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iPod touch Zune HD...WOW!

App Store Power!

I would buy the Zune HD, but what can I do with it? How many apps are there? It's got internet, but the crap browser of all crap browsers (probably an IE variant). Sorry Microsoft, but pumping media players with all this cool hardware but so few ways to utilize it won't do anything. Innovate, not copy-vate.

iPod touch/iPhone = 60,000+ applications, many free
Zune HD = high definition version of Zune=FAIL.
 
I've had the ipod touch since it first hit the scene and let me just say I rarely use it for its apps. I like it a lot, but it is slow, takes a minute to open an app, cover flow never worked well and the lack of multi tasking is worrisome. So I just stick to the music and email.

The zune HD seems to be for the crowd who isn't interested in fart apps and what not from the app store. Many already have phones that already do all those things easily with multi tasking and simply want a music player.

The Zune HD is that music player. It has that tegra in it, and judging from all the videos its UI is snappy, responsive and the screen is a beauty.

I intend to buy one and give away my ipod touch.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
Zune HD = high definition version of Zune=FAIL.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, but I hate injustice: the Zune HD looks quite lovely. Don't get me wrong: I won't trade my iPhone for it. But you seem to not know that the Zune HD CAN decode HD video and output it through the dock to a TV.

I hate it when people trash a product based on lack of knowledge about its features.
 
Menge said:
I'm sorry, but I hate injustice: the Zune HD looks quite lovely. Don't get me wrong: I won't trade my iPhone for it. But you seem to not know that the Zune HD CAN decode HD video and output it through the dock to a TV.

I hate it when people trash a product based on lack of knowledge about its features.
Click to expand...

unfortunatly the zune website only gives us few details!:(

http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm

that's why people trash on it!

the zune HD is like an ipod touch, except the zune plays HD!!!!!! (this is something that apple will master one day...)
 
Menge said:
I'm sorry, but I hate injustice: the Zune HD looks quite lovely. Don't get me wrong: I won't trade my iPhone for it. But you seem to not know that the Zune HD CAN decode HD video and output it through the dock to a TV.

I hate it when people trash a product based on lack of knowledge about its features.
Click to expand...

Hate injustice? For heavens sake, the Zune in itself is an injustice. That thing was brought to market for the sole purpose of hurting Apple with it's success on the iPod. In doing so "screwed" their Play For Sure partners. More like Played Like Suckers. Microsoft is willing to blow wads of money and losses since it's creation to just screw Apple with it's one major marketshares win.
 
Microsoft will never get anywhere with the Zune HD without the birth of an endless amount of apps. Apple has that market, and it's very strong right now!!! ;)

I think altogether, the only way the Zune HD flourishes is if they create a phone. If it's call the "ZunePhone" or whatever, it will create more availability to an app store. The ZunePhone could have Microsoft Office & Outlook run natively and be very user-friendlty & intuitive. You could also use a innovative conference call feature as well.

Microsoft is way behind Apple in SDK exposure. Microsoft could gain more exposure for app developers if they made an amazing phone. I do not know the contracts & stipulations that Microsoft has in place right now with phone manufacturers, so maybe that is the reason they do not have a Microsoft (zune) phone.

Let's be honest, Microsoft should be developing a smartphone to kick the BlackBerry in innovativeness like the iPhone did 2 years ago. No matter what is happening now with Apple, Microsoft still has the corporate world in computers, so why not create a smartphone that is truly compatible with all of Microsoft's bells & whistles?
 
slapppy said:
Hate injustice? For heavens sake, the Zune in itself is an injustice. That thing was brought to market for the sole purpose of hurting Apple with it's success on the iPod. In doing so "screwed" their Play For Sure partners. More like Played Like Suckers. Microsoft is willing to blow wads of money and losses since it's creation to just screw Apple with it's one major marketshares win.
Click to expand...

Its called competition.

Apple doesn't have some default exclusive rights to the global PMP/MP3 player market that prohibits other companies from competing. If other companies want to design and build PMP's and sell them they've got every right to do that.

Yes Microsoft has very deep pockets and should be taken seriously as a compeditor, but it comes down to the product and service in the end. Whoever offers the best product and service gets the customers. Which is the way its supposed to work.

Additionally Apple is not a saint company its done some pretty 'unjust' stuff to other smaller companies itself (Palm & Google come to mind). Apple is a corporation just like any other and it'll do its best to grind whatever competition gets in its way to dust like any other company.
 
