Microsoft chief shows Zune HD prototype

updated 02:35 pm EDT, Thu May 28, 2009

 

Ballmer Shows Zune HD


Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today surprised those at the D7 technology show with a brief demo of the just-confirmed Zune HD. The prototype shown to Engadget has the interface shown in early imagery and was found to have "gorgeous" video -- ironically demonstrated with pro-Apple firm Pixar's For the Birds -- on its OLED screen. Few unknown features were shown, though the video interface and the ability to use custom wallpapers remain intact.

OLED offers a distinct advantage over LCD in illuminating pixels from the display surface itself. The approach eliminates the need for a backlight and consequently produces true black colors where LCDs are often forced to show dark gray, as all their pixels normally must be lit. This also improves battery life. OLED also typically eliminates ghosting by updating much faster than an LCD.

The Zune HD is poised to launch in the fall and is Microsoft's first touchscreen media player. It will also be its first to support web browsing.


By Electronista Staff

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gadgets, digital imaging, Zune, Microsoft, audio, Pixar
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Previous Comments

  1. kdogg73

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Dec 2002

    +1

    Thank God...

    They saved the custom wallpaper.


  1. Salty

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Jul 2005

    -1

    Mmm OLED

    Nice it'd be great if Apple put OLED into the iPod touch and the iPhone...


  1. Salty

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Jul 2005

    -2

    Mmm OLED

    Nice it'd be great if Apple put OLED into the iPod touch and the iPhone...


  1. jondesu

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2008

    -2

    OLED

    I can see Apple releasing an OLED iPod and iPhone in the next month here, thereby slapping Microsoft in the face (after all, even if they were talking about it, they had to have been working on it). Since this isn't out until the fall, that gives them a lead of several months from the already significant lead of the iPod over any other media player.


  1. luckyday

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    -6

    Nat

    Please don't post here.


  1. c4rlob

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2009

    +1

    the OLED looks good

    Even in low-lighting and a unprofessional photo the OLED looks nice. and I have to admit that the form factor is a nice alternative - not as bulky as an iPod touch, but a little more screen than a nano.


  1. eldarkus

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2004

    -1

    small

    is it just me or does that look a little too small? Not sure about others, but the iPhone fits great in my hand


  1. appleuzr

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2006

    +3

    luckyday

    please tell testudo to get out from under you, put his clothes on and log in. He at least makes a valid negative contribution to the forums.


  1. luckyday

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    -6

    appleuzr

    That didnt even make sense.


  1. jpellino

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0

    Golly, how did they...

    ...get an HD file of "For The Birds"? It's a very low-res snippet on the Pixar site... It's on the iTunes Music Store in SD... It's on Short Films I on Blu-Ray... did they rip a Blu-Ray?


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