As we observed yesterday, the Zune HD has gone two years without a refresh; we initially reviewed it back in September 2009. A refresh was tipped for late 2010, but then Microsoft swung its focus to Windows Phone and how it could include both smartphone and media player functionality in one package.

“Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today” Microsoft assures exising users, “and we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices.” Late last month, Microsoft reducing pricing for its all-you-can-eat music service, Zune Pass, though also removed the ability to download and keep 10 non-DRM tracks per month.

[via WMPowerUser]

Blogger Mary-Jo Foley asked Microsoft if they planned to kill Zune, and they responded:

“We’re not ‘killing’ any of the Zune services/features in any way. Microsoft remains committed to providing a great music and video experience from Zune on platforms such as Xbox LIVE, Windows-based PCs, Zune devices and Windows Phone 7, as well as integration with Bing and MSN.”

But it should be pointed out that though they said they are not “killing any of the Zune services/features”, they did not say they would not be killing the brand.

[via ZDnet]

Microsoft told us that “After launching the Facebook application for the Zune HD, we discovered a technical issue related to the API calls to Facebook which does not allow Zune users to view News Feed. The Facebook and Microsoft engineering teams are working together and hope to have a solution in the coming days.”  We’ve also heard of other problems along with this one, such as zooming issues and late updates.

We’re sure Zune HD owners welcome the fact that the app itself is free of charge, but not so that it doesn’t work as planned.  It seems like the official Zune Twitter account has also confirmed that the Facebook app is “experiencing some issues accessing data”, and that “We are investigating & will provide an update as soon as possible”.

The free application will also let Zune users share photos, links and videos, as well as check out what their friends’ activities directly from the device itself.  I don’t currently own one myself, but congratulations to the Zune HD owners out there who waited it out; this is indeed a worthwhile update.

Users have registered similar complaints on the Zune forums, disappearing acts ranging from  including all the music from some artists (Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and Spoon, and others), while others have seen only some albums, or some songs disappear.

The software giant’s customer service reportedly responded  to users that their music has gone away because record labels have pulled them, but reports from users indicate that there’s not much logic to that answer.  Any Zune Pass users have music that has escaped their libraries?  iTunes isn’t the greatest, but at least it doesn’t go near your music with an axe to grind.

The update will also address a long-standing criticism about a feature gap between the Zune HD and its PC client-based software– Smart DJ playlists will also be added onto the player itself, currently only available in the Zune’s PC software.  This would finally make the Zune HD’s playlist feature a contender with the on-the-fly Genius playlist capabilities of the iPod Touch.

Even better, Zune Pass users connected to wireless internet will be able to to create Smart DJ playlists that incorporate streamed content from the Zune Marketplace, besides the songs already stored on the player.  I’m not a Zune HD owner at the moment, but this prospective firmware update coming Spring is slowly becoming a strong reason for me to look for a Zune HD to play with.

Upon its arrival, the Zune HD didn’t have much in the way of apps. There were a few games, a calculator, and a weather application. But the games weren’t anything to write home about (unless you like splatting goo…), and the calculator application was, well, a calculator application. While they look great on the OLED screen, we still wanted more. And considering the impact that Twitter has had over the years, which continues to grow in the mobile world, we couldn’t wait to see what Microsoft had coming down the pipe. But now that we have it, we’re kind of wishing we could put it back. Maybe let it sit up there for a bit longer, so that these bugs we’re seeing would disappear.

First and foremost, there’s so much lag that it’s almost infuriating. Considering the power inside the Zune HD, we weren’t expecting this at all. Second, and we are seeing this from other sites like Engadget, our WiFi connection seems to be going haywire the longer we try and stay inside the Twitter app. And, what may seem to be the worst bug we’ve found, our icons don’t want to interact with our touches. We touch, and nothing happens. Simply put, it’s driving us crazy. And what makes it worse, is that the application itself looks very, very nice. Sure, all of these things can be fixed with a simple update, and we’re hoping this happens quick, or we might just have to give up checking all our precious tweets from the Zune HD.

UPDATE: Wow. Sure enough, it gets worse. A lot worse. And yes, we know it may not be that bad for some people, and we know that there are kids out there running around with a Zune HD who are going to go Twitter-crazy with this app, but there’s just something wrong about the fact the Twitter timeline is censored on the Zune HD. Down right ridiculous. Microsoft slips one under the fog that actively censors tweets as you use the app. This isn’t okay. Microsoft, please take note that this is the wrong way to go. Have an option for censoring, fine. Don’t censor our media without our consent. Here’s the image below, brought over from Engadget.

