So the rumor was indeed true. What I assumed would be announced at E3 2009 a few months ago, has officially been announced now. Or at least, I’m just finding out about it now thanks to Leo Laporte mentioning it on the radio this morning. The release of the new Zune HD is right around the corner. Possibly in October. That would certainly seem possible since Microsoft plans on opening it’s first retail stores as well as releasing Windows 7 in October. But will it sell? Can it compete with Apple? That will be for you and the rest of the gadget-whores to decide. For me? If it doesn’t have some type of gaming application, it’s a no buy for me. I could care less about putting pictures on a small portable device and to see the picture turn at the same time I rotate it. Who cares? That’s not a reason to buy this thing. However, what I do like is this… the capability to take video from your Zune HD, and hook it up to a TV and get up to 720p HD resolution. That’s pretty impressive.
I was hoping to be blown away by whatever Microsoft had planned for the Zune HD, but at this point, I remain a skeptic. Until I can actually get my hands on it and test it out for myself, I will be in no rush to purchase this. We still have plenty more details we need to learn before any of us can make that kind of a decision. Does it have Wi–Fi? What is the Internet browser like and I can I browse when hooked up to the tele? Will it have game apps you can download like the iPhone or PSPGo? If so, how in the hell do you play it with just a touch screen? And if this isn’t a portable gaming device now and won’t be in the future, I have one question I’d like to ask to Microsoft: Where in the hell is the Xbox handheld!? Build it Microsoft.. build it, and they will come.
Read more on the new Zune HD at Gizmodo…
New Zune undercuts Apple’s iPod Prices -WSJ
Update: 16GB Zune to cost $219 and the 32GB is to sell for $289. Supposed to come out in Sept. Please feel free to comment on why you will or will not buy this.
The Gamer Report 