gdgt

There's word of a new firmware update out now.

"Zune HD firmware update: Today we released the v4.3 firmware update for Zune HD players; this update adds support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements. Enjoy!

Zune.net"

So, anyone notice anything different? Anything fixed?

Well, it hasn't been pushed out to me yet. The software still says 4.1 is the newest.

The Zune support team messaged me privately today and also this public post saying that this update fixes the bug with playcounts not working properly. Thank you Zune team for fixing this!

--------------------------------


Hello guys and gals,

We have released 4.3 firmware update for Zune HD today that addresses this issue.

http://forums.zune.net/542547/ShowPost.aspx

You can get this update thru the Zune PC software by going to Settings-Device-Player Update

Pete, Zune Device Product Team,

Auto suggest for text....that's awesome. Can't wait to try this out. Hopefully Zune keyboard will now function more like the iPhones.

Different things:

Browser:
- Faster (MUCH on some sites like Engadget and GDGT)
- Desktop/ Mobile option (in settings)
- Better Tap-To-Zoom
- Better ability to scroll when typing a message online (Type a long message and want to scroll to the top? Impossible on v4.1)

Keyboard:
- Predictive Text
- Auto capitilization
- Dedicated Settings Menu
- FULL SCREEN TYPING IN LANDSCAPE!!!! (no more little floating box!) :D :D :D :D
- You can skip from one row of keys no the next

I'll come back with more...

-Ubi

MORE:

Music:
- Bios now contain links to songs, other artists and other albums. (AWSOME:D)
- Slightly smoother scrolling (IMO) and faster bottom-to-top warp.

Radio:
- Choice of seek method (presets or seek) in settings

Generally faster transitions, but only slightly.

More:

- Apps load slightly faster, and the accuracy of the touchscreen is improved during gameplay.
- Apps close faster
- The power off says ''slide down to power off'' instead of just ''Power Off''

- The screen flickering on the browser is BARELY PERCEIVABLE!

-Faster Startup! (less than 15s)

Thanks ubi and Buckster. Just updated and appreciate the list of improvements - you are more observant than I am :)

Edit: Hmm the update seems to have re-arranged my browser favorites, putting some of my most-used at the bottom. Would be nice to put those in any order you'd like.

If the Zune software still says 4.1 is the latest, I've found a method that will force your Zune HD into upgrade mode.

1. Disconnect your Zune from your computer and close the Zune software.

2. Press and hold the POWER and MEDIA (side media control) buttons until it says 'Please connect to computer.'

3. Reconnect your Zune and open the Zune software.

Simple as that. This shouldn't erase any content, but it will cancel your sync relationship, so you'll need to go into Device settings and put that back on. :/

WARNING: It *MIGHT* erase your content on your Zune (it didn't on mine) so make sure everything's also in your Collection on your PC before you start.

Source: http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4128
57&postcount=40

Still no update for me. The press and hold POWER and MEDIA didn't do anything but reload 4.1. I think Microsoft forgot to push the update to some of us lowly 16 GB Zune HD users.

I previously could not load google maps website on the Zune HD. It now works! This is a great sign that Java works much better now.

Wonder if 4.3 will allow shoutcast/icecast audio streams?

After browsing around a little bit, I've found that some heavy javascript sites are working better but a lot of them are still painful to use. I also get "cannot load requested page" with a lot of bing search results, but Google search results work fine. what the hell microsoft? Also still some quirks with pages just not loading, map sites not working well (or at all) and general wonkiness. It hasn't crashed and rebooted the Zune since the update, however.

Wow! My observations are on Gizmodo! I feel famous :D

http://gizmodo.com/5399336/zune-hd-update-43-speedier-br
owser-predictive-text-and-more