04-01-2009, 07:30 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,053
|
|
Rumor: Zune Touch in the Works?
"While the picture to the left is confirmed to be a fake, we may know what the actual “Zune touch” will look like sometime this summer. My source is a user by the name of VolvoShine on twitter." 
Zune needs something big for the holiday season and while I have no idea how accurate this rumor from Cruleworld's Lifestream may be, I think it would be a good release. And while the picture we've seen is a known fake, a touch version of the Zune would be very similar I think. I mean, there's really not much you can do with a touch device as far as looks. Its going to be a screen and maybe a button! The Zune would do well with a larger screen for video. Especially if they could ever get some sort of subscription service going. I'm not letting go of that dream! My only hope, if this were announced, is that it used an HDD rather than flash memory because I don't feel that flash gives you a good value for your money with a device like this.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 07:37 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tucker
My only hope, if this were announced, is that it used an HDD rather than flash memory because I don't feel that flash gives you a good value for your money with a device like this.
|
I hope the opposite actually - because if it's HD-based, it will be thicker, noisier, and suck more battery power than it would if it were flash-based. True, you don't get as much storage, but I'd rather have a slender device...
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 07:59 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,053
|
|
I understand all that except the noisy part. I've never noticed the HDD whirring in my Z80.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 09:10 PM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 94
|
|
I lean towards a flash based device because I don't need to take *everything* with me. And at home, I'd rather it support streaming from a network source. The ability to specify some filtering parameters on the sync would make life easier. In my eyes, battery life trumps capacity.
One suggestion to Microsoft is to offer a SD card expansion slot in addition to built-in memory. One stipulation, which I think most would be okay with, is you can only put DRM-free content on the external memory. 16GB should be minimum built-in and I'd shoot for a $179 price tag.
I don't think this should be an iTouch/PDA type of device. If you (like me) want that, then wait for Zune to come to Windows Mobile devices or install Zune on a netbook. A Zune Touch should be a pure media device..with glorious screen/sound. Something you can put into a teenager's hands and not have to worry about minutes being racked up. The key is to make the most of the screen space to make it the most engaging it can be. But the device should be internet aware, so when you are looking at a particular artist..you have access to web based conten: bio, gossip channel, interviews, etc. The one communication feature that Zune should support regardless of Mobile partner objections, Instant Messaging. I don't see how you can build a community without it.
__________________
Windows 7 - Gateway Laptop, Windows 7- Gateway Desktop - Dual 22" LCD
Windows 7 Media Center - HTPC homebrew, Dual Tuner
XBox 360, Zune 120 and Windows Home Server - HP MediaSmart (3 TB)
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 09:44 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tucker
I understand all that except the noisy part. I've never noticed the HDD whirring in my Z80.
|
It's not like it's very loud, but the the other day I fired it up and heard it pretty clearly. Maybe I'm just sick of hearing any of my hard drives. 
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 09:46 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by USArcher
One suggestion to Microsoft is to offer a SD card expansion slot in addition to built-in memory. One stipulation, which I think most would be okay with, is you can only put DRM-free content on the external memory. 16GB should be minimum built-in and I'd shoot for a $179 price tag.
|
I agree that expandable storage would be great, though I'd settle for microSD - putting an SD card slot in there would take up a big amount of space, and microSD cards are uber-cheap nowadays. The $179 USD price point would be great, but I don't know if they can build a device with a great screen and great performance and have it be that cheap.
Quote:
Originally Posted by USArcher
A Zune Touch should be a pure media device..with glorious screen/sound. Something you can put into a teenager's hands and not have to worry about minutes being racked up. The key is to make the most of the screen space to make it the most engaging it can be. But the device should be internet aware, so when you are looking at a particular artist..you have access to web based conten: bio, gossip channel, interviews, etc.
|
Sounds great - I'll take one! 
|
| |
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 11:30 PM
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 11:38 PM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACE
Maybe something 'bout Zune??  |
Possibly, though I kind of doubt it - CTIA is a bad place to announce anything Zune-related. Watch PPCT and SPT tomorrow, we'll be following the Bach speech closely...
|
| |
|
|
|
04-02-2009, 01:18 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
|
|
Is this really going to matter now if it comes out? Really?
I think maybe hardcore iPod haters or zune lovers will buy this. It's a game of cat and mouse now with Microsoft. They really need to think out of the box with the Zune. I tried so hard to use my Zune120 as my main listening device but it never got to that level. A touch screen Zune won't change that.
__________________
|
| |
|
|
|
04-02-2009, 01:42 AM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by serpico
Is this really going to matter now if it comes out? Really?
|
I tend to agree with this, though I'm more optimistic towards the Zune, I think. I like my Zune 120, and I'm glad that there is a fairly widely available alternative HDD player, but Microsoft needs to stop trying to play catch up with iPod by focusing on providing innovative features that the iPod doesn't deliver (and expanding that drive beyond wireless music sharing) and looking into the problems that have been inherent with the iPod from the get go.
A touch HDD Zune player could be interesting, if only because it would be the only HDD player on the market with the functionality implied in a touch screen. Hopefully it would have a web browser, one of the most frustrating impediments in the current web access with the Zune is that can't work in any network that requires a web based logon (like campuses and coffee shops).
That being said, it would be great if Microsoft could come up with some sort of killer functionality. I've always thought it would be rather cool to have a portable player with High Definition multi channel downloadable audio, that has an HDMI output jack but I highly doubt there's a huge market for such a thing.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
