Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)'s new Zune HD MP3 player is drawing mixed reviews from online shoppers -- some like nifty new features like the touch-screen interface while others pan the device's limited storage space.
"I think they've done a really good job with the Zune HD. It's gonna be awesome," said Melissa Bougneit, who posted a review Thursday on Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN).com.
But C. Hunt said even the larger 32 GB Zune HD is lacking in terms of having enough space to store songs, videos, and other digital content. "I've got myself an 80 GB and the biggest Zune would leave me hanging with nothing left for expansion," said Hunt.
A user going by the name "Blink Blink" agreed. "32 GB is an insult to me and many of Zune's loyal users," "Blink Blink" said of the player, which uses flash-based memory and thus has less space than MP3 players that rely on a hard disk drive to save content.
On the upside, flash devices are generally more response than those that use HDD and start up faster.
Even "Blink Blink" said Zune's overall design and advanced features were impressive. "I'm a power user and all of its specifications are an Apple buster," said the user.
Both the 16 GB black version and the 32 GB platinum model Zune HDs can be pre-ordered from Microsoft's Zune site or from retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart. The 16 GB device is priced at $219, while its larger cousin goes for $289.
Zune HD is the first Zune model to feature a touch-screen interface similar to that found on Apple's iPhone. It also offers a built-in HD Radio receiver, 720p HD video output capabilities, a Wi-Fi antenna, and a Web browser. Zune HD uses Nvidia's Tegra chip, an ultralow-power HD processor, to achieve high-definition output.
Microsoft needs Zune HD to be a hit, as the company has become all but an afterthought in a mobile entertainment market dominated by Apple's iPhone and iPod devices. Revenue from the company's Entertainment and Devices Division, which houses Zune, fell 25% year-over-year in the most recent quarter -- to $1.2 billion.
Zune sales were particularly sluggish. Microsoft's EDD unit saw non-gaming sales, mostly from Zune, plummet by 42%.
This shows that you can't please anyone.
And it really sucks because people don't realize the price it would be with a 64 GB Flash Drive or that HDDs and Touch screens don't mix.
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Sorry, but I moved stuff around in your post(without deleting anything) to make it the format of the other articles(Pic, then article, then link, and finally opinion and what not).
But I do agree with you. Although it is rumored that there will be a 64GB model soon.
I saw all of that stuff on amazon, and i wanted to post and BITCH those people out, for being whiny little assholes. I tried to tell them that HDD's and capacitive touch screens don't work, that a 64gb (or even an 80gb flash. wtf, that person is retarded) might come, and that anything more than that would be expensive, very expensive. But amazon won't let people that haven't bought something there, post, so those uneducated losers got to keep their un-informed idioctic opinions.
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the zune team...... people... most people go with trends and since everyone has an ipod they walk in to the store and buy an ipod, and not pick or look from the long list of choices. so putting aside the hardware and software side of the zune what do you see left? apple doesn't waist money on advertising ipods because it has become the Louis Vuitton of mp3 players and the zune is Guess(because when you ask people if they ever heard of zune they reply zune(?)....
ps even tho Louis Vuitton is expensive people still buy it anyway and of lately it has become a trend ...why you ask? because entertainers wear it and evrybody else has it so why shouldn't you?
the zune team...... people... most people go with trends and since everyone has an ipod they walk in to the store and buy an ipod, and not pick or look from the long list of choices. so putting aside the hardware and software side of the zune what do you see left? apple doesn't waist money on advertising ipods because it has become the Louis Vuitton of mp3 players and the zune is Guess(because when you ask people if they ever heard of zune they reply zune(?)....
ps even tho Louis Vuitton is expensive people still buy it anyway and of lately it has become a trend ...why you ask? because entertainers wear it and evrybody else has it so why shouldn't you?
MS you have a lot of advertising to do good luck!
I agree completely but if poeple know that the pricing is down that much from a 32gb Itouch then Microsoft will get a better name but I agree microsoft has a lot more advertising to do
What reviews ? did anyone get the final device with the final firmware and software 4.0 ?
What a bunch of whiners ? I bet they will be getting the same firmware for their Zune 80 / Zune 120 as the ZuneHD sans those advanced features like web browser, etc.
