Zune HD is Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s iPod Touch after the first generation Zune media player didn’t really manage as well as it had hoped. Microsoft’s media player is still not available here in the North but the story goes that Zune HD is about to conquer Europa on a broad front. Microsoft has been whipped by Apple, like most media player companies, and its iPod family, making us anything but surprised the new player mimics Apple’s player.
Zune HD relies on a new and quite large 3.3″ display for navigation and skips the physical buttons. Even if the display is a bit smaller and has slightly lower resolution than Apple iPod (480×272 vs. iPod’s 480×320) Microsoft uses a more efficient OLED display, which according to rumors will also be used by the next generation iPhone and iPod.
As the name implies Zune HD will be capable of playing High Definition video, but it is not quite the truth. Zune HD can’t play the format by itself but needs a docking station that squeeze out 720p through an HDMI port. A bit bothersome detail that is also partly understandable considering the limited resolution and size of the player.
Zune HD also sports an HD radio receiver for receiving HD Radio signals. It also has a special version of Internet Explorer that will integrate better with the WiFi and multitouch screen.
Prices and launch dates haven’t been revealed by Microsoft, but just the fact that Zune HD will reach a bigger market sounds very positive. We’ have to say that we are a bit curious to find out why Microsoft decided to release this much information this early on.
