ZuneHD Announced: Specs, pain, embarrassment
We sort of knew it was coming but we were kinda hoping against hope Microsoft would just kill it before it got started. They didn't and today, as of the AllThingsD conference, it is official. The specs: 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, HD output (utilizing a new dock -- not on-board) and it looks like we thought (unfortunately).
Seriously, that thing is something only a Ballmer could love. Press release follows:
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 (480x272 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.
About Zune
Zune is Microsoft's music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, and the Zune Social online music community, created to help people discover more music. Zune is part of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company's software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries to each other and the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are - in the living room or across the world. More information and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* Supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 - not HD resolution. Zune HD and AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution.
HD Radio™ and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.
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Comments (48)
I fail to see what is so painful and embarassing about this. It looks like a really great device.
Indeed, I think it looks great, apart from the software, look at the "e" in marketplace! Shocking!
I think it looks hideous.... Note the E in HidEous....this thing should be hidden...why would you design something with screws on the back? It looks sooo clunky.... It's so angular...very 80s design style :P sick...I'm sorry but organic curves would do my hand much better when I hold it...
The software...don't even get me started...its MS need I say more????
IT's shocking because they think they even have a chance with this thing.
It is a media player and all the specs are better then what is on the market for now.
What you find ugly might be OK for another person. We should wait and see how user friendly it is before bashing a picture.
The pro fruit bias is ridiculous.
It is a media player and all the specs are better then what is on the market for now.
What you find ugly might be OK for another person. We should wait and see how user friendly it is before bashing a picture.
The pro fruit bias is ridiculous.
I think this means that the new iPhone and iPod Touch will benefit from an OLED screen. AT first it seemed unlikely but if Microsoft can do it in a Zune you can be sure Apple will put one in the iPod and iPhone so they can introduce it first.
One thing I don't understand is why does it need to play HD movies on such a small screen?
And it will be interesting if the iPod Touch gains a camera, that will give it a step up from this Zune HD (as if it needed that)
Agreed... it looks really good. In fact, I'd admit that it would look better docked beside my aluminum iMac than the current iteration of the iPod Touch does. I'd have my own little brushed metal setup going on here :)
What I'm more interested in knowing, though, is what they are planning on announcing in terms of the Zune's Xbox integration at E3?
I agree, the design of the hardware looks good. It has an industrial look to it. It looks like they've used quality materials. Apple fans shouldn't automatically criticize something just because it's not Apple! However, I think the software will let it down...
It is painful. Like watching the Abrams Star Trek after 2 years of Roddenberry's.
yet...
The only thing that even barely caused a ripple in my heartbeat comes from the integration with Xbox Live and even then I barely see any possibility of anything refreshing...
~ Possible remote functionality for the Xbox media center similar to Apple's Remote App
~ Accelerometer to allow for some sort of control of Xbox games, maybe?
It bores me just stretching the limits of how this could be a game-changer.
I understand Apple is sometimes years behind with some basic stuff but when they do bring the basic or the innovative to the table, it almost looks new and refreshing. This looks regurgitated.
--
I know y'all will do the same thing so let me spare you the trouble:
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html
whoops... Looks like MS is still a year behind the curve. No camera? No Bluetooth? and it seems like it is a long time before it hits the stores. The only thing they have that's 'innovative' is the HD radio - and honestly, that's been a huge dud for broadcasters and manufacturers. Oh, and it doesn't work anywhere but in the USA and a tiny part of Canada, so it isn't even a selling point outside the region. Ug, these guys need to step it up.
Well the Zune as they sell now is only on sale in the USA.
So why make a version to a marked outside the USA.
It looks like most big American companys see the USA (and sometimes Canada) as "The World" and no need to get there product out anywhere else but there.
.
But ok, it runs Windows CE so I don't realy want it, so it's ok they keep it to the US only.
Actually the current Zune has been available in Canada for about a year. My mother-in-law has one, well actually 2. The first one had to be replaced because it fell apart.
"No camera? No Bluetooth?"
It's an MP3 player, not a phone
Yes there is rumors that the next iPods will have camaras, but they do not have bluetooth.
So nothing bad about them not incluting that in the player
well yeah, you know the iPod Touches out there... the second generation ones...yeah, they have don't have bluetooth yet, but by 3.0 they will...they have the potential and well, if you grab the beta you can actually have bluetooth now. So yeah, they do have bluetooth and probably before the "Zune HD" comes out too...that is fact. The cameras like you said are rumors but hey, they seem pretty credible...
