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Nice, now if they'd only sell it outside of the US.

I just about fell out of my chair once they posted that MS pretty much confirmed it was the real deal.

I've had my Zune30 since the first year the player was out. While it still works perfectly, I will seriously look into this if my budget allows. Just please have native FLV support!

@gorath: Well your in luck then, Microsoft have already stated that Zune will be making its way internationally in 2009. And not a bad way to start that expedition either.

I'm not big on mp3 players but this Zune HD is gorgeous (a word I don't often use) and it would make a nice portable movie/video player :-)

I'd buy one.

LOL!  This isn't the Zune HD.  This is the HTC Touch Diamond 2 running Zune software!

;)

Hopefully its not just a PMP. The market has moved on.

What's wrong with the Zune120 as a movie player?  

The screen is only 1/4" smaller than al iPod Touch and the picture is beautiful.

step out of reality a sec, and imagine this.

- Zune HD.

- International Zune launch.

- App ecosystem (aka iPod Touch & iPhone) supporting Silverlight, WPF, .NET in general and XNA (that's the C sharp games framework for xbox community games etc)

I wanted to develop for iPod Touch, but when it comes to programming, I'm a Microsoft junkie - C sharp is the most beautiful language ever created.

Wouldn't it be great if DRM were changed to allow us to port Media Center content to up to 3 registered HDZune players? This type of system works perfectly in my family of Rhapsody portable players.

@simongoldring: I think the Zune folks would be spot on to do something along those lines, making this rather close to their reality. I'd definitely consider this product either way since I find myself wanting video to an extent and only having a Nano, capable of video but, uh, it's a Nano.

Well physically it is going to get the obvious comparison to the iPodTouch, but that is more a logical choice for a full screen device than copying. What will be interesting is if MS decides to challenge the market with features or if they will just tack on novelty like they did with the original Zune.

I'd like to see some really good screen quality on a device that touts the term "HD".  So far, most devices only have WVGA resolutions of 800x480.  It's nice and all, but it's not HD, despite the naming convention.  I'd like to see a 1280x720 resolution using some of that 200+dpi technology like they use on the miniscule Sony VAIO P screen (it's 8.9" with a 1680x768 resolution - do the math).

Can they do it?

Well, at the ~208dpi that the Sony uses, the screen would have to measure approximately 7" diagonally to get 720p resolution.

To get 720p resolution at a more modest 3.8" size, you'd be using something more akin to ~380dpi.  That'd be tough work for an LCD maker.

At the very least, I'd like to see WVGA (which is at least true 16:9), but have to ability to play 720p content, scaled to fit the screen.  If there's going to be a break-out dock/cable for video output, have it support full resolution and use proper HD cables, meaning Component cables at a minimum (prefering HDMI for simplicity).

I'm also interested in what they manage to do on the software side.

Let's see how it goes. New hardware should definitely impact sales, but it also depends on what Apple does and how well this is received.

Is it just me or is the "chic" look getting more and more like it's retro high-fashion tech from the early 80's?

Looks nice.  I do not own a Zune yet as I keep waiting for the next gen hardware to appear.  Besides that, my 5th gen ipod hasn't died yet (just sealed it's fate?).  LiveSide seems to be saying that they 'know' this is legit.

www.liveside.net/.../the-zune-hd-is-real.aspx

It looks like Zune v4, Windows Mobile 6.5, and Windows 7 will all be launched around the same time, followed by Office 14 a few months later. There will probably be some XBox 360 announcements too. I'm not sure when their retail stores are slated to open.

Looks like Microsoft has a lot going on in a bad year for the economy. I wonder if it's a good idea.

Shark,

No question that this will be an interesting year for Microsoft's billion+ customers...

Crosses fingers for xvid/divx support.

As far Engadget, this is probably already marked ahead for their Worst Gadget of 2009 down to a bad photoshop job of a screaming Ballmer holding one these with a BSOD in the display.

If this is really true, there are several areas in which this could be effective. If the screen really offers 780P video, that would put it ahead of the iPod Touch. If it supported more file formats, that would do it too. Now if it had superior game support that would inch it further. Now if it has Wi-Fi or Wi-Max support, I think that could be the real difference maker. If the Zune HD with Wi-Fi or Wi-Max and Skype.

