Add one more comment. By the way, do you care to discuss this post on Betanews.com?

http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_to_Debut_Zune_2_on_Tuesday/1191256215

well...congrats...

what else ?

remember that this can't life with "No comments on rumors and speculation" posts forever. ;)

::fingers crossed for sexy brown Zune 2 announcement tomorrow::

Hey I have an idea. Why dont you give a Zune 2 free to the guy who posts 10,000 th comment.

That would be cool!!

Game over.  Display photos leaked!

http://digg.com/hardware/Zune_2_leaks_out_in_three_flavors

Congrats!

This is one awesome Monday!!!

Here:

http://crunchgear.com/2007/10/01/crunchrumor-zune-2-launching-on-the-16th-maybe-tomorrow/

i'm more curious about the firmware update mentioned in that same article

AHH firmware update on Wednesday it seems.  I cannot wait.

I'm a fan of engadget's coverage personally.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/zune-1-running-firmware-2-1-zune-2-coming-wednesday/

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/are-these-the-new-zunes/

I really hope it's not officially called a squircle on any press material.

cool beans!!

Sweet! Firmware?!? hope it's legit...

Firmware 2.1? Zune 2? Cesar, pleeeease give us details. You know you want to. :)

Rumor or not, I'm liking what I'm seeing. In any case, I'm fully confident that whatever the Zune team has been working on is going to be good.

holy crap. i just saw the "leaked" pictures of the zune 2. it looks legit.  well hopefully we get an update soon. i am a bit skeptical of the photos though. it could be a complete hoax

Hey Cesar--I have some sad news to report.  I was the poster with the *first* RED Zune.  Unfortunately I forgot it onboard a plane on my way back from Alaska two weeks ago.  I've given up hope of getting it back at this point and am pretty bummed.  Hope to be able to join the social again soon.  Could a new RED Zune 2 be in my future?

-Kavik

Am I 10,000?

Time to throw a party!

Firmware AND new Zunes on the way...NO WAY...don't believe it....*back to listening to music (New Ministry)

I FINALLY GET MY CLOCK!!!!!!!!!

am I 10k?

How about now?

;-)

Awesome congrats!

btw, congrats on the milestones for ZuneInsider!

lol, Cody, that would be 'sauceum

<comment removed: silly trollboy>

Man, this would so suck if Wednesday comes and goes with no announcement. I hoep this is not a hoax.

Cesar, Congrats on your site stats, I believe it will rapidly reach 10K with these ongoing rumors... I hope most our comments and desires are covered with these upcoming new product upgrades and updates. Looking forward for those nice differentiating added-value features...

Congratulations on having 10,000 comments and a good blog.  Keep on keeping on.

K

Well assuming this actually comes to pass I for one can't wait for the new firmware for V1.  

Hopefully Zune 2 will have the same great SQ though.  I'd hate to see them go the route that Apple went with their "Classic" (smaller, more storage, reduced SQ).

A good week for all!

Woot!

Congrats on having 10,000 comments.

Here's hoping we get firmware 2.something tomorrow or Wednesday!

Cesar, hit me up on Halo 3 sometime...

-StreetChariot

Congrats Cesar! Keep on bloggin'..!

This is gonna be a sweet annoucnment if those are the new zunes, they look pretty cool actually

Please Cesar, give us something to go by.  If Wednesday comes and goes with no new firmware, I think I'm gonna die.

Naris, whats SQ again? =/

So can we at least get a real date? I feel the least we the devoted deserve is a hey keep your eyes open on the .... Please!

congrats on the 10k.  With the Zune Social growing I'm sure that 20k will come sooner than later.

yes! congratulations! i've been reading your blog every day for months now.

Cesar,

I find it interesting that you call this site Zune Insider, when it appears that other sites actually have the inside scoop before you.

Kinda misleading.

The anticipation is freezing me to my skeletal core.

congrats! :)

C'mon Cesar!  Tell us all that the rumors are all true and that all good things come to those who wait.  I was ready to jump ship this week for the competition, but now I'm about ready to claim to be a proud Zune owner once again.  Talk to us bro!  Give us all the fun details.  I feel pretty darn good and confident about all these rumors.  Wohoo!!!!

