First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition - Gizmodo Comments

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Will_USA — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:07:34 EDT

Sweet piece of hardware, no matter what anyone says.

Will_USA

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Will_USA — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:01:20 EDT

The Zune is in it's first version and there's much more planned that you can't do with the iPood, including wireless sync'ing with your car radio (Google Ford and Sync), buying tunes wirelessly without the computer (Google Zune Firmware update 1.4) and other cool changes coming like being able to customize the cover. Not to mention Zune's sound AND screen beat the living crap out of iPood. Not to mention iPood has a terrible reputation for technical glitches (Google iPod and 'broke' for a nice surprise you iPod lemmings). So which one's the turd now?

Will_USA

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Worf — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:49:35 EDT

Now, will the Zune finally come to Canada? I prefer the iPod myself, but this looks nifty enough I might get it... Probably won't use it, but hell.

Worf

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Roul60 — Mon, 14 May 2007 05:10:23 EDT

Holy hell.. this is the only zune that caught my attentiona and that i am willing to buy.. gorgeous piece of art.. really

Roul60

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

yoshi — Sun, 13 May 2007 09:36:44 EDT

@onec

It would be interesting to see how much money is spent developing "free" opensource software. Talking about losing money. It's a model that is supported too.

yoshi

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

yoshi — Sun, 13 May 2007 09:35:19 EDT

Let's not start talking about the laughable OS X market share.

yoshi

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Selcouth14: Add 28 for the answer — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:06:43 EDT

http://gizmodo.com/commenter/selcouth14

refer to all my previous posts on the Zune.

I'm sick of reiterating my points.

Fanboys on all sides are stupid...loyalty in a company? Yeah they don't care for them and neither do I.

I swear, at this rate I'm going back to vinyl.

Selcouth14: Add 28 for the answer

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

T_dot — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:53:13 EDT

@onec

Nothing apple makes is worth the money they charge.

I have less respect for people who buy apple products than I do for people who drive kia's.

T_dot

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Czechxican — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:06:53 EDT

In my opinion the thing looks like the fake walkie talkies you had as a kid, only with a big screen on the front and no dorky antenna.

Czechxican

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

TeamQJ — Sat, 12 May 2007 17:28:24 EDT

A lot of us here at QJ are Halo fans and we think it's pretty cool that they decided to release a Halo 3 themed Zune. It's funny because the moment you guys posted the pictures, some of the more rabid Halo 3 fans here said that they were suddenly considering picking one up when it comes out.

Thanks for sharing the pics with the rest of the community. We posted an article on this to get the word out to more Halo and Zune fans. You can find the article here:http://www.qj.net/Presenting-the-Zune-Halo-3-edition/pg/49/aid/92213

TeamQJ

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

onec — Sat, 12 May 2007 11:31:56 EDT

@ TallManNY

"every phone is going to have MP3 support that actually works"

While you do have a point, the "actually works" part is a bit optimistic. The plethora of phone OSes and variable GUI guidelines of today brings a tear of frustration to my eye. Most phones do not work, in regards to a usable interface and music support. Most never will.
Perhaps, if the iPhone/iPod is successful, this will change. Even if it isn't a success, someone else with the same idea (as there are many right now) may succeed and bring the needed shakeup in the phone biz.

"I never forget my phone, but I often forget to bring one of my iPods out at times when I realize later it would have been nice to use it."

I often forget my phone, but never forget to snag a DAP on my way out. To each his own.

onec

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

TallManNY — Sat, 12 May 2007 10:13:09 EDT

I live in New York (which one might guess from my screen name) and I take the subway which is one of the most useful places to have an MP3 player. I think I've noticed one Zune out in the wild since it has come out. I suspect that only Microsoft with all its cash could continue to support something that has failed in the marketplace so spectacularly.
And I'm not really sure what the point of trying to keep up with this is anyway. Does anyone think that we will be buying an MP3 player other than our phone in two or three years? Maybe the Apple Fan Boys will if they DON'T like the then available iPones or Cingular's service. Certainly there will be great iPods available as well. But every phone is going to have MP3 support that actually works and doesn't cost a bundle in a few years. So techy people will be using those. I never forget my phone, but I often forget to bring one of my iPods out at times when I realize later it would have been nice to use it. So I'd like to combine the two.

