While official confirmation of a Zune HD multimedia player doesn’t arrive as much of a surprise given the established rumours pointing to its existence, Microsoft Corp. has this week formally unveiled its latest attempt at wrestling market share from Apple’s dominant iPod line.
Confirmed. But will anyone really care? Image: Microsoft.
Expected to hit the North American territory in the latter half of 2009, the new Zune HD player will boast high-definition video output, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and also a 3.3-inch OLED display with a snazzy touch-screen interface.
According to Redmond-based Microsoft, the latest iteration of its Zune platform will also carry an Internet browser for easy Web surfing, along with a new on-board HD radio receiver developed to offer an elevated level of sound quality above that provided by conventional radio technology.
Despite the Zune HD’s new features and subtle aesthetic tweaks, which see it further straddling the divide between the regular iPod and advanced iPod Touch platforms, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft’s revamped device will shine bright enough to eclipse those on offer from Apple.
Also, it’s worth noting that Microsoft has not yet confirmed or denied the inclusion of focused gaming on its newest Zune, which would be an addition with the potential to vastly increase consumer appeal given the swift game-based traction enjoyed by mobile hardware such as the iPod Touch and iPhone.
Microsoft has said it will demo the Zune HD at the upcoming E3 Expo in Los Angeles, which is an annual event wholly centred on computer, video and mobile gaming in all its guises.
Although concrete price points for the Zune have not yet been divulged by Microsoft, they’re likely to be revealed in the weeks ahead of the device’s retail launch, which the software giant has indicated will be some time in the autumn.
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