Microsoft's Zune HD to debut this fall

I'm excited about the Zune HD. I've been waiting for a long time for Microsoft to release a portable gaming platform and I hope this is it. I bought an iPod Touch because i use verizon for cell phone service and I wanted to play the games in the App Store. If the price is right, and the Zune HD can play XBLA games they might have a chance to compete with Apple.

"why would you buy an iPod Touch when you can get the essentially the same device, with a phone, in the iPhone?"

Because I don't have to sell my soul to a apple & a service provider for 2 years?

I love my 30gig Zune, the only day that I haven't was Z2K but thats history. I hope this isn't an insane price but I want one already. Ipods are for noobs, zunes are where it's at.

Keep trying M$. always a week late and a dollar short!!

I forsee a day when there is one device that connects you to the internet, fields your phone calls, stores personal data, controls your home devices, and plays your own personal choice of music.

Right now we care just in the beginning stages of companies who are competing with each other to see what sticks and what doesn't in terms of public needs. However, the first company to provide all services, and provide it well, will be the winner.

I have the Zune 80 right now and it works good. But i always find myself looking for updates as if there's something missing. The Zune HD will be a great media player, but Microsoft moved to slow while producing it. I now hate having to carry around two devices. A cell phone and a media player. So now all i use is my samsung eternity. I'm not a big fan of apple due to being proprietary, but Apple knows their stuff. They can produce it fast, make it work, and make people excited about it. Something that i guess Microsoft don't want to do. I'm sure they're going to do the same thing they did with the other Zunes. Produce it, advertise it on TV for like 2 months with one commercial a day and wonder why no one knows or care about it. Hopefully I'm wrong this time and the market will become competitive again. Oh yeah; I forgot to add that I will not be buying it due to the fact that it lacks the ability to make calls.

I've been a Zune fan since they first came out. Currently I have the 80 GB Zune, before I had the 30 GB Zune. I love the zune. It's extremly easy to use, the displays are gorgeous and I just like it and it's software a lot better than the ipod.

The thing that sold me on the Zune was the "Zune Pass." Pay $15 a month and you have unlimited music downloads through the zune marketplace. Yes there are some restrictions, such as burning rights and what not, but there are ways around that.

I will be getting the new HD Zune when it comes out. It looks awesome and Zune has never let me down. I wish more people would give the Zune a try, I think they might be pleasently surprised.

I am excited to see what new bells and whistles they'll annouce next for the zune.

Look at the sales of the iPod Touch. It's sold well. There's definitely a market for a device like this.

@umm? Good point. The service plan with the iPhone is a big part of its cost. - John / CNN.com

I love my Zune. I like what I see in the Zune HD but I am so happy with my first gen it will have to die before I switch. Zune far exceeds my experience with my iPods.

Ex iPod user now

I have an iPod Touch, but because I use Sprint, I cant get an iPhone. However, Microsoft has been known to be Sprint friendly, so if they're truly looking to compete with Apple in this market, why not make a ZuneTalk? Essentially, the Zune with phone capabilties and WindowsMobile all loaded onto one device. I think that these things combined could possibly overthrow Apple's dominance.

@Wil – there is currently a device that does that stuff. It's called an "iPhone".

@ jdsutter – No, the service plan is not part of the cost. It's part of the subsidy. How much is an untethered iPhone?

Anyway... these devices are all about the user experience. Look at Lotus Notes.

The real problem I have with Zune right now is that it cannot play digital copies of movies (legal ones that come with Blu-Ray movies). The HD radio is nice, but only if I can still play regular radio as well. Integrate all of that plus the current features into a phone and Apple would definitely have some stiff competition, but until then Zune is going to be lagging behind.

Great point @Steven. Does anyone else think Microsoft will make a Zune model that's also a phone? Any reasons why they would wait to release something along those lines? - John / CNN.com

IMO It's going to be hard to turn around the Ipod Touch users to a Zune regardless of how good it is. Unless there is a way to convert all of the music you've ripped into ITunes and make it playable on the Zune (without converting to MP3 and losing sound quality etc.) you need to start all over again.

