Zune HD First Hands On

Zune questions
Old accessories: Yes, accessories for other Zune models will interface with the Zune HD, which features the same connector plug.

Multitouch: Yes, Zune HD has it.

Web browser: A full Web browser will be included. It will use now-standard multitouch gestures like double-tap, pinch, and stretch. Seitz told us it would be a "cool browser for the finger." My digits are tingling already.

(Update: Microsoft tells us it is a "version of IE 6 that has been highly customized and optimized for multitouch." As for an e-mail client... this is it. No app is available, but "common e-mail services like Hotmail will be accessible via the browser.")

Flash: The Zune HD Web browser is still in early builds, but Seitz says that Flash support doesn't look likely. "From what I've seen, no," he said, but that might still change before release.

HD: Zune HD has an OLED 16:9 touchscreen with a resolution of 480x272. That sounds sweet, but it's not high-def. The "HD" in the product name refers to support for HD radio on the one hand and, on the other, support for outputting HD video to TVs over an HDMI connector.

HD radio: Past Zune research has shown that owners used the radio feature an average of twice a week, so Microsoft hopes to capitalize on that popularity by adding support for HD radio. Like digital TV, HD radio is a digital format that supports multicasting—one station can now offer multiple subchannels. With few portable HD radio receivers on the market, Microsoft hopes this will set it apart.

HD video: If you thought getting that HD video (720p max) off the device and onto a TV would be cheap and easy, you're half right. The HDMI connection needed to do this will only interface with an external Zune dock, which is sold separately (and if history is any indication, at outlandish prices).

Internet connection: As with past Zunes, the Zune HD features a WiFi connection but no cellular radio. The decision positions the device quite obviously against Apple's iPod touch, though Seitz makes it clear Microsoft is "not trying to play copycat."

Original Xbox games: Some early rumors around the device suggested that it could play 3D games from the original Xbox. Microsoft has "nothing to announce" about games at this time, but clearly has plenty of ideas in the works. More details will be forthcoming over the summer.

An app store: One of the touch's key features is Apple's App Store. Microsoft sounds ready to launch something similar for games, but what about other applications? Seitz says that the company looked at the top 20 apps people used on the touch and found that most were games. Without a cell radio and constant Internet, this makes sense. The Zune team also wants to avoid duplicating work being done by the Windows Mobile team, and it doesn't make sense to have two separate app stores.

Zune death: Are the smaller flash Zunes going away? Seitz says that no final decisions have been made beyond the fact that Microsoft wants to focus more on its next-gen product. Reading between the lines, though, if you want one of the smaller flash Zunes, picking one up this summer is probably a good idea.

Xbox Live: The Xbox Live Video Marketplace will be replaced by some kind of "Zune Marketplace" later this year. Microsoft has spent the last year (finally) doing some heavy lifting on the backend with the goal of combining its sprawling services. While specifics haven't yet been announced, the company does want to move to a model where purchased content resides in the "cloud" and can then be viewed on any device (Xbox, Zune, Windows PC). This would be a welcome and long-overdue change to the current, more limited approach.

Storage space: Not yet announced.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Zune
• HD

[thizz1r8500]

I think apple is going to stop making media players now because companies are copying their products cuz they know it's great tech

[ZUNECARDSTV]

Have you seen some of the palm lines that came out way b4 apple had a clue about media devices. The palm tungsten had touch screen video and music playback as well as apps.

My first palm was in 2001, that had touch screen, apps etc. Apple like everyone else copy, you should be happy there are more players in the game, or would you rather pay 3 times the amount for an iPod.

[RiddleboxBoii]

is this going to be mac friendly ?

[ZUNECARDSTV]

No one knows.

[hectorleon]

what's the hard drive capacity?

[ZUNECARDSTV]

No one knows for sure but i'm rumores have them at 16/32 GB. there is also rumors that a 64 gig version might come out months later.

[nokiaboy1]

why can't we get that same stunning interface on our WM phones ??? like this new 6.5 update they could have gone only a few more steps forward in developing this touch friendly interface to imitate this zune UI ..... GOD Microsoft Frustrates me sometimes !

[lellowakeys]

it is not that serious. Zunes don't suck at all. I've had BOTH. I think its a matter of preference, because i like my Zune better. And the software.

[LiaraTsoniCom]

wicked

[orland44football]

i agree with you 100 percent because that's the whole cometition who can make the most sales and of course mulla with the same basic idea. it is a win win both sides consumer and product seller.

[greenmonty97]

zune is gay

[Frankfurtxxl]

if you believe it,

FUCKING KEEP IT TO YOURSELF

Apple is a good company and most microsoft users like apple too,

most people have ipods ...

but the zune is a good player and is not a copy!!!

apple wasnt the first company who had a touchsceen phone (iphone) they copied too....

thats how the market works and tahts how devices get better...

[Frankfurtxxl]

from what i know, there is a 64 model planed for easter 2010

[coolipoddudes]

Ur right

Kinda!!

[musizmix]

i kno rite apple is the boss but.. u still see how zune has its own style