Following months of speculation and no shortage of rumours, Microsoft has finally confirmed its next generation of Zune portable media player, the Zune HD.
The device, pictured below, will feature an OLED touch screen interface that provides a 480x272 resolution. With built-in Wi-Fi, it'll allow instant streaming of music from the Zune store, and a full-screen web browsing experience.
There's a built-in HD Radio receiver that promises higher-quality radio broadcasts, and HD output allowing the Zune HD to drive big-screen displays at resolutions of up to 720p.
The Zune HD's most promising feature, however, is arguably its proposed integration with Xbox Live - an online gaming and media service that currently attracts 17 million international subscribers. Microsoft is believed to be replacing its Xbox Live Marketplace with Zune Marketplace, as it hopes to unify its Xbox and Zune services, and we'd expect further details to be unveiled at next month's E3 Expo.
Though the Zune HD sounds impressive, worldwide readers may be dismayed by Microsoft's continued commitment to availability in the U.S alone. The Redmond giant states that U.S. customers will see the handheld in stores this fall, but fails to mention international availability and a worldwide launch looks unlikely.
Hoping to shed some light on the matter, we've contacted Microsoft and received only the following response:
Zune is currently available in North America, and while we don’t have details to announce on a global availability, it is something we are considering seriously. In going up against an entrenched competitor, we are taking a long term, measured approach to make sure that we deliver the best possible experience for each market.
The Zune range launched in November 2006, but it seems as though Microsoft's handhelds won't reach UK shores until 2010 at the earliest.
Official press release: Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player
