The Zune HD

Let me start off by saying that the Zune HD is a fantastic device and its media playback software on Windows is equally impressive.  I have spent many weeks prior to its launch researching everything I could about it.  With Its main competitor being the iPod Touch, Microsoft knew that they would have to release something incredible.  The good news is that they have but there is a catch.  That catch being that while the Zune HD trumps the iPod Touch in music and video playback it also fails to realize that people have come to expect more from their handheld devices.  More functionality and value is required if they are carrying around yet another piece of tech.  

The iPhone OS App Store has really popularized the idea of adding new functionality to your device whether that be a phone or media player.  There are of course other applications available on other platforms (phones) but they simply can't compare to the relative overnight success Apple has managed to accomplish in getting the mainstream audience to adopt this practice.

Extending Apps to the iPod Touch only further accelerated its growth and provided a mostly static device with a wealth of new possibility especially for those who don't wish to get an iPhone.  For instance I am writing this post in an app on my iPod Touch that thanks to Wi-Fi I can easily send over the Internet to go live.  This is something I can't do on a Zune HD and more functionality and value for my limited pocket space is crucial.  Yes the Zune HD is a better media player, offering a more visual and aural experience but considering the Touch is still no slouch in that area and the extensibility it brings via apps it's still a very tough sell for tech savvy consumers who weigh many factors. 

It's true what Apple claimed back in early September, the iPod Touch is a mini computer.  With that in mind what would you prefer to carry with you; a mini computer or a Walkman?  Neither answer is wrong.