We're liking the look of Microsoft's Zune HD, and we're admittedly miffed at the fact that Microsoft won't be making the player available in the European market - at least, not initially.
However, for U.S. consumers wanting to get their hands on some NVIDIA Tegra-based action, Microsoft has officially confirmed that the Zune HD is now available for pre-order and will be hitting store shelves on September 15th - a week later than what had previously been rumoured.
U.S. consumers can pre-order the Zune HD in 16GB Black or 32GB Platinum models, priced at $219.99 and $289.99, respectively, at Amazon.com, Best Buy,Walmart or the official Microsoft Store.
If you want to see the device before hand, select Best Buy stores will be offering a sneak peak, along with the ability to place a pre-order, beginning August 16th.
Want to know why you might want to get one? Well, apart from NVIDIA's Tegra SoC, Microsoft's list of key Zune HD features are as follows:
| • | Built-in HD Radio™ receiver. Allows you to listen to higher-quality sound than is available from traditional radio channels, as well as access additional programming through HD2 and HD3 multicast channels from many of your favourite local FM radio stations at no extra cost. |
| • | HD video output capabilities. Supports HD video playback from the device through a premium HDMI A/V docking station (sold separately) directly to an HDTV in 720p, making it easy to enjoy better-than-DVD-quality video on your own big screen at home. |
| • | OLED touch screen. Allows you to easily flip through music, movies and other content. The 3.3-inch glass screen and 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offer a premium viewing experience. |
| • | Built-in Wi-Fi. Allows for browsing, streaming or downloading new music from Zune Marketplace. |
| • | Internet browser. Full-screen Web browsing, optimised for the multitouch screen with zoom-in and zoom-out gestures. |
| • | Accessories, at home and on the road. Zune HD and AV Dock charges and syncs players while playing supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Play HD Radio, music and podcasts from your Zune HD device through your car stereo using the Zune Premium Car Pack. |
