iPod Touch-Killer? Microsoft Unveils the Zune HD
With blurry videos, questionable images, and juicy bits of info popping up here and there, the question on everyone’s minds was does it or does it not exist. Last week, Microsoft confirmed the rumors about a new iteration of the popular PMP, the Zune. In it’s continuing battle to overtake the iPod in sales, Zune has gone HD, rocking an OLED touchscreen with 16:9 widescreen format display and 480×272 resolution. Similar to the iPod Touch, you can flip through all your music, videos, and photos with the flick of a finger.
In addition to the high def visuals, Microsoft is also hooking you up with high definition sound via the built-in HD Radio receiver. Users also have access to additional HD channels. You can also stream HD media to your television via a docking device that is sold separately (of course). Zune HD will also be wi-fi enabled to give easier access to the Zune music store.
Set to go head to head with the iPod Touch, the Zune is slated for release for a fall release although pricing details have yet to be released. Early looks at the device show the Zune HD is smaller, sleeker and prettier than the Touch. While the specs are impressive, but will it be enough to topple the Touch? The iPod has consistently outsold the Zune hand over fist due to flashy marketing and “all the cool kids are doing it” mentality. Hopefully Microsoft has a few tricks up its sleeve to convince loyal iPod junkies to jump ship to the dark side of the Zune.
Category: Gadgets, Want it, web 2.0 | Tags: ipod, ipod touch, Microsoft, Zune HD
About the Author Sherri is a freelance writer that has a love of all things fun and geeky including gadgets, gaming, anime, and comics. When she isn't writing or out on the town living it up, she loves doing 10-12 hour marathon sessions on her Xbox 360 or one of her older consoles. It's not an addiction, it's a way of life!
See all posts by Sherri L. Smith.
Microsoft is going to need to do creative advertising to market this gadget,because i-phone is already king of the market…
i had an itouch for 2 months and whenever i synced the music the apps crashed i got a zune and no problems yet
i had an itouch for 2 months and whenever i synced the music the apps crashed i got a zune and no problems yet
ROFL, Markus you talking about me? I can't help it if your Zune looked like an old Sony Walkman:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohdimran/112773499/
LOL, I can't wait til you get upgraded!
I bought my Zune when it first came out, and other than the leap year bug, its been great. I love Zune pass. Download as many songs as you want for a low monthly fee… your just can't beat it! The only problem I have is when i go to “tech events” and get hated on by all the ipod fanboy's and girls. I mean one young lady had the nerve to tell me that my Zune looked like a pack of cigarettes. Can you believe that!
um if you had it for less than a year then u could have gotten a free replacement for it by calling customer support…… and zunes dont break as much as ipods their made tougher and better unlike apples cheap matterial..
Yeah but there have been many problems w zune. I had one and one day it just got stuck and i couldnt use it anymore. I tried to unstick it everyway i new how ig just didnt work. I heard ALOT of zune users say the same thing. I had my zune for not even a year and it broke. But im glad cuz then i got. Mi ipod touch and i looove it! Dont trust the zune
Sounds awesome, but you're right. Microsoft is going to need to do some magic to really sell this thing. Features alone aren't going to cut it.