On a new version of Microsoft’s music player, Avid cooks of the rumor mill speculated long, now the Redmond company introduced but relatively abruptly a corresponding device. The new Zune HD relies on a small technology Fireworks and makes some rumours about Apple’s anticipated new products appear more credible.

The most striking external feature of the new Zune HD is the touch-sensitive display in 16: 9-format, which now entirely relies on OLEDs and should thus be much brilliant as screens of comparable devices. An OLED display to have the rumor mill that also the next iPhone, what was considered so far, however relatively unlikely, since the displays are still comparatively expensive in production. In view of the use of the new display technology in the Zune HD, it seems but also not excluded, that Apple actually bounce on the OLED train.

The physical resolution of the new Microsoft player is at 480 x 272 pixels, can the Zune HD but also with a HDMI device connect via an optional docking station and allows a video playback in 720 p resolution to a HDTV. More “HD” should there be also another technique, why Microsoft’s new player has an HD radio receiver. This allows the receiving of higher quality radio station, which can send also information such as the title and the artist. In addition a radio station can parallel broadcast several programmes that can be selected by the user of the Zune.

Via integrated and multitouch-enabled Internet browser, it should be possible to call from Web pages in full-screen mode. Probably, the Zune browser is also a view on the future development of Windows Mobile 7. In addition, the Zune HD provides also WiFi capabilities, so as always songs about Microsoft’s marketplace to purchase and download directly. The targeted price of Zune HD, as well as the exact release date remains unclear, however, in the United States. Microsoft itself talks only pretty generous this autumn. It is however not sure whether the Zune HD is the first music player from Microsoft officially coming to Germany. Speculation is additionally known for years.