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Product Specifications
Capacity: 64gb | Color: Black
Brand NameZune
Operating SystemPC
Number of Items1
Technical Details
Capacity: 64gb | Color: Black
- 64 GB capacity for up to 16,000 songs, 20 hours high-definition video, or 25,000 pictures
- 3.3-inch OLED screen with 480 x 272 resolution and 16:9 display
- HD Radio gives you access to many local stations with crystal-clear digital sound at no extra cost
- Watch supported 720p HD movies, TV shows, and videos in high definition
- Buy, stream, and update your music, download free games, and surf the web via a Wi-Fi connection
Product DetailsCapacity: 64gb | Color: Black
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Product Description
Capacity: 64gb | Color: Black
Amazon.com Product Description
Zune is the premium digital experience that gives you access to the latest in entertainment and technology, allowing you to enjoy, connect, and discover content in a whole new way--the way you like it. Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Gain the freedom to enjoy your entertainment. Zune brings your content up front, so you're always in control.
 Instant entertainment that you control. Click to enlarge. |
 Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Click to enlarge. |
 With a 3.3-inch size and vivid 16:9 display, truer and brighter entertainment is at your fingertips. Click to enlarge. |
 Weighs just 2.6 ounces and is only 8.9 mm thick. Click to enlarge. |
Instant Entertainment that You Control
- HD Radio Technology: More Stations, better sound, no fees
- HD-compatible Video: High-quality video on the go or on your HDTV
- Internet Browsing: News, email, traffic? It's all in your pocket.
- OLED Touchscreen: Wide view with a special touch
- Games: More games, more fun
Zune HD
Portable perfection
The new Zune HD wireless media player takes you closer and connects you to a whole new world of entertainment. With a built-in HD Radio receiver, HD-compatible video,1 multi-touch navigation, OLED screen, and games, Zune HD delivers the next level in music and video experiences.
- Zune HD 64 GB: holds up to 20 hours of high-definition video; 96 hours of standard definition video; 16,000 songs; or 25,000 pictures.2 Available in black.
4.5 Firmware Release
- Your Zune HD can now create custom Smart DJ playlists based on your favorite music. Just choose one artist or song in our collection, and Smart DJ will generate a pool of songs from other artists or albums alike. With Smart DJ, you'll discover old favorites you might have forgotton about, or if you're a new Zune Pass subscriber, you can connect via Wi-Fi and stream new songs from Zune Marketplace.5
- Plus, when you connect your Zune HD to your TV, you'll now be able to navigate the Zune Marketplace remotely and buy or stream3 songs and play directly into your big screen. (Zune HD AV Dock required; sold separately.)
Massive Capacity
- The 64 GB Zune HD player can hold your HD movies and TV shows and still leave enough space for an immense music collection to carry in your pocket. Take with you a full season of your favorite TV show and plug into your HDTV.1 Or listen to its integrated HD Radio tuner and tag songs for later purchase. With this much space, you always have room for more!
HD Radio Technology
- The new Zune HD gives you access to many local HD Radio stations with crystal-clear digital sound at no extra cost. Receive additional channels from your local stations and get more of the content you love, including sports, news, and music, in various genres and formats.
- Like something you hear on HD Radio? Song tagging technology allows you to buy the song if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or to tag it for later purchase.
- Click here for more information about HD Radio.
HD-Compatible Video
- Watch HD movies, TV shows, and more on your HDTV directly from your Zune HD. Just connect via the Zune HD & AV Dock to your HDTV (both sold separately)1 to watch 720p HD video. The Zune HD also will play your videos on the go in its sharp, brilliant OLED screen. Videos on the player are downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272--not HD resolution.
Quickplay
- Get instant access to your stuff with shortcuts to favorites, recently downloaded or played music, videos, and more. Quickplay cuts through the clutter and brings up front the content that you care about most.
Smart DJ
- Smart DJ creates custom playlists based on your favorite music. Simply choose an artist or track, and Smart DJ will generate a pool of songs from your own collection or--when connected to a Wi-Fi network--from Zune Marketplace.
Games
- Loaded with multi-touch and accelerometer, the Zune HD player makes portable gaming even more exciting--and you can play them to the sound of your favorite music. Download from Zune's catalog of free games, including 3D, classic, and other popular titles like PGR: Ferrari Edition and Autiosurf Tilt.
