Thread: First look: Zune HD

quote: Originally posted by Lemurs: quote: Originally posted by astrosmash: No firmware? Is that a joke? I can't tell if you're joking, trolling, or just don't understand. The firmware trick is so that they could ship the devices before turning on the new store and uploading the new software. That way even retail leaks won't result in people using the device in ways unexpected or causing problems. It has nothing to do with...

if it plays FLAC then it will be a buy for me.

My question is, does it say 'Welcome to the social?' anywhere. Can you squirt songs at people?

quote: Originally posted by Genome82: His screenshot does look like the Zune software. Considering that it's a basic concept and that the Zune software has looked like this since 2007, I'm not surprised. Fair enough. I've never used a Zune or its accompanying software and assumed (silly, I know) that the screenshot posted was from something new. Pity. I thought Aaron's design was quite inspired.

Yes, I would like a thorough review of the OLED screen, particularly against the iPod Touch. (Preferably in outside conditions, not in a darkened room where almost everything looks good.)

At that size, I have one concern: Battery life. OLED screens aren't all that frugal (at least yet), and if it's in a size similar to a Nano with a that big screen, I have to wonder. The 12 hours my old iPod 4G had must be considered an absolute minimum. Given the discrepancy between MS reported battery life and the real world numbers for older Zunes, I'd like to see this tested. Ah, why do I care, they don't sell it here...

The site Zune.net has been update and allows full browsing and previewing of movies, music and podcasts plus has a pop-put player. Yet when you click to download a song, it tries to launch the Zune desktop software. I wonder what that's for. Are they looking to allow the Zune desktop software to sync with their web client (a la lala.com)? And if so, then why the heck wouldn't they allow you to just purchase songs from the web site also?

Can the wi-fi be used ad-hoc so I can tether with my phone while at work? The existing Zunes cannot. Any chance they snuck in Bluetooth?

any word on what kind of apps there'll be? I don't even know why I ask. I'm on mac.

How are 'all the bases covered' on format support without FLAC, Apple Lossless and/or Vorbis? Not that I'd expect any of those from a Microsoft device. The screen does look nice, but I'll save my money for something which can actually play my music library.