[via Engadget]

Without the Zune HD software – which Microsoft have only released today, and which reviewers lacked early access to – we’ve been unable to load content from our computer to the PMP.  That’s left the AV Dock idle, which is a shame because it’s a well put together piece of kit.  Sturdy plastics and a decent range of included AV cables, along with a remote bearing large, tactile buttons add up to a straightforward way of getting the Zune HD’s 720p video onto your big screen.  Neatly, it will also work – albeit at 480i quality – with earlier Zune models, and Microsoft bundle dock adapters to suit.

As for the cases, they approach the Zune HD from two different angles.  The Jam Jacket Action Jacket is intended for sports use, with a hard-wearing armband included and a case which doesn’t require removal in order to use the Zune HD itself.  Rather than cut-outs for button access, the Action Jacket has brightly colored indicators to remind you exactly where those keys are located; you press them “through” the case material.

That material, meanwhile, is water resistant, which Jam Jacket suggest makes it ideal for situations where you might end up sweaty.  They also throw in a swivel clip, which not only allows you to attach the Zune HD (in the case) to your belt, but forms a neat desk stand when you’re watching video in landscape orientation.

Jam Jacket’s CordSaver is a silicone skin case, stretching to accommodate the Zune HD as well as offering a cable-tidy on the back.  Molded into the rubber, the cable spool allows you to wind your headphones around and then tuck in the earbuds to an integral notch, preventing them from tangling in your pocket or bag.  There are cut-outs for headphones and dock connector, together with molded volume buttons and other controls, but the screen is left unprotected.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Incipio underground, which is more of a fashion case.  Rather than intending the Zune HD to remain inside at all times, the underground is a soft, felt-like sleeve with a simple press-clasp to keep things secure.  Around half of the top edge and almost all of one side is open, to allow the PMP to easily slot in and out, while the lining is suede and does a decent job of wiping finger smudges from the Zune HD’s display.  Although it offers less protection than the Jam Jacket pair, we prefer the Incipio’s style; it’s more casual and better looking, and while the edges of the Zune HD may be left partially exposed, the screen is more cushioned than with either of the rivals.

For our hands-on, video unboxing and first impressions of the Microsoft Zune HD, check out our earlier post.  We’ll have a full review of the PMP up soon.

Video unboxing and demo, plus gallery, after the cut

While we’d usually like to bring you a launch-day review, Microsoft’s software and online Zune HD ecosystem have only just gone live so we’ll be putting the new PMP through its paces over the next few days.  Still, we’re actually feeling pretty enthusiastic about the Zune HD.  Unlike its predecessors, perhaps, the hardware manages to deliver both on feeling distinctive as well as neatly designed.  The OLED display is bright and the touchscreen responsive, while the Tegra chip at its core keeps things moving along swiftly.

Build quality is also great, and it’s certainly a pocketable device slotting in-between the original HDD Zune and its smaller flash counterpart in terms of dimensions.  Hardware controls include the home-key up front, together with a shortcut button on the side which instantly brings up playback controls.

Zune HD Unboxing and hands-on

We’ll have our full SlashGear review of the Microsoft Zune HD very soon, but until then enjoy the unboxing and hands-on video and gallery below.  As for the PMP itself, the Zune HD is available to buy now, priced at around $220 for the 16GB model and $290 for the 32GB model.

Zune HD Demo video

September 15th is the launch date for the Zune HD, and according to SuperSite’s Paul Therrott, the Zune HD will be the only Zune model available after launch. The interview with the Zune team also eluded to the fact that if you pre-order the 16GB Zune HD, you can only get the model in matte black. If you pre-order the 32GB Zune HD, you only get platinum. The other available colors will only be able to be picked up at launch date, from both online and physical retail stores.

We’re looking at the end of a Zune era, coming in about two weeks. If you’re wanting to get a cheap, current generation Zune for whatever reason, it’d probably be best to keep your eyes open for deals that will inevitably be popping up as stores begin to clear stock. Of course, considering what’s coming, you might want to save some cash.

[via I4U News]