Well Leo, looks like Microsoft is not afraid of the term podcast after all. In looking at the image of the new Zune however, they are not exactly giving podcasts top billing either. At least it’s finally in there.

Microsoft has announced the second generation Zunes. The designs look a bit cleaner and come in 4 colors, pink, green, black and glossy red (what no brown?). There are now 3 models. 2 flash based in 4 and 8 GB sizes and an 80 GB hard drive based model. The 80GB hard-drive model has a 3.2-inch screen. Other new features include wireless syncing, touch controls (scrolling?), and longer sharing times on “squirted” tracks. The 3 play limit still applies though. Along with the new Zunes Microsoft will launch the new “Zune Social” community web site in June along with an improved Zune Marketplace. General consensus on the web seems to be that the new Zunes will do OK, but will likely not make much of a dent in Apple’s iPod supremacy, probably stealing market-share from other 3rd part players like the Sansa and Zen.

For me what is most exciting about the new Zunes is podcast support. Finally. The Zune website says older Zunes will also be getting a software update, so I assume they will get podcast support too. Microsoft claims to have already sold more than a million Zunes, so that is a nice bump in potential new podcast listenership. It’s no iTunes 4.9, but good none the less. I am also hopeful that this may be the first sign that Microsoft is considering broader support for podcasting in it’s products. Hey guys, how about Windows Media Player next? Please.

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A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 201. iPhone 1.1.1 update released. Shooby’s bricked iPhone. iPod Touch 1.1.1 update. Updates for iLife, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes (Win), iWork, iWeb and Apple’s store web site. Firmware updates for iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook and Xserve. Target sells pink Shuffle iPhone absent at Apple Expo. Listener comments web screen capture app. Rumors of an Appe PDA surfacing. Feedback on using exchange server with iPhone. Blocking IntelliTXT ads. Drawing tablets for the Mac.

New music, Chains of Love by Kellin Watson (Buy on iTunes)

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The measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it. — Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)

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It’s finally here and I am downloading it now. For sure I will be covering the new features and updates on the next show. One thing that was made VERY clear from the installer was Apple’s stern warning to iPhone un-lockers that the update would potentially permanently damage their iPhone (see below). So re-lock your iPhone or don’t do the update.

Update: Looks like there are some challenges for iPhone hacks even if they re-lock the iPhone prior to running the update. I just spoke with Shooby and he used the currently published re-locking procedures to relock and restore his iPhone. He reinserted his AT&T SIM and ran the 1.1.1 update. After update his AT&T SIM was invalidated. Now, we are not sure if the error is with the procedure he used to re-lock the phone or if this will be the experience for everyone, but at the very least it should server as a BIG warning. If you have a SIM unlocked iPhone, please wait for the iPhone Dev team to look into this before running the 1.1.1 update. Shooby is working with them now, so stay tuned.

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A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Special episode to announce the recipients of the Maccast 200 gifts.

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A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 200. Apple Updates: iTunes 7.4.2, MainStage 1.0.1, 3G iPod Nano and IPod Classic Updates. Apple products don’t get old. They become Classic. iPhones making their way to EU. iPhone 1.1.1 Update feature breakdown. Ed Burns new Movie direct to iTunes. Griffin and Woz at the Emmys. New iPod? Buy your games again. Apple confirms iPod Touch Display issues. Apple denies Danish iBook fault, but accepts ruling. Jobs subpoenaed by SEC. Slimmer, smaller MacBooks on the way? Maccast 200 One Minute Tip What is NBC thinking? Stopping the iPhone Gmail email bug. OS X and Exchange Servers. Review: Balmuda X-Base. NullRiver makes cool Software. Replicating Menubar on multiple monitors. Another Dock tip

200th show gift giveaway on Monday. I’ll be at Podcast Expo next week. Come by and say Hi! Superheroes of Podcasting coloring contest at the show.

New music, I’ll Try by Moxie

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Hi, name is Werner Brandes. My voice is my passport. Verify Me — Sneakers (1992)

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Well, Apple did NOT announce the arrival of the Beatles on iTunes today like I thought and I have never been happier to be wrong. As most other rumor sites predicted, Apple did officially announce the date for the UK launch of the iPhone. November 9th the iPhone will go on sale in the UK and as predicted O2 will be the exclusive carrier of the “Jesus” phone.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with O2 to offer our revolutionary iPhone to UK customers”, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “US iPhone customer satisfaction is off the charts, and we can’t wait to let UK customers get their hands on it and learn what they think of it”.

Apple held a special event at the Regent Street Apple store Tuesday morning to announce the deal. At the event Apple and O2 also gave details on pricing and service plans. The iPhone will be available in an 8GB model for £269 (inc VAT) (USD ~ $536). For service, customers can pick from three monthly iPhone “tariffs” offered by O2. £35 (USD ~$70) for 200 minutes, £45 (USD ~$90) for 600 minutes, and £55 (USD ~$110) for 1200 minutes. The 200 minute plan includes 200 SMS messages, while the upper two plans come with 500 SMS messages a month. All plans come with unlimited data, visual voicemail, and access to 7,500 wifi hotspots from The Cloud.
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A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 199. Apple updates Quicktime and keyboard software, Apple releases Logic Studio, iPhone unlocking continues, iPod Touch available now, Secretive Apple UK Press event. I am a new iPhone owner. Creating Ringtones for free. iPod Touch vs. iPhone. “I have something to say…” Apple EU perspective. Recovering Finder sidebar icons. Photobooth mini review. Dock organiztion and tricks. Simple audio recording and iPod syncing question. 200th show coming and I’m giving gifts. Maccast coloring book giveaway at Podcast Expo.

New music, Yeah Yeah Yeah by Once Just [ iTunes ].

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Everybody starts out as strangers, Ted. It’s where we end up that counts. — Four Rooms (1995)

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Well I just checked with the US Apple Store (Thursday September 13th, 2007 @ 9:00 PM PST) and they still claim the iPod Touch has an estimated ship date of September 28th. Now, that would be in line with Steve’s statement made at the special event last week that the new touchable iPods would be available in a couple weeks. So, if we believe Apple, listener Luis should not have been able to walk into a Florida Apple store today and saunter home with the brand spankin’ new iPod you see pictured here. The cool thing is… he DID! Looks like the new iPod Touch has hit the streets (or at least maybe your local Apple Store) a bit early. So what are you waiting for… go on… you know you want to touch it.

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A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. A quick wrap-up of the announcements made by Steve Jobs at Apple’s special “The Beat Goes On” event held today at Moscone Center in San Francisco. I’m joined by Victor Cajiao from The Typical Mac User Podcast, Bill Palmer from iProng.com and we discuss all the announcements. Updates to iTunes and iPhone, the complete new iPod line up, and the controversial dropping of the iPhones price tag. It’s all in there, so join us as we talk all things Apple and music on this special episode.

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