That might make it very tempting to rush out and get one. You can port all your iTunes over since they're now 100% DRM free tracks and you've got Amazon's Store too. If it sync's wirelessly to the Xbox 360, that would be one hell of a unit.

Then it would come down to browsing. Will it or won't? If it does along with everything I've stated, Microsoft might have a game changer here. Much like the new DSi from Nintendo, its definitely worth the bucks if its got all the right feature set.

I think you are reaching subzero.

The iPod Touch already has WiFi support. Already has a browser. Already does Skype. As well as run 30,000 apps.  

There is nothing Microsoft could realistically do to make this device a game changer.  More file formats and "780P" video would mean absolutely nothing.  

I honestly thing people are underestimating the imapct of the AppStore in the PMP space.  If your PMP (Sony, Creative, MS, whoever) does not have a full OS then you are not going to make any dent at all in this market.  As I said before, the game has moved on.

This could be as big as the original Zune.

The Zune is a very good player, despite having no substantial market impact.  

I hope this is an excellent product, too, since Apple needs the competition.  I would think the gaming angle would be a crucial component in this kind of effort, which hooks into the Xbox brand and marketplace.  That seems to be the next market for OSX Mobile to make a major impact, now that media playback is utterly dominated and smartphones are on the same trajectory.

I for one have no interest in trading on monopoly for another, so bring it on Redmond.  Keep 'em on their toes.

It's "720p", not "780P".....

"LOL!  This isn't the Zune HD.  This is the HTC Touch Diamond 2 running Zune software!"

I read today some other place that it is actually using HTC touch hardware.

Do you really think the Zune OS is a total re-write of Windows CE/Mobile?

When I had a Zune 30 if I scrolled down my music list real fast you would see large letters on the screen like "H" as in went through the alphabet of songs.

The exact same thing will show on my WinMO phone if I scroll through my contacts fast.

Zune OS is WinMO at its core.

Anyhow this should help Zune compete with the current generation of iTouch from the looks of it.  That said we have no idea what it can do, and I am sure Apple will rev the current iTouch/iPod in June.  It should be a an interesting second half of the year for the MS vs Apple competition.

I really don't think that you need a 720P handheld device since most screens look fine a current resolution. Even my cheapo low rez $399 15.6 in laptop screens looks very nice. I like Subman's idea of multi-hardware integration/compatibilty. The only two companies that could do it would be MS and Sony, as they both have all the hardware [gaming included]. If you include Surface, you're down to one. I still want that family room coffee table to be my hub, including X-10 home automation. The wife keeps the digital photo's, music and movies archived correctly, and I never need a TV remote.  I just get a major woody thinking about it. It would make a hell-of-a man-toy. She would email on a 50 in PDP screen. Ah heck, the list just goes on. Please don't any of you burst my bubble or I'll have to take an Advil, then hurt you.

OT!!

http://www.ndpta.com/

Holy FrontPage 98 Batman!!!!  I guess creating poorly written white papers translates in to horrible website creation skills.

Looking at that photo I think Mikey G is really an alias for Roger Kay.  Only question now is which is the real Mikey, the slim version on that site or the one we are graced with here?????

If I'm not mistaken, Zune uses Windows CE at its core. They just added a bunch of stuff on top of it to make it look nice. And it is nice.

The website is hideous, "Lindy", and that whitepaper makes my eyes hurt. Someone needs to tell these clowns that modern typesetting uses one space after a period, not two. What a joke—all the way around. It's got more holes than a block of swiss cheese.

Lindy,

Nice try at changing the subject (note, I have a full head of hair). I can understand why you'd want to change the subject. The new Zune looks really nice. It has kind of a Jacob Jensen look to it and I love their industrial design.

@Lindy:

None of what you said would surprise me.  At the very least it makes sense if only for the fact that the Zune device software will migrate to Windows Mobile smartphones.  There would be some conferencing happening between the regular WinMo dev team and the Zune firmware dev team.  More than likely the dev team responsible for the Zune firmware is just a specialized division within the WinMo team.

You have to remember that the original Portable Media Centers were also Windows Mobile based - the boot process had a WinMo splash screen too.

