Microsoft might have launched the first Zune back in 2006 but this new touch-sensitive offering is the gadget we've all been waiting for. The new Zune HD has world-class industrial design, a beautiful user interface and works with some impressive software on your PC.
Smaller and better looking in the flesh, it's thin but feels comfortable heavy and well-built. The 3.3-inch touch sensitive OLED screen is pure bliss and looks amazing with bright, vivid colours. With 480 x 272 pixel resolution, it has a true 16:9 aspect ratio, which works wonders for videos.
The user interface works with multi-touch gestures and is easy to figure out if you've ever spent some time with an iPod Touch or an iPhone. It's a lot sexier than anything else out there and even makes Apple's UI look dated.
Besides playing music and videos, Zune HD also packs an FM-radio with HD Radio support, which is similar to DAB radio in the UK. You can tag music while listening to a HD Radio station and download the tracks from Zune Marketplace when you get back to your PC or get near a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Getting online is not a problem thanks to the built-in browser, based on Internet Explorer 6 Mobile. It renders big and complex websites just fine but lacks some of the more advanced features we've gotten use to on the iPhone or Android. It's also a tad slow with certain websites.
Zune HD also handles applications but it seems as though Microsoft feels rather ambivalent about the whole thing. There is only a small handful of mini games available at launch, with Twitter and Facebook applications coming to the Zune HD sometime in November. There's no official software developer kit for the platform and Microsoft will only allow applications in the Zune Marketplace from a select few handpicked developers.
We hope they change their minds and make it possible for third party developers to offer their applications for the Zune HD. It's based on the Nvidia Tegra platform which is capable of some pretty impressive 3D graphics. As a gaming device, this could be a fierce competitor to the iPod Touch and the Nintendo DSi.
We hope they change their minds and make it possible for third party developers to offer their applications for the Zune HD. It's based on the Nvidia Tegra platform which is capable of some pretty impressive 3D graphics. As a gaming device, this could be a fierce competitor to the iPod Touch and the Nintendo DSi.
Videos from the Zune Marketplace are sold at 720p resolution, and then downscaled for playback on the Zune HD. If you buy the AV dock (at an additional 90 dollars) you can hook up the device to your telly through HDMI and enjoy the vids in glorious 720p Hi-Def resolution. They do look a bit compressed but it's great to have the option.
Luckily, Zune Marketplace will be integrated with the Zune Video Marketplace available on the Xbox 360 this November. Buy a video for the Zune HD and you'll also be able to download on your Xbox for free. Getting your own videos on there is kind of tricky. It handles WMV, MP4 and H.264 files but chokes on popular formats such as DivX or MKV.
Luckily, Zune Marketplace will be integrated with the Zune Video Marketplace available on the Xbox 360 this November. Buy a video for the Zune HD and you'll also be able to download on your Xbox for free. Getting your own videos on there is kind of tricky. It handles WMV, MP4 and H.264 files but chokes on popular formats such as DivX or MKV.
But ultimately this is a music player, and a hit. It works great with the new Zune 4.0 software, which makes it easy and fun to discover new music. It recommends new music based on the tracks in your excisting music collection and you can check out what other Zune users are listening to. Pay 15 dollars for the Zune Pass music subscription and you can download all the music you want without thinking about the bill. It gives you a whole new experience and redefines your relationship with music.
If a track is recommended, just download it and don't worry about the cost. Zune Pass also gives you access to special and custom playlists, which you just download and sync to the Zune HD. With a Zune Pass you also get the added bonus of 10 free music downloads per month, and you can keep the tracks even if you cancel the subscription.
In summary, the Zune HD is a great device and perfect for music lovers on the go. It's a shame that Microsoft still won't launch this thing on this side of the pond, but we suspect it's because of rights issues related to the Zune Pass music subscription service.
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