Although I own the iPhone which is pretty much like an iPod Touch, I cannot WAIT for Microsoft's Zune HD to trump it.

This thing looks awesome.

I own a 1st gen Zune, and I'm not replacing it until this new one comes out with a 64gb model.

Looks awesome. Hey what does it show in the "more" category? Does it show games and Applications?

"Exudes elegance" from each one of its four exposed screws.
Hey, it would've exuded even more if they commissioned a special "ZuneHD Edition" security screw which matched the Zune logo.

Seriously, how long will this thing even stick around before Microsoft grows bored with it and chases it's next copycat fad?

The main reason I haven't bought a Zune yet is because it doesn't have the ability to function as a flash drive, which an iPod can. I really hope the Zune HD can be used as a flash drive or else I'm going to just buy an iPod Nano.

@Maze: when you select More, there's Internet and Settings

Bwahaha, 4 exposed screws may mean you can actually change the battery yourself. Unless you prefer having to send in your music player to have a new battery installed.
Microsoft give up? Are you kidding? This is the same company that lost buckets of money on the Xbox but stuck it out until they had a success.

Add a built in speaker, mic (VOIP), nike+ support, bluetooth A2DP and a camera (stills and video) and I'm sold! Till then itouch 2nd gen will have to do...

does it have any section for games or apps? Maybe in the marketplace?

Please in apps for Skype, Google Voice, YouTube, Flash Cards (and let you change to foreign keyboards to make foreign language flash cards) and I'm sold.

Why's the 'e' in "marketplace" cut out on the menu (in the last image)??

I'm glad to see the screws are easily visible and accessible. It shows that Microsoft aren't a bunch of stuck up industrial design snobs and actually expect some people will want to open up the device and make their own repairs or mods. apple sux.

@JWrm and dave:
That's a pretty interesting way to attempt to sidestep the fact that I was making fun of the purported elegance, when the issue you raise is of functionality.
But let's take a look at that anyway, shall we?
Firstly: in devices with user swappable batteries there is usually a door or latch or catch of some description, not screws of any kind.
Secondly: even if we grant the premise that people are willing to carry a screwdriver along with their Zune, those ain't no Phillips-head screws.
They are some kind tamper-proof security bits which actually I can't even identify from these photos plus an Internet search.
This says 'Not User Serviceable' in a far louder voice than your baseless speculation and is telling me that: no; in fact, the battery is not user replaceable.

@JWrm
As for giving up, Microsoft is also the company that:
Gave up on the all other Zune models to get to this one
Gave up on the PlaysForSure partnership
etc etc etc (snipped for not necessarily being directly relevant to music players, but does establish a pattern nevertheless)
Not saying you're not allowed to abandon things which aren't working (that's what Microsoft is good at after all: since you bring it up, according to their own financial reports, the XBox/360 continues to be a billion dollar annual loss - that's not a level of success that many companies can afford to aspire to), but Microsoft doesn't seem to have figured out that in the real world - a REAL market with actual COMPETITION - you cannot ride someone else's coattails to levels of success that exceed the owner of said coattails.
NeverMIND trying to do so while acting like a bull in a china shop: backstabbing PlaysForSure partners who WERE on your side, while laughing off ACTUAL competitors as rounding errors while they wipe the floor with you, etc. etc. ad-chair-throwing-nauseum.

@Kleptomaniac:
That's an easy one, my friend: because Microsoft has clearly not learned a thing from the original Zune and honestly believe this is a really good design idea that proves they have style, taste, and know how to create useful devices that work and act the way people want them to.
That they honestly believe it is the sad/scary/funny/oh-the-humanity part.

Just admit your jealous you apple fan boy. And accept some people just dont like apple, i had a ipod and switched to the zune because it felt more user friendly.

Dang dude,
You have way to much pent up anger for Microsoft. Just turn your head the other way. They're not going anywhere.

@Bwahaha

Actually with the exposed screws, the designers might be going for the industrial look which has been popular in modern architecture.

I think it has a nice looking profile and I don't believe the screws take anything away from the look at all.

@Bwahaha

The Sandisk Sansa had user replaceable batteries without a latch/door. Replacing the battery also DID NOT void the warranty. Such a design is not intended to have people walk around with a philips head screw driver as you so specifically point out, it is to give customer the CHOICE (something Apple is very uncomfortable with) to switch batteries when they eventually crap out (because all batteries do, none hold their original charge forever).