I totaly agree...I've gotta agree with some comments on here...the device looks half decent...But it's no where near as well designed as any apple product (iPod touch and iPhone), and the only reason it looks hald decent, is because in typical Microsoft fashion they decide to launch a 'competitive' product that looks so much like it's competitor... fewf!
Also I totally agree...Microsoft needs to step it up...Apple is doing such a great job but they need a real competitor...and even though Microsoft has the biggest market share in computing, Apple is doing much better than them, it won't be long before Microsoft gives up all together...and dont get me wrong....I hate Microsoft as any person visiting an apple rumors site like this one should, but Apple needs a competitor, otherwise I fear that Apple will go down the same road Microsoft has gone, and get a big head and let themselves go, especialy once Jobs leaves or dies...He is Apple...Apple has tried to do it without him, and it didn't work...
Also I'd like to ad...you'd think with all the money Mcrosoft is making they could hire, talented people within the industry...because the people they have right now, are getting paid too much for doing a crappy job, and then you have a company like Apple, which I consider to be a movement in innovative design, who has real talent, who seek to push boundaries...
There I've said all I need to say...
I can't find any release date.
So is this the same when MS first starting to talk about Windows CE 7 last year?
It was something like "If you like iPohones 1 year old OS, then just will love the OS that we will give you in one year"
so if it's the same with this music player, that it will not hit the market before sometime next year, then it's old hardware even before the buyers gets it in ther hands
I dont think its so bad looking. I mean I prefer the Touch and iPhone but this is one of the best looking Zunes they have created so far. And I wouldnt call it an embarrassment.
I agree that it's better looking than previous Zunes - this one at least appears to have a "style" of some sort to it. I wouldn't mind something with that kind of industrial design sitting on a shelf somewhere. I don't know that I want that many angles in something I'm going to hold or carry in my pocket.
HD radio would be innovative, if Sirius XM channels weren't already starting to appear as iPhone apps... and given that the nearest HD radio stations to me are in a city 200 miles away, yeah, good luck selling that feature here.
I'm wondering about the "full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality." Does this mean Microsoft is licensing Safari? :)
It is painful and embarassing for Apple, thats why this title...!!!
Why do you even bother by commenting dude? Try to think of something useful to say before you comment. Maybe painful and embarrassing for you and not for Apple you idiot. Look at the back of this Zune, does it remind you of anything. I'll help you, maybe you are a little slow to think about it, it looks just like the original iPohne.
I'm an apple fanboy but I think it look great to be fair, I love the styling and I'm starting to think Apple styling is starting to look dated.
I think that will all change come WWDC tho, Apple are always one step head.
Up till this day I have never ever seen a Zune here in Europe. If they distribute this one just as efficiently than I'm afraid I will never see this one as well.
I personally don't think it's that ugly though..
This is so silly, the ipod touch has a higher resolution, and it appears to be thinner. And with the 3.0 software, apple can do some amazing things that this zune could never do such as: bluetooth, Interfacing with other devices, which will allow for such things as: ipod touch working as an equalizer, someone writing a program to make it work as an XBOX controller, pluging into your car and montering the health of your car and alerting you when soething goes wrong, the fact that there isn't an OLED display makes it cheeper, I can also see that without the use of an OLED display, apple was able to get more pixels per inch which is always a nice thing. Oh and then there is one last thing: the ipod touch works on the mac and the zune won't. NICE MOVE MICROSOFT....
I DON'T understand the presence of the screws, when the Zune 1st gen had a really sleek and mat design (Never seen a gen 2 for real).
But apart from that I think it's not that bad... But definitely keeping my iPhone.
Hmm I am not sure, but doesn't it look like the first generation iPhone?
Probably silver case with that black piece at the bottom like the iPhone! .. come on Microsoft at least try not to copy the iPhone aswell!
And btw .. seriously .. THOSE SCREWS!! Oh no, I hope it is only a rumor!
Cheers :)
I find that thing disgusting, the design is horrible and it is eye catching for all the wrong reasons.
In this day of sleek design and smooth lines I can't believe a company even consider marketting such a monstrosity!
Surely, given a choice between iPhone and that the iPhone wins everytime!
Get a Free iPhone on PAYG at http://www.gimmeitfree.co.uk
It could be a lot worse, and it is a massive improvement on the previous offering, but then it is a bit of a rip-off of something that seems fairly familiar.
It could be a lot worse, and it is a massive improvement on the previous offering, but then it is a bit of a rip-off of something that seems fairly familiar.
Strange being called the "zuneHD" yet not having the screen resolution to play video in true HD.....