The Mac Sucks!

The folks over at the Redmond Pie web site have compared the specifications of the upcoming Microsoft Zune HD to the Apple iPod Touch 2G. Follow that link if you want the full details, but here are the key differences between the two:

• The Zune has a 3.3″ OLED display with 480×272 resolution. The iPod Touch has a 3.5″ screen with 480×320 resolution. While this might give the iPod an initial “edge” since it’s slightly larger and higher resolution, the OLED technology in the Zune might provide more vibrant color.
• The Zune will reportedly feature a “special version” of Internet Explorer, reported elsewhere to be based on IE 6. The iPod’s is based on Apple’s Safari browser.
• The Zune will offer 720p video output via HDMI, while the iPod Touch only offers SD video out.
• The iPod Touch, when combined with a microphone, will serve as a voice recorder. The Zune will not have this built in.
• The Zune offers an HD radio receiver. The iPod does not.
• The Zune will offer a built-in “social service”, the Zune Social.
• The Zune will have its own built-in Zune Marketplace store, similar to the App Store and iTunes in the iPod Touch.
• The Zune will work with Windows PCs, while the iPod Touch works with both Windows and Macintosh.
• The Zune will include XBox Live integration, wireless synchronization, and wireless file sharing. The iPod Touch does not offer those options.
• The Zune features an Nvidia Tegra graphics processor, which may be superior to the graphics processor in the iPod Touch.

It’s also interesting to note some of the key features the two have in common. Both feature a multi-touch display, an accelerometer, WiFi, and games and applications. Since the Zune HD will be new to the marketplace, we can expect the iPod Touch to offer a significantly larger range of applications.

The site also shows a video of a user putting a Zune HD through some of its basic functions:

CNET has also posted a hands-on video of the Zune HD:

As I’ve mentioned before, I received an iPod Touch 2G as a Christmas gift last year. I have to admit that I like it a lot, and I can’t imagine dumping it for a Zune HD… at least not based on what I’ve seen so far.

On the other hand, and without my having gotten my hands on a Zune HD, I think Microsoft has gotten a LOT right with this device. They’ve hit a form factor that is smaller than the iPhone (though it could be larger than the iPod Touch). They have a comparable screen size and multi-touch technology. It has a built-in web browser and app support. It has an accelerometer, which is used in some of the more popular iPhone and iPod Touch applications. It’ll output HD video. The interface looks sharp and professional, though some will prefer the iPod Touch’s interface to that of the Zune (and probably others will prefer it the other way around). On the whole, I think it will be a worthy competitor to the iPod Touch provided that Microsoft prices it appropriately, allows third-party applications, and doesn’t follow Apple’s “app censorship” example. With the right catalog of third-party applications and a (compared to the iPod Touch) relatively low sticker price, Microsoft could put a dent in iPod Touch sales this fall… especially if Apple doesn’t update the Touch (which seems unlikely).

It sounds like Microsoft may have a decent product in the pipeline as its response to the Apple iPod. According to an anonymous source on wmpoweruser.com, the upcoming Zune HD will allegedly feature:

• Capacitive, multi-touch OLED screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
• HDMI out
• HD radio
• HD media playback, including to a television
• 3D Xbox game support
• 16 and 32 GB versions
• Wireless synchronization
• Web browser that supports multi-touch

There will also reportedly be a 120GB model, presumably hard drive based.

In the comments below the wmpoweruser.com post, there are indications that there will be a portal site (presumably Microsoft’s equivalent to the Apple App Store) where games can be purchased.

This could be a solid competitor to the iPod if in fact it delivers on all the rumored features. If not, well, we’ll have to see what Microsoft does come up with…

Engadget has posted a story with images of a supposed new Microsoft Zune model called the Zune HD. Very little is known about the device, other than that the images are being unofficially confirmed as real. What’s interesting about the Zune HD is that it appears to be a touch-screen device vaguely similar to the Apple iPod Touch. One can also guess by the name that it will probably have a high-definition screen. Not much more is known about it than this.

Interestingly, I read another article on CNET about how a survey of teenagers indicated that 100% of them planned to buy an Apple iPod in the future. That’s right, 100%. Before you start to take that statistic too seriously, realize that the survey only counts 600 students with an average age of 16.3 years. Moreover, this same group of students said that they wouldn’t pay more than $200 for an MP3 player. That leaves only the Nano and Shuffle as options in Apple’s product line. And, of course, the survey only asks what player they “want” to buy rather than what they “expect” to buy or may eventually actually buy. Still, it does show how successful Apple’s marketing efforts to teenagers have been.

While the above articles don’t paint a very rosy picture for Microsoft’s chances in the media player market, I wouldn’t be too quick to rule them out yet. The current Zune model has been receiving very favorable reviews compared with the iPod Classic (which is the most-similar product to it in the Apple line). While Microsoft is losing “mind share” because its players aren’t up to the “wow” factor of the iPod Touch, the Zune HD is evidence that Microsoft recognizes this deficiency and is taking steps to correct it. If their Microsoft Surface technology (and the “touch” technology included in Windows 7) is any indication, it’s clear that Microsoft recognizes the need to incorporate this kind of technology in their products. What remains to be seen is whether Microsoft can produce a touch-screen device that’s truly competitive with the iPod Touch. Because it’s good for competition and innovation, I hope so… but I’m not willing to bet on it yet.