I'll use my player till it dies but honestly, I don't feel like starting all over again. I did it once when I moved from the Zen to the Touch, that was enough.

i love it i would want one seems like a cool and fun device.

"What’s the advantage of having a separate media player?"

For one thing, it is about service contracts. I have a cell phone already. I get a discount through my employer, and I just started a contract.

With a separate device, I wouldn't be paying for a phone which I don't need right now.

as many people will tell you, an itouch is not an mp3 player with a phone. have you ever heard of memory? last i heard you could get a 32 gig phone or a 120 gig ipod big difference when it comes to what you want to listen to or watch. that's why i bought the 120 gig Zune. which brings up the point of the ZuneHD. how much memory?240 ? 320 ? ahhhhh i can dream

I'm not a MAC fan per se but I love my Iphone and am particularly fond of the multi-tasking it does. A separate media player isn't really cutting edge anymore.

I love the Zune.

When I need something to prop open a door, it's always handy. And its last-generation software design makes it easy to pretend that I'm strolling through a museum of ancient, recently unearthed user interfaces.

I bought the Zune 120GB. Great battery life for music – not a perfect player but I find it much more comfortable looking and easier to navigate than apple. The ipod is a good product but like the zune ins't perfect – and even though the media would have it that way, wan't the leader or innovator in MP3's. That would go to others...

The music "rent" model is awesome, if you are music fan versus a fanboy it makes much more sense for the MS model. Why buy music you may hate – it's not going away...

I can reccomend the Zune but if you have a large collection already converting can be a pain – this goes for any platform... I think if MS can do a better job of conversion in the future it will make some inroads.

The biggest benefit that Apple can provide is the realization of synergies – I know that is sort of a 90's term, but it is the truth. MS may have a technically superior product in the Zune, but until people can realize some sort of benefit that outweighs the iTunes juggernaut, sales will remain stagnant.

My hope? Mobile broadband connectivity will make the device's storage irrelevant, and focus on the ability to create "cloud storage" and backup of my media. In the meantime, I would settle for this device integrated into a phone, as Windows Mobile is a great alternative to the iPhone, and offers some clear advantages.

One other reason one might prefer an iPod Touch in stead of the phone (on top of the already stated plan cost) is if more than one person wish to share one media player. Not an option if my phone number is tied to it. Also, numerous businesses require employees to carry a windows mobile or blackberry device. No sense paying for two wireless plans, but also the peripheral support of the iPod makes it a clear choice for audiophiles.

The Techno is cool and I appreciate the effort.

But those toys are all about design and fashion pop culture, I am sorry to say that Microsoft need to take their great idea from their developers and hire a team of designer to make their concept look cool and user friendly. The developers should concentrate on functionality and new stuff and leave the look to real designers.

That what’s it all about, for this kind of toy.

The Microsoft design is similar to the Iphone/ipod but the details Men!!! So closed yet so fare.

If your at a party and pull out your Zune (what a bad name) people will be wow until some one show off their I phone.

Remember in the 80s the walkmen they where a lot to choose from
but that yellow sony walkmen that was waterproof was the one to get.

If you want it that cool effect.

I have the first-gen Zune, and I have loved it. I love the sturdy case and I have not had a problem till recently when it was plugged into a car socket and it shorted out. It still works however I do need a new one.

I can't wait for this new Zune. I will totally get it and hope that more people will look into the Zune. People are stuck so far up Apple's *** with the iPod and iTouch and whatever, that they don't give it a decent try. I have gotten 10 of my friends, all who have iPods, to try my Zune and they switched. I love the zune pass cause you pay for the price of 1 CD a month and can download so much, and it will work on your Zune. No recording mistakes, no worries of the RIAA.

All in all, at least everyone should give it a try.

For a couple of seconds I thought MS got their act together. The new design is finally appealing. But I was quite disappointed when I found out what the HD stood for.......sad....very sad......

i agree it makes no senset o have an i touch when you can have an iphone and in my mind it makes no sense to buy an 8gb ipod for $150.00 when you can buy a 30gb ipod for $250.00. what i would like to see is a zune hd platform that works like boost mobile where airtime is cheaper and prepaid so if you dont have enough money to pay for airtime you still have your media player and their are no fines for canceling a contract or having a late payment.

