Zune HD gets official
Its official, folks. The Zune HD is real and is slated to drop this fall. All the rumored specs are here – 3.3 inch 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, HD output (requires an optional dock), Wi-Fi, integrated web browser, multitouch support and Xbox LIVE integration. Attendees at E3 will get the first look at the Xbox LIVE integration in what Microsoft calls “a game-changing entertainment experience”. Sounds sweet and may turn out to be the one item that differentiates it from the competition. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player
Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.
REDMOND, Wash. – May 26, 2009 – Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.
“The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. “Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world.”
Zune Service Expands to New Platform
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. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.
Introducing Zune HD
Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.
- Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
- The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
- The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
- Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
- Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.
More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/press and http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD.
I love my Zune80! Like Glenn said, I picked it over the iPod Classic. I sits nicely on my desk in its cute little Zune dock. Nothing like using the cool remote to work it too! The only small feature that I wish it had and hope the Zune HD will have once the “official” specs come true, is bluetooth. Its a pain in the arse to be tied by cord to the device via headphones.
So, it looks like i’m passing the Zune80 onto my daughter and she can now ditch the “Lemming” device called an iPod Nano and Dad can get the Zune HD!
I can’t wait for E3 to see the Zune HD in action.
I have an 80 gb Zune, a 16 gb touch and an 30gb classic (for the wife) I only bought the touch to watch digital dload movies that came with my blu-rays. If MS is smart enough to add their own DRM play forsure crap to the Zune hd (which was left off the Zune for some reason) and has stereo bt, I am in.
First off, if Microsoft wasn’t competing Apple wouldn’t keep “one uping” them. Which in turn makes you apple fanboys happy. If they didn’t apple would just be putting out products that were only minor improvements. Second, Why would I want a camera on an mp3 player??? This isn’t a cell phone and If I wanted a camera I would buy a real camera not some 3.2 mp camera phone type lens. Last but not least, If this thing has the Tegra chip in it, Apple will have competition. Add to that the zune marketplace/xboxlive intergration and you have 20 million people (that own a 360) that might find it to be a great product since apple doesnt have the intergration like that. Not only will you be able to download it to the device over wifi and the pc, you’ll also be able to download music and videos through the 360. Which is one of the main reasons I’m very interested in this product.
If there was ever a product for losers, made by losers, this is it.
The very name zune makes everyone laugh in derision.
Microsoft is a joke.
Sweet…..I am so glad I didnt get the ZUNE 120…..cant wait for this….I will be passing my Z80GB to my lady….
Oh and about that ludicrous iphone fanboy..you sure did go out of your way to look like a prick..but hey I BET THAT MAKES YOU FEEL SPECIAL…..
but is it compatible with mac?
I have a zune and it sucks not to be able to update it anymore because of incompatibility ….
Imo, I think first thing is we buy these items as a music player 1st. Y in the world would we wanna buy a music player with a camera? The rumored touch with camera to me personally is flat out stupid. Don’t we all have phones that have good or even great cameras on em? And who doesn’t carry their phone with em everywhere they go? I’m a zune user & dj & for anyone that doesn’t know about zune, its a fantastic music player. I am also a gamer so if the zune hd has xbox live inergration, this will be a knockout. Apple definately has this market right now no doubt but don’t even think for a second that ms is gonna back down from making a superior product eventually. Itunes is a really good interface but I think that zune marketplace is MUCH more user friendly. Overall, I’m really excited about this product & I cannot wait til it drops. Apple, get ready for some real competition in this market. Its coming.
P
Finally. Thank you Microsoft, thank you.
HAHAHA the screen is so LOW resolution that the word “Marketplace” can’t even fit on the screen! Microsoft is already a year late with this product and they give it a screen with a resolution of only 480×272? Thats lower than the ipod touch and Samsung P2. Needs at least a vga or wvga screen to compete
Is this still Toshiba designed HW?
Looks nice but the display spec is a bit odd. Why not shove the i8910 LCD in there?
*Prayin’ that Netflix can be downloaded to this or involved w Zune, somehow*
I’m sorry, but I fail to see why people hate the Zune so much. I’ve had the 80GB for a year now and I just love it. The only thing I hate about it is the bulky size, but looks like that’s about to change. And hey Apple before adding a camera to an MP3 player (wtf!?) why not add an FM radio like the Zune.
Sounds great! Would have been better as a phone..I still may get this
This discussion should be all about Zune Pass: $15 a month gives you unlimited streams on any computer, unlimited downloads to your Zune, and 10 DRM-free downloads. Apple can’t compete with that.
No storage specs? Anything less than 128gb is fail, really. I’d prefer to see at least 250gb. Who needs flash, really? Or at least expandable memory.
Is this again going to be available in US only. What about the rest of the world:(
I think the HD radio is a hot feature. This will be a hit!
I love all the people saying “the iphone/ipod has been around too long and i dont see this succeed.” With that logic, Sony should of never come out with the playstation, and Microsoft should of never come out with the Xbox. Blu-ray would of never been the dominant format. Most of the people that think zune is a joke have never used the zune software. It by far is the best software i’ve used. It does a great job of combining drm free music, and monthly rental service. The great thing is that you get 10 free downloads with the subscription service. basically, you’re paying only 5 dollars a month to have access to all the music you can fit onto a hard drive!
I can’t wait for this!
btw it looks like the Touch Diamond 2 lol
This sounds like a great competitor to the iPod touch and might even be better
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Independence United States
Who is the market for this device? It’s not a phone. It is spanked pretty hard by the current iPod Touch let alone the new one we can expect to see soon.
Confirmed….its a reimaged touch diamond.
Maybe all the zune lovers should look at this page.
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/
I have a Zune for 3 Years and love it. The Marketplace is much better that than iTunes. You can actually download and play MP3’s!
I was going to buy a HD Radio but now I am going to wait for my new HD Zune – where can I pre-order!!