More ZuneHD renderings surface

(Credit: wmpoweruser.com)

Here we go again. The gadget blogosphere is abuzz Wednesday with images of what may or may not be Microsoft's next-generation portable media player, the ZuneHD.

The renderings surfaced on the Windows Mobile Power User site without attribution or the more colorful flair of the earlier images leaked to Engadget on April 10. The big debate, of course, is whether these renderings are real or not--and more importantly, whether the accompanying specs have any validity.

Based on a source from Zunited, Engadget's saying the images really are the ZuneHD, but no one's quite buying that the alleged leaked specs are accurate.

Call them the fantasy musings of a Zune fanboy--or call them maybe real--here are the details, distilled from the Windows Mobile Power User via Engadget:

• Multitouch capacitive OLED screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio
• Will support Xbox "3D" games (unclear what this exactly means)
• Playback of "HD media" available from Zune Marketplace
• TV-out from what appears to be mini-HDMI port on the device's left side
• HD Radio
• Comes in 16GB or 32GB storage capacities (seems skimpy for HD, no?)
• Wireless sync (no reference to Bluetooth, however)
• A browser that supports multitouch
• Launches this fall ("around September") in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, and possibly other European countries
• Likely to be a "showcase" for Windows Mobile 7 when released (note: WinMo7 isn't supposed to be out until 2010, but rumor has it Microsoft is going to bring out "Zune services" for Windows Mobile phones)
• No word on price

Sounds pretty good, right? So, I ask: If these specs are real, do you think the ZuneHD can give a presumably updated iPod Touch a run for its money this fall?

(Source: wmpoweruser.com via Engadget)

[ducttape36]

skimpy storage? are there any flash based players with capacities higher than 32gb?

[ace10134]

Since it's an HD device, HD Videos will take up lots of space. 32 GB wouldn't be much space.

[ithomas94]

well if you're willing to pay way upwards of 500 dollars then yeah, you could probably get higher than 32 gigabytes. It just isn't good marketing to offer that kind of storage iwth lfash.

[tipoo_]

Please be real...

[ALTrdGenetics]

aaaaaahhhhhh yaaaaa. bring on the fusion frenzy

although it claims HD quality the screen is still really small so i think the encoding should be find. and if you look at prices of SSDs for the netbooks 64GB or 128GB price points would make it ridiculous.

it would be nice to share xbox arcade games with it as well.... maybe this one will be supported by the 360

::GLARES::

[tipoo_]

It wouldnt use performance flash memory like computer SSD's, prices wouldn't be that ridiculous.

[Spartan_458]

Yeah, SSDs are more expensive because the memory is higher-grade and has to withstand hundreds of thousands of read/write cycles. There's a lot more tech going into an SSD than a simple NAND chip.

[drbohner]

SKIMPY on storage! If it were a phone, that would be about right. Being that it is 'presumably' an HD device - I'll repeat - SKIMPY on storage!

[skunkpuddle]

jackass

[seven7dust]

sounds more like a phone than a Zune Device
didn't Ms acquire that "Sidekick" company ?
it'll probably be a better move to release a Phone
cause Windows Mobile is lagging behind so much !
this is a much needed step for MS anyway ! if it ever releases

[d3vildog69]

They did buy danger, who makes the sidekick, however if this is a glimpse at the phone its a HUGE jump from a sidekick.. and a good one :)

[iluvalima]

Looks nice, but I wish Microsoft hadn't jumped onto the touch screen band-wagon. When will this fad die?

[DigitalAngelic]

It's not a fad. Touch interfaces are great, and they'll just comtinue to evolve. I recommend checking out www.nuigroup.com. MS also jumped on touch interfaces a lot earlier than this... Surface, anyone?

[ace10134]

Surface! Yea!

[Spartan_458]

While I agree touch interfaces are great, it *is* just another thing to go wrong.

[circlehead28]

It's not a fad...it's a new way of life

toasters weren't a fad

tv's weren't a fad

computers were'nt a fad

SO WHAT MAKES TOUCHSCREEN A FAD!?

[mb00]

hmmm...this looks nice. If it in fact it is true then I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Though, I've gotten spoiled with my Red 80gb Zune, I would love to see it with the same amount of storage, but hey, 32gb, I'll take it if it's gonna be even better than the one I have now. I love Zune. Don't understand why it never took off quite as well as others have, It's a great player. The Version I have now is the 2nd gen I think, and the video is AMAZING. Even when some of the video looks crappy on my laptop, when I put it in my Zune, the picture is crystal.
Here's hoping for an HD Zune...and even better, hoping for a Zune phone.