Just buy an iPhone you will not be sorry. I promise

The ipod touch is a nice device but the iphone is a crap phone. It drops more calls than a kid drops greased watermelon on Memorial day. The dropped calls is a iPhone issue because other phones HTC, Samsung are clear in the same locations ( Other and I have done the testing).

The Zune may now beginning to be an alternative to the touch. The touch and ipod is still the machine the masses want. Kind of like IBM computers in the 80's. It will take years (10-15) for anyone to overtake the Apple

Katie

If you iphone does multi-tasking then it is the only one.

iPhones do one thing at a time there are no background running. If you do not believe me try running two apps at the same time. One will stop running so the other can start.

I bout an ipod Touch instead of an iPhone because number 1 i don't want to pay for a data plan and phone service. I use boost and pay 50 monthly for all unlimited services. I like the apps and music and games and everything else about the ipod Touch without it being expensive. I am content with just wifi for data connection but sometimes would like that constant data connection

I think you'll find a lot of people moving to "all in one" devices if the rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon and others hold true.

AT&T service is spotty at best in most places I go to (namely NYC and NJ) but I never have a problem with my Verizon phone.

If Apple comes out with a Verizon iPhone and Verizon doesn't force them to strip out most of the functionality (like they did with the Mottorola Razr), I would get one in an instant and figure out what to do with my 30gb iPod later.

What is taking soo long for these guys to come together. When we will stop fighting over being PC or Mac and get a single device that does it all. I saw a concept from Phillips years ago on an Australian TV show. They were promoting a device that you carried (cell phone like) that could be a phone, play movies and music, connected without wires to remote kiosks to purchase or rent movies and music. Watch your movie on the way back home and sit next to your TV and the TV would turn on and pickup the movie right where you left off on the portable device. This actually worked over 5 years ago. Why are we still waiting for this. Give me one device that does it all. Until then, I will be forced to live with my crackberry. It is as close as I can come.
Oh yeah, no iPhone because the service stinks where I am.

Wil.B.Profound wrote:
"I forsee a day when there is one device that connects you to the internet, fields your phone calls, stores personal data, controls your home devices, and plays your own personal choice of music."

Just as long as you don't drop it in the bath, step on it by accident, the dog doesn't eat it, and it doesn't get stolen or left behind on the bus.

There's convenience and then there's common sense, and the idea of having everything rolled into one object controlled by one company worries the hell out of me. Especially when alternatives such as physical media (CDs, DVDs, hard drives) begin to be phased out.

I think CNN has managed the amazing feat of getting every single Zune fan to comment on this article. All dozen or so of them.

I can't wait to get one. I already have a 30gig and an 8 gig one. I been wanting an ipod touch but i'll get this now.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Microsoft made the Zune HD into a phone, then wouldn't it be Microsoft's first attempt at introducing hardware into the cell phone industry? I highly doubt that this would be a small feat, and as we have seen in the past and will probably continue to see in the future, Microsoft doesn't make drastic dangerous moves. Microsoft moves incrementally to test the waters then moves forward with the features that were approved. Apple has a tendency to jump balls first into every business move, which has worked for them in recent history, but they made a huge mistake in the past and nearly bankrupted themselves. The Microsoft approach is safe and keeps them from alienating anybody.

I'm a newbie to the MP3 tech world (42 year old mom:o) but I did a lot of research and talked to numerous Ipod/Zune users and the results were consistent in that I should buy a Zune (mostly coming from ex Ipod owners). I bought a 120G for myself and an 8G for my child. We both LOVE them. This past weekend I had the opportunity to try/use an Ipod Touch and it DID have some cool features (I like the aspect of all the apps but don't know how many I'd actually use) but one difference I noticed right off the bat was how much more "user friendly" Zune Marketplace is. I have both Zune Marketplace and Itunes downloaded on my laptop and Zune is WAY easier to use (I downloaded the Itunes for a friend and then later took it off). I ripped about 100 CDs into my laptop and just drug them right into my Zune, no conversion necessary. I bought a $29 DVD to Zune converter and have about 150 movies/videos on my Zune and it's SUPER easy to do and use. I also bought a YouTube converter to Zune and now can have anything I see on YouTube on my Zune in no time at all. I love the ease and use of the large/clear screen. Although I'm not a gamer per say, I'd like to be able to purchase more then the very limited amount Zune offers for my child. I played Hangman on the Ipod Touch this weekend and thought "Would LOVE to have that on my Zune" but alas not yet. Overall, I give my Zune a 5 Star.

