I finally received my birthday present - a Zune 80!  I've already been playing around with the software, the Social, and enjoying the all-you-can-eat joys of the Zune Pass.  But the hardware, wow.  It's just so pretty. :D

 

It's smaller than I expected (I mean, it holds 80 GB!), and just slightly heavier than my T-Mobile SDA.  I love the touch-sensitives 'squircle,' and the menu navigation.  The 'now playing' screen of album art is lovely, and encourages just flipping through songs (I also like the new 'now playing' visualization on the Zune softare as well.)  I think the part I'll enjoy most will be the news video and audio podcasts that will wirelessly synch down. 

 

About my only major "wish" (not a complaint, but close) is for external speakers.  Right now, I use an old PPC (iPaq 4155) for streaming radio, listening to music, watching videos around the house, and don't have to worry about catching headphone cords; maybe I'll have to find a cordless pair for my new toy. Oh, and 2nd wish - support for Audible.  The proposed 'workaround' (burn to 'iso' then rip to mp3) just sounds way too tedious, especially when both my Windows Mobile devices can support the files. 

 

One big surprise -- the Zune pass content can play in Windows Media Player, which means it also works on my WM devices!  (You have to resynch every month, or the DRM expires.) 

 

My dive buddy, Jerbro, has put up some pics from our recent dives in the Puget Sound area.  Go check them out!

 

http://jerbrothegreat.spaces.live.com/photos/ 

 

Not only is he a great dive mate, but he's a decent photographer as well.  Since we took the Puget Sound Identification class together, I've enjoyed our dives that much more.  I learned not only what I was seeing out in the open water, but also how to look closer to find the shy and/or well-camoflaged wildlife as well.