MP3 players go HD
Few years back when mp3 players were just becoming popular it only required you to use the media inside the device to be used within the device only. It was simply required to be connected to the computer just to update the media contents. It only shows how complex the needs of the man can get as in few years the same type of device is expected to be connected to “High Definition” such as TVs or PC Monitors to display the same content in high definition. “Zune HD” is the best device yet that allows HD media to be played in and outside the device. But Zune HD is much more than that.
The form factor in the device looks just right. It is not too big or not too little. Remember this is not a device that you would use just to listen to music. This is a real serious piece of device which allows you to watch HD media. As you see the screen size is much larger in the device, so it is as you guessed is quite like the iPod Touch. But the difference is certainly not skin deep. The Zune HD is powered by “Tegra” chip which is developed by NVIDIA just to enhance the multimedia capabilities in a handheld. “Tegra” is not a single chip but a collection of no fewer than 8 independent processors which are specialized to carry out various different tasks. Among these specializations is HD video processing, audio processing and graphics processing. Each processor is capable of working together with other processors to minimize the power consumption and the in-built “nPower” technology allows the processors to optimize the system powers.
So what are the specs with reference to HD? Zune HD is capable of 1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second at a bit rate of 14Mbps from WMV HD and h.246 sources. But this limitation comes not from the device but from the “Zune” software. So I believe these specs will increase as the software upgrades. “Zune HD” comes in two storage sizes, 16GB and 32GB and can hold up to 22/48 hours (16GB/32GB).
Talking about the firmware, it is very impressive. They have not deviated much from the predecessors but have created a more interactive user interface. The biggest breakthrough will be the “Apps” which will be available in the Zune marketplace. This will be much like the Apple’s App store and many developers would be waiting eagerly for the Zune SDK to start developing Apps for Zune HD.
The Zune HD is available for preorder at Microsoft store. It is quite cheap compared to its Apple counterpart with 16GB version for $217 and 32GB version for $287. The word on the street is that this is an impressive gadget. If Microsoft could create a much larger ecosystem around this device, then it would certainly go much further than now. If the user sees the advantage of combining his PC, Xbox 360 and the Zune HD it will be game, set and match for Microsoft.
Nokia and Microsoft
This is a collaboration I did not dream for another decade. Nokia was comfortably sitting with its own mobile phone applications without reaching out to other mobile firmware and application developers. On Aug 12th Nokia and Microsoft announced that Office Mobile would be coming to Symbian operating system which is most common in the Nokia mobile devices. Along with Office Mobile, Nokia is going to include the services of Office Communicator Mobile, SharePoint and Microsoft Systems Center. This is quite a surprising partnership where Nokia has stated that they are still quite committed towards the Symbian operating system.
Even though Nokia and Microsoft mentioned that they have long term business plans I did not expect to hear something new in few weeks. Nokia introduced its “Booklet 3G” its version of the netbook. This is not an area which Nokia is very comfortable with but the first impression is good. It includes an Atom processor with a 10.1 inch screen with a HD screen resolution. The battery life of 12 hours is very impressive and it also includes integrated 3G wireless, hot-swappable SIM card, A-GPS, Ovi maps (Nokia version of google maps) and a HDMI output. Surprise, surprise it runs on Windows 7 and not on a netbook version of the Symbian OS.
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