Congrats! Been reading this blog through Bloglines, so it's about time I drop in and say hello :-)

If there is a Zune announcement tomorrow surrounding firmware and Zune 2.0, it really does put the nail in the lid of the coffin of this site as a Zune information resource.  

You seem like a lovely guy Cesar, and all the stuff about BBQs and Indie music is quite cool and all but I think the title of the blog has become misleading now.

Just curious.... how many of those comments were people asking for information about the firmware?

If we were regularlly updated on what's happening on the Zune team like Major Nelson does for the XBox team I would be willing to bet we'd either have much less comments (less people asking for the firmware and begging for you to at least say _something_) or we would have more comments from satisfied users. I'm not sure which yet...

yea hopefully whoever is keeping cesar from saying anything at all will smarten up and realize that  if they are trying to keep things secret until last second thats not good for zune right now. take apple's ipod announcement for the touch and that whole thing they had. the only reason ipod customers can stand to wait without much news is because they have already gotten updates, know they will come, and are already satisfied users. In my opinion (which could be completly wrong) most of the zune users do feel shortchanged with no updates, resource hogging software, and crippled features. with no news of updates at all. at least i feel this way. i love my zune dont get me wrong but theres definitly a need for improvement. im sure the zune team is working on something good. when i saw the firmware update i think it could be real but the only reason i think its remotely real is because of the leaked display of zune 2's. even still im skeptical. well hopefully we get news soon because im sure 50% of the comments on zuneinsider had some relation of asking for a firmware update. hopefully the next milestone will be 20000 comments and most will be thanking for the great features in the next update and zune 2

nothing tomorrow....Nov. 2 "Día de los Muertos" is the real release date...sorry dudes...it is true!

I find it funny that everyone is asking for a firmware update and there is no indication on what will be included in it.  Perhaps it will only fix something minor, then what?

In Cesar's defense he can't comment on any of the pictures out there.  He would be fired if he leaked anything that was not approved by Microsoft.

Fred I agree, there is little insight into the inner workings of the Zune team, there should be all sorts of interesting stuff without leaking anything that would get him in trouble.

-js

I think the title of the post is to be taken literally and figuratively as in it's approaching a big announcement :-D Say at midnight tonight?

You know those new Zunes look quite sexy (and really thin from the head on view). Having all but given up on the Zune, I have to say you're in an interesting position with Apple right now.

You're not going to have anything to stand up against the Touch, but I think Apple screwed up the new Nano form factor while your flash player is still the "correct" shape, and given how totally unsexy the new iPod Classic looks, the big Zune 2 is promising.

So it all comes down to two things: A good launch feature set (nobody is going to trust you on the "we'll give you features later" promise anymore - even if we get a big firmware update now it's been a year of my life i'll never get back), and a decent battery life.

Cautiously optimistic.... *suspicious frown*

And as for the whole not commenting on photos thing. That isn't Ceasar's fault, but it is Microsoft PR being a bit stupid. Once there are multiple reliable leaks it would make sense to let Cesar confirm some stuff. Just look at how stupid Jobs looked when he announced the suprise new Nano that everyone had known about and seen for weeks. In that situation it is better to admit that the secret is out and start building some hype.

Hey Cesar...will we ever get the ability to download & read the lyrics to our fav songs on the Zune while the song is playing? I would really, really love an update like that.

This looks like it's going to be a great week for the Zune! Congrats Cesar!

<trolling>

Wow I am honored! :)

9PM PST, I know things are set into motion but I do wish it was abit earlier than that.  It would be great if you could provide a link here at Zunescene for the webcast (assuming there will be one).  Thanks

Whoops...I meant here at ZuneInsider. ;)

Those look legit to me... ;)

Cesar,

Please announce when the announcment will take place.

