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Zune HD v4.3 Firmware Update Brings Several New Improvements

Posted 11/07/09 at 09:03:12 PM  by Justin Kerr

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Zune HD

Okay, so it’s not like Zune HDs were dropping dead right left and center, but more than a few users were irked that play count issues have plagued the device since day one, and many were wondering if it would ever get fixed. Specifically, the Zune HD wouldn’t register a song as “played” unless you skipped to another track manually after about 20 seconds or so. If you were one of the many who were annoyed by this bug, the end is nigh.

The just released v4.3 firmware update addresses not only this issue, but offers up a myriad of “minor improvements”, not the least of which is a snappier browser.

In addition to speed enhancements, it offers up “support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input”. Its great to see Microsoft continuing to make improvements to the device, but who are we kidding, this thing pretty much kicked ass to begin with right?

Zune HD 4.3 firmware brings:

  • Support for the upcoming 3D games and applications.
  • Auto Suggest feature for text input.
  • Faster web browsing experience.
  • Landscape keyboard
  • Keyboard option has been added in the settings section.
  • New toggle between seek and presets under Radio.
  • Under the Internet in settings, you can now toggle to default mobile or desktop webpage layout.
  • Artists bios are updated; embedded links to other artists in text.
  • Other bug fixes.

COMMENTS:10
TAGS: microsoft, Zune, firmware update, bug fix, zune hd
COMMENTS
avatar Duh, I know that. When I

Submitted by colinjm0517 on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 3:10pm

 Duh, I know that. When I posted my last comment, this article was named "Zune HD v4.3 Fireware Update Brings Several New Improvments". Apparently Justin Kerr fixed the title mistake after I pointed it out. Just as we can change our posts, they can change their articles.

Windows 7 is the King of all OSes

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avatarIf you go to sync groups

Submitted by scythe123100 on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 9:20am

If you go to sync groups, you can create a new sync group, and name it whatever you want. my understanding of it is that it will do exactly what you want if you just name one "Audiobooks", and select your books. It should show up beside music and podcasts just like you wanted.

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avatar What's Fireware? I've

Submitted by colinjm0517 on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 7:58pm

 What's Fireware? I've heard of FileWare but not fireware. Must be a typo.

Windows 7 is the King of all OSes

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avatarFIRMware, you

Submitted by DarkHelmet on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 8:18am

FIRMware, you knucklehead.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmware

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avatar Look at my comment above

Submitted by colinjm0517 on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 3:11pm

 Look at my comment above DarkHelmet.

Windows 7 is the King of all OSes

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avatarMore Storage

Submitted by nsvander on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 7:51pm

Now if they would only make these with a real amount of storage on it.  At last count I had over 35gigs of music, and well I never know what I want to listen to so I like to take my entire collection with me.  The new HD ones top out at 30gigs, and well that is just not enough room for me.

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avatar That is what is holding me

Submitted by quickone on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:11am

 That is what is holding me back as well.  I read they cannot use HDD with the touch screen so they have to go with SSD, which until the price of those comes down would make a ≥ 64GB version ungodly expensive

 

 

~~The difference between insanity and genius is merely succes~~

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avatari'm still waiting to be able

Submitted by jrocknyc on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 7:42pm

i'm still waiting to be able to load up my own audiobooks (without retagging them as "podcasts") and for a pitch-fixing speed-up feature so i don't have to batch process books thru audacity ("change tempo" +50%)...

 mostly i'm still happy with my Zune (8gb) 8 tho.

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avatarAudible

Submitted by Redeye on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 11:02pm

I haven't tried it personally, but the Zune and ZuneHD are supported devices for www.audible.com and may be worth a look if you haven't checked it out already.

 I like the updates, the input prediction is pretty nice.  Does this mean Audiosurf Tilt is coming soon?  Can't wait.

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avatarthanks, that's true.  i've

Submitted by jrocknyc on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:53am

thanks, that's true.

 i've used both Audible and Overdrive Media (what the NYPL uses). Both require loading up their own (lame) apps and syncing, which is a hassle. And neither app recognizes my own CD-audiobook rips with a boatload of converting/rejiggering.

what'd be helfpul is for Microsoft to just make a third category alongside "Music" and "Podcasts" where I can drag my own audiobooks to. 

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