Manufacturer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Type | Portable media player |
Release date | September 15, 2009 |
Retail availability | September 15, 2009 |
Discontinued | October 3, 2011 |
Operating system | Windows CE 6.0 |
CPU |
Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 One ARM11 and one ARM7 general processing cores |
Memory | 128MB Hynix SDRAM |
Storage |
Flash memory 16, 32 and 64 GB |
Display | 480 x 272 px (167 ppi, 3.3 in (1.62 in x 2.88 in), 16:9 aspect ratio, OLED display |
Graphics |
Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 Several cores dedicated to 2D and 3D graphics, audio, video, HD decoding |
Input | Multi-touch touchscreen display, accelerometer, HD Radio |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), USB 2.0, HDMI |
Power | 3.7 V 660 mAh Internal rechargeable non-removable lithium-ion polymer battery Audio - 33 hours (wireless off) Video - 8.5 hours |
Online services | Zune Marketplace |
Dimensions | 52.7 mm (2.07 in) (w) 102.1 mm (4.02 in) (h) 8.9 mm (0.35 in) (d) |
Weight | 74 g (2.6 oz) |
Predecessor | Zune 80, 120 |
Successor | Windows Phone |
The Zune HD was a portable media player in the Zune product family released on September 15, 2009 by Microsoft. It was a direct competitor with Apple's iPod touch series of mobile devices. It was initially released in 16 and 32 GB capacities. A 64 GB version was released on April 9, 2010. It has a touchscreen interface for navigation and included Wi-Fi for synchronization, access to the Zune Marketplace and Web browsing.
The Zune HD utilized the Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 chip, allowing it to play 720p video through the optional HDMI Zune dock on a high-definition television. Otherwise, content would be scaled down to 480×272 pixels on the player's OLED touchscreen.
Soon after Apple released the iPod Touch, Microsoft R&D department head, Robbie Bach began work on a touch-screen Zune player to combat it. The department started immediately on reworking the Windows CE-based OS of the older Zune to suit the new multitouch PMP. Astro Studios was contracted to design the Zune HD's aluminum casing. On June 19, 2009, Zune Insider host Matt Akers confirmed that the Zune HD would have an Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 chip and OLED touchscreen.
The Zune HD was released on September 15, 2009 to retail markets in black and platinum colors and 16 or 32GB capacities; additionally, red, green, and blue-colored models were available through the online Zune Originals store.
Two months later, on November 6, 2009, firmware update 4.3 was released. The new firmware version improved the performance of the web browser, added support for the apps that were to be released in the days that followed, and fixed several notable bugs. On November 11, 2009, several new apps appeared on the Zune Marketplace. The apps included Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf: Tilt, Lucky Lanes Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Checkers, and Piano.