[jk3yboi]

I hear you! The Zune 80 is a great device, and I guess I've been spoiled by all those gigabytes. But I'll take 32 without complaint. As for a phone? I really, really, really want all of my Zune Pass music on a phone... that would be nearly orgasmic :D $15 a month for unlimited music on all of my devices? Sign me up!

[alex-cnet]

Here are some more "confirmed" specs:

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/04/15/exclusive-lets-talk-some-zune-hd-specs

Will the ZuneHD be the first Tegra device?

[ace10134]

Tegra's been confirmed already.

[jabberwolf]

ITS ABOUT TIME!!

**** its just a program as iTunes was.. why didnt they put this in windows mobile phones when it came out, I have no idea!

And now with things like the Toshiba TG01, it will be awesome !!

[Alpha___13]

HD Radio! Finally! God I hope these specs are legit.

[iroq321]

let's not get too excited, folks, remember that according to cnet, zune has got a one way ticket to doomedsville!
seriously though, this sounds promising although i can do without the touch. i have a zune now and love it! hope it delivers!

[Kendokill]

Everything will depend on what kind of support it gets. What is a touch device if all of the apps suck, or don't even exist. I still like my 30gb, but this looks promising. The only way it could compete with the iTouch though is if the apps are any good.

[Jayemmbee]

if this is real, time to upgrade my 4gb zune

[ducttape36]

i hope it comes in brown. thats a big reason i havent upgraded my 30gb

[paulimusmaximus]

These gotta be fake. I mean, come on, just last week Cnet was predicting the demise of Zune, and now they're gonna come out with a new model? Why would Cnet make such a ridiculous story about the demise of Zune if it wasn't true?

[iroq321]

it was just another one of those misleading cnet stories. the fact is, the article was not about the zune's demise, it was a survey which showed that the zune was not as popular as the ipod among teens (and i repeat, among TEENS).
and it's not up to cnet to determine whether another model is released or not anyway...

[koviea]

Meh. I like the HD touch screen and HD radio--if true. But until one of these things comes with either 128GB of built-in flash storage, or an SD or MicroSD slot that accepts and comes with a 128GB card, at an affordable price point ($250 works for me), it won't be worth the trouble and cost for me to upgrade from my 80GB Zune. And, realistically, even with these features, I probably wouldn't be tempted to upgrade unless it was also a phone. And we're probably 1-2 years away from such a device--about the time that I'll be wanting to upgrade both my Zune and phone (Samsung Instinct).

Also, it would be nice if the next generation of Zunes will be able to function as wireless media extenders for Windows Media Center PC's. Between the WiFi, TV-out, video and remote capabilities built-in to all current Zunes, I don't see why this wouldn't be possible even now.

[abaddon504]

amen to all of the above. good points that MS needs to take into consideration. they really need to step it up and bring the 'Zune HD' to market in full force. blow every one out of the water with some sort of device that will drop jaws. come on MS...dont skimp!!!

[TheTiredGuy]

I just wish more people knew that the Zune (80gb and 120gb) is better than the Ipod Classic. Zunes have bigger screens, fm tuner, wi-fi, subscription service, etc. Plus I think they're easier to use.

[inter_loper]

Nobody CARES about Zune vs. iPod Classic. The Touch is where it's at, and MS is (apparently) just now getting around to making one of their own, after giving Apple a two-year head start. Good luck Zune HD, you're going to need it!

[TheTiredGuy]

People that want more than 8, 16, or 32 gb's care.

[UMaine19]

you must be a genius!

[shehzad]

How about if it's " ZUNE+Phone" with 3.8in HD color screen.............

[MercifulBoss]

Thing is, Tegra has already been confirmed on this device, as has 16 GB, 32 GB, 62 GB, and finally 120 GB models. HD Radio and movies are also comfirmed.

This device will also have a 16:9 OLED Display,
HD Video playback on TV, with included HDMI Cable
3D Rendering Capabilities, able to play some XBOX Live Arcade Games
Wireless HD Movie Downloads,
Wireless Music Downloads

This will have No Phone Capabilities. This is solely a PMP.

[ewgdsg]

dude that looks awesome

[norbert6464]

Every single touch device competing with the touch has got a smaller screen that is less responsive and accurate to touch. Show me a device that is actually better than the competition and I'll switch back to Zune in a heartbeat.

I had a Zune because it had a bigger screen than my video ipod, and more capacity than my PSP. Then there was the iPhone. My money goes to whoever has the biggest guns.

16:9 and HDMI... we'll see.