Microsoft today announced its next-generation ZuneHD MP3 and video player is now available for pre-order, with the unit expected to publicly launch on Sept. 15.
Both the 16GB and 32GB Zune HD models are competitively priced with the Apple iPod, as the Zune HD 16GB will ship for $219.99 and the Zune HD 32GB will ship for $289.99. Apple is expected to announce the third generation of the iPod Touch MP3 players next month during a Music Event, with rumored prices of the 16GB and 32GB models at $199 and $299.
Zune HD has a 3.3-inch OLED touch screen supporting 480x272 resolution, built-in Wi-Fi, HD video output capabilities, built-in HD radio, and an Internet browser. The device also supports 720p content, which can be acquired through the Microsoft Marketplace, a service Microsoft continues to promote to Zune owners.
The Zune Marketplace has more than 5 million songs, 9,500 music videos, 6,000 TV episodes and 10,000 audio & video podcasts.
Although many analysts and consumers compare the Zune with competing Apple iPod products, Microsoft continually has noted that the company's goals are different than what many people believe.
“Today we’re happy with the number of devices we’ve sold, and as we’ve said before, for Zune it’s about the longer-term strategy and the multi-year vision for this business,” a Microsoft official told CDFreaks last month. “Increasingly, Zune’s focus is on areas where it is differentiating against the competition, such as the Zune Pass subscription service, which gives users access to millions of songs for the price of one CD a month and lets them keep 10 tracks a month to add to their permanent collection.”
I haven't actually tested the Zune HD in person yet, but I look forward to seeing what it can do. It's unknown what Apple will announce next month, but it is expected to be the newest iPod Touch, which will compete directly with the latest Zune.
