Microsoft had just confirmed the existence of the forthcoming Zune HD, a standalone music player that is aimed directly at the iPod Touch. After much speculations, denials, and rumors, the Zune HD will eschew hardware buttons, opting instead for a touchscreen user interface that may foreshadow what is to come for Windows Mobile 7, including applications such as Internet Explorer Mobile, and support for multi-touch, a feature long rumored for Windows Mobile 7. Moreover, the Zune will utilize an OLED display rather than an LCD screen to provide richer colors and crisper blacks while saving battery life.

The Redmond-based software maker has alluded to an enhanced version of Internet Explorer Mobile for the device, which will be optimized for touch capabilities. If successful, Internet Explorer Mobile on the Zune HD could foreshadow the firm’s development efforts for the Windows Mobile version. When asked if the Zune HD will run on top of Windows Mobile platform, Microsoft was particularly coy in stating that the Zune HD is built on a highly customized version of Windows CE, the core OS that Windows Mobile also operates on.

Zune will get better integration within Microsoft’s other product lines and will highlight gaming efforts. A recent post on an Apple blog states:

The Redmond, Washington-based electronics maker also revealed that it intends to push the Zune name far deeper into its line than before. At next week’s E3 gaming trade show, Microsoft intends to replace the Xbox Video Marketplace with a Zune-labeled service. Although it wouldn’t say so explicitly, Microsoft implied that movies and TV shows from the Xbox 360 may port over to the Zune, or vice versa. Microsoft wouldn’t elaborate on games, either, but did hint at touchscreen-aware games and similar apps.

The HD moniker for the Zune may be a bit misleading. The Zune can only play HD resolution on a bigger screen via a dock and HD content cannot be viewed in its native high-definition resolution on the player itself, which doesn’t really make that much of a difference considering the 3.3-inch 480 X 272 resolution display. According to reader’s notes, HD videos will be down-converted to fit the screen of the Zune. It will, however, support HD radio programming.

(via: AppleInsider)