The New Microsoft - ZuneHD Announced

It's official. ZuneHD is very much a real product.

A few months ago some alleged preliminary artwork was released showcasing a rather new type of Zune unlike anything we've seen before. The blog world lit up with quite a frenzy over a device that couldn't even be confirmed to be true and simultaneously looked as though it was Microsoft's first steps towards finally challenging Apple and the iPod (touch).

Days later more images were leaked from an unknown source showcasing what appeared to be an actual product and not simply mock up drawings. These pictures quickly raised many questions as it seems the universal opinion was that they were in fact fakes. The image shows off the interface, and even a back design. It all seemed like a bit too much.

Finally, today Microsoft has opened the doors and revealed the legitimacy of the claims, images, and said device. Sorry, i don't have any official quotes from anyone big at Microsoft just a press release and an amazing link. But I can certainly summarize a few things for you if you don't plan on reading the official press release located at the bottom of this post!

Here's what is public and confirmed.

HD Radio

OLED multitouch hi-def screen with 16:9 aspect ratio

HDMI out connection

Full screen internet browser with multitouch support

Wifi for purchasing songs and internet browsing

Xbox360 movie support - Zune will be the first tab on Videos within the 360's NXE

That being said, you'll notice no potential prices have been shared (should always be assumed of new devices) but oddly enough, no storage capacity was shared. It has to be something huge to support hi def movies, right?

While the integration with the Xbox360 only speaks to movies, clearly more has to be offered, it'd be ridiculous if it wasn't. Fortunately Microsoft isn't going to stay tight lipped much longer about this integration, next week at E3 (Gaming Expo for those unaware). Microsoft will be showcasing the ZuneHD and its integration with the platform. Very, I mean...insanely exciting.

But after music/video Xbox360 integration what else is this thing going to do? My prediction and more than likely a correct one, because it'd be ridiculous if this was wrong is that the ZuneHD will act a means of taking rented movies from the Xbox Marketplace with you. With all this banter about Zune Pass (scroll down, we wrote about it) arming the Xbox360 with a Zune(HD) seems to be a killer combination. Hell, what if the Xbox360's new Zune tab allows use of ZunePass right from your console? Microsoft Points are already cross marketplace currency, why not add cross marketplace features? As I keep saying, Microsoft is getting ready to wow people all over again and show us once again who started this game. I'm looking at the Live services implemented by Azure cloud services, Windows 7 remote media sharing, Live Mesh file synchronization, Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, and the ZuneHD as the new cloud face of Microsoft. My hopes are high, and to not tie all these devices together with Microsoft Live ID to unite all services under a single veil would be counter intuitive.

Microsoft it seems is getting ready for a "middle earth" style battle against Apple.

Here's my personal hope, nothing official what so ever, only rumored right now, but I can only hope that Live Mesh will be getting pushed out to Zune devices soon IF NOT with the launch of this product. It's a feature I've been waiting a ridiculous amount of time for.

Never the less this huge, exciting, and from the looks of it seems be able to put up a fight against the iPod. I officially declare game on and can't wait to see how the battle rolls out. Check out the official ZuneHD website located at http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm

Heads up, people are telling us that this link doesn't work. This is FALSE, a lot of people are trying access the site. Hit refresh, be patient, it will eventually load.

If anyone is wondering, or didn't know still... zunehd.net is fake.

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.

REDMOND, Wash. - May 26, 2009 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company's end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.

"The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we're proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. "Delivering on Microsoft's connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world."

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

• Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don't like the song playing on your station's HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
• The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
• The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
• Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
• Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/press and http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft's music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, and the Zune Social online music community, created to help people discover more music. Zune is part of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company's software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries to each other and the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are - in the living room or across the world. More information and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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

HD Radio™ and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.