Rumor: Zune Touch in the Works?

[David Tucker]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://t03.us/2009/03/zune-touch-to-hit-sometime-this-summer/' target='_blank'>http://t03.us/2009/03/zune-touch-to...me-this-summer/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"While the picture to the left is confirmed to be a fake, we may know what the actual &ldquo;Zune touch&rdquo; will look like sometime this summer. My source is a user by the name of VolvoShine on twitter." </em></p><p><em></em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1238558178.usr307.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Zune needs something big for the holiday season and while I have no idea how accurate this rumor from <a href="http://t03.us/2009/03/zune-touch-to-hit-sometime-this-summer/" target="_blank">Cruleworld's Lifestream</a> 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!</p><p>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.</p>

[Jason Dunn]

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...

[David Tucker]

I understand all that except the noisy part. I've never noticed the HDD whirring in my Z80.

[USArcher]

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.

[Jason Dunn]

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 (http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/93125/2009-the-last-year-of-the-grind.html). :)

[Jason Dunn]

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.

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! :D

[ACE]

The same dude twittered this -- http://twitter.com/volvoshine/status/1426707250

Maybe something 'bout Zune?? :confused:

[Jason Dunn]

Maybe something 'bout Zune?? :confused:

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...

[serpico]

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.

[lokimotive]

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.

[Ricardo Dawkins]

we'll be following the Bach speech closely...
no time to watch another snore fest. :D

A touch HDD Zune player could be interesting
Archos

[Jason Dunn]

Is this really going to matter now if it comes out? Really?

Tough to say without knowing anything about it - but you think they should just give up and walk away? Really? Do you really think the iPod is so perfect that no one else on the planet should make an MP3 player?

I fail to understand the attitude that some people have where they think no one should compete against the market leaders. Everyone said the same thing about Windows Mobile competing with Palm. They said the same thing about Xbox competing with Sony and Nintendo. Are you a Microsoft shareholder and you're concerned they're squandering company resources? I just don't understand this attitude...I think there's room for innovation and improvements in every market - if there wasn't, Firefox would never have been created.

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.

Amazing that you're giving it a failing mark knowing nothing about it. Maybe you should, oh, give it a chance? :)

[Jason Dunn]

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).

I understand the need for a Web browser for the WiFi, but given Microsoft's stumbles at getting a good browser onto Windows Mobile, I'm sure not holding my breath that they'll get one onto a Zune. :rolleyes:

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.

I think an HDMI output jack would be cool, especially if the Zune could actually play back 720p content! That would rock. You're right though that there might not be a huge market for that...yet I think Microsoft has to go where Apple has not. I think a microSD card slot is one way they could innovate. Maybe a removeable battery on it as well...

[David Tucker]

I understand the need for a Web browser for the WiFi, but given Microsoft's stumbles at getting a good browser onto Windows Mobile, I'm sure not holding my breath that they'll get one onto a Zune. :rolleyes:

Could the same not be said about the media player on Windows Mobile though? ;) And the Zune is just a big media player!

[serpico]

Tough to say without knowing anything about it - but you think they should just give up and walk away? Really? Do you really think the iPod is so perfect that no one else on the planet should make an MP3 player?

Oh Jason, I'm not saying the iPod Touch is perfect nor that competition is not necessary. I owned a zune 30 and currently own the 120 and it is the best alternative to the iPod + iTunes listening process. Living in Canada, I don't get all the benefits US customers get and maybe it would make a difference. Microsoft seems not to care enough of promoting it and now it appears that the focus is moving the zune os software to other devices. We all were disappointed with no new hardware last revision, don't forget. Then we found out they lost $100 million dollars, which gave us an explanation why no new hardware came about. I just don't think a touch device will help Microsoft any further in this arena than where they are now. And no one knows what this device is except Microsoft. Just my 2 Canadian cents.

[Sven Johannsen]

Maybe MS will go the software route on this effort and somebody at XDA developers will work it so I can load it on my iPAQ 211. Big 640x480 touch screen, both CF and SD slots, a few buttons to make some nav possible without having to touch the screen and bring up on screen controls for everything, built in BT (w/A2DP) and WiFi already.

Actually if you got me a Zune-like media player, Zune compatible, and a decent browser, I'd be happy with the 211 the way it is., would make a nice little (relatively) entertainment device.

[bubuschoeny]

Zune hardware is to far behind the curve at this point. Let lose a Zune api for hardware manufactures and make it free. They need heavy market penetration by the end of the year. And with no app for win mo insight until at least mid 2010 Zune is a sinking ship. I don't think a Zune Touch would appeal to anyone at this point either as there are already plenty of niche touch players (or soon to be P3, Sony x1000 to name a few) that can fill that need. MS development life cycle is to long and way to fractured. It's sad, I liked what Zune was doing for a while.