It hasn't been long at all since we saw
Zune HD make its FCC debut, and now
Gizmodo's gotten ahold of what looks to be screenshots from Best Buy's inventory system listing 16GB and 32GB Zune HD models going on sale September 8th for $220 and $290, respectively. Retailers don't necessarily have the best track record for release dates or pricing, and while Best Buy's inventory pricing is in fact notoriously wrong prior to release, it's usually way high. As for the date, it certainly falls within the
Fall 2009 window we've heard before, but if it's really less than a month away, rest assured Microsoft will be flexing some advertising muscle in the not-too-distant future.
Update: Looks like Amazon
now has its listing up as well, albeit a non-functional one. [Via
ZuneSpring]
posted August 10th 2009 6:48PM
i like my zune 80 still
I still like my main music/video player separate from my cell phone. When I go to a friend's place for a party and I bring the music on my Zune, it doesn't get interrupted when I receive a phone call.
I gotta agree with Miko, I like my phone to do a lot of thinks, but music and video belong on a dedicated device. Video especially, the last thing I want is to be watching a movie and then not be able to make a call because I've drained my phone's batteries.
They can always buy a S60 phone, and use JoikuSpot to turn it into a wifi hotspot.
lol the thinly veiled rationalizations people are coming up with against having an iPhone are getting more and more pathetic as of late. So these days the argument is "oh no, I don't want my music listening interrupted by a phone call" hahah
@FoxKenji
It seems you don't know this, but the iPhone isn't the only phone capable of playing music and videos. However, I bring my Zune with me every day for music at the workplace so I can have my Touch Pro on me for calls/e-mails and I don't have to wander across the room to answer it. Plus what smartphone's battery doesn't have enough issues lasting through a day with heavy calling and 3G usage without adding 6-8 hours of non-stop media playback?
@FoxKenji
I keep my MP3 player (Zune 80) and phone separate because the sound quality is much better that way. I've listened to a 3GS and the sound is thin, harsh and tinny compared to the Zune.
Oh, and AT&T forces users into buying a ridiculous data plan that you pay $720 for during the 2 year contract. I'd much rather keep my Cingular 8125 and use its free WiFi. I can keep the money I've saved to buy a separate device many times over.
@ david, michael
The only reason I said what I said is because if MS had added a cellular chip in this (effectually making it an MS phone) both of you would be clamoring its practicality as both music player and phone in one device.
Airplane mode, for those of you who don't want their music or movies interupted. However, more power to you if you wish to carry multiple devices. I have a 3GS and still cannot part with my 1G iPod Touch, although the 1G is getting used less and less.
iPoop, actually I will open up wifi tether on my G1 and sync over 3G to my ZuneHD. You know, the wifi tethering you STILL CAN'T do with your locked down, app denying communist iphoney.
my phone can do everything yours can, and a lot more,
lolumad?
@FoxKenji
Sigh... I already said I had a Windows Mobile phone (which is capable of media playback), but I still required a separate PMP for the various reasons stated above. Convergence is convenient for some people, but others like me prefer a dedicated device. I did not say anything was wrong with the iPhone or insult your beloved Apple, so there's no need to get all defensive and throw out negative comments about a device you haven't used or supposedly don't care about. Now learn some reading comprehension and stop being a douche.
When will you chimps pull your heads out of your asses? Your opinion isn't the only one in the world. Do you guys complain when you see a DSLR camera that doesn't have a phone built in?
When I go to parties I take my Pre and tether it giving everyone at the party (iPhones with no reception and zunes included) free wifi.
So no, I don't have to stumble around for wifi access, I bring my wifi with me.
and *NO*, there is NOT an app for that. Only on the iPhone.
Happy Birthday to me! 32GB here we go :)
Awesome, if this is true can pick it up right before vacation
Decent price. I'll definitely be watching for the releases of the Zune HD and the iPod Touch
It's going to be a tough choice this time round.
Nice! Can't wait!
yayyy
amen!
wow engadget, is this the first time you've ever actually linked to gizmodo?
good for you guys!
Don't be an ass.
http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=gizmodo&invocationType=wl-gadget&searchsubmit=
I'm hoping for the new iPod Touch to come in at the current prices:
16GB $229
32GB $299
64GB $399
Wishful thinking...
It's possible. Given the fact that the iphone 16GB sells for $100 less compared to last year's model.
You're are 100% correct about this, apple knows this well be I've been saying since last year a 64gb iPod touch is going to cost $399 and 8gb will be discontinued I mean look at the iPhone 8gb is no more.
I'm also doing a little wishful thinking. But mine involves a man, that man is Michael Scrip.
I'm not sure what you're saying DanielT...
Michael,
Its ok. You just aren't tuning into the language of love.
