Zune HD and Xbox Live – The Missing Link?

OXCGN sees huge potential in the new ZUNE HD and looks at what this portable entertainment device will be able to do:

"The ZuneHD is Microsoft's next dip into entertainment devices, but here at OXCGN what excited us most is the potential for gaming on the stunning little handheld.

So far it's been confirmed that the Zune Marketplace will actually be replacing the Video Marketplace on Xbox Live. This is a bold step, linking the Zune HD and Xbox 360 in an almost symbiotic relationship. This is very similar to the steps Sony took to link the launch of Blu-Ray and the PS3 to push ahead the success of both."

[Superfragilistic]

If I can earn achievements on my Zune and download music and video on my Xbox360 and use and transfer it across both platforms I'm definitely buying this.

Castle Crashers on Zune HD ftw!

Looks damn sexy to. :D

[The Master Chief]

Perfect Dark XBLA online on Zune HD....what if that was possible? I would shat myself.

[gaminoz]

@ Master Chief

OMG that would be cool. But they'd need to have games that compete with Resistance: Retribution etc. too.

[REALgamer]

And they work way better than PSP controls.

Most use a virtual joystick on the bottom left, you use with your left thumb, and then swipe anywhere on the screen with your right thumb to look / rotate. Works really well, similar to FPS on the DS but more comfortable.

Gaming on touch-screen devices is surprisingly good, of course in some games buttons are better but at least you can have them on the screen.

I saw the Zune HD has an accelerometer in it as well like the iPod Touch so it can sense motion.

[The Master Chief]

This is HD though, can play HD movies too. And achievements and moving things between 360 and Zune. I hope there are 2 sticks also on Zune HD, shooters on PSP suck. You play with 4 buttons and auto aim instead of a stick. lol

[REALgamer]

So anything needed is on the actual touchscreen.

I was reading the resolution itself is the same as the PSP, so not HD (pretty hard at that size), but it outputs video to external displays at HD so the name comes from that.

But you don't need thumbsticks with the way Appstore fps games work. Works great with swiping in any direction to look, and using an on-screen thumbstick to move. The Terminator Salvation appstore game is a good example, it's a third-person shooter that's very similar to Gears of War.

[Immortal Kaim]

The problem with the Zune is, it will never successfully compete with Apple's iPod while Microsoft refuses to actually release it worldwide... The iPod is a 'world product', whereas the Zune is essentially US centric.

[jessehaysfl]

so are there any good zune games now or is this all future stuff?

[REALgamer]

If they can do the rumoured XBLA games on it, that would be amazing to take Arcade games with you.

Hopefully MS will show more at E3.

[gaminoz]

Wow is this more powerful than the PSP for gaming? And we can watch movies on our tv streamed from it?

I'm not sure what all that tech stuff means but this analysis really makes it sound very very promising. I wasn't excited by Zune before, but if there are great games for it, we can play XBLA games on it, and do all that other stuff described it will be better than the iTouch.

Will it reach the potential though?

And I wonder what price it will be...

[Superfragilistic]

I know I've always considered the Zune a bit of a white elephant but this changes everything imo.

Can't wait for E3! :D

[REALgamer]

But hopefully it's competitive, probably around the same as the iPod Touch.

It's probably going to have the usual shaky start as games come out using engines made for other devices before Zune HD-specific engines are developed to really use the new hardware. Kind of like the iPod Touch games are starting to get really impressive, like NFS: Undercover.

I wonder how much RAM it will have? The PSP was criticized for too little ram (32mb) at launch, and the iPod Touch has 128mb but it's also running an OS like the Zune will be, so hopefully 128mb - 256mb?

Think of the possibilities for MMOs! There's some 2D ones on iPod Touch, but it would be cool if you were playing something like APB on 360, and then you could log into a 2D version on the Zune HD and keep playing!

I just noticed in the official image down the bottom of the article, a 'GAMES' heading is missing on the screen. Very suspicious. Almost like they're afraid to put one in until E3 in case it's called 'ARCADE' or 'XBOX' or something that would give it away. Especially since there's a nice space at the top of the screen to fit in another heading...

[The Master Chief]

Man this could be REALLY cool. Unlock Achievements and play co-op on Zune HD??

[Why dis]

I just bought my Ipod touch and it feels restricted/dated already when reading this.

[Superfragilistic]

I know I was just looking at iPhones today and then this comes along! lol

I thought all the rumours were just BS. Makes me think that motion controller stuff might actually be true to.

E3 is going to go off!

[Why dis]

You must be talking about MSFT's first party motion control rumors. Some say full body motion with MSFT's 1st party motion.

I'll enjoy some 3rd party too http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

Speaking of phones I was thinking about waiting or getting Iphone 3G, BlackBerry Storm or a Samsung instinct I was also looking at some LG models of smart phones.