OLED Touchscreen
- Get instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3-inch size and vivid 16:9 display (480 x 272 resolution), truer and brighter entertainment is at your fingertips.
Wireless
- Zune HD allows you to buy, stream, and update your music--and download free games--wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. Feeling entangled? Wirelessly sync your Zune HD to your home PC via your home network. You also can stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.3
Internet Browsing
- Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a well-featured web browser, including tap-to-zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.
Zune Marketplace
Download free Zune software to access Zune Marketplace from your PC. Download or stream new music, rent the latest movies, buy TV shows, and watch free trailers and previews--plus thousands of audio and video podcasts. You also can download from our catalog of free games including classic and other popular titles.
Zune Marketplace enables powerful music discovery:
- Create custom playlists based on the artist, album, or song you choose with Smart DJ. You'll rediscover old favorites in your collection, and if you're a Zune Pass subscriber, you'll find new ones from Zune Marketplace.5
- Pick an artist or band, or a song you like, then launch Mixview to find related artists and albums--even like-minded listeners in the Zune community.
- Zune Channels are custom programmed playlists that deliver music from a variety of expert sources. As a Zune Pass subscriber, Channels automatically updates whenever you're connected to the Internet.5
Rent or purchase from a great selection of video in both high and standard definition. Watch on demand right on your PC, or take them to go on your Zune HD player.
And starting now, the moviews and TV shows that you buy from Zune, you can watch on all of your screens--your monitor, TV, or Zune player.6 Your purchase history goes with you, so you can download to you Xbox 360, PC, or Zune HD and enjoy everywhere you want at no extra cost.
Zune Pass
Enjoy unlimited music for one low monthly fee. a $14.99 monthly Zune Pass gives you unlimited access to millions of songs in Zune Marketplace. Download or stream your favorites and experiment with as much new music as you like. Listen whenever you want on up to three PCs and three Zune players while you keep your Zune Pass active. In addition, each month you'll receive 10 free song credits to redeem for MP3s that are yours to keep forever.5
Expand Your Entertainment with Xbox 360
- Zune features movies, TV shows, and more in both high and standard definition. Browse and watch from thousands of titles for rent, or purchase available instantly through Microsoft's Smooth Streaming technology. Buy videos once and watch on multiple screens: on your Xbox 360, Zune player, and PC. See www.xbox.com/live for system requirements. The convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360.
Accessories (Sold Separately)
Zune HD AV Dock
This all-in-one package enables Zune HD players to charge, sync, and play supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Send music to your home audio systems and control it all via a wireless remote.
Zune Premium Car Pack
Charge and play music, podcasts, and HD Radio stations from your Zune HD while you drive. The FM transmitter/car charger auto-seeks the best available frequency on your car stereo. A USB port located on the transmitter/car charger allows you to charge a second Zune player simultaneously.
Zune Sync Cable
Charge your Zune player and sync with your collection on your PC.
Zune Charge Pack
The Zune AC Adapter fast-charges your Zune player up to 70% within an hour. Folding blades make it easy to travel with. Use the included USB cable to sync with a PC.
Zune Power Pack
Connect your AV cable to your docked Zune HD to play music, HD Radio broadcasts, and audio podcasts through your home audio system. The HDMI cable connects your docked Zune HD to HDTVs to view movies and videos. Also includes Zune AC Adapter; Zune HD player and Zune HD AV Dock sold separately.
Zune Sync Dock
Connect to your PC and sync your collection while you charge your Zune in style. Control from a distance with the included wireless remote, which gives you full access to your Zune player from anywhere in the room.
1. Zune HD player screen shows supported 720p HD videos at 480x272 – not HD. HDTV and Zune HD AV Dock (both sold separately) are required to view video at 720p HD resolution.
2. Music estimates based on 128 Kbps WMA files with length of 4 minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size; video estimates based on 500 Kbps WMV files with 128 Kbps WMA audio tracks.
3. Wireless sync feature requires access to a home wireless network. Full song streaming feature requires a Zune Pass subscription.
4. Zune player sold separately. An HDTV (sold separately) required to view video at 720p HD resolution. See zune.net.
5. Zune Pass is a monthly music subscription service; some Marketplace songs are not available via Zune Pass. Available content may vary over time.
6. Content available for download on multiple devices may vary over time. Availability of content and video resolution will vary by device.
