• Zune HD vs iPod Touch 2G

    Zune HD vs iPod Touch 2G

    Samir Makwana, Aug 19, 2009 1249 hrs IST

    Will the well-deserved Zune HD stand up head-to-head against the (2 Gen) iPod Touch?

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Apple changed the mobile web browsing experience with its iPhone OS based touchscreen devices. However, many still miss the long deserved Adobe Flash support in mobile Safari Browser. Both Zune HD and iPod Touch are 802.11b/g wireless standards compatible. We know not if Zune HD supports Adobe Flash or not yet. Zune HD's browser which is based on desktop version of Internet Explorer comes with Bing as default search engine while iPod Touch's mobile Safari browser has Google as the default search provider.

Videos
Videos can be enjoyed only after downscaling them to 480x272 pixel resolution size in H.264, MP4 or M4V container packaging. Apple believes in being proprietary in its software and thus doesn't support other video formats on the fly. On the other hand, Zune HD supports Windows Media Video, MP4/M4V, H.264 and DVR-MS, the Zune software transcoded format. So basically, all the video files transcoded for iPod Touch could possibly be video on Zune HD. Nice! What really steals the show is the HDMI support in Zune HD so that the 720p HD content on it can be viewed on larger screen.

Gaming




Apple's iPod Touch has ARM 6 CPU running at 533MHz and PowerVR MBX Lite GPU along with support for OpenGL ES 1.1 support. Games look graphically amazing and the built in accelerometer along with multi-touch screen takes handheld gaming to a different level. Zune HD is purported to have some gaming prowess and service for the same will be announced at the time of its official launch. Many are betting that Zune HD will have tight gaming synergy with Xbox LIVE service and Xbox 360 gamers are counting on that.

Battery Life
Apple worked on the battery life of second generation iPod Touch's Lithium-Ion battery that promises to offer 36 hours of music listening experience and six hours of video viewing. Also, the iPod Touch charges up to 80 percent in two hours and full charge takes four hours. Zune HD offers up to 33 hours of music playback and 8.5 hours video playback. Microsoft boasts that Zune HD takes 3 hours to charge via computer and 2 hours via A/C adaptor.

Storage and Price
On comparing prices with respective capacities, the 16GB Zune HD costs $220 (Rs. 10,560 approx.) while second generation 16GB iPod Touch costs $299 (Rs. 14,400 approx.). On the other hand, 32GB Zune HD costs $290 (Rs. 14,150 approx.) which is way cheaper than the 32GB iPod Touch (second generation) which costs $399 (Rs. 19,200 approx.). However, the amount of videos and songs stored differs for both the devices.

Microsoft's Zune HD does have some advantages over Apple's iPod Touch in terms of features like: HD output and HD Radio. When compared head to head, both iPod Touch and Zune HD are similar. Price is one of the crucial factors which passes advantage point to Zune HD over iPod Touch. But Apple wins the battle over all with worldwide availability of iPod Touch while Microsoft is offering Zune HD in US and Canada only.

Next month, Microsoft will formally launch Zune HD along with tight integration with Xbox LIVE. On the other hand, Apple, in early September, is being heavily speculated to launch of third generation iPod Touch with camera after purported images leaked on the web. Yet another era of portable media player war will begin. Encore!

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Zune Zune HD Microsoft iPod Touch Apple



Discussion Board
(8) Comments
bob
,Phillidelphia, on Aug 22, 2009 09:25 AM
I don't understand why people think that the Zune HD has to "beat" the iPod Touch. The Zune HD could be just as unsuccessful as the previous Zunes and I wouldn't give a hoot. I still love my 30g Zune. I don't need to see a bunch of other people walking around with Zunes instead of iPods. I don't need the Zune to be "popular." Anyone who buys a products because it's "the cool thing" is a tool.
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Joe
,Lyman, on Sep 01, 2009 11:49 PM
Well said. Half the population that buys an iPod has no idea how an mp3 players works, and only buys it because everyone else does, anyway. You wanna be trendy? Go buy an iPod, you want better technology? Buy a Zune.
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Lilmac
,clifton, on Aug 26, 2009 12:35 PM
If you realy want something that cover all of the “MEDIA/GAMINNG” feild, I would get the PSPgo. Granted it isnt a touchscreen, but it conquers the gaming hands down and you can put ANY type of media on it and i meen ANY. On a seperrate note, I dont know any one who used up more than 16 gigs and even if you do it is easy to expand the memory. The PSP has always had an Intenet radio, even before the ipod. It is almost the odd kid out of the group if you ask me. The PSP is unbiased when it comes to formating. The format on the PSP has always been easy the understamd and the themes are very cusumizable. Its pricing is comprable to the Zune/ipod. I am just trying to bring in some thing apart from the fandoy bable and give some real informed opinone. P.S. I have never been a fan of the ipod/zunes anyway. I always thought the two of the are a power strugle between Apple and MicroSoft where the both neglect the custume and I am no a reel Sony fan either. The stuff my family and I get from those companies always have their own problems.
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Ariel
,new york, on Aug 24, 2009 03:29 AM
well im going to change to Zune again, i can't wait to buy it.
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rocky
,mumbai, on Aug 21, 2009 02:07 PM
Zune cant beat ipod touch. Touch is clearly light years ahead than its competitors. And if the rumours of touch 3g with camera comes true, then zune is gonna have some touch time baby ;)
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sri
,chennai, on Aug 19, 2009 11:38 PM
apple introduce new products they change massive in music players,phones..etc .but one thing is no one is lead longer time.
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Prathamesh
,Mumbai, on Aug 19, 2009 06:20 PM
Hey how dare you forget creative's zii egg... That's got 32 gig memory + extendable via sd and android os and full hd support
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vengat
,Coimbatore, on Aug 19, 2009 05:59 PM
I believe Zune HD has Nvidia Tegra chip inside it. So gaming should be mind blowing
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