Dramatic title, right? Well, it’s just my opinion, but from the confirmed specs listed on Microsoft’s release about the new Zune HD, I believe it is doomed to reside in the shadow of Apple’s iPod alongside the rest of it’s brethren. If things change between today and it’s release then maybe the Zune HD has a chance. The people are eager to have choices in a Portable Media Player and therefore eager for the Zune brand to succeed. I know I am.

Zune HD

At first blush, the Zune HD is beautiful, inside and out. OLED multi-touch screen, HD Radio, HD Video playback, Wi-Fi, and web browsing all in a nicely designed package. Then, a closer look reveals that the unit is missing some important information. Is there going to be an “app store?” Did they increase the DPI on the screen? (The iPod Touch DPI is 163ppi.) Internet Explorer based browsing? Really? Cost? Hard drive size? (If you want HD video, it’d better be larger than 32GB.)

The biggest issue here is some sort of third party application delivery. Without the app store, the Ipod Touch would just be a fancy media player. The applications bring it to a whole new level. Not really a PDA but not only a media player. In order for people to switch over to the Zune HD, they have to know that they’ll receive the same experience, i.e. downloadable applications of all types and purposes. So far, a few games aren’t going to persuade users. I want to download my email, send a “twit” on Twitter, I want to be able to post on WordPress from it! That is the strength of the iPod touch. If the Zune HD really is meant to go “head to head” than that app store needs to open soon.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for Microsoft succeeding and providing us with more choices for out entertainment delivery. The Zune HD does some things right. HD Radio is the future (distant, but certain) and I am glad that it is included. Although I wonder about the reception, our car’s HD radio reception isn’t all that great. OLED screens will save on battery power and, unlike LCD technology, OLED can display true blacks.

If the Zune wanted to pull ahead of Apple, they would add a microphone and a video capable camera to the unit along with their own app store. That’s the winning combination right there.

Like I said, I hope that the Zune HD becomes a viable option in the PMP market, but I really doubt it will. That seems to be the Zune legacy.

XBox Elite

When the next-gen consoles came out years ago, I knew I was going to get a Nintendo Wii, then Revolution.   Nintendo is a staple in my home, it was the other two I was stuck on.   Should I get a Xbox 360 or the PS3?   At first I was totally into the PS3 mainly because of the Blu-ray drive (HD-DVD is crap, I called it years ago.), but the 360 was released earlier than the PS3 and had a bunch of great games.   So for the past couple of years, I’ve been torn.

E3, Electronic Entertainment Expo, has come and gone.   Lots of cool stuff is coming out for both systems, video streaming, Final Fantasy XIII, and much more.   Most importantly, to me anyway, is FF XIII and the video streaming.   We have a Netflix account that allow us to watch movies online, but I don’t have my PC hooked up to a TV or a sound system, so I really don’t use it.   Well, Netflix announced that they will stream these movies to the Xbox!   That is a seriously cool deal.   On top of the already cool fact that the Xbox will act as a media pc for my home theater, now it will play videos “on-demand!”

I think I made up my mind.   The PS3 is a sweet machine, but for me, I think I will have to go to the dark side and pick up an xbox 360.   Also, to match my current system, I think I am going with the black 360.   Hmm, the Xbox Elite is the only block console…   at $450!   Wow, well I guess I should start saving up…