Product Description
Zune is the premium digital experience that gives you access to the latest in entertainment and technology, allowing you to enjoy, connect, and discover content in a whole new way the way you like it. Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Gain the freedom to enjoy your entertainment. Zune brings your content up front, so you're always in control.
Available Warranties for This Item
Capacity: 64gb | Color: Black
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2,296 of 2,349 people found the following review helpful
Color Name:Platinum| Size Name:32gb|Amazon Verified Purchase
Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
Points of comparison:
- Brighter OLED screen with more vivid color and better contrast
OLED screens can wash out in direct sunlight more than others, but in almost any other situation they are clearly preferable, and have a marvelous eye-catching picture that needs to be seen to be appreciated. The screen has slighly lower resolution than the iPod Touch, but is also slightly smaller, so in the end video looks a little less pixellated when viewed closely, and very vivid.
- HD Radio
If you live within the reception area of some HD radio stations this can be a surprisingly nice feature. For me it's not so much the slightly better sound quality as it is the additional streams of content that make this fun. For example, if you tune into an FM station, then it's playing what you here, and if you don't like it too bad. With an HD station, you may tune in and it will be shown with up to three signals to chose from labeled HD1, HD2, and HD3. HD1 may have whatever is playing on the FM version, HD2 may be news, and HD3 might be some alternative music w/ a different theme. For example one of our oldies station in the Boston area broadcasts a love-song themed selection on HD3. One caveat: if you don't have a strong enough signal, these HD versions can cut in and out, making them frustrating to listen to. But, when the signal is strong enough it's very enjoyable.
- 720p video output via (an over-priced) dock. When transferring video content to the Zune you can specify if it should be sized appropriately for playback on the Zune or TV, so if you do plan to just watch on your Zune you won't have the video taking up huge amounts of storage.
- Zune Pass subscription service
This is my favorite feature that will keep me using a Zune until it's pried from my my desperate grasp. For $15 a month I get 10 DRM-free MP3 songs to keep, and unlimited access to millions of songs. As long as you would have bought at least 10 songs anyways that means you're paying only $5 for that access. It's better than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you can listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the exact order you want, AND can either stream this music or store it on your Zune to listen to later, even if out of wifi range. Lots of people present subscription services as something you do INSTEAD of owning music, but at this cheap a price there's no reason you can't use this as a supplement to whatever purchases you make. It's not either/or, it's a wonderful "AND", especially if you're the type who likes to explore and enjoy a broad range of music.
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
- Wireless sync
In addition to wireless net access, you can sync your Zune to your PC wirelessly, which can be quite convenient on occasion. The new Zune HD seems to have better wireless reception than my prior Zunes.
- Smart DJ
Rhapsody first popularized a playlist construction service with its 'Channels' feature, and Apple followed with its 'Genius' feature. The idea is that you specify a song or artist, and the service will construct a playlist of similar music of both familiar and new artists for you to enjoy. The prior Zunes had a 'Channel' feature too, but I found it lacking in sophistication and accuracy. The 4.0 Zune Marketplace upgrade (the Zune equivalent of iTunes) now has a 'Smart DJ' feature that is a much improved version of the old Channels. I actually find it very useful now, and what's even better is that if you have Zune Pass you can specify whether it should pull music exclusive from your collection, from the Zune Pass selection, or from a combination of both. It's wonderfully flexible and lots of fun.
- Web Browsing
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.
- App Store
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
- Zune Marketplace and iTunes
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
- UI
The HD's UI was a bold move that paid off. It may look cluttered and overly busy in screenshots, but to see it in action is to appreciate the design. It isn't always obvious, and the provided documentation is sparse, but a little experimentation will show you a UI with lots of flexibility, like a menu of favorites, newly added music, and a user-definable set of shortcuts to your favorite playlists, artists, HD Radio stations, etc. One quibble: it takes one too many clicks and touches to bring up the now playing screen after the display has 'gone to sleep' while you're listening to it. Other than that, the UI is delightful.
- Summary
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.
- Current Zune Owners
(See, I didn't forget you! I think owners of any of the older flash players will be delighted at the upgrade, as long as money isn't an issue. Don't hesitate. Those who value the higher capacity of the 80gb or a 120gb will have a tougher choice. If you can't afford both, then you'll have to weigh the ability to be able to have all (or at least most) of your music stored on the device vs the HD radio, better display, and sleeker than a seal UI. As I said before, this new Zune is surprisingly small and light, and you should find one to get a feel for in person too, because then you can really evaluate how compelling those new features are to you. Oh, and don't forget it has an Equalizer if that matters!
