[Brothernod]

I don't know about that. I don't think I want 10 different "zune" products and to have to try to explain to a family member or friend exactly which one does what they want.

I can understand more expensive devices doing more, but things need to remain simple, 3 product lines seems to make sense, it mimics Apple, in a good way.

I also don't think a $300 gaming portable device would sell. I know I wouldn't buy one. I wonder just how many of the non-base model flash devices sell. Considering they double in storage every year, it always seem silly to go above the base model.

[Brothernod]

I don't know about that. I don't think I want 10 different "zune" products and to have to try to explain to a family member or friend exactly which one does what they want.

I can understand more expensive devices doing more, but things need to remain simple, 3 product lines seems to make sense, it mimics Apple, in a good way.

I also don't think a $300 gaming portable device would sell. I know I wouldn't buy one. I wonder just how many of the non-base model flash devices sell. Considering they double in storage every year, it always seem silly to go above the base model.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Adam Krebs

Here's hoping for some international love this time around. Gizmodo seems to think it's so: "Other tidbits: The Zune Marketplace is set to cross oceans, coming to several western European countries and, finally, Canada."

Yeah, there's another article I have to publish where Chris Stephenson talks about the plans for releasing marketplace across the pond.

Originally Posted by Adam Krebs

Also, I think the black back looks a lot better than the grey one. I'll hold out judgment on platinum until I see more shots. Fall can't come soon enough!

Yeah, I'll want to see them in person too, but I think the black looks slick

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Please bring this to the UK with a Zune Pass option! I'm fed up of Apple charging for iPod touch software updates.

This is a curious statement. You're saying you'd switch to the Zune if you had access to the Zune Pass, but only because the Zune updates are free? You can switch today and not have to pay for updates if you don't mind not having the Zune Pass.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Kacey Green

I don't mind flash-based, but my 120 is nearly full, maybe a 128 GB ssd option? or if there is anything like that out there

The problem is cost. 128 GB SSD is still very expensive - it would drive up the cost of the device to the point where it wouldn't recoup the costs of making it. I'd love a 128 GB SSD version, but not if it cost $699. So I think you're going to be out of luck - it just means you can't keep EVERYTHING you want on the Zune HD at once and have to ration your storage a bit.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Kacey Green

I just thought of this, WMV HD is pretty chunky you'd need more than the 120s to get a nice comfortable amount of both video and audio in there

Yeah, here's definitely a tension between a Flash-based device that will have limited storage (compared to a hard drive model) and the fact that it can play back HD content, which takes up lots of storage space. I wish Flash memory were cheaper and they could do a 128 GB device and keep the price low...but we're not there yet.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by inteller

what prevents the Zune 30/80/120 from providing 480p out? They allowed the Zune 80 to do 480i out with the Home A/V kit, but the FReescale CPU in these is capable of doing much more.

Nearly all modern TVs will interlace a de-interlaced signal, so 480i vs 480p is basically a moot point. And 640 x 480 is DVD resolution (720 x 480 is that whole square vs. non-square pixel thing). So you've already gotten your wish. It's just not that impressive.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Brothernod

After that my next thoughts were off the loss of buttons :/ One of my favorite things about my Zune 80 is being able to change songs without pulling it out of a pocket

Yeah, that's one of the things I'm grumpy about as well - touch is all well and good, but by getting rid of the d-pad and the buttons, it's less useful as a device in a lot of ways. Pure touch games for instance are much more limited than games based around a d-pad and buttons. I think that by them going for a 16:9 aspect ratio, they dropped off the d-pad to prevent it from getting too tall. They could have left a few buttons on there though...I really like the speed of navigation and use that the buttons give me on the Zune we have today. Navigating the iPod Touch is sloooow in comparison when it comes to music.

Originally Posted by Brothernod

What I really want to see is a video rental service for the Zune and 360 like the Zune pass. Netflix is cool, but it's all streaming which doesn't do my Zune any good, and the selection is pretty hit or miss.

But what if you could download the Netflix content? I think we're going to see some interesting announcements at E3.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by inteller

This device as it is needs to be a 32Gb SSD for $199. A gaming oriented device with 64Gb SSD needs to be $299.

On what planet is a 32 GB Flash device $199? Apple buys more Flash memory than basically anyone on the planet, so they get better prices than anyone else...and their 32 GB device is $399. What an imagination you have!

As for a gaming device, nah, I don't see that happening. Microsoft can't take on Apple AND Nintendo at the same time. It's just too much - and they have more than enough trouble trying to match up to Apple's offerings.

Some of the rumours that originated on other sites are downright stupid. When the Zune HD is fully unveiled a lot of people are going to have egg on the faces about what their supposed "sources" told them. People are willing to believe anything it seems...

[inteller]

"When the Zune HD is fully unveiled a lot of people are going to have egg on the faces about what their supposed "sources" told them."


WTF? It HAS been revealed.

[Brothernod]

Jason, do you know (are allowed to say) a rough release window? Just curious if I need to tell my friends to wait until September or October, it's kind of hard to suggest a non-technical person waits 4 months for something they want as is.

I also gotta say I didn't believe the OLED rumor when I heard it, so the rumor mill made a great call on that one. I figured they were still too expensive based on Sony's pricing for it.

As far as navigating I have mixed feelings. When it comes to actually manipulating my playing music I'll take my zune over my iPhone hands down. Skipping tracks and restarting them and pausing with a single press just can't be beat by a touch screen with multipresses and a requirement to look. When it comes to selecting music though, I don't know. I tend to overshoot my target with my Zune a lot which is annoying, and the ability to skip directly to a letter by pressing on the side of the iPhone is very nice.
Ignoring input method the on the go playlist features of the iPod beat the Zune hands down (man is it annoying having to click ok after each song). I'd really like to see improvements there from Microsoft.

I have a lot of love for my Zune, and a big part of that is their love for me, their consumer. The fact that they actively work to update the device I purchased years after I purchased it, builds a lot of loyalty. I think any one that accepts Apple's "accounting" excuses for charging for iPod touch updates is a mindless sheep.

Keep up the great site Jason.