TallManNY

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

jackolo — Sat, 12 May 2007 09:34:36 EDT

What the? This retarded..... and I want one! I don't even listen to music... yeah, I'm a Halo Fanboy...

jackolo

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

DeadPlasmaCell — Sat, 12 May 2007 04:26:42 EDT

"And to Microsoft fanboys anything Apple does is shit. So your point is..?"

Just answering the dudes question is all.

DeadPlasmaCell

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

onec — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:47:18 EDT

@ T_dot

"Am I the only one that likes a nice small mp3 player that I can stick in my pocket and not feel like one of those tools that carry two sell phones?"

Hardly. Have you seen the 2G Shuffle? Seriously, it's a really good design (if it's worth the money is another issue).

There are others too. Personally, I liked the "lipstick" outings that were bashed in an article about a month ago. Small, easygoing, minimal display, plays common formats.. It's not like there is a shortage of options.

onec

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

onec — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:43:46 EDT

@ HoldenCfld

"I highly doubt the marketing team is taking very much away from the development team to make some special edition deigns."

Separate teams, yes. But I'm guessing the marketing team used up a shitload of cash for "inventing" this angle, money that could have been better spent on R&D. I mean, seriously, marketing guys take a shitload of money for any crap they come up with.

@ DeadPlasmaCell

"It's pretty easy.. to the Apple fanboy MS = Sh*t."

And to Microsoft fanboys anything Apple does is shit. So your point is..?

I think the real point is that these one-sided assholes are a vocal minority on both camps (also hiding in the *nix plethora) and should be ignored. Actual criticism of either company's products should NOT be taken lightly, however.

Whoever makes the best product wins, right? Regardless of brand.

onec

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

T_dot — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:41:09 EDT

Am I the only one that likes a nice small mp3 player that I can stick in my pocket and not feel like one of those tools that carry two sell phones?

T_dot

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Gizmog — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:58:24 EDT

Ironically, there's more people bashing the Zune bashers than there are bashing the Zune.

Gizmog

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

bdkennedy1 — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:35:13 EDT

Whoop-de-do.

bdkennedy1

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

DeadPlasmaCell — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:33:13 EDT

"I dont understand all the bashes."

It's pretty easy.. to the Apple fanboy MS = Sh*t. So anything associated with MS or "M$" as the fanboy would put it, is automatically doo doo regardless of reality. And lord forbid anyone dare say anything negative about Apple, then YOU will be branded a troll and be told to take your non Apple having ass else where! It's hypocrisy at it's finest!

DeadPlasmaCell

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

FranklinTurtle — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:21:56 EDT

@ onec

I highly doubt the marketing team is taking very much away from the development team to make some special edition deigns.

FranklinTurtle

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

onec — Sat, 12 May 2007 01:52:12 EDT

So.. we have Halo, which is a overhyped game, the Zune, which is an overhyped Mp3-player come together in a flash of unimpressiveness?

Be still my heart!

How about concentrating on getting the kinks out of the original design, getting that rumored "nano" Zune out and making the Zune 2.0 something really stunning (I'd suggest multitouch, but that'd be redundant, right)?
You know, instead of releasing limited editions of what's already there?

Seriously, who are they targeting? Compulsive collectors of obscure editions? That's a HUGE market, right there. :P

onec

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

A-Rude-Hero — Sat, 12 May 2007 01:11:13 EDT

So I guess they're going off the idea Halo was the thing to make XBOX sell it can do the same for Zune?

Oh well, if you got it, whore it.

A-Rude-Hero

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Peebert — Sat, 12 May 2007 00:31:40 EDT

I do believe I first saw this announcement on a sister site, Whogivesashitmodo.

