Zune Reviews And You

Microsoft has joined the portable multimedia player bandwagon by releasing the Zune player. Not surprisingly, it has since been the subject of mixed reviews. The Zune reviews flooding the Internet and print media have bordered on gushing to downright scathing. Indeed, it’s enough to confuse and overwhelm the average consumer. But how do you know if the Zune is as good - or as bad - as they say?

The Pros

A Washington Post Zune review by journalist Rob Pegoraro declared that the Zune is “more pleasant to use than other iPod rivals.” Understandably so. The Zune player boasts of crystal clear audio, fantastic QVGA video display, FM radio, up to 80GB capacity, track sharing, and – dig this – cutting-edge Wifi, the singular, defining feature that even the most scathing Zune reviews can’t complain about.

In one of the more positive Zune reviews available, Jason Cross of Fox News wrote that asthetically, the Zune “looks and feels great.” It’s soft finish makes you want to touch it and doesn’t get as “fingerprint-ridden” as the iPod. It’s easy to hold and control with just one hand.

With over six million – and counting – music files available, Zune music reviews have been kind, to say the least. The sound quality is superb, and Cross swears that the sound is “slightly cleaner than the output from the latest iPods.”

Zune movie reviews have also been promising. Though it’s the same resolution as the iPod (320x240), it’s half an inch bigger (a full 3 inches, instead of the iPod’s 2.5 inches) and is bright, sharp, and beautiful. Furthermore, it turns 90 degrees, which makes a big difference. By turning the Zune sideways, you get a 20 per cent bigger screen size, making videos and photos far more watchable.

Zune download reviews are raving about its Wifi capability. Engaging in Wifi allows you to transfer and receive music and pictures to and from other Zune players within a 30-foot radius. A song can be transferred in 15 seconds and can be played 3 times in 3 days before being prompted to purchase it from the Zune Marketplace. Cutting-edge Zune-compatible software from Zune Empire is also available to maximize your Zune experience.

The Cons

On the other side of the fence, Zune reviews have been less than enthusiastic. It has been unkindly labeled as Microsoft’s not-to-be-outdone, “me-too!” portable multimedia player. It is also noticeably bigger than the iPod and earlier Zune reviews accused it of being heavier. However, it has since been found that though a little taller, it weighs roughly the same as an 80GB iPod.

A product review could make or break anything, whether it’s a person or a product. But as the recipient of mixed Zune reviews, the Zune player is neither made nor broken – yet. Indeed, though there was an onslaught of negative Zune reviews at the beginning, more and more positive ones are being made everyday. It was apparent that the initial Zune reviews were rushed and hell-bent on proving how it doesn’t measure up to the iPod. Fortunately, the tide is turning. At the end of the day, the best Zune reviews still come from you.

3 Cool Cell Phone Tricks For You

Cell phones have become ubiquitous.  It is now unusual to find anyone who does not have one of the little beasties.  The obvious next step was to seek a means to ensure your cell phone is unique and different from all of the others out there.  A variety of features exist in varying combinations and there are the usual tricks like customizing the picture on the screen or the ringtone.  These are almost all more style than substance. 

We’ve all experienced the ringtone that outstays its welcome and then just won’t go away or a ringtone that is just particularly inopportune for some reason.  There are also stories of just the wrong cell phone wallpaper showing the bosses relative or some other potentially embarrassing sight.  Some people actually use those phones for something other than status symbols.  Here are a couple of tricks for those.

One potentially useful trick is the doggie whistle.  For cell phones that allow multiple ring tones, using the inaudible dog whistle for one provides a handy method to discourage annoying dogs that might chase you as you jog, harass you as you walk or some other hassle. 

Another useful trick is that of habitually locking the phone’s keys when you replace it into a pocket, purse or other container.  The random presses of buttons that otherwise occur are a drain on battery power unless the phone has been told to ignore them with the lock command, and can potentially save money if the phone might accidentally hit the correct combination to make a call.  Another useful feature to save battery power is airplane mode, for those times when you do not desire to answer the phone but do expect to need the phone's other features, such as a planner function or even clock. 

Finally, cell phones are terribly convenient.  Carrying around a phone book isn’t.  Yet conventional directory assistance costs can add up.  The alternative is 800-FREE411, or 800-373-3411.  This is an ad supported directory assistance that can be used to find numbers you haven’t stored on your phone without running up those directory assistance charges.

3.03 PSP Downgrade

So you're looking a 3.03 PSP Downgrade? well this article may help you out.

First and foremost, you need an unpatched copy of Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories.

There is no other way that you can downgrade any PSP over 2.81 without it. Now for some reason people don't seem to appreciate this fact and will spend hours upon hours searching the Internet for other ways to downgrade with out the GTA. Let me save you time, there is no other way to downgrade any PSP above 2.81 with out the unpatched GTA.

In late 2005 a vulnerability was found in the way the PSP version of GTA: Liberty City Stories processes saved games. In December 2005 software was developed to execute unsigned code on PSPs with firmwares 2.00 through 2.60. In April 2006 firmware 2.70 was released and patched the exploit, however, as of January 25, 2007 it was discovered that Sony did not completely patch the exploit, and unsigned code may be run on 3.03 firmware, a 3.03 downgrader was released 3 days after the exploit was found. Also, new copies of GTA: Liberty City Stories patched the exploit as well, preventing it from being executed on other firmware versions. Since then homebrew has advanced to the point that a copy of GTA: Liberty City Stories is no longer needed to run unsigned code except on firmware versions 2.81 to 3.03. Sony has now blocked the GTA exploit for good with the release of the 3.10 firmware update and later subsequent firmware udates.

So how do I know if I have the right GTA for a 3.03 PSP downgrade? Well, it's quite simple really. Get your copy of GTA Liberty City Stories and put it in your UMD drive, now scroll to the game folder and you will see a "UMD update" option. Now, if this says "Update 2.00" then you have an unpatched version, if it says "Update 2.60" then you have the patched version which is no good for a 3.03 PSP downgrade.

Now all you have to do from here is find the 3.03 downgrader, there are a couple of versions around the Internet which you can download and these are relatively easy to follow . Just be sure you download the software from a reputable place as there are some scumbags around who have put fake downgraders up on the Internet so unsuspecting people can download them and brick their PSPs.

Also, make sure you to follow the steps exactly as they are described, this is very important. If you do one thing out of place, or if you put a file and the wrong place you could effectively brick your PSP, so it is vitally important that you follow instructions when you do at 3.03 PSP downgrade.

I hope this article helps you to successfully do a 3.03 PSP downgrade.