Microsoft Zune HD – Goes Global (Finally)
The Zune HD will be launched globally or at the Financial Times puts it
The Zune-branded service – which includes the most popular films from MGM, Paramount and Universal – will be available in 18 of its largest western markets, including the US, UK, France, Germany and Australia.
This is good news as I have been trying to decide to buy the Zune HD or the IPod touch; as my Zune 30 is now getting old. The Touch is a cool device, but I am anti-social enough that I can’t stand being part of the pack.
The main reason I have held off on buying the Zune HD is wondering about its survival. With the discontinuation of the Zune hard drive based version, especially the Zune 8 and 16, I have wondered if Microsoft was going to kill off the whole line (including the Zune HD). The lack of an SDK for the Zune HD and an App Store that has anything but the free Microsoft designed games (no matter how nice they are), has also made me wonder if the Zune product line has a short shelf life. I have bought enough “good ideas” that ended up DOA that I am reluctant to be on the forefront of tech any more…
My other issue is the size… I have big enough hands that it feels like I am holding a kids toy. This is my complaint about the whole tech industry!
So with the XBOX 360 update coming Tuesday that includes the Zune Market Place and the Zune HD launching in 18 markets, I am much more comfortable purchasing a Zune HD. The rumors that the Zune software will make it onto Windows Mobile 7 and WinMo 7 will have an App Store, which means an SDK, is also a very good sign.
Now all I need to do is get over the sticker shock, purchase and get my programming skills up to par and I may be very happy…
