Microsoft’s Zune HD to debut 15 September
17 Aug 2009
Microsoft has said its latest version of its answer to the Apple iPod, the Zune portable media player will debut in the US on 15 September.
The new Zune HD will be available in two versions with capacities of 16 and 32 gigabytes. It features a 3.3-inch OLED touch-screen, built-in wifi and radio receiver. The Zune HD stores and plays back video content in high definition (720p) with a special dock connected to a television set.
The Zune has been aggressively priced at $219.99, which works out to $80 less than Apple's iPod touch.
It is designed to work in tandem with Microsoft's Xbox 350 games console.
The new Zune is the third version of Microsoft's portable player which has till now fallen woefully short of achieving the kind of success of Apple's iPod range which commands a 70 per cent share of the portable players market.
The device is available for pre-order ahead of its 15 September launch but Microsoft has no plans to launch it outside of US as per its earlier statement.
Microsoft is banking on the device's ability to stream and download music from its Zune Marketplace to make a dent in Apple's dominating presence in the personal media player market.