Wat would you use 64gb it for?? You can put heaps of 700mb divX's on 32gb...
Of course this thing boasts tegra so you want HD right? well you need MKV support for that and not even twice the size of 64gb would be enough, considering 720Ps usually come in @ 5gb and 1080s @ 10gb... How many can you fit? not enough...GET AN ACTUAL HARD DRIVE/ HD MEDIA PLAYER + 500+_gb HD.
32gb is plenty atm, WHAT YOU REALLY WANT is sum Windows Media Center...
I heard that they were going to release an 8GB 3GS but maybe not. Ill definitely get this if there is a 64GB version so ill have room for all my music and a 720p video or two. Oh and it will have to support avi video files.
Yea, I like how the Zune's price points try to compete with Apple's prospective Fall price points and new models. Given they've been doubling the space, and keeping the same price points, I see the 16GB being the lowest size at $229, and 64GB being the highest at $399.
However, @ Midnightprince... The 8GB iPhone is still available. It's only 3G, but it still exists. However, rumor has it Apple will convert the newer ones to 3GS. I don't see how that could cost much more than what they're selling it for now. How much more could some extra ram, processing power, and a compass cost? Even at $129, It'd still be a bargain for the consumer.
Buying an iPod Touch or a Zune is an investment. Because all the apps you can get are locked into the device and the service from that specific company you basiccally have to take a gamble on which company you'll go with: Microsoft or apple.
As far as I'm concerned, No Phone inside automatically makes this a loser compared to a iPhone.
I guess Microsoft will have games like Halo or Gears of War on the Zune, which some people may like but that's not enough to convince most iPod Touch users to convert.
so by your comparisons, the ipod shuffle, ipod nano and ipod classic are all "losers" too because they aren't phones.
you're comparing apples to oranges.
when a zune phone comes to market, then you can compare it to the iphone.
now, back on topic.
this is very competitively priced against the 32GB ipod touch ($399). it's just too bad there isn't a camera on the zune hd, because all signs point to the new ipods having cameras.
>> "I guess Microsoft will have games like Halo or Gears of War on the Zune, which some people may like but that's not enough to convince most iPod Touch users to convert."
That's Microsoft's problem... they were 5 years late to the MP3 player party... and 2 years late to the touchscreen media player party. (compared to Apple... not MP3 players and media players as a whole.)
Who knows if Microsoft is attempting to compete with the heavyweight in this market... they are probably just wanting to be visible in the market.
@Quantumphysics : Agree with the iPhone comment. I currently use my WinMo phone as my music player because I don't always carry my laptop bag to put in extra gear, and if you've ever used winmo as a media player you know that it's .... great on personality.
@Russ; i understand people might be a bit disappointed that the Zune HD is not a phone, but why on earth would anyone need a camera on a music player? Do you not have one your phone? I can't think of a single dumphone or smartphone out today that doesn't at least have some ability to upload photos (either to a PC, or to a social network), so what would be the point of having it on a music player? If your argument is that Zune would sell more if it had a camera, well, I can tell you right now that the camera is not going to be dealbreaker if people are weighing up the new Ipod vs the new Zune. MS have differentiated themselves sufficiently so that the 'poor man's Ipod' tag is no longer appropriate.
............................why does a pmp need a camera?
To be fair, since it doesnt have a phone in it, you should be comparing it to a touch or any other touch based PMP, but it certainly doesnt help the people that either dont like their Iphones or just apple in general.
"No Phone inside automatically makes this a loser compared to a iPhone"
Wow... so because it's not a phone it's not as good of a phone as a phone. How astute. I guess because you can't sew with it makes it a bad sewing machine as well.
@kazbaeden
I lol'd
I may be recalling incorrectly, but didn't the iPod Touch come out a few months before the iPhone?
Anyway all Microsoft would really have to do is slap a radio, a microphone, a speaker, and a camera into it and it would be my first choice for a phone by far.
3 year warranty!?
Probably on US only.
The rest, shit out of luck.
Nice! Even if Best Buy's "way high" price point is the actual price, it's real competitive.
Man, which way to go? Zune HD, new iPod Touch, or the Creative Zii Egg or whatever its consumer model is called.
it bothers me that a 360 is cheaper then a PMP
It doesn't make sense to lose money on the Zune.
There is no strategic reason to do that business-wise.
The xbox is a whole different ball game.
MS makes it up in there sales of games. The Zune is completely different.
Just 16gbs and 32gbs? The device looks nice enough, but not interested yet. Introduce a 64gb and my dollars will be spent.
Finally! I'm in love.
Any word on a 64GB model/price?
So it looks like 16gb BLACK and 32GB SILVER.
Yeah it looks that way. That's the only thing that disappoints me so far. I am still hopeful they'll have 32GB models in black though.