Why have separate devices? Well, until there are some larger strides made, the answer (for me) is simple: Battery Life.

To those of you that think that the 'subsidy' cost you have to pay for service with AT&T is an option if you were to not buy one under the conditions of a new 2-year contract – YOU are WRONG. Any iPhone, bought regardless if from Apple, AT&T, or from eBAY (or your neighbor)...you are REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES that AT&T requires 'specifically' for the iPhone. At no time can you use it on their network without being charge for the media/net services. Look at the user agreements if you don't believe me. So all of you who think you can own an iPhone and not pay for the 3g internet – think again. I read a comment that said the requirement for net services are to get back the subsidy costs associated with a discounted device, and I would say WRONG! Your two-year contract is what they get back in the cost of the device and any discounts you may have gotten in return – not net services. Think about it......do they require net services on sub'd phones that are not Apple products?

Truth is, they assume since Apple users are more prone to spend top dollar on their hardware, why not require the user to spend the same on net services?

Back to the Zune...I think it is a slick looking device, but make it a phone, and then I will be interested. Also, on a REAL 3G NETWORK.

microsoft is simply a dinosaur, hopefully linux will wipe them out from the market

To the question of "why would you buy a Zune when you could get an IPhone?":

I currently use a Blackberry. I have no need for an IPhone since the Blackberry does everything I want – phone, gps, internet via the cell network or wifi. My music, videos and podcasts are all on my Zune.

I personally don't mind separating the two...it means I get double the battery life in both devices than I would if I ran everything through the Blackberry, and the price I paid for my 30gb Zune and the deal I had on my Blackberry was less than the IPhone.

As for the device itself...maybe my hands are too big, but I can't get with the touch-screen for the phone...I've tried the IPhone and the touch screen Blackberry and I'm happier with real buttons.

I think for some folks like me who either have a business phone or who don't like the IPhone (gasp!), a dedicated music/video/photo device is perfect.

Many professionals have a phone, such as a BlackBerry provided by their employer. Phones like the BlackBerry (the second "B" is capitalized!) do everything you need for work very well-but they are mediocre media players (the new Storm may be better) because of the small screen and the fact that adding this function adds to the cost of what is supposed to be a business oriented device. The void is filled by items like the iPod Touch.

What about all the awesome touch apps. I use it as my PDA.

Once again – the best Microsoft can do is follow. By the time this product gets launched, Apple will come out with a new product and put themselves years ahead of Microsoft. Apple sells more iPods in a month than Zune has sold in its history. What's that tell you?

As an avid Blackberry fan, I'd still LOVE to see this integrated into a phone. It may be time to finally purchase the perfect touchscreen phone. Apple was really close, but fell short in a variety of places. Apple did set certain benchmarks with the iPhone, but I'm not into bandwagoning and would love to see something better, especially a device capable of muti-tasking, which the iPhone simply cannot do.

Four years ago I finally got fed up with my cell phone, my iPod, and any digital devices I had invested in. I just got rid of them all. Sounds unbelievable huh? Well, we must remember that man has advanced through most of the ages without these pain in the neck devices and I decided life had been better without them, and so finally, I just got rid of them all.

I am happy to report that not only have I survived, but life is MUCH easier these days. People call me only when I am at the office – not constantly throughout the day and night.... I realized that my iPod was not a big loss because I have plenty of music in the car and at home and didnt need anything portable to have it everywhere.

Life has been MUCH better without this addictive junk which after all, is just that – junk. Do we really need these things? NO! We just become addicted and actually change OUR lives for them. Kinda stupid when you think about it. Dont believe me? Try it. Dump your devices and see how much easier life is, AND how much you dont miss these expensive pieces of useless gadgetry.