Keep in mind: Microsoft has made it clear that the HD line is the future. They were great about giving new features to the older models in the past, but we're seeing a clear signal with the 4.0 Marketplace. Most of the cool new stuff is only going to the new kid on the block, and I think that will continue to be the case. They won't cut you out entirely, but if they're going to concentrate on making the HD succeed, then I suspect that is where most if not all of their future focus and effort will go.
Sorry for the huge review, but I'm really loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
***UPDATE October 2011***: Much has happened since I originally wrote this review. Read more ›
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
Points of comparison:
- Brighter OLED screen with more vivid color and better contrast
OLED screens can wash out in direct sunlight more than others, but in almost any other situation they are clearly preferable, and have a marvelous eye-catching picture that needs to be seen to be appreciated. The screen has slighly lower resolution than the iPod Touch, but is also slightly smaller, so in the end video looks a little less pixellated when viewed closely, and very vivid.
- HD Radio
If you live within the reception area of some HD radio stations this can be a surprisingly nice feature. For me it's not so much the slightly better sound quality as it is the additional streams of content that make this fun. For example, if you tune into an FM station, then it's playing what you here, and if you don't like it too bad. With an HD station, you may tune in and it will be shown with up to three signals to chose from labeled HD1, HD2, and HD3. HD1 may have whatever is playing on the FM version, HD2 may be news, and HD3 might be some alternative music w/ a different theme. For example one of our oldies station in the Boston area broadcasts a love-song themed selection on HD3. One caveat: if you don't have a strong enough signal, these HD versions can cut in and out, making them frustrating to listen to. But, when the signal is strong enough it's very enjoyable.
- 720p video output via (an over-priced) dock. When transferring video content to the Zune you can specify if it should be sized appropriately for playback on the Zune or TV, so if you do plan to just watch on your Zune you won't have the video taking up huge amounts of storage.
- Zune Pass subscription service
This is my favorite feature that will keep me using a Zune until it's pried from my my desperate grasp. For $15 a month I get 10 DRM-free MP3 songs to keep, and unlimited access to millions of songs. As long as you would have bought at least 10 songs anyways that means you're paying only $5 for that access. It's better than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you can listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the exact order you want, AND can either stream this music or store it on your Zune to listen to later, even if out of wifi range. Lots of people present subscription services as something you do INSTEAD of owning music, but at this cheap a price there's no reason you can't use this as a supplement to whatever purchases you make. It's not either/or, it's a wonderful "AND", especially if you're the type who likes to explore and enjoy a broad range of music.
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
- Wireless sync
In addition to wireless net access, you can sync your Zune to your PC wirelessly, which can be quite convenient on occasion. The new Zune HD seems to have better wireless reception than my prior Zunes.
- Smart DJ
Rhapsody first popularized a playlist construction service with its 'Channels' feature, and Apple followed with its 'Genius' feature. The idea is that you specify a song or artist, and the service will construct a playlist of similar music of both familiar and new artists for you to enjoy. The prior Zunes had a 'Channel' feature too, but I found it lacking in sophistication and accuracy. The 4.0 Zune Marketplace upgrade (the Zune equivalent of iTunes) now has a 'Smart DJ' feature that is a much improved version of the old Channels. I actually find it very useful now, and what's even better is that if you have Zune Pass you can specify whether it should pull music exclusive from your collection, from the Zune Pass selection, or from a combination of both. It's wonderfully flexible and lots of fun.
- Web Browsing
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.
- App Store
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
- Zune Marketplace and iTunes
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
- UI
The HD's UI was a bold move that paid off. It may look cluttered and overly busy in screenshots, but to see it in action is to appreciate the design. It isn't always obvious, and the provided documentation is sparse, but a little experimentation will show you a UI with lots of flexibility, like a menu of favorites, newly added music, and a user-definable set of shortcuts to your favorite playlists, artists, HD Radio stations, etc. One quibble: it takes one too many clicks and touches to bring up the now playing screen after the display has 'gone to sleep' while you're listening to it. Other than that, the UI is delightful.
- Summary
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.
