Zune HD - Microsoft's Ipod Touch Challenger

Microsoft have recently published their prospective answer to Apple's Ipod Touch, the Zune HD. Zune HD will according to the Norwegian website DinSide be available in the US early this automn, and it is the 3rd generation Zune. With Zune HD, Microsoft hopes to challenge the Ipod Touch's "monopoly" as the nr1 media player, and so far it looks like a fair challenge...

The new media player will have lots of new technology. However, some of it will not function in many countries outside the USA, sais the Norwegian newspaper VG. Some of the new features in the Zune HD are i.a OLED screen and close integration with the Xbox. It will also be able to play HD-video on an extern screen when plugged in. Zune HD will also be able to play HD-radio, an alternative to the DAB, which is common i.a in the US. This technology will not be usable many places outside the US, and Zune HD is accordingly the first portable device able to recieve HD radio signals. The screen has, similar to the Ipod Touch, multitouch functions.

The Zune HD has impressed many, amongst them ITavisen. They write that the technoblogs Engadget and Gizmodo both have tested the Zune HD, and the responses are definately not negative. First of all the OLED screen strikes you as stunning. Next, the accelerometer is said to be quicker than those of the Ipod Touch and Iphone. And lastly, Gizmodo calls the device tighter and more physically beautiful than the iPod Touch.

So, will the Zune HD be able to compete against the market where Apple's Ipods currently are in full control? In December 2008 Apple had sold 13 million Ipod Touchs. One other important feature that is still unknown is how many different file types the Zune will be able to play, as converting of files has been annoying Ipod users for many years. Well, to me it seems like the Ipod Touch finally has got a worthy competitor. I definately believe the Zune HD will be a great device, but weither it manages to compete against Apple in the Ipod Touch dominated market remains to see...


Do you agree with me? Please leave a comment!

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Apple Monopoly?

Today, as the Ipod Touch and Iphone is gaining a solid posotion in the society, we are witnessing the spreading of something close to a hysteria. The Ipod Touch and Iphone is today becoming a device used for important tasks in the society. These cutting-edge devices are now being used in schools, production and businesses around the world. Is the Iphone and Itouch hysteria getting out of controll?

Just recently we could read in the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG) about a Japanese university that uses the Iphone to controll each student's absence in class. By giving out Iphones to the students, the university can use the GPS function on the Iphone to controll that each student is where he/she is suppose to be, and that way they can controll it if a student is missing in class. According to the university, the sudents' private life is safely protected, although they have detailed overview over each student's movements and whereabouts. They say that is supposedly easier for the school this way, as the students can simply register their absence through the Iphone.

At the same time, we can read on the Swedish website MacWorld, that the Swedish car make Volvo has given their workers new tools in order to improve their production - Ipod Touch and Iphones. They have developed a program to ease the work for their mechanics that uses the Ipod Touch's technology. The idea is that instead of computer screens and prints, everyone will have all the information on their personal Ipod Touch or Iphone. This way the production will go a lot smoother and easier for everyone, as noone has to run to and fro for lists.

There are of course also many other similar examples of the Ipod Touch and Iphone being used for important tasks around the world. But why is this? There are thousands of mobile phones with GPS's. And I guess many of these tasks could be done by many other devices than the Iphone or Itouch. So why choose something as expensive as the Iphone? I belive the answer is publicity. As we all know, the Ipod Touch and Iphone are quality, cutting edge devices. And as we also know they are extremely popular. So by incorporating the Iphone and Itouch, these businesses appear trendy, but at the same time professional to the employees, workers and students. Thereby increasing their popularity.

So are we wittnessing a hystria? To call it a hysteria is, in my opinion, to exaggerate. However we have to be careful not to let Apple get full monopoly in these areas.

What is your opinion? Leave a comment!

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List of Cydia Sources for Ipod Touch and Iphone

Here is a list of the best Cydia sources for the Ipod Touch and Iphone. I partly got it from Iphone3G-Mods and HackTheIpodTouch. There are of course thousands more sources, but many are not really any good, and just make Cydia perform slower. So here are the best sources:

Name:	BigBoss & Planet-iPhones	Verified
URL	HTTP://apt.bigboss.us.com/repofiles/cydia/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Themes / Tweaks / Hacks / Apps / wallpapers

Name:	#4pp13 Team	Verified
URL	HTTP://apt.123Locker.com	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	NES/GBA Rom Packs

Name:	Darvens Repository	Verified
URL	http://apt.guardiansofchaos.com	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Themes / Tweaks / Hacks / Apps / wallpapers

Name:	ModMyiFone	Verified
URL	http://apt.modmyi.com	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Themes / Wallpapers / Apps / Ringtones

Name:	iSpazio	Verified
URL	http://ispaziorepo.com/cydia/apt/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Backgrounds / Apps / Games / Themes

Name:	Xsellize	Verified
URL	http://xsellize.com/cydia/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Backgrounds / Apps / Games / Themes

Name:	ZodTTD	Verified
URL	http://zodttd.com/repo/cydia/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Emulators / Quake4iPhone / Doom & VLC4Iphone

Name:	iModZone Cydia Repo®	Verified
URL	http://c.imodzone.net/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	RockBand / Hacks

Name:	Hackulo	Verified
URL	http://cydia.hackulo.us/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	hacks :)

Name:	iClarified.com	Verified
URL	http://cydia.iclarified.com/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Volume Boost / iLog / AutoCorrection ONOFF

Name:	SaladSoft	Verified
URL	http://nickplee.com/cydiasource/	Feb 13 - 2009
Description:	Chord Directory Nick's APP Experiments

Hack&Dev.org: http://iphone.hackndev.org/apt/
Urban Fanatics: http://urbanfanatics.com/cydia/






Please leave a comment if you know more quality sources!

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