The Zune 2... Finally!!!

I've been waiting for Microsoft to announce the Zune 2 since May of this year. Finally they're almost here. I don't know about you but I personally think they look great. If you're hating Apple right now due to their recent antics, the Zune is a nice alternative to the iPod. I think the 80gig Zune model trumps the iPod Classic because of it's FM radio, huge screen and great-looking interface. Here are some more info about the new offering from Microsoft (via Engadget and BoingBoing):

• A slimmer new case design in both hard-drive- and flash-based models.
  
• Automatic syncing over Wi-Fi.


• The new "Zune Pad" is both a click button and a touchpad.


• "Zune Social," a Last.FM-like music tracking platform.


• Integration with Windows Media Center platform, for watching your recorded content.


• The Zune-to-Zune "squirting" will still be wrapped in three-plays-only DRM, even for content you ripped yourself, although the self-destruct timer has been jettisoned.


• All new features will be added to the original zoom via a firmware update.


• The new players will support lossless audio of the Windows Media variety (don't go screaming FLAC just yet).


• The WiFi is just b/g, so no n, a or x (the sexiest form of WiFi).


• Microsoft is still in the testing phase for battery life and will have numbers "later."


• All your old accessories are said to work with the new models.


• The screens are glass, not plastic.


• Green is the new brown... but brown is sticking around on the 30GB models.


• You can connect the Zune to an Xbox 360 to create "your own soundtrack."


• Podcast support! (Sorry, no over the air downloads -- sync only.) Podcasts can also be shared via WiFi.


• The Zune music store is going DRM-free, with over 1m MP3 tracks being made available for download. Other details (like which labels, whether there is a DRM-free upgrade path is for users who've bought music with DRM, price differences, etc.) are not yet revealed.

As of now, all I can say is whoohoo!!!