mypasswordis Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 Anyone else can't wait for the Zune HD to come out? I've been wanting a portable web browser with music/video playing capabilities without having to use iTunes for a long time. In case people don't know what it is, it's like an iPod Touch, with less/crappier apps, at least initially, but has HD radio and a better screen. Prices are estimated to be around 250 for the base 16 gig model and maybe 100 more for the 32 gig version. There's rumors about a trade-up program Microsoft might be setting up where you can trade your old Zunes for credit for new ones. I'd love for that to come to fruition since I have an old 30GB I don't use much anymore.
GPH Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 Anyone else can't wait for the Zune HD to come out? I've been wanting a portable web browser with music/video playing capabilities without having to use iTunes for a long time. If you jailbreak your iPod Touch, it's possible to upload files without using iTunes. Also, considering how bad Zune software is, I wouldn't put too much hope on the new software being better than iTunes.
mirumu Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 From what I've been hearing the main reason to look at these is the screen. I've not seen one in person of course, but it appears to be a big improvement from the poor screen on the iPhone/iPod Touch. Deeper black levels and a wider gamut. I'm hoping Apple makes the jump to better screens too in the near future.
Hopstretch Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 I think it's OLED, which has been about to be the wave of the future for quite a while now. Hopefully this will help push the technology into the mainstream.
n_maher Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 The first Gen Zune was ok, not great, but got soundly kicked to the curb by my Ipod Touch. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with but I'd take iTunes over the horrid mess that was the first gen Zune software.
mypasswordis Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Posted August 11, 2009 I admit a lot of my interest is due to the possible trade-up offer by Microsoft and the fact that everyone and their mother has an iPod (for good reason, I admit). The Zune software wasn't too terrible for me and thankfully not bloated like iTunes, although some things were extremely frustrating, like being unable to rename tracks/artists and even the occasional inability for the Zune database to recognize albums for the tracks I uploaded. It's true that I could just jailbreak an iPod Touch, I suppose. The screen is a 3.3" OLED, 480 x 272 pixels, which is much improved from previous models, and it seems the UI on the Zune itself is nice and easy to use. Also, nVidia's Tegra chip is in there, which both makes the Zune faster than the Touch and intelligently conservative with battery usage as well. Microsoft has to make a product better than the iPod Touch to even make a small dent in Apple's sales, and I think it's certainly trying very hard to achieve that.
elnero Posted August 11, 2009 Report Posted August 11, 2009 480 x 272, that strikes me as being a rather shitty screen size to deal with.
ojnihs Posted August 11, 2009 Report Posted August 11, 2009 well the only thing i can see as being advantageous about this is the screen, and the screen alone isn't enough for me to be interested in it.
mypasswordis Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Posted August 11, 2009 480 x 272, that strikes me as being a rather shitty screen size to deal with. It's widescreen aspect ratio, 16:9. The Touch's is 480 x 360. So when you're watching movies it's the same size, but is otherwise smaller. I think it's reasonable, for a smaller form factor as well. And yeah, it outputs 720p. A pic of its internal memory, WM8350, and headphone out:
elnero Posted August 11, 2009 Report Posted August 11, 2009 The Touch's screen size is 480 x 320 not 360. Sorry the size comment was more me just thinking out loud, the size overall is probably fine just a bit awkward to design for. Not nearly as horrendous as some mobile screens though, seriously, 128 x220, how the hell do you do anything with something like that.
mypasswordis Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Posted August 12, 2009 Oops, my bad. 320 would make a lot more sense. Another thing to consider is the HD Radio receiver, which I'm quite interested in. Better sound quality than FM, free, and certainly helps when you only have 16GB or 32GB to work with in storage space. You can also tag the songs you hear and like for later purchase. I know I made plenty use of the radio function on my 30GB Zune when I was still regularly using it... it had really great reception. And I shall now shut up about the HD until it comes out.
n_maher Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 And I shall now shut up about the HD until it comes out. Is there an actual release date?
Hopstretch Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 Don't even think about it, Nate. If you think the Stax mafia are bad, just try crossing the Mac mob.
Dreadhead Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 This one also looks interesting: iriver E30 shows up in wild: audio quality praised - SlashGear Supports FLAC
tkam Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 Sept. 15th is looking like the release date for the new Zune HD. If nothing else it certainly has a price advantage over the touch at comparable sizes. $220 for the 16gig and $290 for the 32gig.
aardvark baguette Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 Dispense with the 500gb ipods already. /threadcrap
penger Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 Sept. 15th is looking like the release date for the new Zune HD. If nothing else it certainly has a price advantage over the touch at comparable sizes. $220 for the 16gig and $290 for the 32gig. I saw that on gizmodo as well. Hopefully the pricing holds true.
penger Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 Yeah. Looks like a blend of the gen 1 ipod and the gen 1 ipod nano to me. Meh.
Dusty Chalk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 i don't even know why Microsoft bothers any more. even if the Zune HD is fantastic, i think it's too little, too late.This is where I am, pretty much. That and the "Microsoft" anti-branding (I.E. I've been brainwashed into hating Microsoft).
kelvinz Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 i don't even know why Microsoft bothers any more. even if the Zune HD is fantastic, i think it's too little, too late. word my car has ipod integration but no zune integration.
n_maher Posted August 13, 2009 Report Posted August 13, 2009 I saw that on gizmodo as well. Hopefully the pricing holds true. Microsoft Sets Zune HD Pricing - WSJ.com Seems to be the case and the release date is set for 9/15, allegedly you can start pre-ordering today through Amazon. It looks pretty decent too.
mypasswordis Posted August 13, 2009 Author Report Posted August 13, 2009 I'm definitely liking the pricing, and will now probably go for the 32GB model. What's weird, though, is the fact that the 16GB is only in black (which I prefer) and the 32GB is only in platinum. That's what Amazon makes it seem like, anyway.
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