- Current Zune Owners
(See, I didn't forget you! I think owners of any of the older flash players will be delighted at the upgrade, as long as money isn't an issue. Don't hesitate. Those who value the higher capacity of the 80gb or a 120gb will have a tougher choice. If you can't afford both, then you'll have to weigh the ability to be able to have all (or at least most) of your music stored on the device vs the HD radio, better display, and sleeker than a seal UI. As I said before, this new Zune is surprisingly small and light, and you should find one to get a feel for in person too, because then you can really evaluate how compelling those new features are to you. Oh, and don't forget it has an Equalizer if that matters!
Keep in mind: Microsoft has made it clear that the HD line is the future. They were great about giving new features to the older models in the past, but we're seeing a clear signal with the 4.0 Marketplace. Most of the cool new stuff is only going to the new kid on the block, and I think that will continue to be the case. They won't cut you out entirely, but if they're going to concentrate on making the HD succeed, then I suspect that is where most if not all of their future focus and effort will go.
Sorry for the huge review, but I'm really loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
***UPDATE October 2011***: Much has happened since I originally wrote this review. Read more ›
914 of 972 people found the following review helpful
Color Name:Black|Size Name:16gb
|
Length:
9:55
Mins
Here is a simple video on the features and what the Zune HD player can do . . .
599 of 644 people found the following review helpful
Color Name:Black|Size Name:16gb
Zune was the laughing stock a couple of years ago when Microsoft released the "brick" 1st-gen Zune. A joke went around about Microsoft's pathetic attempt to enter the "iPod market." So a year passed, and Zune remained a joke in the consumer electronics world and had to endure the jeers and torment of the Apple crowd. When the 2nd Gen Zunes came out, the Zune brand slowly started to see redemption. The Zune 80gb was deemed the first decent competitor to the iPod, but the brand was still in recovery from its hazing.
But for the first time, Microsoft has developed a Zune player that can finally use the words "downright sexy" to describe it. The Zune brand image is building up quickly with the release of the Zune HD, XBOX Live integration, and much-needed marketing.
With the rapid rise of the iPod Touch and iPhone, it's no surprise Microsoft came up with a touchscreen portable media player of its own. However, this is not a copy of the iPod touch at all. Sure the Zune HD features a touchscreen, accelerometer, app support, a strong web browser and other features that made the iPod Touch so popular.
However, the Zune HD has what the iPod Touch lacks, such as...
-ZunePass (Download all the music you want for $15/month, keep 10 songs per month DRM-Free)
-720p HDMI output
-An aesthetically nice software (Zune 4.0 interface is very pretty to look at, not a dull spreadsheet like iTunes)
-An aesthetically nice device OS (Artist pictures and info float around while playing a song, it's cool)
-OLED screen (brighter, more vibrant than LCD)
-Free HD radio
-Radio "tagging" (If you like a song you hear on the radio, "tag" it to add it to your cart for download)
-A feature called "Smart DJ" that functions identically to the online radio service "Pandora" but has no limitations on skips and allows you to rate/download songs you like. Requires a ZunePass though.
-XBOX Live integration
-An advanced nVidia Tegra Chip (A couple of graphically-intense 3D games are coming out this fall, like Burnout: Ferrari Edition)
-On-demand music (play music online with your Zune HD, don't need to download it to your hard drive)
Again, the Zune HD is just simply amazing. With the Nvidia Tegra chip and highly capable processor, the potential for this device is endless. The Zune HD is supposed to be a portable gaming platform to compete head-to-head with the Nintendo DS and PSP brands. I'm excited to see Burnout: Ferrari Edition on it this fall. I'm also looking forward to see more apps as well.
Could this device take significant market share from Apple's iPod Touch? With the right marketing to increase public awareness of this product, yes it definitely can. Every large monopolizing entity like Kmart, GM, and even Apple will dominate a market completely for some period of time. However, times change and something better always comes along. Is this Zune HD the better alternative to the iPod? With some more releases in the app store and updates, it clearly will be. The question is will Apple change and copy the Zune's features including the Zune Pass? I don't know, we'll see. The Zune Pass will clearly become the new standard of digital music services and the $1-per-song marketplace model will not be competitive much longer.
