“With the Zune HD, Microsoft has dusted off its failed brand and applied it to a new device aimed at the iPod touch. To distinguish it, the company has added several new features. Unfortunately, as was the case with previous models, what Microsoft has added is all sizzle and no steak,” Prince McLean reports for AppleInsider.
For example, “today’s OLED panels are much dimmer than standard issue LCDs: a typical maximum output of 200cd/m^2 compared to around 4-500 for mid-range LCDs. OLED also performs considerably worse in bright light because OLED is 100% emissive rather than being partially transflective… Microsoft knows this, which is why it only demonstrates the Zune HD in dark rooms… Microsoft sets up its demos in the dark because the Zune HD looks terrible outside, where its contrast ratio advantage observed in ideal conditions completely falls apart.. Microsoft is desperately looking for a marketable feature, whether or not that feature makes any sense for consumers,” McLean reports.
The the full article, McLean looks at the Zune’s over-hyped processor, what’s not “HD” about the device, its major app-lack problem, and more while explaining why the Zune HD appears to have failed before even hitting the market, here.
Engadget has a Zune HD, but reports that “Microsoft decided to hold on loading up any usable software until the new Zunes were out to market. What that means is that we have yet to do any serious testing with the new device.”
Engadget promises a “proper review coming soon” in their article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Microsoft, the Norman Bates of digital media players. Bury that thing already, it stinks.