The Zune HD is on the way, we know that much. But other than that there isn’t a whole lot known about the new Zune, other than Microsoft has big plans for it. A Microsoft insider has spilled some beans to the blogs about what we can expect with the new Zune HD. The insider claims that the new Zune HD will sell for about $249 to $280 for the base 16GB model, they didn’t give any specific price points for the larger Zune HD models however. They did indicate that Microsoft is considering a 64GB model and a 32GB model as well down the line after the product is released. Also rumored is that the new Zune HD will fully support for 720p movies and will even feature HDMI out. There is no official word as to when the Zune HD will be released by Microsoft, but rumors are that it will launch sometime in early September.

-Ray

[Source: charter jet]

The new Microsoft Zune HD is very impressive, side by side the Zune HD compared to the Apple iPod touch it appears like the Zune HD will definitely give the iPod a run for its money. A new Amazon listing for the new Zune HD has just revealed in its product description a few more details we didn’t know about. A few big ones are the support for games and apps. From the Amazon listing product description from Microsoft:

The device also has a built-in accelerometer, so it senses when it is moving. This lets you play games and use apps that are controlled by moving the device. The touchscreen QWERTY keyboard makes it easy to enter information.

That is a big jump from the previous Zune MP3 player and it finally brings it toe to toe with the best out of Apple. The listing also says that the new Zune HD will be available on September 8, 2009 and also hints at games from Xbox LIVE, wait really? Wow! It looks like Microsoft really stepped it up with the Zune HD. Stay tuned for more Zune HD new from ZuneAgent.com
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The Zune HD

The new Zune HD was recently announced and shown off to the world by Microsoft. The new Zune HD with it’s high def touchscreen and iPhone beating processing speed is sure to give the iPhone and the iPod touch a run for their money. Check out the above video of the all new Zune HD.

-Ray

Zune has released another version of their popular Zune Originals for this Spring. Check them out at the Zune website to customize your very own original Zune player.

Interesting news comes out of Microsoft as the powerhouse has decided to divide for “better integration of the Zune next-gen”. Hardware team has joined the mobile team, and the software department has joined the TV connect department. So we can expect some kind of cellphone integration, and some kind of  television integration. That is very much great news! Here is the original news from Zune Insider.

• We are combining the Zune software team with the Connected TV organization (Windows Media Center, Mediaroom) to create a single group focused on creating software and services that enable great entertainment experiences across the PC, TV, mobile phones and Zune devices.

  For our current customers, this internal, organizational adjustment won’t result in any changes. Like I said above we’re still committed to delivering the next wave of the Zune hardware, software and services – and we will do so this calendar year, so stay tuned.

• The Zune device hardware team joined the mobile communications business group to create a center of excellence in portable hardware. This will bring people who live and breathe hardware together.
• The priority now is to focus on delivering against our current product roadmaps across each team in the new organization. That means new software, services and devices for Zune customers.

In a nutshell, this is an extension of the way we’ve been taking the business for some time. We’ve said before the strategy for Zune is to provide a great entertainment experience across multiple screens and devices and this move will help us deliver that. We’re looking at how the powerful features of Zune can be combined with the work in the TV space to deliver a broader entertainment experience.

As Enrique put it, “The goal is to make non-gaming entertainment a first-class citizen within Microsoft’s business, that means building better software and gaining scale a little further out than just in Redmond.”

- Joe

[Source: Zune Insider]

As you can see from this screenshot, the Marketplace application will be making it to new Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. Since there has be a decline in Zune Phone rumors after time and time again, lets change it from Zune Phone rumors to Zune on your Phone, not a rumor.

We’re just days away from Mobile World Congress where Microsoft is expected to make a few notable annoucements. Until then, we have to settle for all the hints and innuendo we can gather as Redmond attempts to win back the hearts, minds, and pocketbooks of consumers infatuated with Android, WebOS, and whatever Apple’s got cookin’. Like these supposed 6.5 screenshots above, this time showing what looks like a Marketplace store a la the Zune.

- Joe

[Source: Zunearama]

Microsoft has just announced that it will be opening “Microsoft stores” to compete with the Apple stores. This would be Microsofts first try at Retail and we hope to see some great things coming out of the store. Im sure Microsoft will also try to emulate that sleek modern look like apple but with there own twist.

- Joe

[ Source: Business Day]

Once again, Zune Marketplace brings you our “Week ‘o Free” with a slew of new and classic shows being offered up this week only, at no additional cost! From today until next Monday, you can sample the following:

MTV:

Rob Drydek’s Fantasy Factory (Pilot Episode)

Nitro Circus (Pilot Episode)

How’s Your News (Pilot Episode)

The College Humor Show (Pilot Episode)

COMEDY CENTRAL:

Comedy Central Presents Stand Up Hot Picks (Season 1)

PBS:

Nova (Battle of the X Planes)

BET:

Baldwin Hills (Season 2 Premiere Episode)

Hell Date (Season 2, Episode 1)

G4:

The Block (Season 1, Episode 1 / Season 2, Episode 1)

NICKELODEON:

True Jackson (Season 1, Episode 3)

USA NETWORKS:

In Plain Sight (Pilot Episode)

Look for the FREE VIDEO promotional spot starting tomorrow on the front page of the Video Marketplace for your one-click navigation to all this great content. Until then, you can find them being offered under each of the network/series pages.

- Joe

[Source: Zune Insider]

Wanna get the one you love a Zune for Valentines Day? Well then head on over to Zune Originals and create your own Valentines Day Zune . For a limited time only they have 10 FREE Valentine’s Day designs. Thats right FREE! Order by 11am PST on 2/7 to ensure delivery via express shipping by 2/14.

Virgin Megastores is closing a total of four of their huge mall record stores, no doubt because of the slowing economy and the popularity of online downloads. Their Ontario Mills location in Ontario, California was where I was doing a bit of Christmas shopping this past weekend when I stumbled upon an awesome deal. A Pink 8GB Microsoft Zune for $97! Pretty much everything in the store was on sale but this deal really caught my eye. You can get deals on the Zune at various retailers online, but the cheapest I’ve ever seen it was $130. So if you live in Southern California (Ontario or Anaheim), Dallas, or Tempe, Arizona where Virgin Megastore locations are set to close down be sure to check it out and snag this Zune deal while you can!

-Ray