Gizmodo: zune originals

Zune HD Available for Pre-Order Today

Dan Nosowitz — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:01:00 EDT

After months of leaks, rumors, and heavy anticipation, Microsoft is officially unveiling the last pieces of the Zune HD puzzle...which were already leaked. Release date is September 15th, but the 16/32GB Zune HD can be pre-ordered today.

So, just like we knew already, the Zune HD will be released September 15th in 16/32GB flavors, at a cost of $220 and $290, respectively. If you pre-order, you'll be able to nab the 16GB in black and the 32GB in platinum, but upon release, there'll be five different colors with 10 new engravings on Zune Originals. Based on the Zune's past, we'd bet those other colors are red, blue, and green (probably no return of the brown, unfortunately). UPDATE: Colors options are listed are here.

Microsoft isn't releasing the price of the accessories, like that HD-outputting dock we're all going to want, but luckily the rest of the current Zune lineup's accessories will also work with the Zune HD. The only other new detail is that select Best Buy outlets will have Zune HDs to play with on August 22nd and 23rd, which is good news if you haven't gotten to play with one yet.

So, not much new here, but it's good to see Microsoft is keeping up with the very cool Zune Originals store. Who else is going to have a hard time waiting a whole month? [Zune]

REDMOND, Wash. – Aug. 13, 2009 – Zune HD, the next generation of Microsoft Corp.'s portable digital media player, is available now for pre-order and is set to hit store shelves on Sept. 15. The player, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, is the first touch-screen Zune and includes powerful playback technology to give you a different way to experience media on the go. Combined with unparalleled PC software and online services such as Zune Pass, Zune provides a rich and meaningful connection to music, videos, podcasts and more.

Pre-order Zune HD in 16GB Black and 32GB Platinum through http://www.zune.net/zunehd from Amazon.com, Best Buy,Walmart and Microsoft. Beginning September 15, at http://www.ZuneOriginals.net, both 16GB and 32GB capacities of Zune HD will be available in five different colors with the option to customize your player with one of 10 new engravings designed by guest artists.

WHAT: With a sleek and stylish design, Zune HD is the first to combine these features:

• 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 favorite 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 HD TV 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, optimized for the multi-touch 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.

WHY: Pre-order now to be one of the first to experience the new Zune HD's advanced design,innovative technology and rich multimedia capabilities powered by the NVIDIA Tegra™ chip ultra low-power HD processor.

PRICING: Zune HD 16GB: $219.99 (estimated retail price); Zune HD 32GB: $289.99 (estimated retail price)

WHEN: Pre-order starting Thursday, Aug. 13. Purchase in stores on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

WHERE ONLINE: http://www.zune.net/zunehd

WHERE IN STORE: Place a pre-order in person at Best Buy beginning August 16. If you want to sneak a peek, visit select stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., areas on August 22 and 23.

Zune 120 Coming in Blue, Along with New Zune Originals Designs

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

Microsoft's arty Zune Originals designs are a great selling point for the device, but if you weren't satisfied with the selection so far, they're adding a whopping 46 new sketches to the collection. Some of the new designs are awfully snazzy, and they're all available on the Zune Originals site. While perusing the press release, a reader over at Zunerama found a shot of what seems to be the Zune 120 in the same shade of blue as the flash-based blue Zunes. It'd make sense for Microsoft to add a little color to the big brother of the family, so it's probably safe to expect a more official announcement soon. [Zunerama]

Red Zune 80 Now Customizable via Zune Originals

Jason Chen — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:05:53 EDT

The red version of the 80GB Zune is now customizable via the Zune Originals site. Head on over and pick out a custom design and custom text for your own Zune, which you could then use to propose to your girlfriend with. If you do use this idea, email me. I want to talk to your crazy ass. [Zune Originals]

80GB Zune Can Now Be Gussied Up with Zune Originals, Too

Charlie White — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:15:12 EST

If you like that Zune Originals engraving that was formerly only available on the 4GB and 8GB models, now you can enjoy that same subtle and intricate artwork from 18 artists on the 80GB model. Accompany your choice of artwork with your favorite phrase, or choose text by itself or artwork alone. The flash-based configuration utility is fun to use, too. Thanks to Ernest Hemingway for his six-word short story we used as our text inscription. [Zune Originals]

Zune Originals Steve Ballmer Edition (We Miss Gates So Much)

Mark Wilson — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:18:30 EST

This Zune Original Steve Ballmer edition is good. Its unapologetic adolescent humor was jut the ticket to making us lol a bit on a Friday morning. (In truth, it's tough to screw up a Ballmer parody.) But it made little Christmas lights illuminate in our otherwise dusty heads. Our question to you: Who wouldn't want a Bill Gates edition Zune, complete with dorky laser-etched caricature and maybe a few soundclips from the big man himself? Seriously, it would sell like the metaphorical "hot cakes," if said metaphor were to procreate with a popular portable media player. So let's make this happen, Microsoft. [iphonesavior via crunchgear]

Custom Zune Originals Pretty Damn Good Looking

Mark Wilson — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:14:56 EST

As expected, last weekend's rumored Zune Originals store turned out to be true. A group of 18 artists (including famous Barcelona artist Catalina Estrada) have produced 27 unique designs called the Artist Series for the Zune Originals store. In addition, the store will feature the Tattoo Series, 20 graphics that can be laser etched to your choice of Zune with up to three lines of text. This all sounds really interesting, especially since Microsoft has informed us that "all laser-engravings and shipping will be free for a limited time."[zuneoriginals]