Zune HD color options revealed in pre-order email
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 13th 2009 10:02AM
posted August 13th 2009 10:02AM
We already knew that the Zune HD would be available in five different colors, and a just sent out pre-order email has now given us our first (very small) glimpse of the options available. In addition to the standard black and silver (or platinum, as Microsoft calls it), it seems you'll also have your choice of blue, lime green, and a red / maroon color, each of which can also be adorned with your choice of 10 exclusive Zune Originals designs. From the looks of it, however, folks pre-ordering are limited to the two less colorful options.
[Thanks, matthew]
[Thanks, matthew]
I tipped this, and I think the beige is just the platinum colour, but the back of the colourful zunes look really good in those vibrant colours.
Yea, nice to see some modern colours. These new Microsoft designs are really nice. Wish they would setup a site for wallpapers.
which one of that list have APPLE logo ?
for zune wallpapers, or for windows wallpapers? I think they have (or had) a website with a ton of zune originals wallpapers for the zune, I remember downloading a bunch of vector windows 7'esque weird wallpapers for my zune.
@Yamagushi
Green or black for me. Black would be ideal in a home theatre, but the green is a trendy colour, and looks pretty hot on the HD.
Zuneomatic!
Yeah I dig the looks of these. When I read this AM's post I figured they must be releasing the color list soon... ie, before the preorder period starts.
I'm in no way an Apple fanboy...all I've ever owned from them is a few iPods and an Apple IIc back in the day.
I'm just surprised nobody has commented on the fact that the people behind the Microsoft Zune HD ad have all of the devices setup in the picture to look a whole lot like Apple's coverflow interface. Brilliant move in my opinion.
Wow, MS!
I have a flash Zune 8GB, and I love it. Still, it seems to pale in comparison to what the Zune HD is going to offer.
I think Microsoft deserves some serious credit for the leap that the Zune HD takes over the flash/original Zunes. Regardless of whether they are matching/surpassing their competition, the internal progression from prior products is impressive.
This is what, their 3rd generation PMP (and only if you count the flash Zune as a "generation")?
This new player, plus the outstanding Zune software, is a really attractive option now. I'm excited!
@Dave Bach
Noticed that but it didn't really clue in to me, good point.
@Sisyphus
At this rate, 2 generations from now they'll be at least on par with releasing the new stuff with apple, if not ahead of the game by a bit
@Matthew,
I'm not saying the iPod is inferior, but it looks like Zune HD will already offer some features that the iPod doesn't. Namely HD radio (which many people DO appreciate), and 720p output (which I probably wouldn't use, personally, but I think its a great concept).
Plus, don't you think the hardware is already on par, if not superior? Tegra + OLED screen? I think there are a lot of features that are winners here.
If you include the Zune Pass, I think MS has a very competitive ecosystem right now, even if it lacks the volume of users that iTunes has.
@Sisyphus
I agree, not saying it's superior, and Apple is 100% pioneering with this, but there's no harm on competitors like the Zune taking those ideas and expanding on them. MS isn't a big threat right now, but the fact that they're trying to take what their competitors do and make it better (oled/HD Radio/720p dock playback) is amazing. The idea of making the Zune HD into a major component of a home theatre setup is awesome, they have a sleek, simple way of connecting it and utilizing it. Especially if it ties in well with Win7's newest version of WMC. It's going to go a long way to promoting the Zune if Windows 7 becomes really successful and especially if people who are really into nice home setups start using WMC with their setups.
Wheres the Halo Zune HD? :D
Wow! nice work!
Yes, completely agree with ya.
Microsoft has done a serious job here...bringing out a true iPod Touch competitor.
Lets see what Apple has to offer with the iPod Touch upgrade this season after seeing this.
black for the win!
is the 32gb version available in black anywhere or do i have to wait for the zune originals? i only see platinum.
ima get me a blue one :D
I can haz green?
How much extra are they charging for these color schemes?
if the last set of zunes is any indication, or if any mp3 player is any indication, nothing.
Look guys, by just about anyone's standard I'm staunchly pro-Microsoft, but can we cut down on the Zune posts? It's barely 10 and there have already been 3.
No, not when there's lot's of exciting news about this sexy sexy player.
