Zune HD out now - Hands on demo, and list of features

Brandon Davenport Sep 15, 2009 Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Us Gadgets, Microsoft, Pictures, Reviews, Videos

The Zune HD holds the key to Microsoft's success in the MP3, and portable media device market. If they screw this up, its all over.

But things are looking good! The Zune HD is looking to be a stable, usable and reasonably priced device which has a very good chance at competing with Apple's iPod touch.

Since giving up on the 30, 80 and 120 GB Zunes, Microsoft's focus is concentrated on the success of the Zune HD.

By the way, it has a beautiful OLED screen, Nvidia chipset, Wireless syncing, HD video output and more.

First, a quick hands on demo

Now, what are the features?

Product dimensions 52.7 mm x 102.1 mm x 8.9 mm (w x h x d) HDD size Flash drive size Capacity: 32 gigabytes (GB) Up to 10 hours of high definition video, or 48 hours of standard definition video optimized for device, or 8,000 songs, or 25,000 pictures4	Outputs Headphone jack / AV output Other Battery: Music, up to 33 hours (wireless off); video, up to 8.5 hours5 Charge Time: Approximately 3 hours when connected to your PC, approximately 2 hours with A/C adapter Color: Platinum Silver
Screen Size 3.3-inch OLED color display, 16:9 aspect ratio Type: Scratch-resistant glass with touch input capability Orientation: Vertical (music) and horizontal (pictures and videos) Resolution: 480 pixels x 272 pixels	Wireless connectivity 802.11b/g compatible Wireless sync: Yes Connectivity: 802.11b/g compatible Authentication modes: Open, WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Encryption modes: WEP 64- and 128-bit, TKIP, and AES
Audio Output Optical Digital Audio Out (requires additional dock, sold separately)	Video Output HDMI or Composite (requires additional dock, sold separately)
Radio Built-in FM/HD Radio	Inputs Connector port 3.5mm headphone jack
What's in the box? Included Accessories: Headphones Zune Sync Cable Three pairs of foam earpiece covers	Languages  English, French, Spanish

Also another thing that makes the Zune HD a little better than an iPod

You can customize it to the extreme! You can have a detailed piece of artwork engraved on the back of the Zune or a Halo 3 ODST logo. Try it out

Now for some pictures of the device

Pictures by Engadget

Conclusion

So all in all this device will be the deciding factor in weather Microsoft will be successful in the Media market or if they will just sink. I have a feeling that this is going to be a very useful and exiting device and we will see more like it as other companies decide to jump on the smartphone (minus the phone) bandwagon.