Confirmed: Zune HD

[P.KID]

Microsoft today has confirmed that there will be a Zune HD. This version of Zune will be the competitor to the iPod touch. These are the features that Zune Hd has got so far, that are confirmed;

Touchscreen
Get quick and instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3 inch screen and vivid 16:9 OLED display (480x272 resolution), premium entertainment is at your fingertips.

HD Radio
Tune into all your favorite stations with crystal clear reception. With an integrated HD Radio receiver, you can access a variety of HD Radio stations at no additional cost. Plus, tag the songs you like for later purchase.

HD- Video out-put
Watch supported 720p HD movies, TV shows and videos in high definition on your HDTV through the Zune HD & AV Dock (sold separately). Or take them with you for premium entertainment on the go. Additional dock and HDTV are required.

Wi-Fi
Connect, update, and buy content wirelessly from Wi-Fi hot spots. Stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.

Browser
Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a full-featured web browser including tap to zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.

This is there official Web. Zune HD | Zune.net
Lets hopee that it stays up to the standard of the iPod touch.

 

[MunkyMagikUK]

I seriously cannot wait for this, I hope they do it in a decent size. Definately getting one, it looks so good too!

 

[KillerWhiteMan]

I was going to uprgrade my first gen 8gb iPod touch to a 16gb or 32gb. May have to give a second thought to this.

 

[Safinn]

Interestin. Looks like it will actualy compete with the iPod with all its HD features etc. But it looks a bit too big to have in your pocket same with the ipod. But there is no other way to get a decent sized screen.

 

[MunkyMagikUK]

Interestin. Looks like it will actualy compete with the iPod with all its HD features etc. But it looks a bit too big to have in your pocket same with the ipod. But there is no other way to get a decent sized screen.

I agree completely. My one gripe with the iPhone has always been the size, and it's actually quite chunky. But as you say, no other way to get a decent sized touch screen. The Zune however, looks to be thinner, which is a big plus. I also think it looks amazing. I will be chucking my iPod for this no doubts. I just pray they release a decent sized one, 32GB (the biggest iPod Touch) just isn't big enough for me!

EDIT:

I've just had a thought. It wouldn't actually make sense for them to release a Zune HD with much less than 60GB of space, as if they're pushing the whole "HD" thing, you're gonna need a lot of room on it for all that HD content. Just a thought though, we can live in hope!

 

[InsaneNutter]

That’s a fair point, as the Zunes screen resolution is a lot lower then even that of a DVD perhaps the intention is to just have one or two hd movies on it to watch on your telly at home? You carnt really benefit from taking HD movies everywhere with you.

 

[MunkyMagikUK]

That’s a fair point, as the Zunes screen resolution is a lot lower then even that of a DVD perhaps the intention is to just have one or two hd movies on it to watch on your telly at home? You carnt really benefit from taking HD movies everywhere with you.

I think they said it's scaled down, but the OLED screen should make the picture still look pretty good, I reckon it'll look HD quality as its a small screen anyway. And it may be their intention to just have one or two HD movies on it, but it would seem to me as if they're pushing the whole HD thing really hard, and so I would have thought there'd be more space. Its either that or its because they're trying to make the HD their unique selling point of the iPod Touch. But tbh, I don't think they need it. From what I've seen of previous Zune's, they function much better than an iPod in the first place. They just lacked the aesthetic deign and brand name of the iPod. Their software is a hell of a lot better too apparently, mind you, most things are better than iTunes. Hopefully with the integration with live they'll be bringing the Zune store to the UK finally, they offer a really good service.