum - Rumors about Zune 2.0 and Firmware 1.5

 

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of millions of people with good taste in TV cheering the return of Futurama! Fans of the series will be glad to know that the show will return on November 27th as a full-length movie being released on DVD. The initial release will be followed by 3 more DVD movies!

After all 4 DVD movies have been released, they’ll be chopped up into 16 episodes which will air on Comedy Central along with NEW episodes created for Comedy Central.

Welcome back Futurama, welcome back!

Source: TV Squad

Source: The Animation Blog » Blog Archive » Futurama returns November 27th

 

While Microsoft has yet to officially announce anything about its next-generation Zunes, we've had no shortage of rumors informing us of the company's supposed plans. Last we heard, Microsoft so-called "Scorpio" and "Draco" Zunes were headed for production in July, with something set to be released before the end of the year. Now, if this latest rumor is to be believed, Microsoft seems to have hit a snag. According to Zune Scene, while the flash-based Draco is reportedly still on track, the hard drive-based Scorpio has been delayed, supposedly due to "continuity problems between the flex cable and pcb." As a result, Zune Scene says the production run will now not be complete until "well into September." As with all of these rumors, however, we wouldn't pin too much hope/disappointment on them pending some further confirmation.

Source: Next-gen Zune "Scorpio" rumored to be delayed - Engadget

 

While highly intelligent computers have been pwning humans in backgammon, checkers, and chess for years, machines haven't had nearly as much luck against poker sharks. According to a number of researchers, however, that will surely change over the next decade or so as the programming is honed to better anticipate the human's moves. Nevertheless, poker champion Phil Laak and fellow professional Ali Eslami will soon sit down for a two-day contest at the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Up for grabs is a $50,000 prize, but moreover, University of Alberta's games research group will be interested in figuring out how to better prepare computers to understand and deal with the complex scenarios that only apply to poker. 'Course, with one-petaflop supercomputers now available for civilian use, we're sure it won't be too long before silicon and PCB rule supreme over our feeble brains in yet another facet.

Source: Texas Hold 'em champs face off with pokerfaced computer - Engadget

 

We got some very reliable information from an inside source on TiVo's newest DVR -- and guess what, it's called the TiVo HD (good luck trying to trademark that one, TiVo). Granted, we've heard most of this already, but our sources confirmed the TiVo HD will launch with a 160GB drive (or, as TiVo likes to put it, 160 hours SD / 20 hours HD), two CableCARD tuners, and possibly also an ATSC tuner. We can also further confirm it won't have THX certification, frontal display, or the Glo remote, but the $300 price tag is set, so it won't pinch the pocketbook quite so hard. Supposedly it's launching this week, possibly as early as tomorrow. Given that the cheapest box TiVo sells is still $100 (or sometimes free), it stands to reason this will be the new mid-range model, but from what we understand TiVo is on its way to phasing out the Series2 brand entirely.

Source: TiVo HD DVR is the newest Series3, TiVoToGo coming back - Engadget

 

We've already heard some talk that a new Zune would be coming before the end of the year, but it looks like things now may be starting to get a bit more certain -- at least according to the folks at Whiz Byte, who say they've heard as much from a Microsoft press representative. Specifically, the rep reportedly said that we can "expect an update later this year prior to the holiday season." While there's no word on exactly what form that "update" will take, the rep did give a few less than surprising general indications of what we can expect from the Zune in the future, stating that there's "three predictable paths along which we'll expand Zune." Those include updates to the device family itself, including "new sizes, styles and price points," along with new features that'll help the Zune "move towards parity with iPod" and new geographic markets for the Zune.

Source: Next gen Zune reportedly on track for holiday season - Engadget

 

CinemaNow, fine purveyor of downloadable film and TV content, has recently updated its Media Manager support for Vista, allowing you to use its Burn-to-DVD service, and enabling your Xbox 360 to act as a bridge from your PC to your TV -- adding an interesting new option to the media center sphere. So starting right now, you can download and watch your favorite movies and television shows without ever having to let go of the Xbox controller, which could be detrimental to your relationships, but really good for catching up on any episodes of 24 you might have missed.

CinemaNow updates Vista support, plays nice with Xbox 360 - Engadget

 

Now that the Windows Home Server platform has been released to manufacturing, a lot of cool concepts are becoming sweet realities. We just scored some juicy details on Velocity Micro's design, destined to ship in the coming months, with external expansion upgrades in early 2008.

Here's what we can relate to you now:

• It has an Intel Conroe-derived processor with DDR2 memory. This will accommodate any future Home Server applications that may be more demanding in horse power, etc.

• It features a high performance Intel chipset for maximum I/O performance including PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet, Sata 300, NCQ, etc.

• It is extremely price competitive and will be available for Windows Home Server launch.

• Can be configured up to several terabytes.

• Most likely available in silver and/or black. Color schemes are not finalized.

• It's designed for vertical or horizontal placement.

• It's an enterprise-class design in regards to thermals and up-time. But it's very quiet!

• It features eSATA for an external expansion box that will match the design and will be available by Q1 '08

Source: Revealed: First Glimpse of Sexy Windows Home Server From Velocity Micro - Gizmodo

Oh, IT'S ON. After months of eager anticipation, it looks like either Viodentia has finally come out of hiding, or s/he's passed the torch on to another (Doom9 forum user Divine Tao?) -- but either way it looks like MS DRM IBX components up to version 11.0.6000.6324 are good to go with the latest version of FairUse4WM, v1.3 Fix 2 (read: this is the update we know you've all been waiting for). We haven't yet confirmed ourselves, but feel free to tell us whether you got a sweet taste of DRM freedom without having to continue using XP and Windows Media Player 10 with that subscription music service.

Source: FairUse4WM v1.3 Fix 2 promises Vista, Zune DRM stripping - Engadget

 

South Korea's Iljin Display has been crowing about its coin-sized laser projector module for more than a year with no haps, but now the company says it's inked a deal with South Korea Telecom (SK Telecom) to mass-produce the projector for use inside cellphones. Is Iljin's so-called Nano Projector finally for real?

Iljin says the diminutive projector will be installed in SK Telecom's cellphones beginning this September, and those pocket-theater-toting cellphones will be for sale both in Korea and perhaps even here in the US soon thereafter.

The company blurted out even more bluster about the future of its of its pint-sized projectors, saying by the end of this year it will begin cranking out tiny stand-alone units that'll let you set up an 800-pound milligram-ish guerrilla theater with a 20-inch screen virtually anywhere you want. We'll believe it when we see it.

Source: Is That A Theater In Your Pocket?: Cellphone Projectors on the Way? - Gizmodo