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Zune HD at CES

Jan. 7, 2010 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

The Zune didn't factor into Microsoft's keynote very much, but the company sends word of some interesting developments for the Zune HD in the months ahead...

This spring, the popular and intuitive Smart DJ feature that is now available on Zune PC software and Zune.net will be available on the Zune HD player. Smart DJ on the Zune HD will work by pulling music stored on the device, as well as from Zune Marketplace when connected via Wi-Fi enabled.

Zune is also allowing users to add and playback video content through other channels besides the Zune Marketplace to their device by introducing MPEG-4 part 2 Advanced Simple Profile support.

Additionally, we are working hard to deliver the Facebook for Zune HD application in the early part of the year.

Apparently, they're demoing these features at the Zune part of the Microsoft booth. I passed through there earlier today but didn't look for this, so I'll check back.

Discuss this Article 10

anonymous
on Jan 7, 2010
This post was mentioned on Twitter by eoghann_feed: Zune HD at CES http://bit.ly/5JQ6EZ
wdowell
on Jan 7, 2010
Could you be so kind to ask when they may actaully offer them in Europe?! I've been ready to hand over the cash since the brown Zune, and ZuneHD looked so awesome. I couldn't give a stuff about the radio, and i dont buy the argument that the cost of setting up sales in europe can be exorbitant. If Microsoft are serious about competing with Apple, urm, it'd be good if we could buy them. . . Sure, the Zune brand is coming to Europe, finally, with the Xbox, but it's really really time. I remember tweeting months back before Zune HD was known about international plans and Zune responded that i should wait for news later in the year. In my mind plans were for the ZuneHD to be in europe, and for whatever reason this was retracted. I have little option other than go iPod...(i'm a podcastholic, and iTunes/Zune are virtually only ones which properly sync).
Waethorn
on Jan 7, 2010
"the Zune brand is coming to Europe, finally, with the Xbox" Well at least it's something, I guess. I'm still waiting for Sony to do *something* with online media services on the PS3 in Canada. You guys already have that music video service in Europe. We don't even have that. It's pretty bad when you see all these posters up in the Home Theatre of PS Home advertising movies on Playstation Network/Store that aren't even available to you. They talk and talk about movies and music being available, but so far, there have been about 3 whole CD's worth of game soundtracks on PSN in Canada. That's just crap. BTW: A friend of mine has an Xbox 360, and he still says there is no Zune stuff in his NXE for Canada anywhere. The video stuff only consists of a few music videos and game videos, and not much else (no TV or movies), and none of it has Zune branding yet.
Backup77
on Jan 7, 2010
@wdowell You may well ask because Microsoft has said next to nothing on this. I doubt I will ever see one in Australia but thats another story. http://www.zune-life.com.au/
Backup77
on Jan 7, 2010
@Waethorn Thats pretty lame from Sony, You would think they would have lifted their game by now. The PS3 console was launched more than 3 years ago.
rr0de74@live.com
on Jan 7, 2010
Zune is dead. Only Microsoft does not know.
roteague
on Jan 7, 2010
I've been holding off buying an HD, simply because I have an almost brand new 120 ... but, no longer. It's such a sweet device, best on the market, IMO.
roteague
on Jan 7, 2010
Come Spring, the Zune HD should receive a firmware update providing support for MPEG-4 part 2 Advanced Simple Profile videos, including the torrent junkie's format of choice, XviD. http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10429068-269.html?tag=twitter2
crazzygooses
on Jan 7, 2010
The HD needs to come to Australia before end of the year when my iPhone contract ends.
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 8, 2010
"The HD needs to come to Australia before end of the year when my iPhone contract ends. " Why, are you giving up cell phones all together?

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