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Microsoft Confirms Fall Release for Zune HD

Posted 05/27/09 at 09:12:21 AM  by Paul Lilly

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Going toe to toe with Apple's crazy popular iPod Touch is no easy task, but that's exactly what Microsoft will do with its new Zune player, and it isn't shy about saying so. The software giant this week confirmed plans to release the Zune HD this fall, which will be made available only in the U.S. at launch.

"This device is created to go head to head with the iPod Touch," Chris Stephenson, general manger of global marketing for Microsoft Zune, said in a telephone interview with CNet.

Helping it do that will be an OLED touchscreen and HD Radio tuner. The Zune HD will be based on Windows CE with a version of Internet Explorer customized for its touchscreen, Microsoft said. The company also indicated that Zune owners will be able to play HD content on their televisions with a dock.

Expect to see the Zune HD become the definitive Zune product going forward," Stephenson said. "You will continue to see the hard drive product in the market. (The Zune HD) will take over from existing flash devices."

No word yet on price, capacity, or release date.

Image Credit: Microsoftsoft via CNet

COMMENTS:10
TAGS: microsoft, oled, hardware, consumer electronics, touchscreen, zune hd
COMMENTS
avatarVery nice

Submitted by whelderwheels613 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 7:03pm

Wow this looks sick. I would never go back to an iPod, as long as I have my trust old Zune 80. Zune just needs to market thier product to a wider range of people, because thier product has the potential, but the marketing is a little flawed.

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avatarwill this lead into the

Submitted by thegamepro on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 5:47pm

will this lead into the Zune-Phone or a portable xbox.  People actually do play iphone games as a replacement for the DS or PSP, even though I don't.  Maybe microsoft will come out with an app store knock-off that will seriously compete with the iphone, android, and DS/PSP handhelds.

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avatarI'm gonna stick with my

Submitted by deathdefier on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 4:04pm

I'm gonna stick with my archos 5

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avatarI hope they make an 80 plus

Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:53am

I hope they make an 80 plus gig version. I'll buy it. It looks really awesome. HD Radio, wifi, HD output, and finally a touch screen make this thing hopefully great. Finally a Zune you could be happy to own. I only hope that the hardware is powerful enough to allow Window CE to be a speedy and entertaining experience. I don't want to wait for programs to launch after I've clicked on their icons. I'm sick of lag. 

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avatarFlash memory for HD content = $$$

Submitted by quickone on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:07am

MS needs to get off their butt and promote their product.  Everyone
I know who has tried or has a Zune loves it.  My Zune 80 is great, way
better than an ipod.  Microsoft doesn't do any advertising, I have
never seen even a poster or billboard let alone a TV or radio
commercial. 

 

I'm really looking forward to the new
zune.  They plan on having it be able to play HD on a TV but it has
flash memory.  They are going to need A LOT of memory to hold that much
data, and to have it be all flash, this thing is going to be expensive.
 

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avatarcant wait

Submitted by dracx619 on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:12am

had a 1st gen ipod nano (gift) and hated every moment of it. got a zune 80 when it came out and havnt looked back. i cant wait for this thing to come out...looks pretty sweet; ima get the black version though. this one looks a little to much like a 1st gen iphone

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avatarNice

Submitted by SEALBoy on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 7:30am

This Zune actually looks pretty nice - definitely better than an iPod. If the screen and interface are good... it'll be worth a look.

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avatarI am eagerly waiting to see

Submitted by D.E. on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 7:54am

I am eagerly waiting to see what it will look like in person. An OLED screen just is always a beautiful thing.

 Also if anything, The Zune will beat the iPod Touch but not the iPhone and rest somewhere in the middle. 

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avatarLeaving others in the dust?

Submitted by bingojubes on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 7:24am

its really bad. i like the ZUNE 120GB that i have, but as usual, they will probably over price this latest piece of ZUNE and make all of their accessories for it expensive as well. still can't find a decent car radio attachment for a *reasonable* price - 70$ is a bit steep for something like that. might try to get around to trying other brands first, i guess.

so when this is released, i guess support for their previous units will drop? i feel saddened that my 250$ unit has already become obsolete so soon. i'll just stick to buying their operating systems for now. Thanks MS for making me feel like i got a worthless piece of MP3 player now.

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avatarDude, what are you even talking about?

Submitted by D.E. on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 7:51am

"so when this is released, i guess support for their previous units will drop? i feel saddened that my 250$ unit has already become obsolete so soon. i'll just stick to buying their operating systems for now. Thanks MS for making me feel like i got a worthless piece of MP3 player now."

 Okay MS has been doing firmware updates for all of the zunes since day 1. The 30gig Zune performs the exact same things that a Zune 120 can do. I would know because I still have my 30gig and trust me, it isn't obsolete. In fact, its rather cool to have the original Zune in my opinion.

 This new Zune OTOH will be the first one that will have a break from the other Zunes because of the hardware restrictions. They cannot just release a firmware update for a multitouch screen nor HD Radio.

Also Sellout on Woot.com had the Zune 2.0 Radio transmitor for your car for $15 about a month ago. 

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