I think I'll probably end up passing on the Zune – while the hardware is quite impressive you really have to consider the software when it comes to portable devices – Zune's interface is really just not up to snuff when compared to iTunes.
Not only is it far more of a resource hog on any system the media discrimination is nearly unbearable. Give me an iPod that will take any file opposed to a device that wont let you drop in mp3s that are improperly ID3 tagged. That was an endless source of frustration.

Not only that but my old Zune's battery died after about a year of use – Microsoft would not replace it.

As for phone's with MP3 capability, music playback on cell phones depletes the battery severely. I don't have any experience with an iPhone but I can't imagine not having to charge it every night if you're using the phone functions along with the music playback capabilities.

"why would you buy an iPod Touch when you can get the essentially the same device, with a phone, in the iPhone?"

This comment made me laugh! I just use a cell phone for quick calls or emergencies. I maybe use 15 minutes of air time per month. I pay $25 every 3 months for my cell phone service. The prospect of paying $240+ over the same period for an IPhone seems completely outrageous for my needs! So, I love my IPod Touch and its $0.00 per month service charge.

I love how many M$ employees/relatives we've got here posting about how they uber luv their 1st gen Zune and hating on Apple's proprietary software/hardware, because Mr. Softy is nothing but open doors.

Microsoft has been and incredible innovator, but it's become too big and slow to innovate anymore. All its major initiatives are either direct competitors with companies who innovate like Apple. "...looks as if it is designed to compete with Apple’s high-end iPod Touch." Really? What was your first tip-off, the direct-from-Apple's iPod Touch feature list? Wow, HD radio?! That's worth switching! Wait...nope, no, it's not.

This reminds me of Blackberry's terrible commercials (oh, John Krasinski, you're a master of office pranks and smiling wryly at the camera, but not so much on the technology) where Blackberry actually tried to differentiate itself by highlighting the awesome featuer that when you press a button, it clicks. That's the biggest thing you've got to separate yourself?!

Even their touch technology is getting outpaced by companies leaner and faster to market.

No offense to you Zune lovers out there, but your product is a niche product and probably will remain so for a long time to come. Until Microsoft actually does something other than react to Apple's product line, it'll always be second fiddle. If it was any other company fronting the product, they would have shut it down a year ago, but M$ has the cash to wait it out and hope they can figure out something better.

Just wait until WWDC, the new iPhone will WOW people and remind us why Apple is an industry leader.

The problem with the iphone and the ipod touch is the pitiful memory capacity...what happen to the days of 80gig mp3 players with extensive battery life? I'd rather have that than phone capabilities. if the Zune HD has that, I'm sold.

I am looking forward to the Zune HD. I have a 30 gig Zune now and I am extremely happy with it. It does everything I want and it does it well. I do have to say thank you to Apple for promoting the pod cast format, it works perfectly on my Zune. Most of my Zune use is Audio and Video podcasts.

@Fredy, I understand what you are saying but style is just not important to me, functionality is. This morning as I sat in my car in the parking lot at work listening to the end of the TWIT podcast I was thinking about the whole fashion issue and how it has hurt the Zune. It saddens me that so many people are more concerned with looks and following the herd. I care about how well something does it’s intended task and the Zune excels as a portable media device. I hope that MS will do as you say and spend some time making it pretty so we can get past that argument.

Most tech pundits have made a hobby out of bashing the Zune. When most of them are cornered and forced to provide real answers they almost always say that the Zune is technically superior. As for the 8 Zune owners, the Zune 30 gig sold over a million units and it’s not even the most popular model.

Take off your blinders and give it a try, you may be surprised.

I think we will see the Zune software married with cell phones but it will not come from MS. MS has no desire to get into the very messy cell phone business.

The problem with the iPhone vs. the iPod Touch is that, in my view, the phone is the worst part of the iPhone. You're stuck with AT&T, you have to hold a large flat bar up to your face, I'm always afraid of dropping it while talking, you have to push a button to hang up (I like flip phones). IMO don't buy an iphone if you want a good phone. It does all it's other features well but as a phone it is sub par.