***UPDATE***
I've been getting a lot of comments on my review saying that the Zune's HD radio does not compensate for the lack of online radio services found on the iPod Touch (such as Pandora). I believe I already said in my review that with some more app development the Zune HD will be a strong competitor to the iPod Touch. However, who in the world needs Pandora if you have a Zune Pass? Your Zune will learn your musical tastes and give you recommendations. You can download/stream all the music you want without limits. But if you like Pandora, I suggest playing with the Zune's "Smart DJ". It will create a streaming playlist of songs based on your overall musical tastes or play specifically based on a certain artist.
I also forgot to add the Zune HD does not have an external speaker. If that's a super-important feature to you, the iPod Touch may suit you for now. However you can always get headphone couplers or battery-powered mini-speakers to remedy this.
***UPDATE***
The new apps on the Zune released this fall include some amazing 3D games. They look just as good (if not better) than what you would find on a PSP or Nintendo DS. Among these games are Van's Sk8, Burnout: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt, and many others. Twitter has been released as well and Facebook should follow soon. I have no complaints about the Zune after owning it for a few months. I'm convinced the Zune brand provides the best music experience service ever created.
***UPDATE*** October 2010
It's been a year since I bought the Zune HD. I will never look back at buying another mp3 player. I also discovered in tech blogs that the Zune HD2 is coming. It will have the Windows Phone 7 OS without the phone features (iPod Touch equivalent to the Windows Phones), which means that it will work with all the apps developed by third party programmers. The Windows Phone 7 OS is simply the OS on the Zune HD, but enhanced for more productivity and third party development. It's a strong mobile OS that has an unprecedented amount of flow and integration between all the apps. Microsoft claims there is no need for a copy and paste function because the OS is smart enough to figure out what task you will want to do with the information on the screen.
I've been getting a lot of questions about sound quality. The sound quality is excellent and is certainly superior to the iPod's which is reputed to have poor sound processing hardware (It's all in the exterior design and marketing that brings its success). Of course, really compulsive audiophiles might be happier with the Creative X-Fi portable player but 99% of us wouldn't hear the difference.
There are now 40 free apps in the marketplace. Although it is no iTunes App Store, they are quality apps and the games are a lot of fun especially when I'm waiting in a lobby. The Zune HD2 is where third-party development will take place though, and hopefully that will bring a lot of apps to the table.
***UPDATE*** September 2011
***THE FUTURE OF ZUNE***
I am getting a lot of questions regarding the future of Zune. The Zune HD has been out for two years (well beyond the typical product lifecycle) and we have had no recent indications of a Zune HD2 still in the works. Microsoft claims the Windows Phone 7 was the Zune hardware release for the year (a great OS by the way, it's pretty much a Zune HD with smartphone capabilities). But what about those of us who don't want the phone? The Zune HD seems to slowly be in the process of phasing out production, and there are no clues of a new device to replace them, so should us Zune users start panicking? Will the Zune Pass, Zune service, and devices be no more?
To simply put it, NO. According to several tech blogs with inside connections in the company, Microsoft seems to be transitioning the Zune brand into something else... something bigger picture. With the absorption of Zune developers into the Xbox 360 department, it is a possibility we will see "Zune" become "Xbox" before our eyes. Every Zune service and device will probably be rebranded under the "Xbox" flag, maintaining the same licenses and music/video services associated with Zune. After all, Microsoft is on the path of "One OS to rule them all." The company wants to offer a uniform experience between the PC, the Windows Phone, and Xbox 360. They all have the same GUI and interfaces. Windows 8 will be 100% integrated with Xbox Live. There's even evidence Xbox 360 games will work on Windows 8 PC's!
Anyway, I digress. There are 35 million members on Xbox Live. Why not tap further into that market and offer them a handheld device with the Xbox brand on it? It makes no sense to call the device "Zune" when in fact they are more drawn to the name "Xbox". So ladies and gentlemen, while I am pretty convinced the Zune brand will be no more, all its services and hardware we know and love will now be under the "Xbox" banner.
***SHOULD I BUY THE ZUNE HD THEN?***
You need a music/video player? You hate iTunes? Then yes, by all means still buy the Zune HD. Nothing else out there matches the value of the Zune hardware and the Zune Pass. If the Zune brand is phased out, you're Zune HD will probably be supported under the Xbox marketplace service after an update, and your licenses and music pass will be maintained. I would not worry. I can't imagine Microsoft pulling the plug on the digital distribution of music and videos. I would simply rebrand the name of the service.
