Zune HD Hands on Video

Zune HD Video Hands On from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

ZuneHD Official Shots + Hi-Res Photo link

Another shot of the ZuneHD. The earphone socket is now at the bottom. The Zune logo seems to be etched in the brushed aluminum casing. If you also noticed, the text menu on the interface is in small caps (the leaked photos showed an all caps menu)

It also seems that ZuneHD will also come in black brushed aluminum casing (the first one may be of a gold hue, or silver)

See ZuneHD in High resolution

Over 1+ terabyte of Zune’s stacked

I don’t know if these are being sold, but why is it out of the box? I bet I could swipe one zune and they wouldn’t notice! :)

ZuneHD goes live on Zune.net

I found this ZuneHD html placeholder by scouting Zune.net URL paths only to find out that the link was included in the press release :|

Touchscreen
Get quick and instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3 inch screen and vivid 16:9 OLED display (480x272 resolution), premium entertainment is at your fingertips.*

HD Radio
Tune into all your favorite stations with crystal clear reception. With an integrated HD Radio receiver, you can access a variety of HD Radio stations at no additional cost. Plus, tag the songs you like for later purchase.

HD Video Out
Watch supported 720p HD movies, TV shows and videos in high definition on your HDTV through the Zune HD & AV Dock (sold separately). Or take them with you for premium entertainment on the go. Additional dock and HDTV are required.*

Wireless
Connect, update, and buy content wirelessly from Wi-Fi hot spots. Stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.

Web Browser
Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a full-featured web browser including tap to zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.

*Zune HD & AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution. Supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 – not HD resolution.

Visit ZuneHD

Zune Wallpaper Pack #1

 

The first round of Zune Wallpapers for the good ol’ Zune 30 and it’s sibling Zune 80 and 120. Click the link below to download the zip pack.

Zune 30 Wallpaper Pack 1  //  Zune 80/120 Wallpaper Pack 1

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these images/graphics/photos. I just compiled and wallpaperized them for the zune. The Copyright still belongs to the author of any of the above images/graphics/photos.

ZuneHD officially coming this fall

3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touch screen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, HD output. More info to come on E3 Expo this June 2-4, 2009.

Some Key Points

• Microsoft plans to continue selling its hard drive-based model, which will have a software QWERTY keyboard (how to type?), but said it plans to eventually discontinue its other flash models in favor of the Zune HD.
• Stephenson said. "You will continue to see the hard drive product in the market. (The Zune HD) will take over from existing flash devices."
• ZuneHD will have the ability to output high-definition, 720p video content when connected to an HDMI-docking accessory.
• The New Zune sports a customized version of Internet Explorer.
• The Zune's video service will completely replace the current service offered on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/zune-hd-is-official-heading-your-way-this-fall/

If this isn’t fake, kiss the Zune brand goodbye!

I for one think it’s fake! I mean why base a new Zune on the old Zune30 exterior casing?? Worse thing is, this is being spread as legitimate news by blogs and websites right now.

If this is confirmed true then I'll be damned. Microsoft definitely needs to fire people on the Zune and Xbox division as they seem to be moving backwards rather than innovating.

Good photoshop skills but baaaad device prototype. (CAD skills?)

Is Microsoft's ZuneX Really Their Portable Xbox Phone?

Apple iPod Touch 2nd Generation Review

As both devices cater and target different markets. I cannot directly compare them to each other. I would merely cite references and features of each device and my opinion on them.

The Zune has a larger hard drive while iPod Touch has a limited (but faster) flash based storage. Both have wireless connectivity. The Zune can only access the Zune Marketplace while the iPod touch can browse the web like a desktop browser.

Image by laurence.thurion via Flickr

I find the iPod Touch a pleasure to use simply because of the great UI and the seamless integration of apps within the iPhone/iPod OS ecosystem. The selling factor of this device is the gorgeous touch screen that responds nicely to finger and multi-touch gestures smoothly. Being a designer, the user interface of the iPhone/iPod OS clearly is the among the good-looking GUI’s on smart phones out in the market. (I still prefer Palm OS’ UI right now)

It’s confirmed that the upcoming ZuneHD would sport a touch screen, not sure if it would be a resistive or capacitive one, but the latter choice would be the best. Capacitive has a higher clarity than Resistive technology, but it only responds to finger contact and will not work with a gloved hand or pen stylus. (wikipedia)

The iPod Touch is more of a PDA, rather than an portable media player (where the Zune wants to concentrate in seeing the specs of ZuneHD). It has the ability to surf the internet, check emails, write notes and do a LOT of stuff (especially if you jailbreak it)

The updates that Apple releases are PAID updates, meaning to update to the upcoming iPod OS 3.0 (which enables the Bluetooth)  would cost me $9.95 (500 pesos). Unlike the Zune, where updates are given away for free. A greedy move by Apple. 

Nevertheless, iPod Touch 2g is a great product. Yes, it really is. If you are planning on buying one, why not wait till September, maybe you’ll find ZuneHD more suitable for your taste. If not, then you can have the newer iPod Touch 3rd Generation by then.

Weigh the features. Decide on a product, Scout for the best (cheapest price) and buy it. Don’t be a sheep. :) Pay for the product and not the brand.

ZunePass.Net: Presented by Wes Moss

Microsoft takes a shot at Apple again, this time the crosshairs are on iTunes. The site even has a Max’d Calculator, to calculate your approximate costs on filling up your iPod with music bought from iTunes. Filing up a 32gb iPod touch would cost you $6,930, while on Zune Pass, it would just cost you $14.99/a month (unlimited download)

But aren’t most people downloading pirated mp3’s anyway?

I would like a Zune ad just discussing the features of the zune in a clear and simple way that normal people would understand. Why not create a version of I’M  A PC, with zune in it rather than laptops (but it wouldn’t be a PC anymore wouldn’t it?)

ZunePass.net

HOAX: New Zune on June?

Got this from Microsoft Office’s 2010 twitter account. New product launch on June? The mystery product ought to be a phone if they are telling people to hold off on buying iphones and palm pre’s.

http://twitter.com/officethemovie

UPDATE:
No New Zune device on June. The twitter account which “twittered” the message was a fake Office 2010 account, not an official one from Microsoft. [ Neowin ]

Zune Pass versus iTunes: Who’s Cheaper?

If you were buying 30,000 songs, would you rather pay $30,000 or $15 per month? Microsoft is trying to advertise the Zune Pass by underlining the advantage in price.

[ via ArsTechnica]

Having trouble sending emails lately? (PLDT DSL)

The problem started this week on my work mail. I am able to receive incoming mails but cannot send any outgoing mails. At first, I thought it was a server issue of our host 1and1.com, but my other host, Technographx.com was also experiencing the same SMTP error.

After reading online and asking my brother, It seems that PLDT has blocked port 25 for outgoing emails. Try Using Port 587.  My colleague also did this on his Globe Broadband connection in Cebu and is now able to send emails.

What’s more irritating is that these ISP’s didn’t even issue any notice to their subscribers about this. Are you also having trouble sending emails on your ISP?