Thanks for all the positive feedback! It's keeping me going. Here are some more notes on the upcoming Zune3.0 release and my day at Microsoft.

Accessories:

• Selective of partners
  • They wanted Zune specific devices not simply iPod clones
• Design is based around usages scenario
• Four Accessory areas: Power, car, home (picture), cases (picture)
• If your device is AC powered, it is good to do wifi sync automatically.
  • This is big considering the Zune 3.0 wifi expansion
• If your FM transmitter is weak, it’s the FCC telling makers to make the transmitters less powerful
• Car Pack v2 is firmware updatable. When you connect your device it will update automatically. Improved seek functions.
• Premium headphones are really popular, usage tests have shown that people think they cost $99 even though they’re $39
  • On the flip side, some people were thinking that the premium headphones were cheaper than they were. So they were not included with the Zune 120. This also helped keep the cost down.
• Zune Made leather cases from Microsoft are no longer available.
• Zune120 is the same form factor as the Zune 80
• More Zune-centric in-store displays (with working Zunes) are coming to improve buying experience
  • Circuit City: 1-2-3 Zone
• More FM transmitters are coming
• Zune is really conscious of the 3^rd party partners they are working with to ensure hardware quality
  • Looking to prevent the million-and-one useless or low quality accessories similar to iPod
• Meaning of ‘Made for Zune’:
  • Has gone through strenuous testing (i.e. making sure a case doesn’t scratch your Zune in the process of protecting it & product overall durability)
  • To ensure they work properly
  • Ensure build quality (no questionable circuitry)
  • You know that a ‘Made for Zune’ product will be a quality product and will add to the user experience

• SoundGate Core System (In depth w/ Zunerama)
  • Sound output via Zune sync cable
  • Sync cable is like ‘line out’ output as opposed to the variable volume analog output of headphone jack
  • Video out capable as well for dashboard mounted lcd systems (picture)
  • So it goes Zune --> core system --> car aux in --> car speakers/lcd screen
  • Sounds better than simply going headphone jack --> cassette player --> speakers
  • Zune can be remote controlled with cabled remote (picture)
  • Requires some behind the dash board work to be done in certain instances so the Zune can be hooked into aux in
• Dashboard clips/vent clips coming so that you can mount your Zune to your car’s vent system
• Metadata capable head units are coming (being able to plug your Zune directly into a stereo receiver and have it read the contents). Their (the 3^rd party head unit manufacturers) development cycle is three years. So those units should be coming next year at the earliest.

Audiobooks:

• No end-to-end audiobook support with this release
  • Need Audible Client to sync with Zune device (client will sync audiobooks only)
  • first 3rd party software to officially sync with Zune
• Content Providers supported
  • Audible
  • Overdrive
• Menu option is available only when content is present (picture)
• UI is similar to podcasts (picture)
• There is no easy way to get ripped audiobooks into the audio books section yet
• Round tripping is currently not supported
• Supports pictures for kids books (picture)
  • screen will not turn off while displaying pictures
  • Pictures need to be added by content provider