Rumor: New Zune HD to feature touch-screen
Posted by Adriaan on Monday, April 13, 2009
You read that right. Rumors are swirling around that Microsoft’s new Zune PMP will feature a touch-screen and better XNA support. Ever since a few pictures from an anonymous “tipster” were sent to Engadget, people have been speculating on whether or not Microsoft is readying a media player to rival Apple’s iPod Touch. While it remains to be seen what the “HD” phrase even stands for, or if there will be any touch-screen action involved, the pictures say a thousand words. The sleek design is sure to catch eyes of those who have ignored Zunes in the past, and if Microsoft can maintain it’s superior software and user-interface it’s stuck with in the past (with a few noteworthy improvements of course) we could be looking at the device that tips the scales in favor of Microsoft a bit. Think about the possibilities for the XNA games that the Zune utilizes as well. With a touch interface and strong XNA software integration, your favorite Community Games could go portable! Here’s to hoping that Microsoft takes advantage of the synergy present between its numerous development platforms and delivers something truly special with the hopefully-not-just-a-rumor Zune HD.
Not to speculate or anything but, *ahem* maybe that new Halo mobile project will start here?
Click to enhance awesomeness.
via [Engadget]
# by Arianna - 10:55 PM
That's going to be a sick player.
Let's hope there won't be any software issues like the previous model.
# by Anonymous - 1:02 AM
Looks Good.
Hopefully it isnt too over priced.
This could actually be better than the psp. :D
# by Anonymous - 7:41 AM
better than PSP without buttons, I dont think so.
# by Hugh Isaacs II the Maître d' - 3:37 PM
lol, since when did the Zune have superior software to the iPod Touch?
It doesn't even have a web browser, nor can the existing XNA games go online.
And yea I must agree with anyone who says Live will be a killer app in this market, but the fact that Facebook jumped into the iPhone game could mean alot in the future (especially since Facebook seems to update quickly to address competition).
I get the feeling that if these new Zune rumors are true and if the new PSP rumors are true, Nintendo will jump to the updated online service they've been hinting at for the DSi and the handheld market will begin to overshadow the console market.