Have a nice day.

The sandisk sansa is the most durable and useful of all the media players currently on the market. We have two in our house and one of them is four years old. It still has the original battery and sandisk has provided regular updates to the firmware that have kept them working well. It has a bulletproof case and is childproof. The display is rather tiny but it is able to display video quite well, tv shows and movies are no problem. Admittedly you must transcode all files before uploading. As good as it is you just never hear about this product. A really good product is not as good as having hype and or a cult following like the ipod. I know two individuals who have had multiple ipod failures and still buy another. Obviously some amount of fitting in or being part of the "in crowd" drives the sales of some electronics products more that the actual usefullness or durability.

@Bwahaha

Wow, you must REALLY hate screws. I think they're sexy.

Also... have you ever even used a Zune? Many would argue that the existing ones are already of a higher quality than the bulk of the iPud lineup, and in terms of leaving the players behind...
...They might not make 'em anymore, but that doesn't mean they don't add to 'em. To date, even the original 30gb brick has gotten all the updates, adding such things as games, wifi sync, wifi marketplace, audiobook support, gapless playback, buy from FM, XNA app support, podcasts, add to now playing, add friend to player, TV series, music videos, about to have movies officially there...Woo boy, i know there's a lot more little things, but Microsoft's support for their obsolete player has been so good, that it's easy to forget the details and just enjoy the freebies.

Zune hd asian character not support?

um.. iit's so bad..

will the Zune HD turn in to a mobile like the ipod did

So MS can't use the Vista/Win7 sync software for the Zune? They dumped ActiveSync with Vista and went with a generic sync. SO they're going back to separate syncing software?

I'm sure the underbelly of a Rolls Royce looks pretty unelegant compared to the rest. Who cares about the back?!

I can honestly say I've never seen a single person in public whip out a Zune and yet I've seen hundreds of iPhones. Where are you people who comment on these stories as 'owners'?

From the look of the screws, they are a triangle head. Same type that can be found on a Nintendo DS. All you need is a $6 screwdriver and you can take the thing apart. I say ride the wave people. If Microsoft is really trying to break into the Mp3 Player market, then they will do everything they can to get a foothold. That means the users will benefit. I forsee the Zune Pass extending to games, movies, etc.

I have many J-pop.. Zuen hd support Unicode?

I hope it has a better user interfact for watching videos than the Ipod Iphone/Touch.

It is VERY difficult to fast forward through commercials on the Touch/Iphone ... you have to use a touch sensitive drag bar ... very imprecise; results in a lot of back and forth to get to the end of a commercial break.

That's the primary reason I returned mine.

well, as owner of several ipod generations, I must say so far this puppy seems to be the best. Zunes have def a better sound quality, seem sturdier, and look better. Now this is my opinion, but it is what it is. I am a Apple user, swearing by OSX.
The ipod is pretty much only for good looks, with weak amps, poor reproduction quality, and lackluster interface(even the touch, esp the touch with it's shoddy touchscreen).
camera, or not, screws or not. the ipod is mainly fashion candy now, everyone has one, its old news.

From what I understand the Zune HD is supposed to support Unicode and video playback there a back and forward button so I'm hoping that means you can fast forward and rewind it pretty easily. Also I can't wait to get mine.

@ Bwahaha

You're an idiot. The lack and/or presence of screws on any technological device does not take from its elegance. The iPod generations don't show their screws (with the exception of the two tiny phillips head screws on the bottom of the iTouch and iPhone) and are still mediocre compared to the Zune's reliability and quality. Also, I'm going to quote you on this: "As for giving up, Microsoft is also the company that:
Gave up on the all other Zune models to get to this one.". As it turns out....that's EXACTLY what Apple has been doing since the beginning of ANY product they've put on the market. And if you cannot identify a Tri Wig Screw, you sir, are a novice.

But onto the whole point of this comment.

The Zune has indeed come a long way since its original release in Fall 2006. With the HD model we're looking at: High Definition video playback, a peak of 33 hours of audio playback on 1 full charge, a lightweight sleek design that's as user friendly as it gets, and the first ever portable MP3 player with a built-in HD Radio Tuner. Not to mention that they're to add Applications, Games, and an internet browser to the mix. This product will most certainly in due time fully rival the iPod.

