Quick hands-on with the Zune HD
I got a few minutes of hands-on time with Microsoft's forthcoming Zune HD at a Microsoft event on Thursday, and I came away thinking that Microsoft might finally have a contender.
Of course, it inherits all the benefits of the current Zune--a more visually interesting (if not always more useful) PC client than iTunes, and the ability to subscribe to all-you-can-eat music plus 10 permanent downloads for only $14.99 a month via the Zune Pass. New features like HD Radio and high-def video output also sounded attractive when they were first revealed.
Could this be a contender?
(Credit: Microsoft)But it's one thing to read about it, and another to actually use it. I was surprised and pretty impressed with its small size--without measuring, I'd guess it's maybe two-thirds the size of an iPod Touch, and quite a bit thinner. In my hands, it felt more like an iPod Nano or perhaps one of the flash-based Zunes, although it's obviously not that small. The OLED screen offered excellent color and brightness--great for album covers, anyway--although I honestly didn't think it was a quantum leap above the iPod Touch. Then again, I was using it in a fairly dim-lit room, not in sunlight.
But the real innovation seems to be going on in user interface--how do you make a touch screen workable on such a small device? Here, Microsoft has done a solid job, taking the mixture of horizontal and vertical menus used on the current Zunes and adding particular tweaks for the touch screen. You can scroll horizontally or vertically simply by swiping your finger along, and there are multiple "ways in" to and "ways out" of the various menus and screens, which encourages exploration. When a song's playing, you control the volume by touching the screen and hitting a little plus or minus button; numbers show you absolute volume. Clearly marked "exit" buttons are usually available to get you back to the previous menu, and a physical button below the screen (you can see the black trapezoid shape on the screenshots here) takes you back to the home menu page. There was a bit of a learning curve, but after a couple minutes I was impressed by how much functionality Microsoft was able to pack into such a small screen.
There was no public Wi-Fi when I tested it, so I didn't have a chance to test the browser, but based on what I've seen demonstrated for Windows Mobile 6.5, as well as some other very well-placed rumors, I think users will be impressed and surprised at some of its features. It's a solid addition to what's still essentially a music player--not a super-device.
The timeframe for the Zune HD is still this fall. I expect it to be priced quite a bit cheaper than the iPod Touch, as CNET's Donald Bell suggested in his preview a couple months ago, but Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything on that front. Whether you end up buying one or not, at least there will be something interesting to check out in Microsoft's upcoming retail stores.
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Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattrosoff. 
i want to buy it now
I Can't wait for the Zune HD!
I want it now!
I've been following the Zune HD since it was still speculation and cnet just gave me some more reasons to buy it!
I Can't wait for the Zune HD!
I want it now!
I've been following the Zune HD since it was still speculation and cnet just gave me some more reasons to buy it!
Zune software has greatly improved since it's first version, but there are still some bugs in it. I sometimes delete items or move them to different folders, then the empty folders are still shown in the Zune software (even if they are gone completely from the hard drive). It's not that big of a deal since it's not like that in the actual Zune hardware, but it's kind of an annoyance. They need to get more quality control going on at Microsoft.
next to iTunes i prefer the Zune software because the functionality is about the same but Zune looks better. I love mixview and all of the music discovery tools built in. I have a subscription and am a happy camper.
i am a zune goon
And it's windows mobile at heart so yes, there will be downloadable games.
Here's hoping the sound quality is better than iPod! Also custom sound settings would be awesome.
The problem is ... it only has five (Texas Hold'em, Sudoku, Checkers, Hexic, and a Space Battle game). No way to download any others (as far as I know), but at least these five were free with the Zune. Perhaps that will change with the new Zune coming.
What I want to know is ... will this new software work with the current Zune generation? I'd like to have wifi internet access and new games on my Zune. However, since this new one is a touch screen, I'm wondering if they would even bother updating the older software this time around. I haven't had this Zune for very long, so I hope they don't abandon it too quickly.
http://www.zuneboards.com/?p=vB43070
The whole XNA Games platform in shared between Zune, Xbox, Games for Windows and Windows Mobile.
The hold up? MS hasn't come out with a simplified way for Gamers to get their games to Zune - you can hit some of the Zune sites - and find the games, but... you have to install the XNA Game platform in order to copy the game to Zune (not ready for prime, yet).
Regards,
(db)
ps - I'd like to be the guy being paid for asking MS/Zune/Xbox and the 'lot' these questions... someone pay me....
No device is perfect, and while I'm impressed with the Zune HD myself, I like to hear the good and the bad. Didn't you have any negative views on the device or where it can be improved for 2.0?
If microsoft wants to sell this copy of a product, they better do a couple things:
1. Make it a cheap player. This device doesn't come with half the functionality of an iPod Touch, so it better be half the price.
2. Give this device some flash support. My biggest gripe about the iPod Touch/iPhone was that apple has stubbornly refused to put flash on the thing. Considering that many websites use Flash for access, it would be a very good option to have a lite version of flash running on the Zune HD. Apple would have to combat that sooner or later. If the Zune HD got it first, Apple would have to get it as well.
3. Allow the UI to be modified. Springboard on the iTouch was an excellent program. Apple isn't allowing it officially. If microsoft could do the same by allowing modified icons and UI interface, it would be a great way of showing off your personality.
4. Integrate the Zune Jukebox into Windows. OSX did it with iTunes, and this encouraged iPod adoption. If Microsoft does the same, I am sure that the zune would get a boost in sales.
IMO zune is still a wannabe product. If they want customers, microsoft better innovate. I have yet to see that from the zune. All the features on the zunes were already on ipods years before. Yes, iPods even had radio and wireless syncing with third party products. Seriously Microsoft, impress me. Add an electric sheep visualizer, Add physical controls and make this an xbox portable, add a projector in the back of the device, give it SD card compatability, just do something that is cool and new.
Do that, and I guarantee that people will buy your product, and the whole idea of "redmond, start your copying machines" will eventually rub off.
Now to innovation, the market leading software is very cutting edge. Stylish design, intuitive controls and great discovery tools for "Music" I empahsize music because that has been forgotten by Apple for years now. The sound is much improved over Apple, The music buying experience is very appealing to folks who like a diverse and large diet of fresh and classic sounds.
It sounds like all the details haven't been worked out for flash, but I would bet this becomes an option.
Believe me, Apple wasn't the first to create an MP3 Player, they just did an excellent job of doing it. Just as the iPod evolved, I think this new Zune will evolve into a wonderful PMP.
- by faraneh August 4, 2009 11:47 PM PDT
- i really love it !
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