Microsoft’s highly-anticipated “Zune” portable media device made its first official appearance at an invite-only press event Sep. 14. The unveiling followed the introduction of a completely revamped iPod lineup by Apple just two days earlier. The device features a 30GB hard drive, three-inch TFT LCD, an FM tuner, wireless 802.11 b/g, and USB 2.0 support. Zune will connect up with a new music service specially designed for the player.

Proporta has released a plethora of their accessories for the Sony Ericsson M600i, including the Advanced Screen Protector, sync and charge cables, and the Alu-Leather Case in both Book and Flip styles.

Apple Computer demonstrated that it intends to become as big a retailing powerhouse in movie downloads as it has already become in the market for music distribution. From its strategy for selling movie downloads, to new iPod features, to an unprecedented ##”sneak peek” at iTV,## a product to be announced in early 2007, Apple showed their primary purpose of expanding the company’s ability to sell not hardware, but bits and bytes of entertainment.

VIA Technologies, developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, announced the VIA C7-D processor, the world’s first Carbon Free computing solution, for a new breed of PC desktop solutions. The VIA C7-D processor with a maximum power consumption of just 20W at 1.8GHz not only sets the benchmark for performance-per-watt operation, but enables further power savings through the use of smaller power supplies and cooling fans, with a side benefit of a quieter computing experience. All remaining power consumed by the processor over its lifetime is then offset through regional projects in energy conservation, reforestation, and alternative energy.

LiteOn IT announced its first DVD recorder with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connector and 1080i upscaler by the introduction of the DD-A500GX model. HDMI technology transfers uncompressed digital audio and video signals over a single cable, ensuring an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions. This creates the highest possible image quality coupled with a built-in upscaler for increased video from the normal 480i to an astounding 1080i (interlaced) resolution. The new DD-A500GX HDMI DVD recorder will be available in September and have a suggested retail price of $179.00.

Here at ZATZ, we get all kinds of mail. Happy mail, sad mail, and mad mail. We get reader mail from all over the world, and this week Senior Editor James Booth got some mail from someone that isn’t a reader; at least not a regular reader. Way back in November of 2004, we featured a review of the Logitech MX1000 Laser mouse, the industry’s first laser mouse available to the retail consumer. Scott here apparently purchased a Logitech MX1000 Laser mouse and is rather displeased; he therefore has taken it upon himself to voice his displeasure to anyone that happens to like the mouse. Read on for Scott’s feelings on the MX1000, and James’ rather constructive reply.

Read this Computing Unplugged article.

It’s common for CD-R and DVD-R users to accumulate stacks of old discs that are no longer needed or outdated. A personal CD destroyer is now available that helps prevent data and identity theft by wiping out the data instead of shredding. Taking only seconds to manually operate, it is also much smaller than many devices currently used for disc destruction. Safer than cutting or breaking, the Compact Disc Eraser creates no waste material. Introducing a new technique that may well change optical disc disposal, the product is the first to promote recycling by leaving discs physically intact. CDs and DVDs are 100% recyclable, but CD recyclers prefer whole discs. The Disc Eraser is a precise alignment tool that imparts an Optical-Strip through ALL REGIONS on a disc to securely disable it with one quick swipe. The patent-pending element applied at the most effective skew location renders any disc unreadable. Multiple strips can be applied by rotating the disc, making neat visible patterns.

Mobile phones offer plenty more than just voice these days. They can provide news, video clips, local weather and even restaurant recommendations. That’s where companies like Google and Yahoo, along with a slew of start-ups such as InfoSpace, JumpTap and Medio, see a big opportunity. Mobile search and the advertising business models that have been proposed to support the service are sure to be hot topics discussed during the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association’s semiannual trade show.

Mobistar and Research In Motion announced the availability of the BlackBerry 7130g for customers in Belgium. Operating on Mobistar’s high-speed GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless network, the stylish, lightweight handset provides the renowned advantages of the BlackBerry platform and delivers an exceptional mobile experience for Mobistar customers with support for “push” email, phone, text messaging, Web browser, organizer and other mobile applications.

DOS has unveiled Genesis, a portable sound system for the iPod line. Genesis is ideal for use indoors, outdoors or on-the-go and its cylindrical shape concertinas to fit neatly into a carry case providing protection and durability whilst traveling. Genesis offers a four-way sound system comprising 4 x 3 watt speakers and produces a 360-degree soundfield. Available in black or white, Genesis co-ordinates with the full range of iPods.