Microsoft has announced its latest addition to the Zune family, the Zune HD. With it comes some changes to its Zune music and entertainment service.
The Zune HD will come with a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition video output capabilities (supporting 720p), a 3.3-inch OLED touchscreen display (with a 16:9 widescreen format and 480 by 272 resolution), built-in accelerometer, and Wi-Fi. On the software side, it will come with an Internet browser (with tap to zoom technology) and a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard. There are a number of details that remain unknown at this time, including storage capacity, price.
Microsoft is also extending the reach of its Zune service. Its video service will be extended to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time.
The Zune HD will be available in the U.S. in the fall. There is no word (yet?) on where else it might be available and when. Price as also not disclosed.