As the Microsoft userbase should know by now, the Windows maker introduced its first touchscreen, portable media player at the D7 technology show on Thursday. Surprisingly, those who've had a hands-on with the device have characterized it as quite impressive, and downright better than the iPod touch.
In what is sure not to resonate with Apple fans' view of a portable player, Brian Lam at Gizmodo claims the device is “tighter and more physically beautiful than the iPod Touch.” Moreover, the device (in the author's opinion) “has got a better UI,” with the main menu's scrolling feeling particularly “natural through the swipe gestures.”
Microsoft has placed the power button on top, with the home button below and to the left of the screen (as the device is held vertically). Under the volume toggle, there was a note saying "Hello from Seattle," according to the report.
Speaking about the home button in particular, the tester found it “nice and prominent,” though smaller than the one found on Apple's devices, describing it as “a bar rather than a round button.” The report also suggests that, although the device is sleek and extremely user-friendly, early adopters will not benefit from the variety of software applications that iPod touch users are enjoying.
While Softpedia hasn't been lucky enough to get a hands-on with the Zune HD just yet, I'm holding off any compliments regarding the aesthetics of the device, being quite taken by Apple's designs. And, as I'm sure readers of our Mac section agree, Microsoft's approach is not at all surprising.
Admittedly, the Zune HD isn't half bad (looking), while the hands-on video does show an impressively accurate and fast response to accelerometer input. However, history has shown that a good way to sell a product is by intriguing the customer. Microsoft has played it safe here, carefully building a device that looks normal enough not to frighten potential buyers, whereas Apple experiments, innovates and, in most cases, delivers the most amazing products on the market.
- Speaking of which, I can't wait to see what Apple has prepared for us at WWDC 09 -
So it's simply a matter of taste, and Apple fanboys have no problem being identified as the ones who thought “different” when making their pick. The iPod touch ranks high in every aspect, from design to software, from portability to wearability.
I believe that most people (Mac and PC users alike) would grab the iPod touch in a jiffy, had it been less expensive, but they simply won't admit it. So again, I turn to you, the readers. What is so spectacular about the Zune HD that yours truly simply doesn't see?
Sound Quality. The one factor which truly differentiates Zune from iPod, is the sound quality. In that respect, Zune is a superior porduct. I have owned the 120gb version of each player.
If the new Zune HD is anything like the one I owned, with added features as described, then I can't wait to ditch the iPod!!!
What is so spectacular about the Zune HD that yours truly simply doesn't see?
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First let me call shennaigans on you not thinking that microsofts UI and design for the player is far superior. The design of the touch is beautiful, minimalisitic, smooth, and classic apple. When I saw it I thought it was the peek of PMP design. But Microsoft outdid them. Admit it. The sleek industrial looks stunning next to an ipod touch.
Next the screen. OLED screens are beautiful. They are the peek of display technology at this time. Its display has richer blacks and colors. The display is nothing short of breathtaking.
What about HD radio? Sometimes you just dont want to listen to your musics. Maybe your tired of it. Maybe you wanna try something new. Not only do you get FM AND AM, you get them in perfect quality. iPod doesnt do this.
Apps are stupid. At least the majority of them. The majority of apps on my iPhone touch are pointless gimmicks. Lightsaber, flashlight, beer drinky cup thing, and other useless things. It is not a selling point. And I'm sure microsoft will copy the ideas of the USEFUL apps and just port them over.
Next is the fact that microsoft has announced it will offer the zune at $100 less than the matching capacities of the iPod. Next is the fact that it can play 720p movies, and has an HDMI out for playing video off your zune and onto your tv.
Or how about the fact that its going to hook up to my xbox360 and allow me to play arcade games on my xbox on my zune? Its better and cheaper, and if apple doesnt announce something better at wwdc i know what ill be asking for for christmas.
Comment #2.1 by: Gallleke on 31 May 2009, 18:31 GMT
yeah sure dude:
1. radio is avalaible on the ipod touch, with the allradio app which costs only 79 cent
2. apps are stupid if you buy the stupid ones dork. youre making a list of all the first free apps, those are really pointless but funny apps, i can give you a list of great apps, and even if they are not free, they are wonderful
3. i dont have an xbox
4. an ipod touch can also connect to the tv
5. an ipod touch is definitely nicer and more original of course
6. an ipod touch has a great great great ipod, thats apples speciality
7. an ipod touch has a very nice video player, very easy to use programs built in to it
8. an ipod touch is very very small
9. if you want some more good things let me know
Comment #2.2 by: sd on 06 Jul 2009, 00:30 GMT
ok, to Gallleke,
1. as far as i know, the ipod touch doesnt hve an hd radio
2. ipod touch wont play hd movies on the tv.
3. everybody sais that the zune hd looks way better.
4. zune hd also has a great video player.
5.wat do u mean the ipod touch has a great ipod. every pmp has a music player built in, including the zune hd.
6. ipod touch is small...zune hd is smaller.
7. and chek this out, its about the processing chip inside the zune hd: http://www.zuneboards.com/?p=vB43372
im still keeping an open mind however, the zune hd is missing the 35000 apps that apple is offering, plus, if the touch 3rd gen comes out with a camera, that will also mke the zune hd go once again into the background.
Sound Quality, Sound Quality, Sound Quality. I am a professional musician and my girlfriend let me play with her Zune and I used the same headphones on both my itouch and the zune. The difference was amazing -- the zune captures the subtle sound qualities so much better! Also, I must say that what is overlooked is the Zune software on the PC. wow!!! It really is cool, easy to use, and very slick -- much slicker than itunes. bottom line is that apple is fantastic at innovating, but microsoft is great at playing catch up and then perfecting. good job here microsoft!
i have owned an itouch and a zune, i love them both. but one thing zune has is infact sound quality, although itouch has better more sleek looks in my oppinion.
yes the itouch has HD radio, its in the apps store which i think is filled with some over priced useless junk. but on the flip side does have some things that come in handy for school, work, social life, and boredom. i am a senior in high school and i use many apps including graphing calculators, book notes, equation formulas, easy terms, timelines, the list goes on.
the itouch also has HD video, and can hook up to your television. although zune has this function also
the bottom line is there are two things i think that set these two apart
1. Zune has unbeatable sound quality
2. itunes app store.
both easy fixes on both ends, and will cost almost the same.
As far as i know the zuneHD is better than the ipod on all fronts except for the glorified apps and the web browser but nothing a little elbow grease and firmware updates can't fix! but of course seeing as how ipod touch has been out for years now everyone thinks of that when they think of touch screen portable media players but that DOES NOT mean it's better it simply means that it is more well known that's it and on the apps thing the zuneHD has been out what? a month now? give it a break already apple fanboys =/
