RSSZune HD: Finally, it's official
By Tim Conneally | Published August 13, 2009, 3:50 AM
Though the device has been leakier than a rowboat made of Swiss cheese, Microsoft has at last given the final word on the Zune HD's availability, and It's up for pre-order today.
Microsoft's multi-touch, HD radio packing MP3 player can be pre-ordered today on Amazon.com, Best Buy.com, Walmart.com, and the Microsoft store, (though as of 3:30am EST, only Best Buy had an active page.)
It will come to retail stores on September 15 --not the eighth, as we had previously stated-- in 16 GB ($219.99) and 32 GB ($289.99) capacities and five color variations. ZuneOriginals.net will also offer 10 custom engravings by guest artists on the Zune HD's launch date.
If the numerous recent hands-on videos of the Zune HD in action haven't been enough to sell you on the device, select stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC will have demonstrations on August 22 and 23.
Uh, When the Zune Marketplace for came out it had more drm free music then Itunes, the only thing that is DRM at the zune marketplace is the all you can eat for good reason.
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|One must first times wait whether this equipment in relation to the competition set off can
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|Your hovercraft is full of eels?
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|Is the google translator broken again?
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|:p Highlight mine and google it. Monty python sketch.
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|I really need to watch me some Monty Python, I was a sheltered child never saw any of it :/
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|Poor thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao
This is the "Hungarian Phrasebook" sketch. SFW, but not too loudly. ;)
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|good article on how the Zune HD has fail written all over it.
http://www.roughlydrafte...op-software-for-zune-hd/
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|if you honestly believe this...I have a bridge I could sell you...MS Developers showed many demos of twitter like apps that could be made in 10 mins with xna and .net... Also that guy is so anti MS you would think that bill gates himself raped him and his entire family.
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|Sorry you can't handle the truth. But no one expects anything else
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|What truth? He talks about MS previous monopoly that has not existed in at least 10 years now, there is more competition out there and nothing MS does anymore prevents a competitor to use their product with MS products.
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|I can remove the DRM from my DRM free music? Awesome. How does that work?
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|33 hours music playback (wireless off), almost 9 hours video, 2 hours AC charge and 3 PC, epic
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|So let's hear the other side of the coin: What are the numbers with the iPod?
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|well my friends touch music playback seems to last less than 20 (timed it once) ... anyone else have some accurate #s for the touch? not whats advertised, because we all know apple lied about actual battery life
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|All battery life degrades over time. So you're unlikely to get the stated amount from any device, because thats how it acts with a new battery.
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|Oh Microsoft, give it up guys. You lost that battle long ago.
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|If Microsoft competes whether you like them or not it forces competition, moron. Apple will have to lower their prices and keep trying.
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|just noticed the HD comes in 10 designs and 5 colors starting retail day
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|Make this a phone and I'm there.
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|Agreed...so long as I can use it with Verizon. ;)
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|Does this Zune generation require you to use the Zune software to sync, upload music, and download music? It's the only reason I would never purchase these. I don't liked be required to use a particular piece of software to use my MP3 player when connected to the computer. I'd rather have work along the lines of the Creative Zen where you can use the software if you want to, but are not required to. Can't wait to play with one when they come out with them!
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|I don't think you have to use the zune software to sync it...I'm sure lots of third party apps will support it. Obviously to use subscription music you would need the zune software though.
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|Just pre-ordered mine. Cant wait for this beautiful looking and also cheap player. The screen resolution is not HD, but I do wonder if you can tell the difference on a 3inch screen anyways... Now I can carry around HD movies and show them on any HD TV:)
AND I have yet to hear even an Apple fanboy saying that iTunes is better than the Zune software... Zune software is really gorgeous and useful, not to mention the 15bux a month unlimited downloads.
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|Dude iTunes is better than Zune software for being a BLOATWARE!!
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|I just pre-ordered on Amazon !!....no more Apple....finally we have a worthy alternative....
