Zune HD

David Pogue takes a look at Microsoft’s new Zune music/video player.

On May 26, 2009 Microsoft announced the Zune HD, the first touch screen Zune. The Zune HD will have HD Radio and have the ability of outputting video in High Definition.

Because the screen will be multi-touch capable, the device will use flash memory since capacitive touch technology will not work if placed near a spinning disk hard drive.

It was also announced that the screen will be OLED, 3.3 inches, and have a 480×272 16:9 resolution (the Zune 120 is 320×240 4:3, iPod Touch is 480×320 3:2, neither are OLED.)

On September 15, 2009, the Zune 4.0 was released, a significant update to the software that supports the Zune HD as well as providing several new features.

These 4.0 updates simultaneously released in the Zune hardware, software and online services.

Microsoft pointed out that this will bring customers instant access to their favorite music and videos anywhere, across their mobile device, PC and TV.

Zune pass subscribers can now stream full albums and tracks through a computer’s web browser.