Microsoft has shipped some developers running prototypes of Windows Phone 7. This distribution to Developers’ is in a bid to get some developer feedback on the device, as well as get the developers’ behind the platform, a la Android.Here are some of our previous leaks on the Windows Phone 7 OS.

The prototype shipped is a Samsung Taylor SGH-i707, and it comes with all the hardware one would expect given the Windows Phone 7 required specifications.

The main showpiece remains the near production ready software that the phone touts, and here are a couple of scren shots of said OS. The developer in question claims the software is smooth and intuitive, and that the screen transitions and UI fluency is comparable to the Zune HD.

Windows Phone Music Hub

windows phone 7 photos hub

The new firmware update for Zune HD has arrived, which is version 4.5 This update has got many anticipated features in it, like Smart DJ mix, personalized recommendations, Marketplace support for TV, Expanded video codec support and so on.

Microsoft also plans to launch a 64GB Zune HD on April 12th, 2010 which will be shipped with this new firmware. Several games and applications have already made it to the Zune Market Place.

You can update your Zune HD to this latest firmware by simply connecting it to your PC or MAC and hit “Update Player”.

via

Microsoft is launching a 64DB Zune HD on 12th April, 2010 which will be sold in the market for $350. The best part is that they will be able to customize it from zuneoriginals.com 64GB Zune HD would be available in Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta colors.

With the arrival of the 64GB Zune HD, prices of its earlier version have dropped slightly. The 16GB version of Zune HD would now be available at $199.99 and the 32 GB version of it would be available at a cost of $269.99.

The 64GB Zune HD would be in direct competition with the Apple iPod of 64GB, which is available in the market for $399. Though Apple iPod is capable of outclassing every model of Zune because of their brilliant iTune store and sound quality of the device, this new model of Zune HD might still be an attracting factor for some because of its sleeky design and lower price tag.

The new 64GB Zune HD would have a OLED muti-touch screen, built-in HD radio, HD video support and an Internet browser to make most of your wifi connection. Its application store has also got some awesome games for Zune HD that can be played on that device.

A future firmware update of the device is expected to bring more features on Zune HD, like SmartDJ, which would create auto-playlists, music browsing and streaming from your TV, and expanded codec support for most of the audio and video formats.

[via Engadget]

Microsoft has launched a new app in their Zune store which is for facebook. Earlier in the November of 2009, Microsoft released Zune HD 4.3 firmware which added the support of 3D games and apps.

Unfortunately, this app faced certain technical issues according to CrunchGear and you may face some problems while installing it on your Zune.

Microsoft has this to say:

After launching the Facebook application for the Zune HD, we discovered a technical issue related to the API calls to Facebook which does not allow Zune users to view News Feed. The Facebook and Microsoft engineering teams are working together and hope to have a solution in the coming days

But despite of all these issues, this app is a major hit in the Zune marketplace and getting thousands of downloads daily. You can download this application from either Zune Market place or from the desktop client software on your PC. Make sure you have HD 4.3 firmware before installing the app.

Following games were included in the Zune HD Market place:

• PGR: Ferrari Edition
• Lucky Lanes Bowling
• Vans Sk8: Pool service
• Piano
• Audiosurf: Tilt
• Checkers

Here’s some more information about the games from the Zune HD website:

PGR: Ferrari Edition

Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York using intuitive tilt and touch controls. Choose from 12 Ferrari cars and test your skill in 33 events in Career Mode. Go head-to-head against three other players in a wireless network race. Share your records with your friends and race their ghost cars in Time Trial mode. Earn kudos for racing with style—it’s not just winning, but how you win that counts.

Audiosurf

Ride your music! Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect colored blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and color palette.

Lucky Lanes Bowling

Bowl in three different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, or golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes. Choose from 20 bowlers and 22 ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.

Vans Sk8: Pool Service

Whether it’s the swanky rooftop of the Admiral, or the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl when they see one. Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag. Achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards. Compete in 10 different events with 20 different board designs, including skaters’ official boards from Black Label and Element.

Piano

Play your own tune, or play along with your favorite music on this electronic piano that includes 88 keys, plus a dampen and sustain pedal. Choose standard mode, or choose learning mode in which the keys are labeled with each note.

Checkers

The classic board game can now be played on the go. Play against the computer on your Zune HD or against a friend through a wireless connection. The game features the ability to undo as many moves as you want, different colored pieces, and a beautiful outdoor park setting for the menus and game board.

Zune HD Market Place Screenshot

All these apps can be downloaded from the Zune HD store, once you have upgraded to firmware 4.3

With this upgrade, you’ll get:

• Support for the upcoming 3D games and applications.
• Auto Suggest feature for text input.
• Faster web browsing experience.
• Landscape keyboard
• Keyboard option has been added in the settings section.
• New toggle between seek and presets under Radio.
• Under the Internet in settings, you can now toggle to default mobile or desktop webpage layout.
• Artist bios are updated; embedded links to other artists in text.
• Some other bug fixes and tweaks.

More Features of Zune 4.3

Browser:

• Faster performance in navigating web pages
• Option to render pages as Desktop or Mobile (Option in settings)
• Better Tap-To-Zoom
• Better ability to scroll when typing a message online

Keyboard:

• Predictive Text
• Auto capitilization
• Dedicated Settings Menu
• Wider keyboard in landscape mode

Music:

• Artist bios now contain links to songs, other artists, and other albums

Radio:

• Choice of seek method (presets or seek) in settings

Other

• Apps load slightly faster, and the accuracy of the touchscreen is improved during game play.
• Apps close faster
• The power off says ”slide down to power off” instead of just ”Power Off”
• Faster Startup (less than 15s)