The creators of the ever-popular </sarcasm> Zune music service & devices (that’s Microsoft for those of you who haven’t been paying attention) just announced an expansion of the existing Zune marketplace by extending “its video service to XBOX Live internationally this fall.”
Additionally, they confirmed that a new HD Zune device is not only in the works but announced that it also will debut in the fall. The new device will incorporate many, if not all, of the existing Zune device’s most popular features (including Wi-Fi and Zune Marketplace access) while also adding an OLED multi-touch screen, a web browser an HD radio receiver.
That Wi-Fi access will, according to the press release, enable full streaming of 5-million+ Zune Marketplace tracks directly to the device.
Well, that does it. I’ll not only have to upgrade that 1st-gen, 3-year-old Zune of mine but also have to subscribe to the monthly service… just for that streaming feature alone. Plus, that’s a freakin’ slick lookin’ device if you ask me.
Update: I missed this in the PR but Microsoft’s got an official site for the HD launch: zune.net/ZuneHD.
