Earth-Shattering Early Zune Release

Thank goodness that cell phone cameras have enabled us as a civilization to capture these critical moments in consumer electronics history. Like the (accidental?) early release of the 120GB and 16GB Zunes and the subsequent re-pricing of the old 80GB model.

The Zune 3.0 software and the new Zune models were expected to be released on September 16th, but it looks like some employees are getting a little overzealous with their product displays:


If you don't happen to live near the Fry's in Atlanta (top image) or the Walmart in Harborcreek, PA (bottom image), you'll just have to wait with the rest of America.

Is it worth waiting for? We hope so. The increased capacity will be just what some audiophiles have been waiting for and the 16GB flash Zune comes in that great new blue. But it's the 3.0 software that has most Zune-lovers chomping at the bit. The FM tuner with the ability to hear a song on the radio and immediately purchase it, MixView (Microsoft's answer to automatic playlist generation), and a sexy new visualizer.

Apple still has a corner on the media player market, but they're missing one thing that Zune 3.0 owners will have September 16th: a great little puzzle game called Hexic. It was designed by the guy who made Tetris and originally came packaged with Microsoft's other little side project: the Xbox 360.

We had so much fun playing Hexic on the Xbox that we might have to descend upon Harborcreek, PA tonight.

[Via Engadget]