EDIT @XboxOZ360 I can't wait for update 3.0 either

I like the sound of the cross connectivity of the Zune better when it comes to the hardware or software I use the most. My new Ipod touch can't share Apple content with my Samsung LCD but my brother's old Iphone can, whats up with that?

I thought the Japanese love them because they are cool looking and do cool things also because the Japanese are horrible at making software? lol

[XboxOZ360]

The "NEW" iPhone, about to be released soon will put this to shame, and the firmware update for the current ones adds a great deal more features not in the current iPhones or iPod Touches.

The one thing Apple has over its competition is, simplicity and ease of use. Which most seem to forget.

One of the big reasons Japanese love them so is because of that. they are intuitive to use, rather than requiring a guide through them.

[Gamingisfornerds]

the Iphone and ZuneHD are not exactly comparable. The Iphone isn't a great gaming platform, at all! Although, I'm not exactly a ' mobile' gamer per definition, so perhaps I'm bias. But the lack of physical buttons clearly hurts the Iphone in that aspect. And yes, I've seen these attachments where you can slide the Iphone in so it gets these buttons, but I just don't see that take off. It immediately removes the charm the Iphone has.

Plus, the ZuneHD isn't a phone, and that to me is a HUGE dealbreaker. Without the phone functionality it's a no-go, which is a huge shame as I find the ZuneHD design much sexier than even the Iphone (which is still the sexiest mobile device around imo). I'm really bummed about that. So for now, I'm sticking with my iphone...

[XboxOZ360]

MS have a LONG way to go if they think they are going to even come 'close' to iTune, in either digital music or digital downloads of movies or streaming of movies.

Apple have the things sown up tight, and are expanding on it as we speak.

Expect an announcement from Apple in the 'very' near future on its plans for it moving more intou the digital gaming arena as well.

[Superfragilistic]

Microsoft has an install base approaching 30 million to help it get started!

And whilst Apple holds the upper hand in iTunes for music I'd argue that MS is on a level playing field with video content, particularly given Netflix and its streaming which exceeds iTunes offerings imo.

And then Apple faces the opposite problem of Microsoft with music. MS is the incumbant in gaming and does gaming much better than Apple has ever done.

Only way round all this is if Apple buys EA, which given EA's financials really wouldn't surprise me. ;)

[gaminoz]

I'd say it's almost a done deal that Apple buys EA....

[darkmurder]

I disagree apple has nothing to gain really from the gaming market

[XboxOZ360]

You're kidding me - right?

?? Apple have a HUGE area to gain by stepping "further" into the gamoing arena.

It is second to none with regards to its global acceptance of digital download. There has been talks with EVERY major publisher and their developing studios about games for the Mac and for it becoming a major part in the gaming fraternity. Ubi, EA, THQ and many others are already 'committed' to apple for many iPhone/iPod Touch games and looking further into other "applications" for gaming.

Meaning, other ways of getting further into the gaming area.

It's line up of Laptops, iPhones, etc are increasingly more powerfull, more function capable, and their market share is increasing every month.

Secondly, have you SEEN how many are out there, everywhere I go someone is playing a game on an iPhone..

By stepping further into the market, they increase the ability to have more games not only on their own platform, which remember is intel based and works a treat. But also allows them the ability to apply their iTunes store to every game they wish, so it could be downloaded through it's connectivity.

I can play anything that's on my Mac on my 360 without a single need to configure anything. Connect360 does it automatically for my, unlike setting up a Media Center connection which does take configuring.

It's not a matter of IF Apple gets into the gaming arena, but more to the point "when, and how" It's an inevitable thing, like the sun coming up in the morning basically - it's just going to happen.

[Random404]

The zune marketplace is ahead of itunes in digital music. The software is amazing. I have only physically connected my zune to my pc one time for the initial setup. After that it's all wireless syncing (which you want when you can constantly add new music to your library).

With a dock it takes the place of having a roku soundbridge in everyroom for streaming from your pc. You can even download or stream songs directly to your zune from the zune marketplace. I realize you can do this with an iphone or ipod touch to some degree, but you have to pay per song and the capacity is too limited to support big libraries and wifi is only supported on those models and the zune has wifi across the board. I would suggest you try it, but it doesn't look like you own a pc.

The subscription model is amazing. I get all the songs I want for $15/month and I get to keep 10 every month. Napster also has an interesting model where $60 gives you 60 mp3's and a year of streaming to pc's from their 7 million library of songs. Paying per song is an outdated way to do it (Why pay $60 dollars to apple for 60 songs when you can pay $60 for 60 songs to napster and get a years worth of access to a 7 million music library for free). I think apple could make a boatload of money if they adopted a subscription model similar to the zune or napster. The video and tv show marketplace is a little slim for the zune, but if they combine that with the video marketplace from the xbox than it is much more competitive. Combining that with starz play is a possibility because they have a deal with netflix and it would make for an awesome subscription/purchase/rental model that would surpass itunes in the ways people can get their content.

