Comments on: Will Zune HD challenge iPod Touch?

Microsoft says Zune HD is designed to go head to head with Apple's touch-screen iPod. But will its HD radio and OLED screen be enough to provide healthy competition?

[McDaygo]

Sure it will challenge it. Now ask if it will trump it in sales. I think it will take somthing pretty mindblowing to knock the Ipod off the top. The Zune HD looks pretty sweet to me but I don't forsee it devouring to many Apple sales.

[sdf0013]

Don missed on other key advantage about the Zune HD. I only read this once, so I hope it's true. I read that you'll be able to stream music directly from the Zune Marketplace to the device over WiFi. I'm guessing this is if you have the Zune Pass subscription. That's a pretty neat feature to have not being tethered to your PC. That's something the Touch can't do. Yes, you can surf iTunes and buy music, but combining that with the subscription download capabilities in the form of streaming would be a big plus.

[jbcahill]

Nope...the Zune HD will fail...it's Microsoft...they could screw up a gold brick.

[Justin8888]

absolutely no way, the Zune will never sell, apple are just simply too awesome. I like the OLED screens though

[sjgibb]

I have a Zune 30Gb for a few years now and it has been as solid as a rock. Combined with the Marketplace software which (having used i-Tunes a number of times) really does show Apple how music buying software should be done. Unfortunately they were late to the party last time and didn't launch internationally. I hope they don't make the same mistake... the ZuneHD sure looks a nice piece of kit.

For what it's worth, the FM radio has been great. Yes it's a music player with my full collection... I still like to listen to live football on the radio though. Can't do that on an Ipod!

[jdhowe]

I really can't believe that people actually enjoy renting their music. Even if a music service has unlimited downloads, everything that is downloaded ceases to function either because the user has decided to stop pay the rent, or (and much more likely given Microsoft's previous behaviors) the music service dries up and is discontinued.

As for competitiveness, The ZuneHD has not demonstrated seamless integration with Window's address books or email software. If the only reason that one owns either the iPod Touch or the Zune is to listen to music and watch videos, there are other devices that are a lot cheaper than either of these devices. My iPod Touch has become my left hand! It not only plays video games, it reminds me where I'm supposed to be, when I'm supposed to be there, what I'm supposed to be doing and why I'm supposed to be doing it. It syncs seamlessly to everything mac, including third party software. I can view MRI's and radiology films on it...right now I am even studying Japanese. Until any Zune can do that then, and until there is genuine Zune developer interest...there really is no competition.

[daedbird]

Once again, Reisinger makes us wonder how he got his job (blackmail photos, nepotism?) when he compares the yet-released Zune HD with the nearly-two-year-old Touch platform. I won't even get into the fact that since Apple will release a refresh of the Touch at the same time, this comparo is mute, I think Reisinger misses the point on advantages of what the Zune may have....

I am a Machead, and an iPod lover in every way (there sit seven iPods on my desk at the moment). I, however, consider the Zune a competent mp3 player, and thought it would succeed. Microsoft had a different take on how to do things, such as interface or the Social or subscriptions, which I don't consider any advantage, but they are nicely put together.

I never considered a radio receiver an advantage - that's why I got an iPod in the first place.

The one thing I am jealous of with my lone Zune friend is how seemless his Zune communicates with his Media Center, and will load DVR'd shows. I so wish I had an easy and free way to get video content to my player. Sure, I can get my DVDs onto my iPod, but that takes time, or I can buy shows and movies, but that takes money. Yes, there is Eye TV or TiVo to Go, and I am looking into getting those, but getting those in one nice Apple package would be sweet....

[WorshipHim1st]

From what I understand, the resolution on the Zune in 16:9 widescreen format is the same resolution one would get on a current itouch. (Forgive me if I'm wrong.) If it's true, I'm not sure what all the crappy resolution comments are for.

I'm still sitting back waiting for MS and Apple to release full specs before I decide either way. But the OLED on the Zune isn't getting enough attention. From what I understand, the OLED screen is gorgeous.

[Sumatra-Bosch]

The only time I've seen iPods being used are by young people who don't understand that reel-to-real reproduction or vinyl with equalization correction is the only way to listen to non-live music. The only time I've seen Zune's being used is by nursing home escapees.

[johnnyzero54]

well if the xbox360 can go on netflix and download movie in hd i dont see why the zune hd woudnt be able to do that in in the near future and thats what will set the zune and ipod apart . the downloadable content will pretty much ruin the ipod its what set the xbox 360 away from playstation and the wii. if maybe apple and nintendo joined then it would be a real competitor.

[johnnyzero54]

you can learn any language through an audio book that any mp3 can play well if its apple your going to have to convert it to aac then hope the sound doesnt degrade and pay an outrageous price cause there apple

[johnnyzero54]

omg i never seen so much bias talk towards apple most of the guys that have zunes had an ipod so we know how much they suck even cnet talks about how much the iphone sucks so i dont see why there is such a big debate

[MacGeek08]

I do not think that there will be any competition, the iPod touch will rule the roost!

[MadLyb]

Biggest disappointment is the screen resolution.

My phone does 640x480, so they should be able to do at least 640x360, especially since it will have the hardware to drive a 720p external display. How can you call it HD with such a low resolution?

[tipoo_]

I think games are an important factor. The game changer here would be if the HD did indeed use Nvidia's Tegra processor, as rumored.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UQVHJ3UFaA&feature=related[/url]

Simply put, that would put the Zune HD eons ahead in processing power and graphical prowess. And it seems pretty likely that it WILL use the Tegra, the Zune HD can output 1080p video and no other ARM processor than the Tegra can do that yet.


As for non-gaming apps, I'm pretty sure it wont take long for people to use XNA to come up with hundreds of fart-and-burp sound apps as on the App store, and the tens of useful ones too ;-)

[AaronCT123]

They need to actually advertise the Zune HD when it comes out, for starters, and the other flash and hard drive Zunes. They haven't been doing that.

And as far as apps go, I think it's worth mentioning that apps aren't necessarily needed. There are tons of players out there that don't use them, and if Microsoft only added a gaming section the Zune software, I think it would suffice. That being said, apps definitely wouldn't hurt but I'm not sure it's a must-have.

[Dima110]

Will the Zune HD challange the iPod Touch/iPhone? No.

Does the Zune HD have some good things going for it? Yes.

Will I drop my iPhone for a Zune HD? No.

Will anyone sane drop their iPhone/iPod Touch for the Zune HD? No.

Will the Zune HD beat Apple's Application Store? Not physically possible.

Does anyone really care about HD radio? Not really. Only people who want to defend their stupid Zune purchase.

[Dima110]

Also, when will Mirosoft ever creat an idea of their own? They took SO much stuff from Mac OS X and now they basically just copied the iPhone.

Wow. They are going to fail at this just as much as they failed Windows Vista.

[SuperPhilishere]

Two words: Subscription service. How could you compare the two without even mentioning it. It is by far the most appealing feature of the Zune.

[nc4t7]

the article doesnt even touch on probably the Zunes biggest advantage over the ipod... the Zune pass. i love my itouch but charging $1/ song(and they've been upping the prices lately) is completely unreasonable. As I said, I love my ipod... but if apple doesn't come up with something to compete with the Zune pass by the time the HD comes out, I'm making the switch. (and for those wondering....Yes, I do buy enough music to make that a financially smart decision)