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.
Thank God...
05/28, 02:55pm reply
They saved the custom wallpaper.
kdogg73
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Dec 2002
Mmm OLED
05/28, 03:17pm reply
Nice it'd be great if Apple put OLED into the iPod touch and the iPhone...
Salty
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Joined: Jul 2005
Mmm OLED
05/28, 03:17pm reply
Nice it'd be great if Apple put OLED into the iPod touch and the iPhone...
Salty
Professional Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
OLED
05/28, 03:19pm reply
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.
jondesu
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Nat
05/28, 03:24pm reply
Please don't post here.
luckyday
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Joined: Apr 2008
the OLED looks good
05/28, 03:35pm reply
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.
c4rlob
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Joined: May 2009
small
05/28, 04:09pm (1 reply) reply
is it just me or does that look a little too small? Not sure about others, but the iPhone fits great in my hand
eldarkus
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luckyday
05/28, 04:44pm reply
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.
appleuzr
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appleuzr
05/28, 05:19pm reply
That didnt even make sense.
luckyday
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Golly, how did they...
05/28, 05:59pm reply
...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?
jpellino
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