Thanks

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/10/microsoft-zun-1.html

Microsoft: Zune News Coming Soon

Peter Kafka | October 2, 2007 1:08 PM

Microsoft (MSFT) is entertaining a cadre of reporters on its Bellevue campus in advance of an announcement that's coming out today: We hear that it's Zune-related. Given the makeup of the press corps we hear they've assembled (entertainment writers from the big dailies, guys from the big glossies), that makes sense. We'll update with more info as we get it; meantime, anyone want to take a guess? We await your comments.

Cesar

Just to say a big thank you! The reason: you and your team have just saved me from purchasing the new iPod classic.

I was planning on importing a Zune 1 (i live in England) off ebay but heard rumours of a Zune 2 a few months ago so held back.  Then when the new iPods were announced I said I'd wait until October and if I hadn't heard anything concrete about Zune 2 by 1st October, I would buy the iPod classic.

Thankfully for me, I've been away on business so hadn't had the chance to purchase the iPod. So Cesar, I am at your feet and kissing them!  Hopefully something will get announced about these being available in Europe at least by Xmas '07, but if not I will just get one of ebay (it might be cheaper aswel due to the exchange rate at the moment!)

The pics that have been leaked of cardboard display units make them look sweet and quite thin.  I will personally be purchasing the HD based Zune 2 as the flash one looks too much like a 2nd Gen Nano for me!  Can't wait!

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/10/microsoft-zun-1.html

Lets hope this is the real thing;

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/10/microsoft-zun-1.html

So i assume since at engadget.com the new zunes were shown by the fcc website or something. and they match the pictures of the display so i am absolutly convinced that they are almost here. hopefully some new firmware on the way. care to comment on fact now cesar instead of rumor and speculation?

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/microsofts-4gb-8gb-flash-based-zunes-revealed-by-fcc/

Care to speculate on the rumours now? Engadget, Gizmodo, BetaNews.com, and even the federal goverment has all the inside details.

real?

http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/164307528/

we will see.

Rumos on FCC. The flash Zune is a joke of mighty proportions... No Widescreen...no nothing....no 16GB version. Give me a break...the Sansa view will toast this thing..I'm not buying this flash..Samsung P2 here I come...3inch widescreen. Later

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/microsofts-4gb-8gb-flash-based-zunes-revealed-by-fcc/#comments

@theadambomb

"even the federal goverment has all the inside details."

haha the government does what they please lol. but just reading that made me laugh.  come on cesar. as he said. the government has the details and now we know they exist. why cant your supervisors get it through their head to just tell us already!

Tell us please, do they sync to your computer wirelessly?

Someone in Redmond (non MS employee) should become friends with Cesar, take him out to really expensive restaurants and get all the inside info out of him.  I bet he sings like a bird when he is drunk!!!  Then that person should start a blog called ZuneOutsider where you can get all the insider information that Cesar will not tell!!!

"even the federal goverment has all the inside details."

So much for the "inside scoop".

"Someone in Redmond (non MS employee) should become friends with Cesar, take him out to really expensive restaurants and get all the inside info out of him."

Wouldn't be funny if someone did that and found out Cesar no longer worked for MS (or never did). :) All of the silence and not commenting on rumors  would suddenly make sense! :)

Or course I'm just kidding Cesar.

"even the federal government has all the inside details."

Thank you FCC!  And can't everyone just wait to see what the player is like before they say it sucks?  I mean even Cowon (who make some incredible DAPs themselves) have taken quite some time to pull into the higher flash capacities (they're only now starting to have a model with 16 GB, and they've been in the flash DAP business for years).  

I just hope that the flash Zunes at least beat the iPod Nanos on price at least.  And maybe come out with a 16GB version when Apple makes a Nano one (Having used the iPhone I can't imagine the horror that the Touch must be to play music while in your bag or pocket).  

Looking forward to tomorrow!

And please release the new firmware for V1 sooner than when you plan to release the next Zune.  It would be a nice B-day gift for me.

