Zune 30

For the series line and brand, see Zune.
Zune 30
Manufacturer Microsoft
Type Portable media player
Release date United States November 14, 2006
Operating system Windows Embedded CE 6.0
Storage 30 GB Hard disk
Input Circular directional pad
Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB
Power 3.7V Lithium-Ion Internal Battery
Online services Zune Marketplace
Dimensions 2.4 × 4.4 × 0.58 inches
Weight 5.6 ounces
Successor Zune 80
Related articles Zune 4, 8, 16

The Zune 30 was the first portable media player developed by Microsoft. It was released on November 14, 2006. It was simply named the Zune. After subsequent versions with different hard drive capacities, the original Zune was renamed Zune 30.

The consumer edition was initially offered in black, brown, and pearl white, which came with a "doubleshot," or translucent glow, in a different color, of blue, green, and clear, respectively. Cases are made from a silicone rubber. Controls include a circular controller with four buttons for direction, as well as a middle button to select a song album or menu, a back button to the left, a play/pause button to the right, and a hold switch atop the player next to the headphone port.[1] The words "Hello from Seattle" are inscribed on the back of the case and it features several songs, videos, and images preloaded on the device.[2] The Zune originally sold at a retail price of $249.99 with the cost being reduced to $199.99 on September 5, 2007.[3]

The limited editions came in different colors and artwork and were offered in three consecutive months. Red Zunes were put up for auction in various stores in the Los Angeles area on October 2006.[4] Pink and orange Zunes,[5] in quantities of 100 each, were randomly inserted into Zune boxes along with a numbered certificate of authenticity.[6][7] Devices in these same colors were given to the Zune team as gifts. They had "Welcome to the Social November 14, 2006" written on the back and came in white packaging featuring Zune artwork then were released on the very same month.[8][9] "Ambassador" artwork Zunes were given to Microsoft's "Zune Master" college-student marketers on December 15, 2006.[10]

Cesar Menendez from the Microsoft Zune team confirmed Pink Zune availability around mid-May for a limited edition production run of 100,000 units.[11] In the same month, beginning April 13, 2007, the Pink Zune was first available on several online stores.[12]

A Halo 3 inspired Zune developed in partnership with the game's creators Bungie was announced at a Halo 3 event in May 2007. The Halo 3 Zune comes in either dark brown or black, and features a Halo symbol on the back. Both versions are loaded with Halo content, including a custom episode of the popular series Red vs. Blue and were designed to feel like something that came from the game.[13]

The black Halo 3 Zune is sold exclusively through GameStop since June 27, 2007, while the dark brown Halo 3 Zunes will be carried in the AAFES "PX" for the military. In early August, 2007, 300 of the dark brown Halo 3 Zunes were distributed free of charge by the USO to soldiers deployed to foreign soil. As of June 10, a special edition red Zune is for sale online at Amazon.com and also at Target stores all over the United States.

Released on October 29, 2007, a Wisin & Yandel custom Zune is available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. This custom Zune was created for fans of the Latin music group Wisin & Yandel and is pre-loaded with the album Wisin vs. Yandel Los Extraterrestres. Live concert footage, videos, images and other music are also included. The Wisin & Yandel Zune is black with a custom graphic on the back.[14]

Freescale Driver Issue

At approximately midnight Pacific Standard Time, on December 31, 2008, Zune 30s froze.[15][16] The problem was caused by a 3rd-party driver written by Freescale for their MC13783 PMIC processor. The bug also froze up Toshiba Gigabeat S media players that share the same Freescale device and driver.[17] The exact cause was first discovered by itsnotabigtruck of Zune Boards.[18] People who experienced the problem gave the event many names, among them Z2K9,[19] Y2K9,[20] Z2K,[20][21] the Zune Screen of Death,[21] Zunepocalypse,[22] and the December 31st, 2008 Zune Meltdown.

Microsoft posted a comment on the support front page stating the issue is because 2008 is a leap year, and a firmware clock driver used by the Zune 30 improperly handles the last day of a leap year, causing the player to freeze. The driver is for a part used only in the Zune 30 model, which is why the bug didn't affect the other Zune models. The official fix was to drain the device battery and then recharge after midday GMT on 1 January 2009.[23] [24]

