So, over the weekend, I was finally able to get the firmware update for my 16GB Zune HD. Now I know the update was only released on Friday, but the reason I say finally is because it didn't involve me just simply plugging the device into the computer and having it update. It involved me traveling to Canada. It appeared for me (and apparently for Neville as well) that by changing the region location to Canada we were instantly prompted for the 4.3 update. Weird, I know, but this also explains why our buddy Jason Dunn was able to get it immediately and not us [See, sometimes being Canadian with Zune does have advantages, haha].

So what's in the new firmware update. The general rundown is this:

• 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 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.

I will admit that the browser does run much snappier and having it suggest words to you, as you're typing is a much welcomed improvement. And it prepares Zune HDs for the impending arrival of new games and applications.

Now we already know that games like Audiosurf and Gotham Project Racing and applications like Twitter and Facebook are on the way, the question is when? Some are suggesting that it will happen the day of the XBOX Live update, given that Zune and XBOX are becoming closer together (see: Zune Video Marketplace). Will that be the case only time will tell?

By the way, the embedded links in the artist bio is actually more useful than I had imagined. One of the great bios to try this on is the one for Prince (considering it's talking about movies and whatnot). What I found when I clicked on "Purple Rain" as a movie title was it tried to go into the Marketplace and a message came back and said "This video is not available in the Marketplace" -- well gee, why would it tell me that? When I clicked on one of his album names, it went directly to the Marketplace and to that album. That cuts out some time needed to reach content.

But yeah, what do you all think of the 4.3 firmware update...?