The most glaring feature was the built in accelerometer that changes the view from portrait to landscape based on the way you have your nano positioned.

Another cool feature is to shake the device to put it in the shuffle mode. Thought this looks like a cool new feature, I doubt most nano users would enable or use it.  What happens when you are jogging ? Does it go to the shuffle mode by default because you are running ?  Granted I have not used it, I reserve my judgement on how effectively this was implemented!

Nano is now more curved both sides and the form factor now resembles more of a Zune than the previous nano (fatty)! The range of colors nano was introduced does look impressive.

  Some other new features

• Nike receiver included by default
• Games specifically for Nano that use accelerometer.

Apple also introduced the new IPod Classic with 120GB of storage killing the 160GB model. The new 120GB is supposedly thinner.

As expected the coverage and the hype  for this event was huge. You can find them here Engadget,  Gizmodo

Once I have more details on both the devices and have had a chance to play with  them, it would be pretty interesting to compare head to head the zune flash and ipod nano and similarly zune 120 against the ipod 120. 

New Features include

• Buy From FM:   Like a song that you are listening on your Radio, tag it and buy/download it from zune marketplace seamlessly.
• Access marketplace directly from the device using any wifi access point
• Channels:  Sort of pre-programmed themed playlist  like top jazz, top caribbean, top 100 billboard, etc..
• Mixview:  Cool new of visualizing and discovering new music.
• Audiobooks: Supports Audible and overdrive. (finally)
• Games:  Preloaded with Texas Hold ‘Em and Hexic
• Personal recommendations: Zune make personal recommendations base on what the user likes ..

                   (don’t they look nice !!)

New zunes and the features are getting  a decent welcome. You can find the related coverages from some top sites here:    Gizmodo , Engadget, Ars Technica

Let us see what apple has to show tomorrow in their much awaited event!

Here is the pricing for the new zune devices.

120 GB: $249.99

80 GB: $229.99

16 GB: $199.00

8 GB: $149.99

4 GB: $129.99

I also plan on aggregating number of online resources on zune and providing tips and tricks  periodically.

As this evolves, I plan to share my other comparisons and evaluations.

Disclaimer: All the view expressed in this blog is purely my own and does not represent any corporate entity or organization.