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I'm surprised that people are so up in armson the size. Is it any different from when the iPod Touch came out? It's a flash memory so to keep retail costs down they can't have large capiacity. And to be honest, 32 is plenty for 90% of people. The Zune HD's main purpose is to look pretty, compete with the iPod Touch, and output 720 videos.
I'm surprised that people are so up in armson the size. Is it any different from when the iPod Touch came out? It's a flash memory so to keep retail costs down they can't have large capiacity. And to be honest, 32 is plenty for 90% of people. The Zune HD's main purpose is to look pretty, compete with the iPod Touch, and output 720 videos.
If you want a storage beast, get the 80 or 120.
A lot people do not get that flash memory is a lot more expensive than hard drives. They are used to 80 GB or 120 GB, so when they see that the Zune HD will only have 16 GB or 32 GB for now, they freak out.
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I could probably never fill up my 120 or 80GB zunes, but I have to admit, I am a little nervous that I'll run out of space for my many movies. It is probably just because I won't have the 120GB cushion to fall back on with a 32GB device. But in reality I'll probably be fine.
How's this mixed review? For one thing, nobody has really been able to test it yet, let alone be able to review it faithfully. Two, the only downside anyone can come up with is its small hard drive? Unfortunately everyone is going to be comparing this to the iTouch, and last I checked, there isn't an 80 Gig iTouch. No matter which side you are on, if you want high capacity, you give up on features and get a HDD "iPod Classic" or a Zune 120.
People are so desperate to find flaws when the thing hasn't even been released and final capabilities are still undefined...
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How's this mixed review? For one thing, nobody has really been able to test it yet, let alone be able to review it faithfully. Two, the only downside anyone can come up with is its small hard drive? Unfortunately everyone is going to be comparing this to the iTouch, and last I checked, there isn't an 80 Gig iTouch. No matter which side you are on, if you want high capacity, you give up on features and get a HDD "iPod Classic" or a Zune 120.
People are so desperate to find flaws when the thing hasn't even been released and final capabilities are still undefined...
Run of the mill Apple fanboy right there.
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08:13 PM <tee1000> ya
08:12 PM <Jesus> sex while stoned tee?
08:10 PM *tee1000 has an epic idea..maybe
It just seems contradictory to me...give it HD video output capabilities and then have a 32GB max capacity. They should have just thrown in a HDD, but I guess that's too big. I guess we'll just have to give it time.
It just seems contradictory to me...give it HD video output capabilities and then have a 32GB max capacity. They should have just thrown in a HDD, but I guess that's too big. I guess we'll just have to give it time.
32 GB is plenty of space on which to put a few HD movies, so I do not see how that is contradictory. If they put a hard drive in it, they would have had to make the touch screen resistive, meaning no glass screen and no multi-touch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurta
If they gave it a HDD, people would complain about the size, calling it a "brick" like they did the 30
People will complain no matter what unless Microsoft creates a custom device for them that has exactly what they want.
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I wish microsoft would put out an announcement explaining why there isn't a larger capacity since people automatically assume "microsoft is not a giant corporation who doesn't know how to make a product". I wish people would think "there must be a reason why they wouldn't have a larger size"
Please read this, Flash is not ready to bust out 64gb and no where near 128gb. Flash is different than a HDD. To have and HDD you wouldn't have the small physical size or the same touchscreen at all. So please understand microsoft does know what they are doing and no you're not smarter than them.
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08:13 PM <tee1000> ya
08:12 PM <Jesus> sex while stoned tee?
08:10 PM *tee1000 has an epic idea..maybe
32 GB is plenty of space on which to put a few HD movies, so I do not see how that is contradictory. If they put a hard drive in it, they would have had to make the touch screen resistive, meaning no glass screen and no multi-touch.
People will complain no matter what unless Microsoft creates a custom device for them that has exactly what they want.
I just wish I could use it as my main device, but since it only has enough space for my music then I can't. I understand the limitations, and yes I complained, and I still want one, I just don't know if I should go ahead and buy it and be wise with my files or wait for a while until a 64GB comes out. HD videos take up a lot of space but then again who cares...
Zune HD Draws Mixed Reviews
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