What’s new in Zune 3.0 software release?

Zune 3.0 has been released just now and can be downloaded from here.

There has been lots of new features added with Zune 3.0, let us see what are they :

Device Features :

New capacities
16GB and 120GB devices have been added to the lineup, both with a glossy black front and a black metal back.

Buy from FM
Hear a song you like while listening to the radio on your Zune? Your device will identify it, and download it the next time you sync.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:52118a97-e764-4c4f-aa9e-bae2bc47ee57&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Zune Fall update: buy from FM">Video: Zune Fall update: buy from FM</a>

Browse Zune Marketplace wirelessly
Download music directly to your Zune: at home, at a café… wherever there's a wireless hotspot.

Zune has partnered with high-speed Internet access provider Wayport to let customers wirelessly shop Zune Marketplace on their player at more than 9,800 McDonald's restaurants across the U.S.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:e9706b7e-c32e-46a4-92ea-7cb8c73746c7&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Zune Fall 2008 Wireless Features">Video: Zune Fall 2008 Wireless Features</a>

New Zune Originals
Even more designs for you to personalize your Zune.

Zune Channels
Combining the best features of podcasts and playlists, subscribe to channels by Billboard, The FADER, and radio stations like KROQ and KEXP.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:af9604b2-195e-4b69-afb7-6f5cd17749c1&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Zune Fall Update: Channels">Video: Zune Fall Update: Channels</a>

Games
You can now play games on your Zune! Devices come preloaded with Texas hold 'em and Hexic.

Audiobooks
One of our most-requested features is here: audiobooks on your Zune, from Audible.com and OverDrive.

Clock
You'll never again wonder what time it is.

Read more about Zune players in User's Guide.

 

Software Features :

Mixview, Just for You, and Now Playing
Dynamic representations of your collection, as well as artist and song recommendations based on what you and other members of the Social are listening to.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:1dadcc7c-bbed-4e5c-a36a-b6bc44728ed1&amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Zune Software Features - Zune Fall 2008">Video: Zune Software Features - Zune Fall 2008</a>

Rich search functionality
Zune software will offer you suggestions as you type, helping you find the name of an artist or band even if you don't know the correct spelling.

Social in the software
Set your favorite tracks, update your profile, change your status, and search for other Social members — all from within the software.

Read more about Zune software in User's Guide.

 

Social Features :

Windows Live Messenger integration
See your Windows Live Messenger contacts in the Social, and invite them to join with a click of the mouse.

New reputation badges
Get recognized for being a top reviewer or top forum poster.

E-mail notifications
Get a weekly digest of your friends' activities and real-time notifications of new messages and comments.

More play data
In addition to number of total plays, now see how many times a track has been added as a favorite or sent to a friend.

Read more about the Social in User's Guide.

I will soon be downloading and trying it.

You can also download the Zune 3.0 from Microsoft Download Center: Zune Client software, version 3.0

(Source:Zune.net , Windows Vista Blog)