Microsoft have confirmed that the rumoured Zune HD device is real and will be available later this year. The specs look pretty good:
3.3 inch OLED capacitive touch screen
HD Radio
HD video output at 1280×720
Web browser
Access to the Xbox Live Video Marketplace
The press release says “Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall” but also says “In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall”
So does that mean the Zune will be coming to the UK? The rumour was it will be but the press release says US so I take it as the market place on the Xbox will be going international but the hardware may not.
I may be asking one of my US friends to send me one 🙂
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.
Zune HD portable media player, coming this fall, combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, OLED multi-touch screen, internet browser, Wi-Fi and access to Zune Marketplace online store.
“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.
0 thoughts on “Microsoft confirms Zune HD with video service”
ugh. If they were to completely integrate videos on XBL and the Zune I’d be happy.
If I buy a video on XBOX Live Marketplace, I would expect it to show up on my zune automatically since they would be “integrated”. Same for if I buy it on the zune or on my computer.
Just seems lame to sport it as a premium partner on XBL.
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ugh. If they were to completely integrate videos on XBL and the Zune I’d be happy.
If I buy a video on XBOX Live Marketplace, I would expect it to show up on my zune automatically since they would be “integrated”. Same for if I buy it on the zune or on my computer.
Just seems lame to sport it as a premium partner on XBL.
While you’re at it, plug it into media center 😉
Better make that an order for two 🙂
Pretty much a no-brainer given the GPU / CPU in the ZuneHD, but can you confirm if the ZuneHD supports Media Center Extender Functionality?
This is sorely needed, as Linksys and HP have killed their extenders off, and we are only left with an *extremly* loud Xbox360 as the choice.
Letting the ZuneHD with it’s small form factor and quiet running seems obvious. Thanks!
Wonder if it will work with DLNA type servers? That’s one thing I love about my Archos 605 wifi.
It would be nice it if worked with DLNA but I doubt it will