Srsly. People were whining like little babies the other day when an iPhone post came up and it was the only one on the front page. Now there are 3 Zune HD posts and everyone is pissing their pants in excitement. I realize the iPhone is not really "new" or anything... but people are freakin' hypocrites.
but it is ALL HAPPENING.
RIGHT NOW.
Mannnnnn...it was so nice and calm around here without Paul. Go back to hiding under your bridge you wrinkly old troll.
We are finally getting confirmed details about a brand new device. This is a blog. They write topics as they get information in. If you want one article with all the details in that one article...go read a magazine.
Lol, why would they withhold gadget news? enGADGET tech NEWS blog. Read the f*cking caps, I made it easy for you.
I have an iPhone and loved all the posts. I don't have a Zune but I am digging all the posts. I want to know more about it. Luckily for fanboys, clicking the jump is *optional*.
"The Wait is Over"?
What, the wait to pre-order your Zune? Because you still have to wait to get to play with it! False advertising Microsoft! haha
True - the tag line doesn't really make sense unless you are the sort of person whose goal it is to pre-order the device rather than actually hold it. For all I know, however, such weirdos exist...
It's for the ability to pre-order bozos.
The Zune HD keeps getting better and better. I really want to say goodbye to my iPod for this.
Agreed. The only thing holding me back is the disk space and the price to get more of it. Right now I can't imagine using anything less than my 60 GB ipod, but if (when) a 64+ GB Zune HD comes out for a reasonable price, I'd ditch the ipod in a second.
True, that would pay Homage to us original Zune users!
So many great PMPs coming out!
Currently I've got a 4g iPod Classic and 3g Nano. Both of which are adequate for my music needs. However, the 4g Classic doesn't do video (or color) and the nano's screen is a little too small (plus the software is buggy as hell and crashes all the time).
So, I've got my eye on either the X-Series, ZuneHD, or iPod Touch. I'm leaning towards the Zune since I'm not very satisfied with apple's audio quality. I would get the X-Series if it supported some lossless codec (aside from wav). Any thoughts?
Well if anything, save yourself from the nightmare that is known as iTunes. Get the Zune. Zune is more known and therefore supported (by 3rd party accessory makers) than the X-Series. Not to mention it's sexy as all hell.
Tough call, but considering how nice this Zune HD is... I'd go for that. I personally don't have the need for more PMP than my iPhone offers, but if I got a stand-alone, it be this.
I would wait till after apple launches a new touch next month, then unless it's something amazing, probably go with the Zune HD.
I don't need a PMP because my iPhone is good enough, but this is looking so tempting. Argh.
The X-Series web browser is completely useless. I warn you. Try reading the review at AnythingButIpod about it, it's pretty thorough.
Most likely, this will have much better battery life, when considering the Tegra SoC inside ;)
brown ftw
The wait?
What are they talking about?
You can pre-order now.
Odd. I wonder why the other colours/designs are not available to pre-order today along with the black/platinum versions.
Probably a supply issue. This is the most anticipated Zune yet, they want to make sure they can fulfill all pre-orders on time.
I believe those colors will only be available on the Zune Originals site with the engraving at no extra charge like the last generation zunes.
On the bottom of the picture it says that the color models will be available for sale on Sept. 15.
Hey Paul, I thought you were banned? Gotta give you a +1 for this comment though - still rockin' the brown Zune 30!
No need to pre-order. . .plenty will be available on launch day. And when Apple announces it's 2009 iTouch lineup at 16/32/64 for $230/300/400, there will be even more, and the Zune HD will become like the other Zunes: something we only hear about when a retailer pulls it off the shelves or MS reports it's earnings. Sad.
Not when the iTouch is stuck being held to the same processor, screen, and specs as the iPhone. We already know what it's going to be, oh hey look a shitty camera and video recording plus a microphone. Yawn.
This sexy thing on the other hand has OLED, something Apple has yet to discover, and a very nice looking interface. Not to mention it's something new and refreshed, not the same re-hacked piece of hardware to guzzle money out of people's wallets. And we all know how Apple likes to price their products. This is either going to drive the price of iPods down, or it's going to spur a lot of Zune sales by being priced much lower.