As a concluding statement: Bwahaha, do your homework before posting on blogs and forums, because otherwise, you make yourself look stupid.

Up the memory and I am all over it. Does it still have the same connector? I like the kicker box I got for my 120gb Zune, and don't want to repalce that.

yeah still the same connector

I want this puppie in Europe as well.
Come on Micrsoft and make sure this gets in Europe before christmas.

It's so funny to see so many people mock the iPhone, but in the past year it looks like all these companies are trying to make up lost ground by turning their phones into iPhones, which goes to show that Apple is setting the standard in the Cell Phone Industry, can't wait to see Apple release a built in projector in a future iPhone model.

sonicRush, what does that have to do with ANYTHING this blurb was on? The Zune HD is not a phone, in fact, it has been stated many times that the Zune is a music centralized pmp. Please leave the ispam for Apple articles

@sonicRush - What's REALLY funny is how blind people are to the fact that Apple's become the "Big Brother" they started out trying to destroy (1984 commercial anyone?). How's that for irony? They control what gets on the App store with ridiculous policies and unexplained cuttings. Apple = Bunch of tools.

@TH4TGUY

Apple limits what goes into the App store because they don't want the place getting filled up with porn downloaders and things that take too much bandwidth. It's been stated many times that they tell the developers what is wrong if they don't accept it. I speak from experience, one of my game apps didn't get accepted until I fixed the one glitch I missed.

I think Zune HD kick's ass!!!

here's a comparison:

http://www.livbit.com/article/2009/09/14/zune-hd-vs-ipod-touch-comparison-table/

The Zune HD supports unicode and asian characters. In fact, it supports almost every language- which means, Microsoft is prepraring to launch it to other countries.

i think people just dont relize that the zune HD comes in silver and black
pretty amazing

Zune is just one more distraction for MS. Come on guys they are the desktop market leader yet the most important application they make that runs on it (IE8) is atleast 5 years behind the competition (FF, Chrome, Safari).

MS is nolonger talented enough to compete in any market they choose. And if they keep thinking they are the sooner they'll fall.

@Charlie,
It hardly matters whether IE8 is behind the times or not, MS is still the desktop market leader. The impending release of Windows 7 (which is probably the best OS they've ever released) is indication that they still have plenty of talent.

That said, it doesn't matter if the Zune HD is technologically superior, it's still going to lose, just as the PSP lost to the Nintendo DS, despite having vastly more powerful hardware. Ipods have an existing userbase that is almost impossible to breach.

Windows is only the desktop leader because of abuse and manipulation and theft. If they had developed their own OS rather then steal DOS then develope windows rather then steal OS code from the MAC they would not be where they are.
OR if Steve jobs had never left apple and the company had been more focused on things rather then running all over the place they would have had a better foothold on the market and thereby keeping MS from gaining the foothold they did.

As far as win 7 being so great yea i heard that about vista too. Win 7 is vista with some refinements it still has the registry and all the other flaws that have made windows so bad all this time. After all it was supposed to be so so secure yet it is already got viruses and has been exploited.

ZUne HD is not technologically superior. The ipod will sound just as good as anything else with the right headphones. Yea i guess the ZUNE HD is superior it has that new thing called HD RADIO. So many people have adapted it. And out of the few thousand who have how many of those will go buy the zune.

The zune is not great its not that good looking and the fact that there is such an installed base with tons of apps for the ipod touch makes it stand out. Plus the zune wont apeal to everyone. That is why apple sells the shuffle, the nano and classic so well too.

looks really cool, but his isn't a phone? makes no sense to own one it seems to me.

Whether or not Zune has HD, the video quality still looks the same to the human eye. If a camera has 500 megapixels, and another has 1000 megapixels, if you make them the same size, they will look no different. I prefer the iPod Touch since it has all the apps and a better support base.

Zune HD is far greater than any ipoot will every will be.
i will NEVER own an ipod, i hate apple...

@dayvidday it doesnt need to be a phone.... its kick ass without being a phone....

@Neotyguy Microsoft is working on apps for Zune HD,

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