Menge said:
But you seem to not know that the Zune HD CAN decode HD video and output it through the dock to a TV.

I hate it when people trash a product based on lack of knowledge about its features.
Click to expand...

Ask yourself how many times you really needed to output HD video to a TV from a portable player. (Don't forget to haul your docking station with you wherever you go!)

It really is a non-feature. Something that almost everyone will never use, but a nice checkbox PR can talk about.
 
This CNet MP3 Insider podcast is an interview with MS's Brian Seitz about the Zune HD. In it he is asked about Using the Zune HD on a MAC. Pay close attention as they talk about it, because it left me convinced there WILL be a way to use a Zune HD on your MAC, and it will be through Safari. I think MAC users will be able to access the Zune marketplace for music, videos, podcasts, etc., without having a Zune app on their MAC, and enjoy the benefits of the Zune Pass subscription simply by using a web interface via your web browser.

There are a few other tidbits to be culled from that podcast. The potential of NetFlix downloads directly on the Zune HD is one. I suggest anyone interested watch the podcast, as many things "not said" are just as revealing as the things they do say.
 
beg_ne said:
Ask yourself how many times you really needed to output HD video to a TV from a portable player. (Don't forget to haul your docking station with you wherever you go!)

It really is a non-feature. Something that almost everyone will never use, but a nice checkbox PR can talk about.
Click to expand...

That really depends on if you own an HD TV or not. I've got a 47 inch LG LCD TV so yes I use HD output all the time.
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
style? i actually love the aesthetics of the zune hd as well... we shall see how consumers talk with their wallet though. the general opinion seems unusually high concerning the zune hd and with each new video released on it - the more people seem to love it...same as me.

sony walkmans - although the ui sucks...the sound is superior compared to the old zune and ipod at a distant third. ...seems like the zune hd will be able to tout their sound quality...
Click to expand...

Distant fourth if you listen to the ten people who bought a Cowon S9.

I hear the audio quality argument a lot, and it always makes me want to ask those who propose it whether or not they listen to lossless files and use high quality headphones. Sure, some will, but all of them? Yeah right.

I have a first gen iPod (!) on my desk, and I use reasonably good (a lot better than spec) earphones and have a good number of lossless files. I compared a few to standard DL'd songs from the store, and the differences were pretty subtle.

I doubt that sound quality or the OLED screen will mean a hill of beans to the vast majority of PMP buyers out there. Bottom line is that buyers now expect an app store and high-quality games. MS is well-placed to provide both of these thanks to the zune HD's specs. I hope they do, because it looks like a really nice device.

beg_ne said:
Ask yourself how many times you really needed to output HD video to a TV from a portable player. (Don't forget to haul your docking station with you wherever you go!)

It really is a non-feature. Something that almost everyone will never use, but a nice checkbox PR can talk about.
Click to expand...

I'd use it. I travel a lot, and would like this option for watching movies/podcasts/TV shows in hotel rooms. I don't think it's a non-feature; in fact it's a big plus for me.
 
The Dock/TV output is something I'm not sure I'll use. Supposedly they've greatly improved the resolution and quality of the menu system, art, and other things that the Zune HD will send to the TV. Hooked into a great stereo with impressive art and backgrounds playing as your music plays, it may be more useful as a way to enjoy music off the ZuneHD in your home. Particularly if you've got a big flat screen TV.

As for using it as a VCR to watch you own movies off of when stuck in a motel room, that assumes you brought the dock with you and that an HDMI port is easily accessed on your room's TV. Most of the hotels I've visited aren't even updated to flat screen HD TVs yet.
 
I may retire my Flash 4G zune if I can sell sell it for $50 somewhere. I will try craigslist first.

zune HD is fabulous! UI is both cool and useful, did I say cool?
 
laserfox said:
I've had the ipod touch since it first hit the scene and let me just say I rarely use it for its apps. I like it a lot, but it is slow, takes a minute to open an app, cover flow never worked well and the lack of multi tasking is worrisome. So I just stick to the music and email.

The zune HD seems to be for the crowd who isn't interested in fart apps and what not from the app store. Many already have phones that already do all those things easily with multi tasking and simply want a music player.

The Zune HD is that music player. It has that tegra in it, and judging from all the videos its UI is snappy, responsive and the screen is a beauty.

