Photos: Zune 120 and Zune 16 (third generation)

Click to see our photo gallery for the Zune 120 (third generation).

(Credit: CNET Networks)

The new Zunes are here, hot on the heels of last week's iPods. While the Zune hardware hasn't changed much since last year's models, our photo galleries of the Zune 120 and the Zune 16 are definitely worth a look if you're considering grabbing a Zune for the holidays or updating from a previous version.

If you missed the Zune PC software video and screen shots we posted Monday, be sure to give those a look, too. It seems like the bulk of the third-generation Zune's improvements are in the new software and firmware upgrades. If you already own a first- or second-generation Zune, Microsoft will be treating you to a free software and firmware upgrade today that includes all the new third-generation features. Let's just hope the upgrade goes smoother than last year.

Click to see our photo gallery for the Zune 16 (third generation).

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Among the Zune's new firmware features are the ability to browse, preview, and purchase songs from the Zune Marketplace directly from your Zune over Wi-Fi, as well as a new FM-radio-tagging feature for earmarking songs from the radio that you may want to purchase later. Zune is also putting its own spin on the Rhapsody Channels concept, allowing you to sign up to automatically receive a selection of music every week curated by notable radio DJs and genre experts.

Microsoft doesn't beat you over the head with the idea, but Zune users will probably want to drop some money on a Zune Pass music subscription in order to really take advantage of the device's new music discovery options. Otherwise, many of the new features will offer only 30-second song samples with the option to buy. As someone who's used a Zune Pass for about a year now, I can say the service is very liberating if your music appetites are larger than your wallet, and you're OK with the idea of your music being wrapped up tight with DRM.

Stay tuned for my full review of the new third-generation Zunes.

[tipoo_]

IMHO, microsoft shouldnt have taken away the premium headphones and custom engraving.

[Lemon5]

WHOA! MS dropped the premium headphones? On the 120gb version? LAME!

[tomorryzc]

Well, premium head phones make zune cheerful.
When I put DVD video to zune with http://www.convert-video-dvd.com/dvd-to-zune-suite.html#115 I think microsoft zune is amazing...

[Rod Roddy]

The Zune and it's software are evolving into one kick-ass combo. I have a Zune 8gb and It rocks my socks off. I'm liking it even more with the new software updates. MS really got serious this time around.

[Uzbekistani]

Really? MS, what's wrong with you, guys? Zune's only comparative advantage over iPod (and I'm not an Apple fanboy) was superior earbuds. I myself was considering grabbing Zune next week or so. Really disappointing, call me a cheapo, but earbuds are a dealbreaker for me (not that I'm not going to be upgrading them anyway, but it's good to know that if my good pair dies, I always have somewhat better quality extra). Thank goodness we have Walkman. MS, you guys, should really hire a better marketing team.

[atomicbomb156]

I already have a good pair of buds (Shure SE110) so having the premium headphones isn't that much of an issue to me. As long as the player has good sound quality. Pretty much anything that has better sound quality than the iPod. I currently have an 8GB Sony Walkman but I have a lot of media. Think upwards of 60GB. So I would much prefer to have a Zune simply because of its sound quality, nice, big screen, radio (yes I still listen to that), twist interface, and the customizability. I plan on getting a Zune Original which has some ridiculously awesome patterns. For $10 more it honestly isn't that bad. And some of the features on the Zune 3.0 software are pretty cool. It can be sluggish at times but then again so is iTunes. I am really starting to detest the whole white and blue thing going on. It hasn't changed in 4 years. Anything with a battery life over 24 hours is fine no need to run over 2 days like some mp3 players do. My walkman can go up to 36 hours. Simply put I much prefer the Zune. The screen, the price, and the space is what does it. Plus the whole twist interface and the zune pad is pretty cool to. The click wheel is old. And I'm not willing to spend $400 to get a 32GB iPod touch.

[dysonl]

I'd rather that the device comes with cheap earbuds and with bad sound quality, like the (cough) iPod (cough).

[milominderbender]

Honestly is it a slow work day at MS or do they farm out these fake postings to a call centre in Bengal?

[make_or_break]

Whatsa matter? The thought that ANYONE pickin' Redmond over Cupertino that galling to you?

[robvme]

The new software is awesome. I have the 80GB version of Zune second generation and just updated. Being able to find music wirelessly or on FM and download untethered from my computer is a huge jump. Combined with a Zune Pass (flat rate for all the music you can eat) this has suddenly become a seldom used device to one I carry almost everyday. Other features like Channel subscription, recommendations and picks, games, audiobooks, are all nice too.

[make_or_break]

I've barely loaded up my Zune 80 to 50% full, so no Zune 120 for me this time around. As for the bud downgrade...big deal. The "upgraded" buds with my 80 wasn't anything significant to cheer over, IMO. Yes, they're better than the crap AAPL bundles with their iPods, but it's not like it would take much to better an iPod's standard buds. A string tied to a tin can whip those things.

I'm going to have to update the software and firmware to see what all the fuss is about. And yeah, it had BETTER be a smoother transition from 2.x to 3.0 that the move from 1.4 to 2.0 was. Aside from the 360, I'm already not much of a MSFT fan; I don't need anymore clunky client software for my PMP to reinforce that at the same time.

[technobabble]

Although the premium headphone sounded nice, they did so only if you stood still. The outer covering of the cord was made of this fabric type material which looked chique but made a awfull noise when it rubbed against your shirt (think corduroy pants) this sound is then conducted straight to the buds. And very loudly so. I hardly ever use them.