Image of Zune HD's marketplace surfaces, leaves much to the imagination

Clamoring for even the tiniest morsel of Zune HD news? This might just do the trick. Xbox 360 Program Manager "Fitret" has posted on Twitter a pic of his new Tegra-infused portable that happens to show a glimpse of the marketplace section, specifically an artist sub-menu for The Hold Steady. Like we said it isn't much, but it is a mighty attractive design, and certainly a menu we haven't played with yet. Now how about a firm release date and price, eh Steve?

[Thanks, Taylor]

[Nerdy Desi @ Jul 11th 2009 6:19PM]

Now how about a firm release date and price, eh Steve?

Steve Jobs is going to announce those details for the Zune?

[MaX PL @ Jul 11th 2009 6:21PM]

i cant wait til september. this thing will be mine.

[miko34 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:24PM]

Uh ... Steve Ballmer, perhaps?

[Nerdy Desi @ Jul 11th 2009 6:25PM]

Whoops. : )

[brr404 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:53PM]

(>^.^)>September 8 will probably be the release date according to trusted sources, and the 16Gb will range from $249-$279

[TomTom2007 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:58PM]

Upon first reading your comment, I didn't even catch that.... damn Nerdy Desi, you are good.

[jon @ Jul 11th 2009 7:02PM]

@tomtom

I'm confused, you're giving him props for being confused?

[Joseph @ Jul 11th 2009 7:24PM]

I'll get you, Eh! Steve, if it's the last thing I dooooooo!

[Jesse Dula @ Jul 11th 2009 8:22PM]

I see what you did there. Fail.

[Gad Get @ Jul 11th 2009 9:41PM]

@ jon

Yes, and kudos to you as well.

[KRIS_C_123 @ Jul 12th 2009 2:24AM]

DSG is back!! :| I thought she was gone forever, there is no god!

[aaron @ Jul 11th 2009 6:20PM]

I really like how they are doing the background images of the artist..... alot like the now playing section of the zune software which I am a big fan of. (really makes the whole device look more graphical pleasing imo)

[WindowsFTW @ Jul 12th 2009 9:50PM]

Indeed.
Looks great.

[derX @ Jul 11th 2009 6:21PM]

Sweet! Marketplace, I can't wait to download some music legally on the go! *shifty eyes*

----

I just really wanna see that browser.

[Mmmm... Dohnuts. @ Jul 11th 2009 9:33PM]

Yes, well, music is -much- cheaper on the Zune, so most people actually WILL be filling their entire libraries with stuff downloaded using this service on the go*

*and then they'll pay $15 a month to keep their music for the remainder of their natural lives :\

[Sam @ Jul 11th 2009 10:09PM]

marketplac

[kazbaeden @ Jul 12th 2009 1:00PM]

It's more like marketplacє

[Stevo32792 @ Jul 12th 2009 2:00PM]

@Mmmm... Dohnuts.

You realize you can PURCHASE music right, you don't have to get it through the subscription....

[WixosTrix @ Jul 12th 2009 9:21PM]

I don't mind listening to millions of songs while getting 7,200 free songs, which I won't really need cuz I have subscription, for the next 60 years for just $10,800.

[Jon @ Jul 11th 2009 6:22PM]

What is an Xbox 360 Program manager doing with a Zune HD anyways?

Love the interface, BTW.

[Cody @ Jul 11th 2009 6:40PM]

Maybe the 360 and Zune HD will be better integrated.

[Nomi @ Jul 11th 2009 7:04PM]

Zune marketplace on the 360...

[swhite237 @ Jul 12th 2009 9:43PM]

The Zune division is under the 360 executive staff at Microsoft. They were given permission to build a PMP because of the success they had with creating the Xbox's vertically integrated services. The Xbox manager has a Zune because he is, or works with, Zune managers. Hope that answers your question : )

[Aaron C-T @ Jul 12th 2009 12:35AM]

If I'm not mistaken, the design team of the Xbox/Zune team are closely related. At the very least, the wiki page for the Zune says they were given the chance to design it.

[Apollo @ Jul 12th 2009 8:27AM]

The Zune team were the first with the deisgn. The Xbox team has changed their interface to better resemble that of the Zunes.

[miko34 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:24PM]

Are they going to update the software for the older Zunes too?
I'm happy with mine the way it is, but just wondering.

[Decoy @ Jul 11th 2009 11:28PM]

I'd like the games to hae better support, e.g. install / uninstall from the software. Also, I' like to browse my MP3 folder on my PC via wifi. That would be rad.