Peebert

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

VisualVillain83 — Fri, 11 May 2007 23:47:31 EDT

Although I hate quikboy with a passion, Ill give you the Zune not being a horrible product statement. I own 2 ipods (video & shuffle) but my personal problem with the zune was in its actual quality. I like heavier, metal set items that when you pick them up you really feel the quality. The reason I didnt get a zune is because I have very high faith that apple will indeed bring out another ipod with the same screen size features (widescreen) and possible touch screen and more. It's what I prefer. WIth that said, I dont think the Zune is a "Great' product, but its not a super poor one. It's probably the best thing they have going for them technically besides the peopel that keep buying the cpu burning 360's.

VisualVillain83

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

DW — Fri, 11 May 2007 22:20:28 EDT

You know those people who did this? Yep, that's who'll probably buy this Special Edition Zune... not the Average Joe/Jane off the street looking for an mp3 player. And, judging by the pre-orders of Halo 3, if MS only got 1/5 of those people to buy this edition of Zune, I'm sure they'll be totally alright with it.

And who wouldn't?!

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Shorties — Fri, 11 May 2007 22:09:15 EDT

You guys bashing the zune have probably never gotten to try one out before. It really is a superior player to the iPod in almost every way the only downsides to the player are no mac support and the fact that its only available in 30GB form. Now the reason I own an iPod and not a zune is not because of the player it's because of the marketplace, the Zune marketplace is a piece of crap compared to iTunes, not as many songs no movies or TV shows (And Microsoft has Movies and TV shows on the 360 you would think that they would of hooked something up by now). The program is kinda chuggy and does not have all the features of iTunes (Hello smart playlists!). So don't bash the Zune because you own an iPod or you hate MS because its a great device. If a story pops up about the Zune Marketplace then go ahead bash that, it really deserves it.

Shorties

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Serpent2 — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:58:32 EDT

I have an ipod but these zunes seem so much better. I was really turned off by all the people saying bad things ..so I got the ipod.. man did I regret it when I actually got to use a zune.. I dont understand all the bashes. The screen is nice, the dual paint effect is nice, the brown is actually nice giving it a business feel and the ui is.. ok... I dont like the actual buttons and stuff though.. it is average I guess. Over all I will be getting one and even though I dont have a xbox or 360 I would probably get a halo zune.. depends... on if they had that red/green watermelon/christmas one for sale

Serpent2

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

rwebbart — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:57:36 EDT

Oh yeah, and one other thing......
I do think this Halo3 version is ugly!

rwebbart

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

rwebbart — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:55:46 EDT

When the Xbox 360 music subscription tied in with the Zune goes live, I am getting a Zune. $15 a month for an entire music catalog of 2 million plus songs.

I own an Ipod, a PC laptop, a Mac G4, a PC desktop, and a Linux box. For the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone feels the need to bash a product because of the brand and not based on the merit of the product.

I run a business that simply wouldn't be able to function or profit if it were not for Microsoft products. I love my Mac and Linux boxes for other reasons.

Maybe it would be more fun if I gave in to my inner 10 year old, chose a side to give my allegiance to, then acted like I was mentally retarded every time a competitor released another product.

Seriously, what's with you guys????

rwebbart

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

MadColombian — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:45:58 EDT

ahhh... im scared. this is making me want to get one.

is it bad that i want one and still want to carry around my iPod?

u know play both at the same time???

cuz honestly, i hate microsoft for doing this to me, making me choose between my fav. video game and my fav. portable gadget.

MadColombian

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

McQueen — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:29:52 EDT

@ VisualVillain83

i wasnt aware you could double any number of people and come out with 35...

Mentally ill people, amputees?

McQueen

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

someToast — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:07:02 EDT

It is implied here that the Zune will work with MP3 files and the iPod will not. If this is true then that is a big deal, since I actually use MixMeister a lot and that does not work with anything other than the MP format.

It is also implied that buying a Zune will make raver chicks find you hot.

