After many speculations, Microsoft has informed that the portable player Zune HD will arrive soon. Widely touted as Apple iPod’s rival, it will get launched officially with a multitouch screen, and an HDMI port. It is expected that it will be available in the U.S. by fall. HD’s images and specifications were revealed on the web last month. At the moment, the pricing and the global availability of Zune HD has not been announced as yet.

iPod’s rival Microsoft Zune HD will include a 3.6 inch OLED touchscreen, which will give it a 16:9 aspect ratio along with 480x272 resolution. Microsoft has elucidated that 720p HD video files will be downscaled to fit the 480x272 resolution screen. These will not be exactly HD videos. However, multimedia content in the form of songs or videos can be streamed to the HD display of the Zune HD through the HDMI interface that is provided on Zune HD.

Moreover, the Zune has a built in HD Radio Receiver that is capable of providing radio content better sound quality when it is compared with normal radio output. However HD quality radio content is possible only if local radio stations especially in India provide their content via HD channels.

The Zune HD will utilize the touch screen customized Internet Explorer version to provie internet browsing. With the help of WiFi support, customers can music tracks through the IZune PressPass subscription service.

In the forthcoming E3 conference at Los Angeles in June, the company will announce the introduction of the new Zune video service for Xbox. This will replace the existing Xbox Live Marketplace for TV and movies. The company is expected to announce additional details such as gaming support for Zune at the same time.

According to the press release by Microsoft, Zune HD will be made available in fall. Going by the statement made by Paul Thurrott of Winsupersite, it will arrive on September 5 this year.

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 28 May, 2009 5:19:10 PM IST #