Zune HD

As an owner of each rendition of the Zune (30, 4, HD), the ZuneHD is a great progression of both the hardware and software. The device itself is very sleek and fits nicely in your hand. I would like to think that this is the game-changer for Microsoft to compete with iPod. It definitely has the head to head feature set with the Touch (Touchscreen, Browser, Apps), a new software interface with an improved suggestion algorithm, and of course ZunePass (This is nothing new, but it's a great concept for $15/month. Unlimited music and 10 songs/month). HD radio is a nice addition and gives what I would consider a struggling technology some more exposure. The radio allows for pauses and tagging/purchase directly from the Marketplace. For those stations that do broadcast in HD, the interface is easy to identify the substations, however it does take a few seconds to recognize the HD station. As HD radio grows, hopefully I will find more of a use for the radio. The touchscreen is very r... Read more

Let me start off this review by saying I'm pretty non-biased when it comes to technology products, unlike some people who have already reviewed this product in a completely idiotic and non-informal way. I own an iPhone (comparable to the iPod Touch) and a previous-gen Zune 80GB. So let's start off the review by discussing why I think this product is far superior to the iPod Touch: -OLED Screen The screen allows for crisper colors than the iPod Touch can handle (deeper blacks for instance). This is going to be fantastic for watching movies and playing games. -Slickest UI on the market Have you seen videos of this device in action? It's drop dead beautiful. The UI is extremely slick and very visual. Unlike the iPod Touch, Microsoft has focused on working with high end typography and insanely modern visual techniques to create a really rich experience. The iPod Touch's interface is very static in comparison. The Zune HD offers information about artists, pictures of artists, and ot... Read more

Here is a updated information probably you guys haven't seen yet. They will be releasing 3-d games and new apps. Funny how people still diss the zune and want the new apple itouch 3gen when clearly its exactly the same as 2nd gen. Only difference is, is that its a bit faster and has 64gb version? (don't see how it's a best seller on amazon) Society cracks me up. The promotional video and leaked shots already made it clear but now it's official: the Zune HD will be a gaming and application platform. In addition to a few casual games, calculator and MSN Weather apps pre-loaded onto the Zune HD, the official Microsoft press release touting the launch contains this little nugget of gaming gold: "Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3-D games such as "Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition," "Vans Sk8: Pool Service" and "Audiosurf(TM) Tilt." Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace ove... Read more

I have unboxed my new ZUNE HD 16GB. I am shooting a video review as I go. I will post it soon. I have updated my Zune as prompted upon connecting it. I am noticing that in the new Zune Marketplace, some apps are already available - hey, all of those cool apps for the touch and iPhone didn't show up instantaneously you know! I will be upfront and tell you I simply don't have time to review every facet of this device's offerings, nor do I have time to do the same for the new Zune software. I want to do this so that you get an honest experience versus a factless rant. I prefer products that are alternatives to Apple but I don't specifically avoid apple. If IBM was making the Zune HD, I would have wanted one just the same. I will do bullets here and if you have questions, post them, I'll try to answer them. * - packaged nicely. It was like opening a secret treasure chest * - includes ear buds (nothing fancy, actually they are same as what came with my Zune 8GB) * - includes ... Read more

Microsoft has decided that its new Zune player does not need much storage. Even the old Zune was available in a 120 GB hard drive model. The Zune HD is available only with flash drives. The largest capacity Zune HD is 32 GB. If you have more than 32 GB of music or video, the Zune HD will not work for you. Apple offers a 160 Gb iPod for those like me with large music and video collections. Will Microsoft never learn how to make a decent portable music player?

For me, this device is worth the purchase price for the OLED and HD Radio capability alone, however, continued lack of Flash capability will limit its "iPod-killer" hopes. Also, my experience with Zune support has been very poor (support number rings in the Philippines, and Microsoft has given the CSRs there very limited capabilities to fix problems (CSRs can't for example, credit back Microsoft Points). I bought it anyway.