An engineer at Microsoft has ballparked the cost of the 16GB ZuneHD at somewhere between $250 and $280 (for reference, a 16GB iPod Touch is $300). That’s a little bit higher than I’d have guessed, but considering OLED screens are still expensive, to say nothing of flash memory, it’s a solid estimate. Trouble is, where are they going to get people to take it for a spin? Apple’s got a great spot for iPod discovery — maybe it’s time for Microsoft to do the same.
Honestly, a modest little store here and there with Microsoft hardware and a few partners could be a nice PR move for those guys. But I digress…
Rumor also has it that a 64GB version is planned for later in the game. Wow, that will be expensive. A note to Microsoft: you can’t have your device be the budget and luxury choice.
[via Ars Technica]
gostaria de saber se omesmo é dois clip. e o valor em reais e sim paga o frente.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Mmmm… sexy.
I hope that includes taxes.
Where are the buttons? Why doesn’t anyone make these things with buttons anymore?!?!?
With the screws on the back, looks like it might have a user replaceable battery. So that’s good, at least.
Buttons? Who uses buttons with touchscreens in the offing?
It looks nice, but its a Zune…makes me wary instantly.
Why does it make you wary? I’ve been using a 30GB one since they came out, haven’t had any problems with it (though the battery doesn’t last as long as it used to anymore. To be expected.)
Ive been using a 80gb zune. I love it. Never have had any problems, fantastic device. With the tegra processor, there is a lot more potential for killer apps than the ipod.
I love how “Tegra” has become a codeword for people who don’t know what they are talking about to toss around as if it’s magic. What apps does Tegra make possible that is impossible with an iPod?
You do realize that unreleased Tegras (which only has the support of ONE device/manufacturer so far) is based on an ARM processor used in the iPhone and iPod Touch from LAST year and the year BEFORE?
Tegra is Nvidia’s version of Intel’s XScale 4 years later, that is all.
Go ahead and make yourself feel better about your crappy Itouch!
you know the Zune HD and Tegra processer is so much better then anyting Apple can shit out. Trying to say that the Tegra is nothing special…yeah i didnt expect much out of a Apple Fanboy faggit.
Um…..the tegra can support 720p video, the zune hd will support HD Radio (quite a few people listen to radio) and slowest tegra is faster than the processor of the itouch
its not a codeword dumbass
“Tegra is Nvidia’s version of Intel’s XScale 4 years later, that is all.”
Thats like saying Intel responded to the AMD Athlon with the Core 2 Duo….wtf is your point?
“You do realize that unreleased Tegras (which only has the support of ONE device/manufacturer so far) is based on an ARM processor used in the iPhone and iPod Touch from LAST year and the year BEFORE?”
Just about everything is based on the ARM architecture….I don’t understand what you’re trying to say here
“there is a lot more potential for killer apps than the ipod.” The magic word is “potential” here. Why go for potential, when you can get what you want now on something else (iPod). By the time those apps that you want comes about on the Zune, your 80 gig will be old school. There’s also a reason why the Zune is cheaper, it’s market is waaaaaaaaay smaller. It wouldn’t sell AT ALL if it was more expensive or for the same price as an iPod.
dingbow, as per my comment above, it’s not even necessary to dismiss the potential. The Tegra line is not uniquely capable (potentially or not) of anything that a Cortex ARM+PowerVR solution is not.
There you go, thanks, Tim.
(The greater, more obvious) trouble is… Apple hasn’t announced the new iPods and their pricing which are sure to come out just ahead or just after the Zune, placing additional pricing pressure on Microsoft as it did last year — rather than making a comparison between a product that doesn’t exist yet and one which has been out for almost a year.
Although you can shine it up, even plate it in gold, sh*t is still just that. I will grant you that I wish iTunes would work with _any_ player, as well as Zune Store with an iPod (that I might also buy). For now, though, comparing a Zune to an iPod is like comparing a Hyundai to a Lexus. Both radios may sound the same–perhaps–but the ride in the Lexus is just that much nicer.
You must not drive too many Lexuses. They might look nice – and even that I would argue in some cases – but the driving experience, in so far as possessing an intuitive, exciting experience, is just as good or better in many Hyundais as it is in a Lexus.
I think Michael is just saying that all cars get you from A to B, some just comes with better luxury appointments as standard equipment. One thing I’ll say about my brother’s Lexus is that it is an extremely quiet blush ride.
If Microsoft makes a phone that looks like this, and I’ll throw my iPhone against the wall …
I’ll take your iPhone :)
Get your swinging arm ready … WinMo 6.5 looks similar, and from what I’ve been reading, WinMo 7 will merge the Zune line in, making for Microsoft’s iPhone Killer.
I’m not going to speculate. Only time with tell whether or not they actually manage to dethrone apple on the mp3 player and “ooh shiny phone” market remains to be seen.
Why do Apple fans have to be so malicious towards anything Microsoft? I think the iPhone and iPod were amazing pieces of gadgetry when they came out. I now hope someone else can make phones and media players that compete well against them. After all, that will drive prices down and innovation up! Stop being so hateful towards the Zune…I have one and love it!
Got an 80gb and its doin just fine thank you!
Yeah, it makes no sense at all man. If this product doesn’t threaten iPods hold on the market than whats the big deal? Even if i does “kill” the iPod Touch whats the problem? It doesn’t actually kill their iPod does it? maybe apple fans have become too literal.
What we have here is the fear that one’s own technology will become out of date. Everyone wants to have whats best. I guess thats whats with the hate.
you don’t see me looking up iPod blog things and smashing it tho so maybe not.
It’s not even released and it’s already obsolete. LOL
Yep, cause OLED screen, HD out, tegra chip, and HD radio are way obsolete.
And hold on one second…
yep, thats right. From what we are hearing folks, its even cheaper than the old iTouches.
God! if that wasn’t the definition of obsolete right there I don’t no what is.
Name one other mobile Device that has a OLED screen, Name one other mobile Device that has HD radio
Well technically the Samsung SCH-W760 has an OLED screen and more are coming out with them. But that is not the point. I think that something to actually compete with Apple is a good thing. I have owned item from boths sides and both have their areas of expertise. But competition is what a free market economy and capitalism is all about. We need competition to drive prices down and push innovation up like many have said.
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