Zune HD is official, heading your way this Fall

[xtop]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/z...all/#continued

That's right folks, the Zune HD is real, and it's coming this Fall. Microsoft officially announced the next iteration in their Zune line today, making the Zune HD less of a tripped out pipe dream, and more of a totally tubular reality. The specs for the device (which looks exactly like that leak we saw) go like this: 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, HD Radio receiver built into the device, HD output (utilizing a new dock -- not on-board), and... not much more right now. Microsoft is doing away with the famed squircle in favor a full multitouch device, and they seemed to indicate that some new apps and games that take advantage of said display would be headed our way, though they were fairly mum when it came to details (the device will boast an IE-based, customized browser, but little else was said in the way of applications).

The PR is also scarce on info concerning storage capacities, CPU performance, and other crucial numbers, but it seems like they've got more in store come E3... and that's the next big piece of news. Zune integration is coming to the Xbox and Xbox Live, as the Zune marketplace will step in to replace the current Live video resources, expanding the library and offering all kinds of new perks... like Zune's first foray into international waters. According to the PR, at E3 "attendees will see first-hand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE creating a game-changing entertainment experience" -- we're not entirely sure what the means right now, but it sounds sweet. Try to contain your excitement. Full press release is after the break.


Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service To New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE

REDMOND, Wash. - May 26, 2009 - Zune, Microsoft Corp.'s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today announced the evolution of Zune to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to over 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. Additionally, Zune confirmed the next generation of its portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player with built-in HD Radio receiver, HD video output capabilities, OLED touch screen, wi-fi and an internet browser.

"The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience and we're proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. "Delivering on Microsoft's connected entertainment vision; this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world."

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalogue of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo next week, attendees will see first-hand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE creating a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

· Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users will also have access to the additional song and artist data broadcasted by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD – if you don't like the song playing on your station's HD channel, switch to their HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming

· The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display offers a premium viewing experience on the go

· The HD compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback video from the device through a premium HDMI A/V docking station

· Zune HD will include a full screen internet browser optimized for multi-touch

· Zune HD is wi-fi enabled allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million track Zune music store