<trolling>

cesar i hope your in a meeting telling your superiors that its time to let all the info out. or maybe theres so much info with the huge gaps in firmware dates its going to take you the rest of the day to type it all out. its ok i understand haha. well i honestly think everyone here agrees that its public knowledge what the flash zune looks like and to just tell us and release the firmware or at least give us a date

CESAR!!!!PLEASE MAKE A POST!!!!! at lease about when the announcements are or when the firmware will become available......

Hey congrats Cesar. Just wanted to know how we will get the Zune2 news(When ever they come out) WIll it be on you blog first or some place on the Microsoft site.?

FCC has confirmed the Zune 2 codename scorpius.  That sounds familiar, been holding out on us?

zuneOutsider comes to mind!

Hey Cesar, I live in Seattle!   Want to meet for a beer... or six beers?  :)  I buy!  Let's see if he bites.

Cesar, how about setting up a blog "The Fake Cesar Menendez" and then you can spill the beans.

-js

i really hope that after the fcc leak and the screenshots that the zuneinsider community goes over a week without news. that would just be ridiculous. i hope we get news either a post today ( i have no idea what tiem it is where cesar lives haha ET for me! haha) or we get news tommorrow. either way it should be by at least friday. if not i might explode

Eh, check this out: http://www.dbtechno.com/products/2007/10/02/microsoft-set-to-announce-flash-based-zune-2/

Is it just me or do you also see a wireless ear bud? Now that would be cool.

Hey Cesar, I live on the eastside. How about meeting

Eh, check this out: http://www.dbtechno.com/products/2007/10/02/microsoft-set-to-announce-flash-based-zune-2/

Is it just me or do you also see a wireless ear bud? Now that would be cool.

Hey Cesar, I live on the eastside. How about meeting for a beer at Mahoney's.

It's offical. Atleast the Associated Press says it is:

http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_100207BUB_zune_KS.13099faa5.html

Evidently, a little under a half hour ago, Microsoft unveiled its new line of Zune devices. An 80 GB model, and two flash based 4/8GB models. The 4GB will be under 150$, the 8GB will be under 250.

Also of interest is that the Zune players will be able to sync with the users PC wireless-ly. Podcast support is included now. The only features still missing are TV Shows, etc, although a user may sync with a Windows Media Center and download TV Shows archived on the WMC.

"Tonight at 12 AM EST Microsoft is expected to announce the new Zune players. Information we have revealed about the flash and hard drive players has already been confirmed by FCC filings and spy photos. The smaller flash based Zunes will come in 4GB or 8GB and the larger device will be available at 80gb. We have received email from a reliable source indicating the following points will be made public at midnight:

Wireless sync will be included in all models including 30gb version

Zune Marketplace will have an expanded library including videos

Zune Marketplace will feature podcasts (zunecasts?) for the first time.

The new "squircle" button is called Zune Pad

Prices are $149 (4gb) $199 (8gb) $249 (80gb)

80gb Zune is slimmer and features a 3.2 inch screen.

We talked to some 3rd party Zune accessory providers today and they are "all in" for the new Zunes and we will be providing hands on reviews here at Zune Scene in the near future. We also have additional confimation on the colors red, pink, green, and black for the new Zune devices. "

Quote from Zunescene

i would love to have a wireless earbud. it would solve my problem of still needing wireless headphones for when i ride bmx at the skatepark. i hope you guys have wireless headphones of some sort. it would be wicked sweet.

I put up a link to the AP report regarding the press meeting Microsoft had around 3:30 PST (6:30 EST).

http://www.sharingisgood.com/

Don't know if anyone posted this link yet, but here you go:

http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_100207BUB_zune_KS.13099faa5.html

http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_100207BUB_zune_KS.13099faa5.html

Cesar.... c'mon the cat is out of proverbial bag.  Let us know something.  The whole friggin world knows the jig is up.  I was 2 clicks from posting my Cafe'Au Lait Zune on EBay, now I get this news of Firmware and a new Zune....please, dont tease us anymore.  By the way that was from a SEATTLE BASED NEWSSTATION

I just can't hold back any longer:

We do not comment on rumors or speculation.

Have a nice day.

