After the Zune HD launches on Sept. 15th, the current generation Zunes will be discontinued, which will put all the focus on Zune HD, Microsoft today confirmed.
Microsoft will keep selling the flash 4GB, 8GB and 16GB products, along with the 80GB and 120GB HDD Zune models until they are sold out, but that will spell the end.
"They still want to be in this business primarily as a way to keep the brand alive, keep the service going and maybe pave the way for the next generation of the Windows phone, which I assume will have similar form factors and have the Zune software integrated into them," said Matt Rosoff, Directions on Microsoft analyst, told IDG.
The Zune HD will launch with 16GB and 32GB storage capacities. The devices will have a 480x272 multi-touch OLED screen. Microsoft is pricing the Zune HD around $100 less than competing Apple iPods, but that will likely change after Apple's scheduled Sept. 9 event in San Francisco. The 16GB Zune HD will be available for $219.99 and the 32GB Zune HD will sell for $289.99.
This marks the first touch-screen Microsoft MP3 player -- designed to compete with the iPod Touch and other higher-end MP3 players -- and although the comparisons between the Zune HD and iPod Touch will continue, Microsoft wants to point out that the company is happy with its Zune line.
Microsoft will continue to develop Zune for the "longer-term strategy and the multi-year vision for this business," as CDFreaks was previously told.
Are you more interested in purchasing the Zune HD or the new iPod Touch refresh that is expected to be announced next week?
