Zune HD

Just a few days ago the new Zune HD by Microsoft was released. With a capacitive touch screen, HD radio, HD video output, wifi, and of course 16 and 32 Gb music varieties it definitely sets itself in the path of Apple's iPod. But does it have what it takes to take a chunk of Apple's increasing market share?

As a music player. The design of the new Zune HD is beautiful. Its metal alloy shell and glass screen give it a solid feel as well as a clean minimalistic asthetic. No longer does it feel like a huge chunk of plastic, but instead a fine electronic device - of a build similar to that of say the HTC Hero or of course the original iPhone. The UI has been updated to 3.0 giving many muchly appreciated changes, fewer glitches, and speedier screen flow; ultimately, the Zune's interface has become quite organized and optimized for finger usage - a nod I wish the Windows Mobile development community would take.

The device has begun to approach the appeal popular in the iPhone, or maybe more accurately the iPod Touch. With gaming capabilities and Wi-Fi, the gap between a computer, telephone, and music playing device is increasingly narrowing - as are Apple's competitors.

Regardless, the Zune HD does have much room for improvement. On the forefront is the lack of web-browser and of course telephone chip set. No web browser puts the Zune HD at an immediate disadvantage of both the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. And the muchly anticipated Zune Phone seems yet another year or more to the horizon.

It amazes me with Microsoft's work force that they are unable to employ the necessary means to quickly catch up to, and surpass Apple devices in the mobile music device sector - yet alas, this seems to continually be the reality of the situation.

The Zune HD does not display HD, contrary to the name. This bothers me the most. HD radio is nothing more than radio at a different signal, and an HD output is about as useful as carrying around a second monitor with you. The misuse of the term HD has bothered me to no end, yet alas it seems the corporate world is continuously able to trick the everyday consumer into thinking "HD" means something ground-breaking and revolutionary.

This successive jump onto the HD bandwagon naming strategy is quite saddening and a pore reflection of honest, creative design.

I've gotta go eat lunch now.... in HD.....

Source: http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm