1-2 Microsoft combo: Zune Marketplace headed to XBL, Zune HD confirmed
The Zune Marketplace is coming to the Xbox Live. This much is confirmed in a chat with Chris Stevenson with The Guardian UK, where it is revealed that Xbox 360 users can now purchase TV shows to other video content via the XBL, sans the Zune. And then there’s the official confirmation for ZuneHD. Microsoft‘s on a roll.
The Zune Marketplace is coming to the Xbox Live. This much is confirmed in a chat with Chris Stevenson with The Guardian UK, where it is revealed that Xbox 360 users can now purchase TV shows to other video content via the XBL, sans the Zune.
This move falls in line with the company’s goal of uniting their devices closer together. What can you do exactly over at the Zune Marketplace? Try this list for a roundup:
- streaming
- renting
- downloading content
Take note that this content is limited to video content only. According to Microsoft‘s official press release on the matter:
Zune will be a premium parter in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platforms. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the XBL Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the E3 next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into XBL to create a game-changing entertainment experience.
Did you catch that? They’re promising a kickass presentation at the E3 next week. How about the “game-changing entertainment experience”? Can you smell the handheld?
Zune Marketplace on XBL is slated for a “late autumn” release. The catch however is that the territories where it will be made available to are only limited to the US, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain. Those not included in the list, sorry.
On the other side of the news (just as equally bigger), Microsoft has officially confirmed the existence of the Zune HD. It’s looking really dapper and sleek, and it looks ready to rumble head on with the iPod Touch.
The features thus far are:
- 3.3″ 16:9 widescreen capacitive OLED with multitouch
- 480×272 resolution
- Wi-Fi
- multi-touch browsing
- HD radio
- HD (720p) video-out (available only with an optional docking station)
We expect more to pop up on E3, so stay tuned. But so far, it’s a good start, Microsoft.
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Via The Guardian
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