Amazon leaks Zune HD prices
An Amazon product listing may reveal the retail pricing of the 16GB and 32GB Zune HD.
(Credit: Amazon)Update: The Zune HD is now officially available for ordering.
Microsoft's secrecy around its upcoming Zune HD portable media player is being betrayed left and right these days. Yesterday, we found images and details on the Zune HD's storage capacity leaked by the FCC, and now we have Amazon showing off retail pricing.
An Amazon product listing prices the 16GB Zune HD at $219, and the 32GB model at $289. Unfortunately, you'll get a 404 error if you try clicking through from the listing to the actual product page, which dashes any hope of preordering.
Compared against similar products, such as the iPod Touch and Sony X-Series Walkman, the pricing shown on Amazon is very attractive. In particular, the 32GB model is priced $110 less than the current generation of the iPod Touch and Sony X-Series. It's still not quite the bargain of the Cowon S9, but the Zune HD's 720p video output, HD radio, and Web browser, make it a very different product than Cowon's.
Of course, it's unlikely that Microsoft will be the only one releasing a new touch-screen portable media player this fall. Apple's ritual September iPod announcements could include price drops to match or surpass the Zune HD, or perhaps include the mythical 64GB Flash memory player everyone's so convinced they need. The annual iPod vs. Zune wars are just warming up, folks. At least this time around it's looking like a fair fight.
Note: Tune in to CNET Live today, Tuesday, August 11, at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET to watch a live episode of CNET's MP3 Insider podcast, with special guest Brian Seitz from Microsoft's Zune team and Zune Insider blog. He'll be bringing along a Zune HD and taking a few questions from the CNET Live chat room.
(Via PC World)
On Sale Now:
$269.98
- $309.99
View the latest prices for Zune HD (32GB - platinum)
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
Or if anything else, port the UI to Win Mobile 6.5 through an update or to Win 7 Mobile.
Stop wasting time, you have the goods in your hands with the Zune HD,
To Steve Ballmer - If you are listening, we want a Zune HD Phone, don't listen to the copy cat comments and get with it.
LOL
Using a Zune is pure toilet humor at your expense. LOL
Since when have smart people bought their music from iTunes?!? I get the same price or less on Amazon and I OWN the song...Duh!"
@atlrus--Itunes is DRM free. Your argument is old.
Why are you so gosh-darned sexy? Every time I see you, I can't help but think about cheating on my iPhone. (Though, to be honest, that honeymoon's long over.) You're driving me wild, Zune! Please stop before I end up filing papers!
Lust,
-Me
also donald bell, this was never not a fair fight, apple just always won.
i think rather, "a fight that might last more than two minutes" might be a better choice of words.
alsooo, apple is putting cameras on the touch and nano. it's not that big a deal, but once again, it's something zune will have to play catch up with.
@Cooper23
why do i need another camera? i've got my digital camera and my cell phone.
also i dont think the zune will even stand a chance against apple, sure the product "could" be better in every way than the ipod touch but the apple is just too popular. its just too late for now maybe in 3 years someone will pass apple but not now.....
--From a non-Apple fanboy
Apparently there's a 64GB version too, but it won't be available immediately at launch.
Ipod has a much better and easier reach to its customers than zune.....is the zune available anywhere outside the united states?????? look at ipod, its everywhere, atleast here in India.
Apple has marketshare and loyal customers that are tied to iTunes. Their devices have not compared to the industry for a while, and their only benefit (for some) are the apps. If you want a great music experience and unlimited music, get a Zune w/ZunePass.
If Market share is everything, then will you accept PC as the champ compared to the Mac? PC is present all over the WORLD
the only deciscion im making is black or silver
I will not not be purchasing this player when it comes out since I love my walkman........but I'm happy companies like sony, microsoft, samsung etc are starting to challenge the giant.
This is looking pretty good. Although I'm sure the lower prices are in anticipation for Apple's yearly refresh.
Hmmm...
A 32GB Touch with the App store and a camera, or a 32GB Zune with HD Radio and HD output....
Makes my brain hurt trying to pick. Your move Apple.
I really like the price point, especially since I'm looking to upgrade to a large compacity touch screen device soon.
I do think it's going to take a very long time for Microsoft to even touch what Apple has accomplished with the app store. I'm not going to shoot it down, but Apple has an impressive amount of apps. I think people's decisions to go Zune HD or iPod Touch is going to depend on what Apple announces in September. Hopefully it'll be something cheaper and more impressive, but even as a very dedicated Apple customer, I'm leaning towards the Zune HD right now.
You stole mah link! I forgive you though :-P This is what Microsoft should have done from the start, they could never gain ground if the prices were on par because of the customer mindset that Apple has. 110 dollars cheaper than the 32gb touch is a HUGE deal, I for one am sold, assuming there arent any glaring blemishes with the new Zune.
all indications are pointing that the ipod is all but dead in apple's plans.. they are focusing on the iphone as their platform. ZuneHD will do just fine.. and with direct to Zune "itunes like" service they will
I have yet to see a direct comparison with specs and features etc other then the App store.
-
by Bluecharmander
August 11, 2009 11:43 PM PDT
- it's not enough memory, or else i'd buy it. for 350.
-
Like this
Reply to this comment
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (65 Comments)