This too is false.

someToast

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

aquaosx — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:37:04 EDT

"It is implied here that the Zune will work with MP3 files and the iPod will not. If this is true then that is a big deal, since I actually use MixMeister a lot and that does not work with anything other than the MP format."

Both players read MP3 files. Although the Zune can not play content purchased from the iTunes store...unless you count the little bit of DRM free music Apple is starting to sell this month. Moreover, iPod can not play Windows Media Player files.

As for the larger screen, I can't speak for everyone here, but watching movies / TV shows on a Zune / iPod is annoying. The Zune's screen is bigger, the iPod's has a higher PPI, and both are not suitable for watching Lord Of The Rings.

Personally, I think the iPod is a more mature product with significantly better industrial design. The Zune has a WiFi feature that you're not going to use at all. But my screen name is "Aqua OS X"... so, by all means, listen to the Zune fanboys too.

aquaosx

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

QuickPick — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:32:58 EDT

ah yes, maybe they'll release the zune in australia by the time halo 5 comes out, then we would be interested...in the halo 3 edition.

QuickPick

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

qhead7 — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:16:18 EDT

awesdome. the special edition zunes will give microsoft an upper hand first the simpsons edition ones now this coool.

qhead7

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

VisualVillain83 — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:09:58 EDT

@Serotoninzero - One of the owners is fat so you gotta count another half person. :)

VisualVillain83

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

ctaylor — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:07:38 EDT

Jeebus, that's actually got me interested in a Zune. Their stupid marketing ploy is actually working me. Crap.

ctaylor

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

serotoninzero — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:44:54 EDT

@VisualVillain83: So.. currently they have 17.5 customers?

serotoninzero

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Piuro — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:33:22 EDT

I like it. If I, like most people who want an MP3 player, didn't have an iPod, I might have got one.

Piuro

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

m3talsyr3n — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:24:28 EDT

I'd take one

m3talsyr3n

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

PhotoMan — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:16:55 EDT

Andolin - oooo that does suck, but looks like a super stylish masterpiece when compared to this sad boy Zune.

Welcome to the anti-social.

PhotoMan

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

OGHowie — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:14:46 EDT

Who are we kidding. You know this will probably become the best selling version of the Zune.

OGHowie

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

davidwb — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:07:41 EDT

Now that is one fuggly mp3 player. Looks like it was infected by the flood.

davidwb

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Andolin — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:57:10 EDT

Right..cause we all know the Harry Potter edition iPod was so much better than this. With it's Hogwarts Academy logo etched on the back...my gosh that ruled!

Andolin

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

PhotoMan — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:50:37 EDT

God that's soooooo hot!

Maybe they could do a Paris Hilton prison cavity search special edition, or a successful movie themed one, like a Waterworld special edition...

Orrrrrrr, maybe they could make one that's scratch and sniff body odor, and call it the Crazy Ballmer special edition.

Sad b@st@rds!

PhotoMan

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

logruszed — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:50:07 EDT

arashi: My mistake, I was looking at Amazon's pricing and the 80 gig instead of the 30.

It is implied here that the Zune will work with MP3 files and the iPod will not. If this is true then that is a big deal, since I actually use MixMeister a lot and that does not work with anything other than the MP format.

And the bigger screen is cool.

logruszed

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

The_Maple — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:47:23 EDT

@ Demial

Yeah, the pink one looked good. If you like, say throwing up every time you look at your MP3 player.

The_Maple

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

theadambomb78 — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:37:36 EDT

I believe if you walked into a school with one of these things you'd get your ass kicked.

theadambomb78

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Oneon1isto — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:25:13 EDT

@ MO3iusONE:

Wait...what? There's no need to convert mp3 files to the ipod. Unless you mean load up into itunes.

Oneon1isto

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

ara — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:24:33 EDT

MO3iusONE, I can't think of any Flash or HDD based portable music player that doesn't play mp3 files, so no converting no matter what player you'll get.

logruszed, Zune and iPod pricing is identical at 30GB, but yeah, Zune has bigger screen for video if that is something you care about.

ara

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Eclipse5 — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:17:02 EDT

Zune backwards is "Enuz"

Which is close to "enough"

which is close to "enough already with the zune!"