[Aaron C-T @ Jul 12th 2009 12:58AM]

They'll probably update the software that you use on the computer, but the firmware for the devices is another story. They obviously can't really put the UI stuff that they built around the Tegra, and touch stuff won't be coming along, although I guess it'd be easier to play a touch game using the Zune Pad then the old Zune 30 D-Pad.

[oliver hart @ Jul 12th 2009 12:40PM]

Ybor city is tres speedy but they throw such killer parties

[WixosTrix @ Jul 12th 2009 9:28PM]

I thought they said there was going to be an update for the olders HDD models to have a browser with an on screen keyboard. There also has to be some kind of update for the older devices to be able to communicate with the ZuneHD and capabilities for whatever XBox integration come up.

[E C S Sucks @ Jul 11th 2009 6:26PM]

UK pretty please. I'm buying a cheap ramos until christmas.

[dredg96 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:32PM]

they are releasing it to the uk same time the Zune HD and 4.0 software is released also you guys are going to get a marketplace too.

[E C S Sucks @ Jul 11th 2009 6:40PM]

They said that first time around.

[Jakob @ Jul 12th 2009 3:46AM]

Yep they really need to launch it in Europe at the same time, tired of lame apologies - of course does a large company like Microsoft have the capacity to make a worldwide launch.

Beside that, Zune HD is just wow!

[Templarian @ Jul 11th 2009 6:27PM]

I can't wait to try one of these out.

"The Hold Steady", my friend was wearing one of their shirts at a party last night.

[o29 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:35PM]

I'm a bit surprised to see them on Engadget.

[insky @ Jul 11th 2009 6:35PM]

I've always been impressed by the Artist Now Playing animations on the software, and have always wanted them on the Zune itself. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, this is the now playing screen. http://i26.tinypic.com/4tr8za.jpg

Now they just need to get Mix-View on the device as well.

[Jazza @ Jul 11th 2009 6:54PM]

Where did that come from?

[Eddie.exe @ Jul 11th 2009 9:39PM]

That's the now playing screen on the Zune desktop software

[ishism @ Jul 11th 2009 6:35PM]

no Zune for me. I've still got my 1st gen 30GB Zune and although I would like an upgade. I'd rather get a nice netbook.

[Samunosuke Ode @ Jul 11th 2009 6:36PM]

The zuneHD just keeps on getting better and better. Now about that rumoured 120GB version......

[brr404 @ Jul 11th 2009 6:55PM]

lol 120 Gb $600+? lol but they will make a 64gb model later on but it would be better at release ^.^

[Samunosuke Ode @ Jul 11th 2009 7:03PM]

Read somewhere recently about a 250Gb dual platter 1.8'' drive. If microsoft could somehow get a single platter version which will be ~120GB and stick it in there, that would be utter pwnage.Surely, one can dream?

[ifalldownstairs @ Jul 11th 2009 7:04PM]

rumored by who? i think the most anyone can realistically expect is 64gb. I just hope the combination of OLED screen and lots of flash memory doesn't push the price up too high

[Mitch @ Jul 12th 2009 10:39PM]

Spinning HDD's won't work with capacitive touchscreens.

[james @ Jul 11th 2009 6:38PM]

How about having a menu that can actually fit whole words onto it..?

[l Squid l @ Jul 11th 2009 6:41PM]

I could care less about marketplace fitting on the screen. Why does it matter? do you get extra benefits form the gadget? no not really.

[DeoWulf @ Jul 11th 2009 9:50PM]

Ugh. Is this going to be the major reoccuring gripe of this generation? Because it's already lame.

Here's a tip: the Zune HD runs a nice processor called the Tegra which allows it to do cool stuff like 3D UI. 3D UI is where all the menu items are located in the same realm of 3D space, and by selecting one, instead of just refreshing the screen with a submenu, the viewpoint will actually navigate through 3D space to reach said submenu (at least that's how it is in this specific instance). Therefore, some items will extend off the screen to emphasize that the menu doesn't stop at the edge of the screen-- it extends further into the 3D space around it. This type of menu is often described as "cool" and "interesting" and is perfectly intentional.

[fsphl @ Jul 11th 2009 10:33PM]

@james: you're an idiot

[Mark Anderson @ Jul 12th 2009 4:09AM]

You know, James, if it's such an issue I'm sure they'll give mental cripples like you an option to reduce the font size.