Say what you want about Windows Mobile being clunky, but it is pretty flexible.  It's funny that Apple is now copying the flexibility of Windows Mobile's app ecosystem, but only because 3rd-party dev's were practically pulling Apple's teeth to open up the platform.

Hair club for men?

I think that picture of the new windows ce or umm Zune looks great to be honest.  Hopefully its real.  I think the Zune 30 I had was great hardware, it was the software back then that was bad.

However Zune 1.0 was way better than that website.  I love the links on the site pointing to c://program files/yahoo sites/test/whatever....what a joke.  

Also what font is that on that site, Okidata Microline 180 9pin:)

@mike: "The new Zune looks really nice. It has kind of a Jacob Jensen look to it and I love their industrial design."

It is nice and it doesn't look like a copy of Apple's designs. I hope it has more than one button.

It's like they are copying the iPod Touch. Oh wait! They are!

Maybe the 10 people that purchased a Zune will upgrade.

The Zune is dead.

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@Robertsjoe,

touchscreen mediaplayers predate the ipod touch.  Since they are entirely software driven, it's impossible to say if it's a copy of the mobile OSX UI.  More likely, it's the Zune UI + windows mobile.  

I'm with John on this. I hope the new Zune brings some competition for the iPod. I  doubt it, but who knows.

Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here. I don't know what value/feature differentiation they hope to use, but if it pushes Apple to keep innovating then fine.

And, on the subject of iPods, I agree with Paul that the 3rd gen shuffle is a misfire. Can't use it with my Etymotics? Thanks, but no thanks. Anyway, the 2nd gen is already small enough.

"Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here."

I don't see iPod Nano's or Classic's with FM radio and wireless capabilities.  I also don't see any iPod's with a program made by the manufacturer that is actually a joy to use, nor so on Windows.

"Anyway, the 2nd gen is already small enough."

I agree. I like the 2nd gen shuffle. It's perfect for the gym. I have a 1 Gig model that I got for opening a bank account. For something without a screen, it's more than enough for me.

Two things:

MS needs to start that Live Anywhere Service for the ZuneHD at release. They talked about Xbox and Zune integration on a job listing not too long ago.

MS needs to get their in house developers to start making games for this thing- imagine if Rare were to make a few games at launch... did a lot for the 360.

... oh and maybe get some independents to create software for it like Tag, that game that had a good presence at the IGF recently. Microsoft COULD make a game changer here by creating something that is the first real attempt at a true portable media player capable of great quality gaming... gaming is big and it's how you lure consumers to your product, look at how Apple changed stance with Apps on the ipod when it came to games!

"To get 720p resolution at a more modest 3.8" size, you'd be using something more akin to ~380dpi.  That'd be tough work for an LCD maker."

In other words, it won't really be HD and this is marketing BS.

"Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here."

MS is fighting the last war, and wishes for the good old days when computers cost $5,000+ in today's dollars and had to be replaced in 3 years at most given the rapid increases in processing power.  Those days are over.  Macs may be more money, but it's an amount most people can afford.   This is only going to become more and more true, as computing hardware prices drop, drop, drop.  

Look at the iPod - yes apple's PMP were always a little bit more money.  Paul always harped on that, and was convinced $50-75 cheaper players would take the market from apple, like $2000 cheaper PCs took the market from macs in the mid-90s.  He was wrong (as usual on all things apple vs. MS).

Given falling component prices and apple's commanding sales volumes on the new wave - handheld devices - it will be very difficult for anyone to significantly undercut apple.  

The post-PC world isn't looking very friendly - or at least a LOT less friendly -- to MS's model.  MS's model favored multiple OEMs and hardware competition. Now, that model yields an insignificant if not zero price advantage (for handheld devices) and lots of downsides (the same ones that exist for the PC - tremendous hardware/software incompatibilities and glitches and more difficult support/problem resolution)

"No question that this will be an interesting year for Microsoft's billion+ customers."

MS doesn't sell to billions of customers.  It sells to OEMs and IT shops and the relatively few individuals that buy an off the shelf  copy of windows for homebuilts or upgrades.

I hope it's all true, so that Jobs can improve the iPhone to compete and I can upgrade to an even better iPhone. I wonder if I can give the old one to the wife and use her SIM card without buying another internet service agreement since she is on my contract. That would be nice. Can I rewrap it for our anniversary? Go Zune baby!!!

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