Hardware

  1. Discharge: 13–14 hours music (on-off Wi-Fi), 4 hours video[32]
  2. Charge: 2–3 hours (90%-full)[33]

References

  1. ↑ Horwitz, Jeremy (2006-08-17). "Zune interface, features detailed". iLounge. Archived from the original on 2008-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Microsoft PressPass Press Release" (Press release). Microsoft. 2006-09-28. Archived from the original on 2012-01-17. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  3. ↑ Zune Insider : Price Drop Archived March 3, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Block, Ryan (2006-10-29). "Red union Zune up for auction". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2012-12-06.
  5. ↑ "Orange Zune Photos". Archived from the original on 2013-06-05.
  6. ↑ "Secret Pink Zune". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04.
  7. ↑ Wittress, Bill (2006-11-28). "Pink Zunes in the wild". Archived from the original on 2012-07-11.
  8. ↑ Wittress, Bill (2006-11-14). "Ship gift (Pink and Orange Zunes)". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.
  9. ↑ Ricker, Thomas (2006-11-15). "Zune in Pink (and Orange)". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2012-12-06.
  10. ↑ "Inside glimpse into Zune Masters". Zunerama. 2006-12-23. Archived from the original on 2013-05-23.
  11. ↑ Menendez, Cesar (2007-04-07). "Pink Photo". Zune Insider. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24.
  12. ↑ "Microsoft Zune". EBgames.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06.
  13. ↑ "Halo 3 zune". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08.
  14. ↑ Zune.net | Wisin & Yandel Custom Zune Archived September 11, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Wortham, Jenna (December 31, 2008). "The Day the Microsoft Zunes Stood Still". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2013-05-22.
  16. ↑ Claburn, Thomas (December 31, 2008). "Microsoft Scrambling To Thaw Zune Freeze". InformationWeek.
  17. ↑ "Zune Bug Actually a Freescale Bug Affecting Toshiba Gigabeats Too". Anything But Ipod. 2009-01-02. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  18. ↑ "Cause of Zune 30 leapyear problem ISOLATED!". Zune Boards. December 31, 2008. Archived from the original on 2014-01-05. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  19. ↑ Hodgson, Melissa (December 31, 2008). "Microsoft's Zune Hit With Glitch". Wall Street Journal.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Kraemer, Brian (December 31, 2008). "The Day Zune Music Died". The Channel Wire (United Business Media LLC). Archived from the original on 2009-01-01.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Pham, Alex; Gaither, Chris (December 31, 2008). "Z2K? reports pour in of frozen Zune media players". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2013-12-06.
  22. ↑ Buchanan, Matt (December 31, 2008). "How to Revive Dead Zunes 30s". Gizmodo the Gadget Blog. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16.
  23. ↑ "zune 30 faq". Microsoft. 2008-12-31. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  24. ↑ "Zune Insider: 30gb zune issues -- official update". Microsoft. 2008-12-31. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  25. ↑ "MK3008GAL". Toshiba. Archived from the original on 2007-03-19.:Toshiba MK3008GAL
  26. ↑ "The IEEE802.11b/g high data rate wireless LAN chip set which realized ultra low POWER consumption (0.25mW in POWER Save Mode) is produced commercially.". KeyStream. 2006-02-06.: KeyStream (KS3021 / KS7010)
  27. ↑ Fried, Ina (2006-08-25). "Microsoft's Zune aims to be social butterfly". CNET. Archived from the original on 2007-02-14.
  28. ↑ "FS•45X Family". Focus Enhancements. Archived from the original on 2008-07-23.: Focus FS456 (FS456LF)
  29. ↑ "ISP1504A; ISP1504C; ULPI Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus On-The-Go transceiver". NXP Semiconductors. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12.: Philips (ISP1504)
  30. ↑ "Si470x FM Radio Tuners". Silicon Laboratories. Archived from the original on 2013-05-22.:Silicon Labs Si4701 (4701A15)
  31. ↑ "UL No,MH19929". Underwriters Laboratories.:NEC-TOKIN G71C0006Z11
  32. ↑ Block, Ryan (2006-09-17). "Zune battery life: 12 hrs music, 3.5 hrs video". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2012-12-06.
  33. ↑ "Technical Specifications: Zune". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25.
  34. ↑ "i.MX31 Multimedia Applications Processors". Freescale. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28.:(SCIMX31LVKM5 / 3L38W / CTAU0629)
  35. ↑ "K4M51323PC". Samsung. Archived from the original on 2008-01-06.: (K4M51323PC-DG75)
  36. ↑ "Inside Zune - the hardware". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17.
  37. ↑ "Intel Advanced+ Boot Block Flash Memory (C3) Datasheet" (PDF). Intel. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-18.:(PH28F160C3TD)
  38. ↑ "Low-Voltage Octal FET Bus Switch - SN74CBTLV3245A - TI Product Folder". Texas Instruments. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04.:(CL245 / SN74CBTLV3245A)
  39. ↑ (P003 / 620A5)
  40. ↑ "WM8978 - CODEC with speaker driver". Wolfson Microelectronics. Archived from the original on 2010-03-17.: (WM8978G)
  41. ↑ "MC13783 : Power Management and Audio Component". Freescale. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.: Freescale MC13783