Being able to connect my Zune to my XBox Live account would be fantastic... I've always been a little disappointed my Xbox and Zune can't really do much together (can't access marketplace, to my knowledge) and I can't wirelessly sync to it (as far as i know) Netflix on my Zune would be the best!

The one shortfall of the IPod Touch, which I own, is the lower storage capacity. If this new Zune can stay at a competitive price and have larger storage (Say 20gb or more, where the touch is 8gb max last i heard) then this will be a great alternative.

I cannot understand why more people do not have Zune with the package. You can download all the music and podcasts that you want for a low monthly price. I get so tired of music after I listen to it 100 times and I don't want to buy every song for 99 cents, only to hate it after a year. I have so much music on my Zune and would never get an iFraud. Love it, can't wait to get the new one!!!

This is the most despicable thing I've ever seen
I mean really if you take the screen shots from this and the ipod touch they are basically exactly the same except a different color scheme
Apple is long due to file some lawsuits for all the infringement Microsoft is famous for

I purchased the Zune 120 gb before Christmas and unlike the iPod , I feel like I wasted $249.99 because everywhere I go there are only all kind IPod accessories. Even cars come setup for the IPod. There is nothing special about the Zune and after using it for a while , it has been seating on my desk for more than two month. I have some 7 movies, 635 songs, 2203 pictures and personal documents stored in it and basicly thats the use it gets .So $249.99 seating there with no real use. As I told my son , whats the reason to buy this new Zune if down the road its going to be another dead end.

"The thing that sold me on the Zune was the “Zune Pass.” Pay $15 a month and you have unlimited music downloads through the zune marketplace. Yes there are some restrictions, such as burning rights and what not, but there are ways around that."

There are plenty of rental music stores you can subscribe to and use with an Apple iPod, iTouch, or iPhone such as Napster, eMusic, LegalSounds, and many, many more. You don't have to use iTunes, but it's nice to know you can if you want to. The quote above reminds me of the Best Buy clerk who told someone they couldn't play MP3s on an iPod, only iTunes music...which was dead wrong. Yes, iPods, iTouch and iPhones play MP3's. So Apple iPods and iPhones have the best of all worlds including iTunes music and movies, etc. Kinda shoots your argument down, now doesn't it?! Zune HD has no advantage over Apple's products. I already stream radio over WiFi on my iPhone.

In my experience, adding music to my smartphone slowed it down. It could run everything still, but poorly. The whole phone was slower as it tried to cycle through all files at boot up. For some reason it is slower in everyday use when there's music on it. That is why I would rather have a dedicated unit as a music device. Plus, Iphones and cards in smartphones only hold 8 gigs, whereas a device like the Zune can hold my entire CD collection. I'd rather not be choosy about what music I put on the device. That way, I have my entire music collection with me. Plus, no matter how well an all in one does it, multitasking will never be as flexible as two units if you have to juggle audio playback with phone calls.

zune HD has potential to be something bigger in the future. i think they should integrate a voip or something like what gamers use when playing xbox live, and install a 5MP camera on the zune. im a fan of the zune and love the radio tuner and wi fi sharing/snyc.

Just like Microsloth.

LAST to the party, then they are just a bunch of party poopers!

$100 million dollar loss on ZUNE & millions more in R&D & all you get is a old pig in new lipstick wannabe iPod Touch copy cat???

Just buy an iPod Touch with iTunes that works extremely well with WINDOWS PCs & Apple Macs.

Why bother Microsoft? If you can not redefine the market, get out of the market. Go big or go home to Redmond WA.

Zzzzzzune...Yawn.

@PT Don't know when it was when you last heard but the iPod Touch has a max capacity of 32GB. I know, I have one. There's also rumors that when the new hardware comes out this summer, that may be increased to 64GB (but not confirmed). Maybe you should take another look at the iPod Touch as an alternative to the Zune.

I am an Ipod fan. I own a 2gb Nano, and 16gb Touch. I love the Touch and the Nano. My Nano is 2 years old, and my Touch is about 3 weeks old... I've never had any issues regarding battery life, or any other issues with my Nano, so I upgraded and I love them both!