But for the first time, Microsoft has developed a Zune player that can finally use the words "downright sexy" to describe it. The Zune brand image is building up quickly with the release of the Zune HD, XBOX Live integration, and much-needed marketing.
With the rapid rise of the iPod Touch and iPhone, it's no surprise Microsoft came up with a touchscreen portable media player of its own. However, this is not a copy of the iPod touch at all. Sure the Zune HD features a touchscreen, accelerometer, app support, a strong web browser and other features that made the iPod Touch so popular.
However, the Zune HD has what the iPod Touch lacks, such as...
-ZunePass (Download all the music you want for $15/month, keep 10 songs per month DRM-Free)
-720p HDMI output
-An aesthetically nice software (Zune 4.0 interface is very pretty to look at, not a dull spreadsheet like iTunes)
-An aesthetically nice device OS (Artist pictures and info float around while playing a song, it's cool)
-OLED screen (brighter, more vibrant than LCD)
-Free HD radio
-Radio "tagging" (If you like a song you hear on the radio, "tag" it to add it to your cart for download)
-A feature called "Smart DJ" that functions identically to the online radio service "Pandora" but has no limitations on skips and allows you to rate/download songs you like. Requires a ZunePass though.
-XBOX Live integration
-An advanced nVidia Tegra Chip (A couple of graphically-intense 3D games are coming out this fall, like Burnout: Ferrari Edition)
-On-demand music (play music online with your Zune HD, don't need to download it to your hard drive)
Again, the Zune HD is just simply amazing. With the Nvidia Tegra chip and highly capable processor, the potential for this device is endless. The Zune HD is supposed to be a portable gaming platform to compete head-to-head with the Nintendo DS and PSP brands. I'm excited to see Burnout: Ferrari Edition on it this fall. I'm also looking forward to see more apps as well.
Could this device take significant market share from Apple's iPod Touch? With the right marketing to increase public awareness of this product, yes it definitely can. Every large monopolizing entity like Kmart, GM, and even Apple will dominate a market completely for some period of time. However, times change and something better always comes along. Is this Zune HD the better alternative to the iPod? With some more releases in the app store and updates, it clearly will be. The question is will Apple change and copy the Zune's features including the Zune Pass? I don't know, we'll see. The Zune Pass will clearly become the new standard of digital music services and the $1-per-song marketplace model will not be competitive much longer.
***UPDATE***
I've been getting a lot of comments on my review saying that the Zune's HD radio does not compensate for the lack of online radio services found on the iPod Touch (such as Pandora). I believe I already said in my review that with some more app development the Zune HD will be a strong competitor to the iPod Touch. However, who in the world needs Pandora if you have a Zune Pass? Your Zune will learn your musical tastes and give you recommendations. You can download/stream all the music you want without limits. But if you like Pandora, I suggest playing with the Zune's "Smart DJ". It will create a streaming playlist of songs based on your overall musical tastes or play specifically based on a certain artist.
I also forgot to add the Zune HD does not have an external speaker. If that's a super-important feature to you, the iPod Touch may suit you for now. However you can always get headphone couplers or battery-powered mini-speakers to remedy this.
***UPDATE***
The new apps on the Zune released this fall include some amazing 3D games. They look just as good (if not better) than what you would find on a PSP or Nintendo DS. Among these games are Van's Sk8, Burnout: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt, and many others. Twitter has been released as well and Facebook should follow soon. I have no complaints about the Zune after owning it for a few months. I'm convinced the Zune brand provides the best music experience service ever created.
***UPDATE*** October 2010
It's been a year since I bought the Zune HD. I will never look back at buying another mp3 player. I also discovered in tech blogs that the Zune HD2 is coming. It will have the Windows Phone 7 OS without the phone features (iPod Touch equivalent to the Windows Phones), which means that it will work with all the apps developed by third party programmers. The Windows Phone 7 OS is simply the OS on the Zune HD, but enhanced for more productivity and third party development. It's a strong mobile OS that has an unprecedented amount of flow and integration between all the apps. Microsoft claims there is no need for a copy and paste function because the OS is smart enough to figure out what task you will want to do with the information on the screen.
I've been getting a lot of questions about sound quality. The sound quality is excellent and is certainly superior to the iPod's which is reputed to have poor sound processing hardware (It's all in the exterior design and marketing that brings its success). Of course, really compulsive audiophiles might be happier with the Creative X-Fi portable player but 99% of us wouldn't hear the difference.
