On MovieTome: The 10 worst movies of 2009 so far!
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet

September 18th, 2009

Zune HD review roundup: excellent hardware and UI, apps lacking

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 8:45 am

Categories: Gadgets, MP3 players, Microsoft, Zune

Tags: Microsoft Zune, Hardware, Zune Pass, Web Browsers, Media Players, Digital Music, Corporate Communications, Digital Media, Internet, Consumer Electronics

Some sites received Zune HD review units from Microsoft (I had to buy mine), but they were not able to post their reviews since Microsoft had to flip the Zune 4.0 server switch on the 15th. We are now seeing lots of detailed reviews coming in for the Zune HD and overall the impressions are that it is a fantastic media player that is the Zune we have all been wanting from the start. It is obvious it cannot compete with the iPod touch in terms of apps, but this is just the start and that may change in the future. The Zune Pass is the really defining feature that stands out from the iPods though and if you have a limited personal music collection the Zune HD can be a killer media player.

I posted my first impressions a couple of days ago and will post my thoughts after more usage when my FC Sounders customized blue Zune Original arrives, which should be next week. Some other reviews I recommend you check out as you try to figure out if the Zune HD is for you are the following:

As I first pointed out, and others also later picked up on, there are pre-roll still and video ads in the 7 free games. I also compared the web browser to the latest Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser and the browser limitations were pointed out in most of the reviews.

It seemed that even die-hard Apple fans appreciated the user interface and hardware of the Zune HD, but some still don’t see the value in the Zune device.

Do you know of any other Zune reviews I should include in my list?

Matthew MillerMatthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.


Email Matthew Miller

Subscribe to The Mobile Gadgeteer via Email alerts or RSS.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 18 Talkback(s)
Uh Wow! Don't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back.
My media player is for when I want to be unproductive. The Zune is perfect for that. (Read the rest)
Posted by: Paul The Red Posted on: 09/22/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
who makes the hardware?  Linux Geek | 09/18/09
They already do something like that  Michael Kelly | 09/18/09
LOL! I guess you want those companies  GuidingLight | 09/18/09
Word is...  NStalnecker | 09/20/09
RE: Zune HD review roundup: excellent hardware and UI, apps lacking  xicanonaztlanca | 09/18/09
RE: Zune HD review roundup: excellent hardware and UI, apps lacking  patchman | 09/18/09
I will take my iPod over the Zune  JM1981 | 09/18/09
Jack of all trades, master of none  NonZealot | 09/18/09
If MS wanted to  JM1981 | 09/18/09
Apps, Exchange Support, Contacts....  trance2tec | 09/18/09
In what way?  Bruizer | 09/20/09
I would take the Zune over the Touch any day of the week.  GuidingLight | 09/18/09
Uh Wow! Don't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back.  Paul The Red | 09/22/09
deleted  NonZealot | 09/18/09
RE: Zune HD review roundup: excellent hardware and UI, apps lacking  Theseus | 09/19/09
Aside from it having better audio quality?  Sleeper Service | 09/21/09
Can now develop ZUNE APPS!  mfingado | 09/21/09
Lucky Sounders games are on FM?  Windcrest | 09/21/09

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Essential Topics Click Here

advertisement

Recent Entries

Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
advertisement

Archives

Favorite Links

ZDNet Blogs

White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

SmartPlanet

  • Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
  • More from IBM
  • Innovate your business' process model, play against the market, compete against others on our scoreboards and WIN! Try INNOV8 2.0: A BPM Simulator
  • Enabling Real-World Business Transformation through IBM Service Management Read the EMA Analyst Report
Click Here