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
Little upset with tihs.
I've got a 2nd gen Zune 120GB and paid around $250. It plays videos (although not HD) and it plays music, my basic demands.
In comparison, the ZuneHD does the same, but looking at the pricing points you have to wonder, what in the heck is MS thinking reducing the introductory size, increasing cost, and making us paying a premium for it? Isn't the whole idea of an HD device is to carry HD content, so why on earth would reducing capacity be a good step? Memory is so cheap nowadays I can't understand the reduction.
If you want to compete you have to offer something better. As a 1st and 2nd gen owner, I now see no benefit to purchase this generation at this price point and capacity. A gimmicky OLED display isn't worth it to me. Unless they increase the 32GB model up to 120GB again and price it around $250, I'll stick to my 2nd gen.
Its great that MS is trying to get a new user base with 'glitter' features, but they should have stuck to the basics. Function, price, and capacity.
Reminds me of the old arguments that people made when the iPod Touch was introduced, completely ignorant of the costs and availibility of parts related to the iPod Classic...good times.
Reminds me of the old arguments that people made when the iPod Touch was introduced, completely ignorant of the costs and availibility of parts related to the iPod Classic...good times.
I like people who think every product on earth should target them directly.
Guess what fella, you are not the target market for the HD.
The Zune 120 doesn't fit my needs, no matter how cheap it is.
So I didn't buy one, I also didn't bitch about it because I know I'm not their target audience.
This isn't replacing the 120, it's in addition to it.
Also, you do know that there is a difference between HDDs and flash memory, right?
120GB of flash, if it would fit, would cost $500-600 in a device this size.
I think we might see an 128GB HD next fall, but it's gonna cost $400.
So, to sum up your comments: MS should have released another product that was exactly the same as an existing product, just to keep you happy.
Engadget ate my first reply, so I'll paraphrase.
Everything you think in this post is wrong.
Or, not. The post eating. Not the you being wrong thing.
The 32GB is only available in Platinum? What about Black? That's ridiculous if they don't offer the choice.
Now Apple's going to competitively lower the prices of the iPod Touch (hopefully).