RSS
Home
Microsoft's Zune HD - better than the iPod Touch?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
On May 26, 2009 Microsoft confirmed the release of the Zune HD, the newest member of the Zune family of mp3 players
UPDATED: Back in May, Microsoft announced the release of their newest addition to the Zune line of MP3 players: the Zune HD. Along with this new model, Microsoft is also planning wider integration of the Xbox Live network, which will include services offered with the Zune HD. As more news and video is released, the Zune HD is shaping up to be a true iPod Touch competitor.
The Zune HD uses a touch screen, of course, but the hottest part is its OLED display. This is superior technology that boasts brighter colors and a crisp picture quality. The touch screen itself is capacitive and responds very well, making it easy to switch and move through menus. The screen also has a 16:9 widescreen format display; however, this is not where the “HD” part of the device comes in to play. Unfortunately, while you can store HD videos on the Zune, you can’t watch videos in HD on it. However, you can easily plug it into any HD TV to enjoy the HD experience. (The videos will play on the Zune, but they will be downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 – not HD resolution.)
No, the “HD” means HD radio. The Zune HD comes with an HD radio receiver, giving the listener an even better listening quality than traditional radio. And, of course, HD radio is free.
So far, these are all superb qualities that truly do set the Zune HD apart from the iPod Touch – none of these features are available on the Touch.
Of course, the Zune HD also comes with all the features that have come to be expected from this grade of music players. These include an internet browser, WI-FI connection, and access to an online product store - for Zune, the Zune Marketplace.
But that’s not all. Microsoft has been hinting at mass integration of the Xbox Live network, and it starts with the Zune. "Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time." - May 2009 Press Release
We're not sure what all this will include as far as products delivered from Xbox Live to the Zune, but Microsoft is promising a lot with TV and video.
The next question that comes up is will this be enough to compete with what's offered on Apple's App Store? Maybe not at first, but it will grow.
More information is sure to come out before its release - pricing, capacity, etc. - but so far it's an exciting product that has a lot of people's attention.
UPDATE: FCC pictures give us a little more information on the hardware for the Zune HD. It looks like there will be a 16 GB model and 32 GB model.
More updates on pricing, capacity, and release date.
For more info: Hands-on video with engadget.com
Photos and video tour with gizmodo.com
Like what you read? Click the subscribe button to receive gadget news and updates!
Related Articles:
Comments
.jpg)
