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New (and free) Zune HD games now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video, Software, Video Games,

Zune HD Games

Following up on the promise of more free games for the , Microsoft has released six new titles that are now available for your downloading pleasure. We’ve got a blurb on each game here, but we’ve gotta just say, after playing with PGR Ferrari Edition, we are thankful for that Tegra processor that the Zune HD is packing. Sure, it’s no App Store equivalent, but hey, it’s free content that is actually more fun than a flashlight or tip calculator:

  • Audiosurf Tilt: Audiosurf creates a rollercoaster ride from any song. Choose any song from your music collection and watch Audiosurf turn it into a unique roller coaster track for you to ride. The song you choose determines the shape, the speed, and the mood of each track. Tilt your Zune like a steering wheel to collect colored blocks and avoid speedbumps. Unlock more than 30 designs, each with its own special theme and color palette.
  • Checkers: Enjoy the classic game of Checkers in a beautiful outdoor park setting.  Play against the computer or against a friend.
  • Lucky Lanes Bowling: Bowl in different game modes: exhibition, blackjack, golf. Play in five different bowling alleys with unique themes, all with the swipe of a finger. Choose from twenty different bowlers and twenty two different ball styles. You can play against the computer or play with up to four friends.
  • Piano: Play your own tune, or play along with your favorite music on this electronic piano.
  • Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition: Tear through the streets of London, Tokyo, and New York in the Ferrari of your choice using multi touch controls and the built in accelerometer.
  • Vans Sk8: Pool Service: From the Admiral to the old abandoned rec center pool, Bucky Lasek and Omar Hassan know a good bowl to skate.  Hit the pools and put these Vans skaters to the test with all the tricks in their bag and achieve hero status once you unlock their pro model skateboards.

According to Microsoft, the Facebook and Twitter apps are still being worked on, but are still on track for Zune HD as well.


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Zune HD Review: Music discovery at its finest

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Features, HDTV, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video,

Zune HD black and platinum

We’ve had the new in our hands for a few weeks, and now that we’ve had the opportunity to thoroughly get to know it at an intimate level, we figured it was time to share - but first things first. We’ve gotta say it. Microsoft has been consistently wowing us over the last few months. Say what you will about , , et al, but at the end of the day, they are solid offerings that stack of well against their competitors. Then of course, there’s the Xbox 360, which just received a dashboard overhaul, making it even more useful and feature-rich, and there is even more to come this fall. For us to even be thinking about Microsoft in this way is a huge departure from even just one year ago.

So, all that said, where does the Zune HD fit into all this? Well, as we’ve posted previously, the thing has an OLED 16x9 display, and packs in the NVIDIA Tegra processor. Those two pieces of news has us super-excited to see if this thing would live up to the hype. Does it? Go grab a drink and get comfortable, because we are going to delve right in.

Click to continue reading Zune HD Review: Music discovery at its finest


It’s official: Zune HD launching September 15, $220 16GB, $290 32GB

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, HDTV, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Zune HD Platinum

That’s right, has finally let the cat out of the bag on all the info we’ve been craving, and we’ve got the full scoop for you right here. First and foremost, the Zune HD goes on sale on September 15, and will be available in 16GB and 32GB size capacities. The two units are identical in every way, other than storage capacity, so let’s run down some of those specs.

  • Built-in HD Radio receiver
  • 720p HD video output through a premium dock (costs extra)
  • OLED touchscreen: 3-3-inches, 16:9, scratch-resistant glass
  • Built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
  • Web browser
  • NVIDIA Tegra low-power HD processor

The Onyx Black 16GB Zune HD will sell for $219.99, while the Platinum Silver 32GB model will sell for $290 - compare that to the $299 and $399 prices for the 16GB and 32GB , respectively. If you aren’t down with black or platinum, wait until September 15, and you’ll be able to pick from five other colors through the program. We’ve got even more specs for you after the cut, but if you’ve heard all you needed to hear and want to pre-order the device immediately, head on over to Amazon where you can find the 32GB Silver Zune HD, as well as the 16GB Black model.

Click to continue reading It’s official: Zune HD launching September 15, $220 16GB, $290 32GB


Zune HD features confirmed

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Rumors,

Zune HD leakSo, you know that we brought up the other day? Looks like it is definitely the real deal. In fact, Neowin just published a list of specs that they were able to confirm through Microsoft. We should make note that this isn’t a full list of specs either, but rather what Microsoft was willing to let out for the moment. Take a look:

  • 3.6 inchish OLED full touch screen
  • NVIDIA Tegra powered
  • 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 120GB versions
  • HDMI Connection to stream straight to your TV
  • HD Radio
  • Web Browser
  • WiFi compatible, with wireless marketplace
  • Released early fall
  • International release of the Zune device itself
  • Home AV packs, Car packs, Charge packs

We are working on getting independent confirmation of what we see above, and we will let you know when that happens.

Read More | Neowin

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