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Microsoft Overhauls Zune HD, Announces Xbox Live Integration

5/27/09, 4:34 pm EST

Earlier this year rumors claimed the Zune was on the verge of extinction. But today Microsoft announced plans to completely overhaul their portable digital media player as the Zune HD. The new line of Zunes will hit shelves this fall. In a move that’s been a long time coming, the Zune will finally be integrated with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 hardware, and the Zune HD will be linked into the Xbox Live Video Marketplace so users can download movies and TV shows.

Zune HD will essentially become Microsoft’s answer to the iPod touch, with a few bonus perks. The new Zune sports “HD” in its name for two reasons: One, it will tap into HD radio stations, and two, it will carry a high-definition output that will allow users to play videos by connecting the Zune to an HD television set. The Zune HD will also sport a Wi-Fi connection for instant streaming and access to the Zune Music Store, as well as an Internet browser. Still, the real coup here is making the Zune HD accessible with the Xbox Marketplace, which boasts 17 million subscribers worldwide.

Visually, the Zune HD nearly doubles the screen size (16:9 widescreen format display) of its previous model, and it comes in a familiar silver case. Overall, Microsoft has gone through great lengths to resuscitate the Zune after sales for the media player dipped 54 percent last year. Microsoft insisted that despite the fact that iPod had broken away from the pack, the company was still “deeply committed” to their product, hoping to rebrand the Zune as a “general purpose” device. By adding video, HD radio and a Web browser, it looks like Microsoft has achieved their goal. The question now is, Will it lure enough people to compete with the iPod?

Related Stories:

Zune Sales Down 54 Percent: Will Microsoft Fight to Save Its Digital-Music Player?
#8226; Microsoft “Deeply Committed” To The Zune, Company Says
Is the Zune About To Become Extinct?


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Comments

No options | 5/27/2009, 10:17 pm EST

Microsoft sucks, their products suck, everything about them sucks, they’re the Britney Spears of computing. I’m not saying Apple is much better, they’re a totally overhyped company, every die-hard fanboy talks about Apple like it’s the cure for cancer or something. But nobody realizes that Mac computers have their own set of issues, they can even catch viruses, contrary to popular belief. Before the iPod, I don’t think people even knew Apple was still manufacturing computers, so this is just a technological fad, cause pretty soon people will realize it ain’t all that. The iPod is NOT such a great device either, it’s just that the zune sucks so bad no one wants to touch it with a ten-foot pole. And now that iTunes has finally lifted their DRM restrictions on the songs, more people will be flocking to the iPod, so Microsoft might as well call it day and retire their stupid zune.

Denise | 6/17/2009, 4:51 pm EST

Zune continued to charge my bank account over and over again after I cancelled my subsription. The have terrible customer service policies and BEWARE, “once they have their hooks in you”, they won’t let go.

Denise | 6/17/2009, 4:51 pm EST

Zune continued to charge my bank account over and over again after I cancelled my subsription. The have terrible customer service policies and BEWARE, “once they have their hooks in you”, they won’t let go.

mark | 7/1/2009, 8:32 am EST

The reader above speaks the truth, Zune Marketplace will steal from their customers and be rude while doing it. Apparently Microsoft has no control over the Zune Marketplace Team. I had to turn them in to the WA attorney general to get the money they owed me. Beware!

None of your bussiness | 7/17/2009, 11:23 pm EST

Man… FUCK U & the ipod. The zune isn’t going anywhere.

Tony | 7/27/2009, 12:07 pm EST

Zune does not suck. comparing the Zune 80 with the iPod 80, iPod gets owned. and the subscription policy treats me very well. i dont even use the credit card for that, i just go to best buy and buy a 1 month card. just because you have opinions on devices that “suck”, wont mean that every one will agree. i personally never liked ipod since day one, so i use any device other then that… =/

Erik | 8/7/2009, 6:33 pm EST

This Zune… Is going to be the greatest thing EVERY. And the iPod will be a thing of HISTORIC TIMES! MICROSOFT FTW!

Dustin | 8/10/2009, 5:58 am EST

Two words… no camera. Sure everything is nice and spiffy… but no camera means its still not a “general purpose” device. And it can play HD movies when you plug it up to an HD tv…? shouldn’t an HDTV already be playing things in HIGH DEFINTION. sounds like Microsoft is still being stupid… Accessing the Marketplace is nice, but when it comes to Xbox integration wheres the friends and message checking and sending?? No I am NOT an Ipod supporter, i bought an 80g on its release date (which turned tragic when all the Zunes crashed) and lately through Pro and Con weighing… Iphone is the way to go.

Tommy | 11/4/2009, 3:00 pm EST

your all stupid mother fuckers. i bet every single one of you hating on the zune hd havent even tried it before. the apps are no ipod touch apps but everything else is outstanding

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