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Microsoft plans to discontinue all older Zune personal media players when the Zune HD arrives on September 15:
I met with the Zune folks today and one bit of information than I can discuss immediately is that the Zune HD will be the only device type going forward: The current Zune models, the Zune 8, 16 80, and 120, have all been discontinued. So if you want a classic Zune device, buy it now, as they’ll only be around while supplies last. The Zune HD goes on sale September 15 in 16 GB and 32 GB variants.
Microsoft will continue to support the older Zune versions with software updates. Speaking of which, there will be a new version of the Zune software (Zune 4.0) released with the Zune HD on September 15. No details have been released but it is expected to support high definition video and a Zune applications store for the Zune HD at least. By all early accounts the Zune HD is a nice player, but the real question is whether nice will cut it when it goes up against Apple’s iPod juggernaut.
Microsoft today formally unveiled the Zune HD, their latest attempt to compete with the Apple iPod in the personal media player market:
Zune HD, the next generation of Microsoft Corp.’s portable digital media player, is available now for pre-order and is set to hit store shelves on Sept. 15. The player, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, is the first touch-screen Zune and includes powerful playback technology to give you a different way to experience media on the go.
The online brochure is at http://www.zune.net/zunehd and you can preorder at Amazon, BestBuy, Walmart, or the Microsoft Store with the 16GB version retailing for US$220 and the 32GB version going for US$290. Full retail availability is scheduled for September 15.
So what’s new about the Zune HD?
- Built-in HD Radio™ receiver. Allows you to listen to higher-quality sound than is available from traditional radio channels, as well as access additional programming through HD2 and HD3 multicast channels from many of your favorite local FM radio stations at no extra cost.
- HD video output capabilities. Supports HD video playback from the device through a premium HDMI A/V docking station (sold separately) directly to an HDTV in 720p, making it easy to enjoy better-than-DVD-quality video on your own big screen at home.
- OLED touch screen. Allows you to easily flip through music, movies and other content. The 3.3-inch glass screen and 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offer a premium viewing experience.
- Built-in Wi-Fi. Allows for browsing, streaming or downloading new music from Zune Marketplace.
- Internet browser. Full-screen Web browsing, optimized for the multitouch screen with zoom-in and zoom-out gestures.
- Accessories, at home and on the road. Zune HD and AV Dock charges and syncs players while playing supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Play HD Radio, music and podcasts from your Zune HD device through your car stereo using the Zune Premium Car Pack.
The target is clearly Apple’s iPod Touch which is roughly comparable but about US$100 more expensive and lacks the radio. However, the Zune HD lacks the equivalent of Apple’s very popular App Store, at least so far. Still there may be room for Microsoft to gain some share at the high end of the personal media player market although there are many skeptics.
Yesterday, Microsoft unveiled the much rumored Zune HD or at least what little they are willing to say until next week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) conference:
Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.
Gizmodo fills in some of the blanks based on conversations with Microsft’s PR crew:
The flash-based Zune HD features a new industrial look compared to the line’s earlier understated matte style, and is the first to feature a touchscreen: In this case, it’s a 3.3" 16:9 widescreen capacitive OLED with multitouch, packing a resolution of 480×272. The "HD" badging comes from the inclusion of HD radio and HD (720p) video-out, though the latter is available only with an optional docking station. The Zune HD will thus be the world’s first portable media player to include HD radio, which offers song and artist info and far better sound quality than traditional radio. It’ll also include an accelerometer, which is pretty much standard at this point.
Wi-Fi has always been a part of the Zune brand (however half-assedly implemented), and the Zune HD might be the first Zune that actually encourages its owners to keep that battery-sucking Wi-Fi turned on. Yes, the Zune HD will feature multitouch browsing, using a portable browser based on Internet Explorer. We’ll do our best to reserve judgment on that last part.
The other big news is a refocus on Zune integration with the Xbox environment, as the Zune’s video (though not music, yet) marketplace will replace the current Xbox Live version. Microsoft reps were pretty tight-lipped on the subject, but come E3, they’ll enlighten us with the details of the redesign.
Other tidbits: The Zune Marketplace is set to cross oceans, coming to several western European countries and, finally, Canada.
No information has been released on capacity, pricing and release date other than "early fall." I’ll reserve judgment until all the details are in, but so far I am not particularly impressed which is not an uncommon reaction (eg. ParisLemon).
Update from Harry McCracken:
Does this mean the end of the current Zune line? Actually, Microsoft did answer this one: It’ll retire the current iPod Nano-like flash Zune models, but keep the hard-drive based ones on the market.
Microsoft’s original 30 GB Zune MP3 players apparently started New Year’s partying a day too soon and are now frozen in hungover immobility:
Right, so this is a weird one: we’re getting tons of reports—tons—about failing Zune 30s. Apparently, the players began freezing at about midnight last night, becoming totally unresponsive and practically useless.
The crisis has been dubbed by Zune users ‘Z2K9′, due to the apparently synchronized faceplantings across the country. According to tipster Michael, the Zune users experienced something like this:
Apparently, around 2:00 AM today, the Zune models either reset, or were already off. Upon when turning on, the thing loads up and… freezes with a full loading bar (as pictured above). I thought my brother was the only one with it, but then it happened to my Zune. Then I checked out the forums and it seems everyone with a 30GB HDD model has had this happen to them
This report is consistently corroborated by literally hundreds of others across the various Zune support and fan forums.
Theories abound as to the cause of the problem, but the only thing that is certain is that only the original 30GB Zunes are affected. Microsoft says they are on the case:
We were made aware of a widespread issue facing owners of Zune 30 devices this morning. We have a technical team working hard to isolate the issue right now and will update everyone as much as possible. Thanks for your patience while we get to the bottom of this.
No New Year’s partying for the technical team I guess. Updates from the team will be made at http://zune.net/support.
Update: Microsoft has a fix and luckily it doesn’t involve any more than letting the battery discharge and reconnecting only after noon GMT on January 1, 2009. It turns out that it was a leap year problem.