Itunes is easy for me to use, the apps are great, I can check email, Facebook, Myspace... I have a home phone, so, a cell phone would be useless for me...

After the Vista, Windows 7 debacle, I wouldn't trust another MS product for many years. They simply never finish anything properly before marketing the junk!!!

the new zune sounds good but my ? is will it be drm free and how much will it cost

For me a phone should be a phone. I do not surf the net or play games on my phone. The screen is too small. I have a computer and game consoles for that. It seems that the lower the income bracket the higher the need for a phone to do everything. This is because the phone is probably the only way to access the internet and listen to music as well as a status symbol.

Also touch screens get slimy quick and constantly need cleaning.

I love my 80gb Zune. It is simple and does the job with little effort. I also share microsoft points between xbox live and Zune.

@Seebo

I think I would call the XBox 360 innovative?

The iPhone is a crappy mp3 player. Some people just want something that plays music and videos. Integration with Xbox would be an added bonus. For people who really love music the Zune is a far better choice.

This device should become a phone after a while if microsoft is smart. Im waiting a while before I buy the media player. For all we know this might be a plot to raise more money; Have us buy the media player just to have the phone version come out later. Microsoft is sneaky.

Divide and Conquer. Why bundle every possible ideas into one form factor to reduce profit when you can make much more profit through different devices.

okay, i have a zune and have owned an ipod. i will tell u right now that the zune is wayyyyyyyy better functioning. Yes, the ipod has a sleak design, but the zune is better working and much more practical! im excited for the HD!

This is great. Finally microsoft is looking like it is trying to get one step ahead of apple. I agree that adding a phone service to this would help. Also add a way to make the Zune HD the remote for playing dvds on your xbox and streaming dvds and music on the device to the Xbox to play on the TV. There are so many things microsoft can add to this new device, let's hope they do not hold back.

Where is the Zune Phone???? With MS/Office and XBox??? that's the ticket back for MSFT!

I did my research before buying an MP3 player (I'm 49 years old) and the Zune came up best. It's 80 GB and I have put my entire music collection on it, along with plenty of photos and videos and now I can take my music anywhere – all of it. I love it. I hook it up to my computer speakers at work and can play anything I want from my collection. I have a PDA and a low-cost cell phone and don't mind having 3 devices, as it's cheap! I don't have the kind of disposable income to be able to afford the higher tech devices & data plans. There is nothing wrong with a Zune – it works great for different people's needs.

Microsoft has always struggled with hardware. The first release of the Zune was not that popular. Look at the XBox. they lost so much $$ in the first few years of its release, they had to charge for online game play. Playstation online play is free. Apple has a smooth interface that works with no hidden fee's. Which would you buy?

See my post at http://poojanblog.com/blog/2009/05/iphone-vs-ipod-touch :

1. Monthly fee: The $70/month the AT&T bill for the iPhone is steep. It’d be worth it if she needed that connectivity…
2. Tethered mobility: … however, she doesn’t really want connectivity when she’s not around the house. She’s cool with checking email when she gets home.
3. I’ve heard the iPhone is great device, but not a great phone. Yeah: it’d be more convenient to have the all-in-one portable device platform and phone together. However, I’ve heard from numerous people (none of whom are allegiant to Motorola) that the iPhone isn’t terribly good as a phone. In truth, I never really found out why: call quality, user interface, etc. However, the suboptimality of the phone stuck in my head.
4. It pretty much runs everything the iPhone does: the iPod touch pretty much runs every app that the iPhone runs, so she’s really not giving up anything.

In fact, I wonder if people tend to by the iPhone because they don’t know how capable the iPod touch is.

Wow this is looking mighty sexy. In fact, I'd say it looks better than the Ipod Touch.... We shall see how it integrates with xbox live.

I'm pretty sure that I'm breaking one of the ten commandments by having both a Zune and an iPhone. Why both? If I listen to music on my Zune until the battery dies, the only problem is that public transit becomes more annoying. If I listen to music on my iPhone until the battery dies, different story.

The Zune HD looks really good. How is it in comparison to the iPod Touch?