Well, Microsoft still don’t appear to have the appetite to take the Zune hardware anywhere outside North America, after what, 3 years of life, but they have announced a new version of the Zune that will be released in the US in the autumn. However, Microsoft will be delivering the Zune experience to the rest of us through other devices, it seems, starting with the Xbox 360.
With regard to the new hardware, here’s what you’ll get:
- Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
- The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
- The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
- Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
- Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.
I’m interested to check out what the OLED screen looks like, and the browser experience will also be of interest.
Outside of the hardware, the Zune will also be invading your Xbox 360 as begin cross-pollinating the Zune experience into new platforms, starting with Xbox Live’s Video Marketplace.
Spot the careful re-positioning of Zune – no longer a device, but a service:
“Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE”
Okay, so the Zune Marketplace has been around for a while, but for most, Zune has been about the hardware. The balance between hardware and accompanying service is changing as Microsoft unhook the Zune experience and begin to push it into additional devices. I’m pretty sure this is the first step to the Zune experience hitting new Microsoft devices, including the much-discussed Windows Mobile 7 in the next couple of years.
“The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. “Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world.”
The new service, and more on Microsoft’s “connected entertainment vision” will be on show at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week.
Pingback: Portable Media Player Got Bigger | Wide Format Media