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|Good job. Same here :)
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|Seems odd devices now that do music but not PDA/app/Phone/mail like ipods do. I'm no fan of Apple, but I have to admit that I'd have to have all these functions in my next phone before I'd even take a look.
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|this is a HD capable PMP device, not a phone, not some ultra small netbook... you want a phone? you're looking at the wrong product but you already knew that so why even comment? ffs what is with these iphone .. ithis, ithat loving fools, THIS product beats the ipod touch hands down, there are no two ways about that... build quality, sound quality (which was stellar awhile back), gui, battery life (i'm assuming its more than decent, previous zunes weren't bad) most impressive is the gui though
now i know some of you don't like hearing this but right now your ipod touches? worthless sh*t now because of this device and thanks to it you may receive a nice price drop next time around so enjoy
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|"Seems odd devices now that do music but not PDA/app/Phone/mail like ipods do."
iPod is not a phone, thanks.
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|"this is a barely HD capable PMP device if your definition of HD video is looser than most"
I know they're marketing it to give people the impression it is a fully HD capable device, but the only thing that is "truly" HD is the radio...
Now, spec vs spec it may be better, I am making no judgments, but let's not fall for the marketing gimmikry (Ooh, I think I just coined a new word...)
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|Its already been discussed that apps will be coming later, supposedly there are games already on the device. XNA already supports the current Zune so it wouldn't be hard to add apps to it. Do it as a separate download like games is done for the current Zune.
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|i will try to get one, after I trade my ZUNE 4G Flash, and I do want an artwork and a different color.
This is a fabulous device, cool and useful UI. will definitely get a hand on it.
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|I just preordered mine. Rock on, Betanews.
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|1. The screen is not HD resolution.
2. Video output is partial HD, not full 1080p.
3. Even HD video out isn't built into the Zune from what I read, needs a dock to be purchased.
4. No apps, if they really wanted to pit it against the iPod Touch.
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|But $110 cheaper for 32GB.
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|'the screen' is better than an iPod touch and Games are a commin along with some apps i'd imagine... i hear supports .oog too
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|1) Yep
2) yep
3) yep. So add to the price
4) yep. no software
No idea why anyone would buy this when the annual iPod refesh is going to be announced in September. This thing can not even compete against the last generation iPods let alone the current and next generation coming next month. Yep, another failure from the king of super expensive proprietary software, Microsoft.
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|ogg sorry
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|Funny stuff.
1.) HD Radio.
2.) HD Radio.
3.) HD Radio.
4.) How long was the iPod out before the majority of useful apps came along?
HD does not refer solely to screen resolution.
I am not saying it is better or worse than any other product, feature, or functionality.
Go ahead and compare the specs, but having to make up "pretend" issues just makes you look ignorant, not intelligent.
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|1. not HD resolution but you would be hard pressed to say it doesn't look fantastic
2. 720p is still HD
3.This is true
4.apps are coming later, my understanding they want to see how it performs, no point in dedicating apps for it if it fails.
Also the current Zunes will be getting a new software update as well and they won't charge for it (like Apple does for its Ipod Touch)
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|Well, one can find better base features on other players, but I'm all for HD Radio and Zune Pass.
I don't have a car stereo that I can plug it into, sadly.
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|Another Apple fanatic who screams day and night for competition against Microsoft, and screams day and night against competition against Apple.
I know you're just doing your job, fatty...but who would have thought there would be a whole department at Apple made up of people who just troll forums and post anti-MS drivel? Does it pay well?
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|LMFAO!!! Could not have stated it better myself!
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|1, 2, and 3, already commented on...
4. First off, you know there are no apps for it how exactly? Apps support is done through XNA and the .Net 3.5 Compact Framework. Give it less than a month before apps on the WinMobile platform are ported over and/or created. Also, add in the fact that it is the only PMP on the market to have a dual core processor (the Nvidia Tegra) and this is a true challenger to Apple's domination over the PMP market.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune_HD
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