Microsoft Confirms Multi-Touch Zune HD to Compete Against iPod Touch

[MacRumors]

Microsoft confirmed today that the rumored "Zune HD" was, in fact, real and that they are planning on launching it this fall. The new touch-screen device will surf the web, play high definition movies and tune in digital radio.

"This device is created to go head to head with the iPod Touch," Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Microsoft Zune, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. Zune buyers will also be able to play HD content on their TVs via a dock, Microsoft said.

Other notable features in the new media device include a 3.3" multi-touch OLED screen, HD radio, HD video out, Wi-Fi, and integration with Xbox. The device is said to be based on the Windows CE operating system and will include a mobile version of Internet Explorer customized for the touch screen. No word of storage capacities or pricing at this time.

Rumors and photos of such a device were leaked back in April, though there was some debate about its authenticity. Apple has seen tremendous success with the iPod Touch since its introduction with 13 million units sold up until December 2008.

Article Link: Microsoft Confirms Multi-Touch Zune HD in Compete Against iPod Touch

 

[Sky Blue]

mobile IE, ha!

 

[smurfjammer]

Bring on the competition I say....

 

[Chemeddy]

Looks really ugly though...

 

[Axl Rose]

Ugly looking, but i like the radio and OLED screen.

 

[Xavier]

I don't like the idea of being able to see the screws that keep the device together

 

[macfan881]

ugh i can never understand why people prefer a zune over a ipod i have used both and ipods are clearly a 100x better

 

[deputy_doofy]

I'll be impressed when MS comes out with an original idea. Not saying Apple is always first with an idea, but MS never is. They simply take others.

 

[scottness]

That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

 

[Feng Shui]

I predict the Microcrap Zune Touch hype to die within a month of its release.

 

[BoMo]

The device is said to be based on the Windows CE operating system . . .

Isn't that the mobile OS that the anchors laughed at anytime it came up at this year's CES?

 

[maestrocasa]

Ugly looking, but i like the radio and OLED screen.

+1 OLED and Radio is a nice touch. of course with apps like Pandora, Public Radio Tuner, etc. radio isn't much of a 'new' feature.

Apple better watch out. this device might steal away as much marketshare from the Touch as the original Zune stole from the iPod.

nice try microsoft. next time, let's for innovation not duplication.

 

[dam0dred]

The 480 x 272 resolution is pretty disappointing.

But looks interesting! Competition is good.

 

[patrickdunn]

Hopefully Apple plugs some OLED tech into their soon-to-be-released 32gb iPhone.

 

[apfhex]

I must be the only one who thinks that quasi-iPhone-1st-gen look it's sportin' is actually quite sexy. Doesn't help out the software end of things, though.

 

[borcanm]

Yea. Go Microsoft. You guys got here at the light speed of only two years later. Yea

 

[baddj]

Looks like microsoft should come up with there own ideas and stop trying so hard LOL. BTW Its 99.9% ugly

 

[flopticalcube]

The 480 x 272 resolution is pretty disappointing.

But looks interesting! Competition is good.

Not particularly HD is it? But I guess most people had already figured it won't be. Let's see what the dev kit and app store are like before passing too much judgment either way. And, yes, competition is good.

 

[dan5.5]

apple already has the market share, this will defiantly not steal it away...

 

[queshy]

no way will the touch be discussed at WWDC (except for "3.0 will be available for ipod touch as well). We need to wait til September to see a 64 GB model and other goodies. I doubt they'll do the HD out thing, either.

 

[Xibalba]

mobile IE, ha!

exactly my thoughts - mobile internet explorer...ouch...

i still welcome competition and will be interested to see what the xbox integration will entail...

 

[iSaygoodbye]

that thing is sexy as hell.cant wait to see what the"xbox integration" is. i may actually consider getting this..... especially if they have mobile versions of halo and gears

 

[TRAG]

ugh i can never understand why people prefer a zune over a ipod i have used both and ipods are clearly a 100x better

Amen. There is no comparison between a Zune and an iPod Touch (or iPhone for that matter). I'd like to see it in action though out of the love of technology.

 

[kolax]

It'll be interesting what they do with Multi-Touch since Palm and Apple have a hell of a lot of patents.

They do have experience with 'Surface' so it might be good.

 

[SkippyThorson]

THEY COPIED IT RIGHT DOWN TO THE BLACK AND SILVER BACK!!!!!

There was absolutely no reason they couldn't create their own color scheme. That is simply a blatant rip off. I know they can't think of anything original, but right down to the colors of the first iPhone? Jayzus.