Ironically, this comment was nothing close to funny.

Eclipse5

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

ara — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:17:02 EDT

I have nothing against special editions of electronics or other products, but that's damn ugly one. Maybe if it were released in the 70's with the original Star Wars movies it might had been "OK", but please.

ara

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Demial — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:16:45 EDT

I dunno, guys, the pink one looked pretty good, I thought. Better than an iPod.

Demial

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

aquaosx — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:13:52 EDT

"you cannot polish a turd"

True, but apparently you can put Halo 3 stickers on a turd.

aquaosx

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

logruszed — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:13:23 EDT

Can someone explain to me, first without referencing accessories, how an iPod is better than a Zune?

I don't own either, since I pretty much carry my laptop at all times I don't actually need one but I kind of like the Zune better just because it comes in brown and for 30 Gig with video you pay about $100 less.

logruszed

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

aquaosx — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:12:59 EDT

Wow, now I can buy something that will look doubly retarded in 5 years! It'll have the awesomeness of a PMP that never took-off AND the branding of an old video game!

This will go great with my Quake 2 MiniDisk player!

aquaosx

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

MO3iusONE — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:12:52 EDT

Well I have an Ipod at the moment but I was considering getting a Zune mainly cause it supports MP3 files and theres no need for converting them, I think.

MO3iusONE

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Demial — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:07:10 EDT

Where's the Zune Hello Kitty Special Addition?

Demial

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

rc28 — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:02:21 EDT

OMG!! I am sick and tired of idiots who use the $ sign in ms instead of the 's'. It is so pathetic and old it actually makes me feel sorry for those who do it. Also the turd jokes and the ones about how there are only 2 zune owners in the world are really lame too. Rant over.

rc28

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

strider_mt2k — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:59:17 EDT

DRM sucks.

Arbitrarily imposed DRM on innocent content is evil, pure and simple.

strider_mt2k

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Oneon1isto — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:52:35 EDT

Does anyone else hate their commercials?

Yo, sup guyz I'm part of the social.

Oneon1isto

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

nzruss — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:48:38 EDT

you cannot polish a turd.

nzruss

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

tomholiday — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:46:36 EDT

yes, but can i plug my ipod into it?

tomholiday

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

waterdrop — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:38:27 EDT

The Zune is not selling as bad as some of you think...

waterdrop

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

kibets — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:36:04 EDT

I think Gizmodo is the #1 source for all Zune related information! Excellent I had no idea they were even planning on a Halo Zune.

Once they release the Xbox compatibility firmware this will be a seriously nice product!

kibets

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

MarkHawk — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:30:34 EDT

Very Cool, I'm a Huge fan of the Zune. I love the brown one my brother got me for Christmas but this one just looks really cool. Glad Microsoft went with promoting Halo 3 on the Zune the having the Zune appear in Halo 3. It would be odd to see a marine get killed by a brute because he was to busy looking for a signal to connect to Zune Marketplace to get the latest hits.

MarkHawk

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

VisualVillain83 — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:29:23 EDT

Ya it'd get so big it'd double the amount of people that have them today to a total of 35! Congrats

VisualVillain83

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

VisualVillain83 — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:28:14 EDT

ya big seller. Theyd double their fan base by with a total of 35 people

VisualVillain83

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Albishor — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:26:07 EDT

What's next? Windows Vista Halo 3 Edition?

Albishor

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

Jeff_McAwesome — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:24:32 EDT

Now thats a Zune I might consider buying. Maybe.

Jeff_McAwesome

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

quikboy — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:23:44 EDT

Hey, that's really cool. If Zune had more unique special designs like this, they could really become a big seller.

quikboy

First Pics of the Zune Halo 3 Special Edition

nutbastard — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:23:34 EDT

M$ is severely mistaken. They must think simply owning a zune isn't quite dorky enough.

nutbastard