I'm feeling surprisingly fond of Microsoft right now. Very few companies would ever do something so eco-friendly as giving their first-generation buyers a firmware upgrade to match second-generation features. Apple has had a lot of bad press for promoting obsolesence with artificially locked features and rare firmware upgrades. We're ready to say that this is a good strategic move for Microsoft, making them seem more open than Apple, but it benefits consumers and the environment as well.

The new features the Zune will have are:

1. Syncing over WiFi
2. Ability to share more than music
3. New codecs
4. Syncing with Windows Media Center TV

As an EcoGeek, I find it disappointing and frustrating when I have a perfectly good device that is artificially stripped of features because I'm not willing to buy the new physical model. Microsoft has extended the lives of the original Zune, meaning less waste and less new electronics. Will we see more corporations being so willing to make their products better without making more money? Maybe not, but hopefully somehow consumers will show their appreciation and get more companies to follow.

Via Gizmodo

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