Spotted in what looks like Best Buy’s inventory system, Gizmodo is showing the expected price point for Microsoft’s Zune HD handheld. It appears that the 16GB and 32GB models will cost $220 and $290, respectively. There’s no official pricing yet from Microsoft, so the prices could change, pending an announcement from Redmond. I tend to believe they’re spot on though, as PC World noticed these same prices on Amazon’s pre-order page.
Giz notes that these rumored prices compare favorably with Apple’s iPod Touch, which is generally considered the target competitor. A 16GB iPod Touch currently runs $299 while the 32GB model is $399. Considering the brand awareness that Apple has, I think Microsoft has to compete heavily on price — it’s not always about who offers the better technology or most features; marketing and branding is important, too.
But the ZuneHD actually does compete well on technology and features. Like the iPod Touch, it offers a comparable 480×272 multitouch display, but uses Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED), which offer vibrant colors while using less energy. It too includes Wi-Fi and a web browser and it ties in to the Zune Marketplace through the Xbox 360. Microsoft also included an HD Radio receiver and the ability to output high-definition 720p content to an HDTV through an optional dock. The only question remaining my mind — will the Zune HD eventually compete in terms of available applications or is it strictly a portable media player with a browser?
Now that we’re pretty sure on the pricing, does the Zune HD interest you more than it did before? Who’s buying?
It all comes down to the browser for me. It’s nice to have a cheaper device, but not if it’s not as functional.
From what I’ve seen of the ZuneHD it looks like a nice piece of kit.
Although I’m not buying anything until Apple plays its hand (I’m waiting for the iTablet).
Yes, the ZuneHD does interest me, with two provisos:
1) Open application model where Microsoft does not play God in determining what applications are reasonable for me to buy
2) You can get it in Australia
It looks like a great device. I am in.
It looks nice and any competition for the ipod/touch is good. It will be interesting to see if they will release a mac client, unlimited music for 10 bucks a month (I think that’s what they charge) might be nice for a change but I only have macs in the house. (and an Xbox so I’m not totally anti-MS).
If nothing else Microsoft is willing to keep trying to make inroads in a market. I do feel sad for the early partners (the play for sure group) more than anything I think that they are all doomed.
The Zune HD is a mp3 player with a touchscreen. The ipod touch is an iPhone without the phone. I think, and hope, that the HD will fail epically so we can get rid of that ridiculous Zune brand once and for all. I have no love for a company that operates only in the US (and I dont care that the Zune HD will be international, done is done) nor one that has such a locked software system on the computer side (far worse than apple, if anyone was wondering). They try to be as big as apple without any of the ecosystem apple has to support it. Simply a joke.
Well, they already technically support applications via the XNA development kit… that’s how they’ve had the option for games for a year now.
Microsoft’s mobile marketplace has already made it clear that it’s not going to be restrictive as Apple’s, and on top of that, it won’t require “jail-breaking” your device to get things. That alone makes it a winner in my book.
Still, the Zune software is better too, and will no doubt get an update (a fact overlooked in every article about it), and the Zune Pass subscription is almost a no-brainer when you realize that when you subtract out the 10 songs you get to keep each month, it really boils down to $6/month for unlimited music… even over a year it’s only $72, so it would take you years of subscribing to catch up with any competing solution.
Supporting applications doesnt really mean shit. Same as with android, not having many developers bothering to code for the device is whats going to kill it no matter if it technically supports apps. Also, jailbroken iphones/touches are really unstable becuase those programmers run around with no supervision whatsoever, it’s like having an app dedicated to slowing down the device. Personally I’d rather have Apple’s restrictions than ever using a device “open” enough to be compared with jailbroken apple devices. I say that having had both a S60 “smart”phone and a jailbroken touch, both of which had apps so unstable the programmers should have been shot.
Zune will fail until they have an app store up and running with at least 1000 apps on it. And it would need a robust email client. That would still be a lot less than the touch but would be a start.
And I would think its extremely likely that Apple will increase the memory on it’s touch’s so that $229 gets a 16GB Touch. If that’s the case then Zune is doomed to a small niche.
Subscription music has been touted as the future for 5 years, and still has a tiny share. So I hope MS is not counting on Zune Pass.
I agree with most of the comments that this looks pretty, but the iPod Touch’s ecosystem gives it an advantage that may be too big to overcome. Additionally, the next wave of iPod Touch devices will likely have a camera and Bluetooth as well, making the Zune even more dated. Still, the Zune’s packing some hardware, and the UI is really, really nice.
I used to have a 32GB Zune. It was an OK device… However, I will never buy another Zune ever again. The Zune Software is utter crap. Absolutely horrible.
Next time I buy a music player it will be Samsung’s P3. http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=audiovideo&type=mp3players&subtype=mp3players&model_cd=YP-P3JES/XAA
Samsung makes some of the best quality hardware I’ve ever seen. [Editor's note -- removed last few lines due to inappropriate language. kct]
This Zune HD looks nice, but it’s lacking in one big area – 3G remote streaming. Even with WHS support, I want to be able to stream files from locations other than hotspots, and downloading files all the time is an outdated approach. It’s the one killer feature the iPhone beats any other media player at.