There are now 40 free apps in the marketplace. Although it is no iTunes App Store, they are quality apps and the games are a lot of fun especially when I'm waiting in a lobby. The Zune HD2 is where third-party development will take place though, and hopefully that will bring a lot of apps to the table.
***UPDATE*** September 2011
***THE FUTURE OF ZUNE***
I am getting a lot of questions regarding the future of Zune. The Zune HD has been out for two years (well beyond the typical product lifecycle) and we have had no recent indications of a Zune HD2 still in the works. Microsoft claims the Windows Phone 7 was the Zune hardware release for the year (a great OS by the way, it's pretty much a Zune HD with smartphone capabilities). But what about those of us who don't want the phone? The Zune HD seems to slowly be in the process of phasing out production, and there are no clues of a new device to replace them, so should us Zune users start panicking? Will the Zune Pass, Zune service, and devices be no more?
To simply put it, NO. According to several tech blogs with inside connections in the company, Microsoft seems to be transitioning the Zune brand into something else... something bigger picture. With the absorption of Zune developers into the Xbox 360 department, it is a possibility we will see "Zune" become "Xbox" before our eyes. Every Zune service and device will probably be rebranded under the "Xbox" flag, maintaining the same licenses and music/video services associated with Zune. After all, Microsoft is on the path of "One OS to rule them all." The company wants to offer a uniform experience between the PC, the Windows Phone, and Xbox 360. They all have the same GUI and interfaces. Windows 8 will be 100% integrated with Xbox Live. There's even evidence Xbox 360 games will work on Windows 8 PC's!
Anyway, I digress. There are 35 million members on Xbox Live. Why not tap further into that market and offer them a handheld device with the Xbox brand on it? It makes no sense to call the device "Zune" when in fact they are more drawn to the name "Xbox". So ladies and gentlemen, while I am pretty convinced the Zune brand will be no more, all its services and hardware we know and love will now be under the "Xbox" banner.
***SHOULD I BUY THE ZUNE HD THEN?***
You need a music/video player? You hate iTunes? Then yes, by all means still buy the Zune HD. Nothing else out there matches the value of the Zune hardware and the Zune Pass. If the Zune brand is phased out, you're Zune HD will probably be supported under the Xbox marketplace service after an update, and your licenses and music pass will be maintained. I would not worry. I can't imagine Microsoft pulling the plug on the digital distribution of music and videos. I would simply rebrand the name of the service.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Perks
Honestly I love the product itself, long battery life and sleek design. I have to say the best thing about this is the Zune pass you can get with it. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Indira
Best media player and HD radio with internet/apps as bonus!
I purchased my Zune HD in December 2009, and few months after it was released. I was debating at the time whether to get that or the iPod Touch 3G, and I ultimately decided on the... Read more
Published 21 days ago by piratesmvp04
Love the device hate the quirks that come with it
I had been researching mp3 players since last summer. This would be my first step into the world of mp3 players and I needed to find out what options were available and what price... Read more
Published 23 days ago by James WJ
The worst MP3 player I've ever owned.
I just spent $479.95 and I am very upset with the purchase of my new Zune 64GB HD. One of the reasons I bought it was because of all the high reviews. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Amazon User
OK for music.
I got this product thinking that it would be an awesome gadget to play games on, watch movies on, and listen to music. BUT... Read more
Published 27 days ago by gothickid2006
Great deal
I'm very happy with the refurbished Zune for the price. I bought it mainly for listening to HD radio and it does that very well. The reception is very good. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert Kozdemba
review
i know im probbaly late at reviewing this product but i had it for years now had to get it replaced once but i must admit i loved it when it first came out now i only use it once... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jalen martin
Good for a month
I got this for Christmas last year and it was good for a little over a month, the software started to crash my computer and has been causing my computer problems for a while now,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Katrina L. Smith
Really
Loved my old Zune Hd & still use it even though microsoft has let that ship sale. Its a several year old player and the last of its breed since the Zune brand players are no longer... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ebro66
Only lasts a year
I bought this product a year ago and it no longer works. Two other friends who have had Zunes told me theirs stopped working within less than a year. I would not buy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jackie
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Capacity: 64gb | Color: Black
