Microsoft Releases the Details of the Newest Zune HD

Set to release September 15, Microsoft hopes its newest version of the Zune has enough features to win over some iPod users. Current figures show Apple controlling the market with a 73% U.S. market share in the portable players sector, according to NPD. Microsoft still remains very low with a market share under 3%. Perhaps a new Zune is what Microsoft needs.

The price of the new Zune remains quite high. The 16GB HD Zune will cost $220; the 32GB HD version will run for $290. At these prices, you can ask yourself, do I want a audio/video player, or a Nintendo Wii.

The Zune comes to the market with features many MP3 players do not have. The newest edition will be able to play videos downloaded from the Internet. And with the purchase of a docking station, the Zune will play video on the TV in HDTV format.

In addition to the HD movie viewing, the built-in radio will also be in HD format. This will provide users the ability to pick up digital stations regular radios can't access.

The last thing to note of the big features is the Wi-Fi Internet. Users will be able to roam about and still have the ability to pick up an Internet signal.

The new features are all right, but nothing to brag about. The HD radio is a nice feature, but it's not that big of a deal. The HD video is great, but honestly, watching a movie on a 3" screen is not pleasurable. The Wi-Fi Internet is already featured on the iTouch, thereby not proving something new.

But the Zune is priced cheaper than the Ipod Touch. The Zune does feature radio, while the iPod Touch does not. Lastly, the iPods lack the ability to manage HD content.

Between the two of them, the features and capabilities make the players competitive in the sales market. That which separates them the greatest is the software behind the players. Apple's iTunes allows people to buy music for $0.99 and listen to free streaming music. Microsoft's Zune software however, requires a $14.99 month Zune Pass and does not offer streaming radio.

Microsoft does deserve credit for staying in the market, despite its low market share in the portable player sector. Each year, Microsoft makes some tweaks to its Zune, making it a stronger competitor to the Apple iPod. But, the player itself no longer seems to be the problem. Once considered a brick, the Zune has slimed down, and added many new features. The biggest major difference between the two is the software behind the systems. Perhaps Microsoft needs to focus on the software and not the hardware. The newest Zune looks to be a promising audio/video player. But if it fails again, Microsoft will be back at the drawing boards once again.

Microsoft gives pricing for new Zune players - LA Times
Zune 3.0 software review | MP3 Insider - CNET Reviews