"Zune HD" rumors surface, get a bit out of hand

Does Microsoft have a new version of the Zune up its sleeves? Maybe so, but I seriously doubt it'll support HD video and Xbox games.

The buzz got started almost a week ago, when Engadget posted a series of images of what appears to be a marketing campaign for … wait for it … the "Zune HD."

From the look of the images, the Zune HD (if it's indeed real) appears to be a slim-and-trim version of the Zune with a roomy display (touch-enabled, perhaps, given the lack of physical buttons) that flips open (check out the indentation at the bottom), allowing the back of the Zune to act as a kickstand.

Interesting—and potentially true, at least according to Engadget's various (and anonymous) sources.

But the Zune HD rumors are starting to get a bit nutty, starting with this report from Wmpoweruser.com, which reads more like a pie-in-the-sky wish list than a leaked rundown of specifications. (Sorry guys, but I think someone's yanking your chain.)

According to the Wmpoweruser post, the Zune HD will arrive not only with a touch-enabled OLED display (capacitive = responds to the lightest touch of a finger, OLED = high output, low-power display), but also HD radio support (semi-plausible, given that there are portable HD radios on the market), HD media support (well, maybe, although I've yet to see—or understand the use for—three-inch 720p display), and an HDMI port on the side (ah, no—maybe an adapter, but not a port).

And here's where the rumor truly goes off the rails: support for "3D Xbox games" (with the caveat that "it is unclear what form this will take").

Now, believe me—I'd be the first to snap up a Zune that played Xbox games (either 360 or the original). But it just doesn't ring true, starting with the fact that the leaked images don't show any physical Xbox controls (and I simply don't see Microsoft porting old Xbox games for an all-touch Zune).

As for the "HD media" talk, well … keep in mind that the "HD" term is getting tossed around a lot in the wireless world, starting with the HTC Touch HD and the recent Samsung OmniaHD—neither of which have true HD displays (more like 480 by 800 for the HTC Touch HD, and 360 by 640 for the OmniaHD). Now, you could theoretically cram a 4GB HD movie on a Zune and downconvert it for a lower-resolution display, but … why would you want to?

Anyway … a Zune HD, with a higher- (but not high-) resolution touchscreen display may well be in the cards. But as far as support for full-on HD media and Xbox games goes, well … sure sounds cool, but don't count on it.

[Image credit: Engadget]

Related:
Is this the Zune HD? [Engadget]
New ZuneHD pictures, details [Wmpoweruser.com]