The ui on the zune software and the zune are also nice and easy to use. It's a subjective thing, but my 5 year old has no problem using it. The ui falls short of a touch, but is superior to an ipod wheel. Add multi-touch with a zune hd and it will be just as easy to use.

[cherrypie]

You're dead wrong about Apple having anything "sown up".

Do they have a Living Room Console? Nope. And they dont have the best selling HD console, Microsoft does. And, they dont really have much in the way of gaming.

We'll see which games (XNA? XBLA? XBLCG?) are available on Zune HD.

MS is about to do a serious end-run on the ipod. Watch.

[DoctorQ]

gaming and music experience batman!!!
oh, i just want to throw my ipod out now and get a zune...
damn you expensive tertiary education!!

[Godem]

will the Zune ever see Australia?

[REALgamer]

If we don't get the Zone HD I'll be very annoyed...

Angry emails will be sent.

=P

[kaveti6616]

"Dear Microsoft,

Once again you have failed to acknowledge the existence of the great nation of Australia. We gave the world Steve Irwin and you gave us nothing in return. Shame on you.

Sincerely,
KoalaMate1080"

If I lived in Australia, I'd be traveling around the beautiful landscapes and out saving Koalas instead of playing games and such. I live in Van Nuys, California and there is absolutely nothing interesting to do here.

[Legendary-Status]

Sound's very good, Could this be Microsoft's ACE.... because I know what Sony has in store for us lol.. and it's BIG... but it's time for that PSP GO Sony...

[LeShin]

If the Zune HD has physical buttons then it will be VERY good competition for the PSP.

But if it doesn't, no thanks! I like playing God of War type action games where my fingers doesn't take up any screen estate and i can be more precise with my combos. Also, I can't see touch screen work effectively with fighting games and after playing Streetfighter Alpha 3 Max, Guilty Gear and Tekken Dark Resurrection on my PSP AND with the announcement of Tekken 6 and a new Soul Calibur on it, there's no contest for me!

[darkmurder]

me want now, somehow tho i see this failing like the other one, the mp3 war is over, its in phones now.

[cherrypie]

The "other one" didnt fail. No, it didnt displace the ipod, but the mp3 player market is maturing; and CHANGING. see, its not just about music anymore. This is portable gaming, Communicator (Messenger in your pocket?!), Web! and more...

This is about synergy, a portable device that extends your PC (dominant platform) and Xbox 360 (again, dominant platform).

MS just might have a serious hit on it's hands. I'll be buying one for myself, and my nephew..

For Sale: Zune 120, black, excellent condition.

[Legendary-Status]

if I got disagree's for the PSP GO? I wasnt talking about that just wait till E3 lol..haha..it's going to blow yall Mind's

lol? hahaha Disagree's

this is funny I didnt do Nothing wrong...

[Shadow Man]

I just jizzed my pants

[cryymoar]

damn, the zune supports more HD than the xb360 does.
how sad.

[The Great Melon]

whoops supposed to be responding to 1
@REALgamer
If Microsoft also has an accelerometer in their device, I can see many of the things that get released on the iphone coming over to the Zune. The Zune HD might just pick up some steam. I have been waiting to buy a good do-everything device. Microsoft has definitely caught my attention.

[REALgamer]

I'm sure a lot of iPhone game developers would be keen to quickly port their iPhone games across to see how they go. Hopefully this means developers should be comfortable with touch-screen games.

[SSCOOLCHEA]

from a piece of shlt company ....I don't know 1 person who owns a zune .stick to microsoft office and stop making aftermarket products . I live in chicago , a big fkn city . I still have yet to see anyone bring out a portable device and watch a fkn video on the bus or train .

[Arutha]

Still loving my Zune 30 but the Zune HD has my attention. I think what will be key is the pricing on this. MS has an up hill battle since Apple knows how to Market the iPod, but it is intriguing to see how the Zune HD is going to interact with Xbox Live.

As for Apple buying EA, I am not sure if we need a 4th company making systems. I wouldn't be surprised if MS doesn't make an attempt and convert most of EA's games over to exclusive ones for the X720. What would be interesting is to see is if Madden goes with that. EA has enough games that if Sony, MS, or Apple was to buy them it would shake up the market place pretty well.

[OneShotThrill]

but i dont know about the Zune. i bought the original back when it released. I really liked the features but it crapped out on me only after like 3 months and I was pissed. The ipods sound quality was better as well...ill keep an eye on this tho

[Arutha]

Mine is still kicking. I've been using the hell out of it too. What I find interesting was at the time it came out it had more features then the iPod. Sound wise I do not care about since I use ear buds and if I really want to listen to music I do it at home in a good environment. When I'm out and about it's all good if it blocks out the other noise.