:) :) :)

Bluetooth?

woooohoooo! New zunes coming!! Finally real reports:

http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_100207BUB_zune_KS.13099faa5.html

Cesar will probley release his info after 12:00 tonight because he is a source for news and he would get in trouble more that independent news companies if info was leaked...

I live about 30 min from Redmond...

Hi Cesar ,

You are supposed to be ... a bridge between Zune and its users.

Looks like , you only take feedback from zune users. Its shame to hear the zune news from some other channels ..

You dont need to give Zune's forth coming features , but atleast .. you could say when the next versions will be launched before some other tech sites ..inform.

whats so secret about launching a new version. is it Think Secret mantra.?

anyways , .. better dont represent Zune , if you cant provide info .. before the whole world tells the zune news..

nways .. good luck to the new Zunes !!

by the way, you can see pictures of the devices on flickr.com

Cesar. I expected to get the official news here first. I guess the NYT beat you to that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/technology/03zune.html?ref=business

Follow up to previous post...

http://techdigest.tv/zune2.jpg

...and that does appear to be wireless buds.

Very cool.

Also, meant to finish "How about meeting..." of local Zune users to use the new update?

AHHH! Your office is in Bellevue! I was there 2 weekends ago visiting relatives, and I toured MGS.  If I knew you guys were so close, I would have tried to see you guys.

Thanks to CNet, we have pictures of the different Zune 2 and Flash 2 models... before MS even accounces them to us :)

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/zune/official-zune-2-and-zune-flash-photos-306409.php

Ok guys here is all the info early.

Pictures of the Actual Zunes:

http://www.zune-online.com/news/zune/the-first-real-zune-2-photos.html

Everything You Want To Know About Zune 2:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/zune2_preview.asp

Wow, CNet has a GREAT write up of all the new features of the new Zune models... again, before Microsoft's announcement, lol.

http://www.news.com/Microsoft-unveils-new-generation-of-Zune/2100-1041_3-6211357.html?tag=item

Wireless sync, the squircle is touch sensative (you can swipe your finger across it to use it), Music videos on Marketplace (of course no TV shows, :( ), and some DRM-free music for sale. Other than that, not much else is listed though there are hopeful rumors to the media center integration (which would be awesome!)

Here's all the details as reported by Cnet with many great pictures:  http://www.news.com/Microsoft-unveils-new-generation-of-Zune/2100-1041_3-6211357.html

Engadget has the "official" announcement about the new Zunes.  Best news for me is that they are upgrading the existing Zune (1 I own and 1 my wife owns) with the newest features and user interface that the new Zunes have.  

http://www.zunesocial.net/

new Zune's look great and also ZMP

OFFICIAL ZUNE 2 ANNOUNCEMENT!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/microsofts-new-zunes-officially-in-80-8-and-4gb-sizes/3#comments

OMG I WANT THAT 80, NOW! Not only is it the 80GB I've been dying for, but that thing is hella sexy. And podcast support, a touch pad, slightly bigger screen, mpeg-4 support, wirelss syncing..

I'm buying on release date, no question.

Looks like the waiting was worth it.

The new Zunes

http://daringfireball.net/2007/10/new_zunes

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN0233995820071003?rpc=44&pageNumber=1

"The company completely redesigned software that runs on the Zune and linked PC to make it easier to navigate and search for new music. It also brought the player's design in-house, using contract manufacturer Flextronics International Ltd instead of Toshiba Corp, which made the first Zune."

Just read that there's going to be Zunecards, as well as video content on the MP. Fina-fricken-ly.

I'm glad to say I'm finally excited about the Zune, and I'll have something to show off now, instead of something that could be cool but wasn't.

Can you tell us if it's going to have higher resolution?

A number of you have posted that you live close to MS.  So, setup a monthly "Let's get Cesar drunk and get more info from him" party.  I am happy with getting the good juicy info once a month.  

Come on Cesar, you have beers being offered.  We needed these snipits of info on the Zune 2 months ago.  

Matt, Microsoft has already stated the screen resolution is the same.  However, the Zune 80 will support 640 x 480 externally (via video cable) unlike the old Zune 30.