The Zune HD box, Best Buy & Apps

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Microsoft's answer to Apple in the battle of two giants is coming closer and closer. On September 15th the Zune HD is going to launch and change the face of Microsoft in the battle. Yesterday, the picture (which can be seen here) for the box of the new Zune HD was all over the internet. The picture was courtesy of CrazyphoneGuy of Twitter and his Twitpic account. One thing to note is that the box is in colour which differs from the previous boxes.

According to him, the Zune HD did not appear at both of his Best Buys in the Houston area. Another person, a certain Matthew Arkin though was lucky enough to get to see the Zune HD at his local Best Buy today according to Engadget he was able to shoot video footage of the "Apps" on the Zune HD. This item resides in the "Marketplace" section on the device. More on that can be found at Neowin. Also spotted in the picture was the long-confirmed Games. These games will be taking advantage of the Nvidia Tegra Chip. Apparently Arkin asked the rep if there is going to be an SDK and he got a yes answer. That can only mean more good news for developers and customers.

So have any of you been able to catch a glimpse of the Zune HD at your local Best Buy store? Or has it been a no-show for you? Also, what do you think of the Zune HD Box? Like all the colours? Or do you want the old box back?

#1 Christo27 on 24 Aug 2009 - 11:36

Yep, in New York on Sunday. the guy said "I'm not supposed to show you the apps or let you touch it, but how are they planning to sell it, then?" The first thing he did was go to the marketplace without me asking (alas, no internet there) I even got to take it outside, though it was cloudy, but it stilled looked good

(1 reply) #2 M. Seth on 24 Aug 2009 - 11:57

I saw it at the suburban BB in Chicago. Looks great. The rep was giving away a free months pass for the marketplace if you did the $25 reserve pre-buy. Plus of course the free t-shirts.

This thing is so cool.

#2.1 Crazysah on 24 Aug 2009 - 14:43

Do you get the $25 reserve pre-buy back when you buy the Zune? If so, then I would have so taken the offer. Only problem is that it will come out after a really long time if it ever does come out.

(1 reply) #3 SojIrOu on 24 Aug 2009 - 12:00

why is everything in lower case except "Radio"? i can understand why HD is uppercase but not radio. It seems they want to highlight it more than all the other features.

#3.1 Christo27 on 24 Aug 2009 - 12:18

SojIrOu said,

Its a trade mark, and HD Radio is milking this for all its worth

(1 reply) #4 Mav Phoenix on 24 Aug 2009 - 12:15

Does the 'e' in marketplace still get cut off on the screen?

#4.1 Christo27 on 24 Aug 2009 - 12:19

yep, apparently it gives it a more abstract, "3D" feel

#5 Klownicle on 24 Aug 2009 - 12:15

HD RADIO!!!! W0000, *goes streaking*.

Now that i've got that out of my system; by all means a cool new toy to have. Might have to get me one of these, the ole iPod isn't doing the trick with 8gb anymore.

#6 Nathanael on 25 Aug 2009 - 12:12

Why doesn't any of these personal media players support bluetooth? Bluetooth headsets are so much more convenient.

#7 EJocys on 25 Aug 2009 - 19:33

Usually I am for Microsoft all hands up, but I've tried Zune software and Apple iTunes recently and I was very disappointed by Zune Software. iTunes + Tag & Rename works wonders. As Microsoft fan I would like to buy Zune hardware, but with software crippled like that (organizer is crap) I can't.

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