I intend to buy one and give away my ipod touch.
Click to expand...

QFT
 
4DThinker said:
As for using it as a VCR to watch you own movies off of when stuck in a motel room, that assumes you brought the dock with you and that an HDMI port is easily accessed on your room's TV. Most of the hotels I've visited aren't even updated to flat screen HD TVs yet.
Click to expand...

That much is true, unfortunately. In fact, somewhat ironically, I probably have a better chance of doing video out from my iPhone, since I have the necessary connector.
 
crackbookpro said:
Microsoft will never get anywhere with the Zune HD without the birth of an endless amount of apps. Apple has that market, and it's very strong right now!!! ;)

I think altogether, the only way the Zune HD flourishes is if they create a phone. If it's call the "ZunePhone" or whatever, it will create more availability to an app store. The ZunePhone could have Microsoft Office & Outlook run natively and be very user-friendlty & intuitive. You could also use a innovative conference call feature as well.

Microsoft is way behind Apple in SDK exposure. Microsoft could gain more exposure for app developers if they made an amazing phone. I do not know the contracts & stipulations that Microsoft has in place right now with phone manufacturers, so maybe that is the reason they do not have a Microsoft (zune) phone.

Let's be honest, Microsoft should be developing a smartphone to kick the BlackBerry in innovativeness like the iPhone did 2 years ago. No matter what is happening now with Apple, Microsoft still has the corporate world in computers, so why not create a smartphone that is truly compatible with all of Microsoft's bells & whistles?
Click to expand...

microsoft seems to have this mentality to create the OS and let everyone else create the final product. worked in the 1990's because they locked Dell and HP into only making Windows PC's.

Doesn't work for mobile devices where the WinMo makers also make Android phones and don't really care what OS they use and so don't put much thought into their products.

Apple, Palm and RIM proved that if you want to make a good phone you have to design it yourself
 
4DThinker said:
As for using it as a VCR to watch you own movies off of when stuck in a motel room, that assumes you brought the dock with you and that an HDMI port is easily accessed on your room's TV. Most of the hotels I've visited aren't even updated to flat screen HD TVs yet.
Click to expand...

the chances of most people spending a night in a motel is small enough, the function is good, but not necessarily important in motel scenario (I do know super 8 near San Antonio has big flat screen TV tho.

but people sure can bring it when visiting friends, family, decent hotel.
 
alent1234 said:
microsoft seems to have this mentality to create the OS and let everyone else create the final product. worked in the 1990's because they locked Dell and HP into only making Windows PC's.

Doesn't work for mobile devices where the WinMo makers also make Android phones and don't really care what OS they use and so don't put much thought into their products.

Apple, Palm and RIM proved that if you want to make a good phone you have to design it yourself
Click to expand...

agreed... Where is their phone? Are there binding contracts? Or, do they not do it, becuase they are sticking to their tradition of creating software, and no so much hardware :confused:

They have the business world in computers still... Try making an amazing compatible smartphone! :D

I, and everyone knows they are heavily reliant on solely making software, but in this case, you need to make the hardware as well. I think this will indirectly spark the Zune HD to become more popular because of the possibility of more app developers being enticed with a Microsoft SmartPhone ;)

...someone needs to let Microsoft know - it's all about the apps!!!
 
it's the software!

so what program am I using with my "Zune?" to sync and manage my library?

sorry peeps, all the HD/OLED/500gig/whatever doesn't matter when you're hooked up to the ZUNE STORE, buying songs with ZUNE POINTS. What a joke.

It is the same thing as PC computers. There are some phenomenal machines out there, but who cares-they are hobbled by the software they run.

Brought to you by the same people who developed "Songsmith."

zzzzzz
 
nickweston said:
so what program am I using with my "Zune?" to sync and manage my library?

sorry peeps, all the HD/OLED/500gig/whatever doesn't matter when you're hooked up to the ZUNE STORE, buying songs with ZUNE POINTS. What a joke.
Click to expand...

Zune store is way better than Itunes.... with all the subscription thingy and all..

and you use Zune software duh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AqP...r/ZUNECARDSTV&feature=player_profilepage#t=40


uberamd said:
So its available on 9-15-09, anyone pre-ordering?
Click to expand...

I am !
But I don't know which color.. :confused: yet...
 
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