The Zune platform in my opinion has always been great all the way up from the zune 30 i would like to point out a few things

1. the ZuneHD is better than the
Competition it's just not popular enough so instead of people running to get zunes they march zombie-like to the apple store

2. To Ken at the top the Zune is a PMP a P-M-P not a pocket computer like the ipod touch and iphone they aren't even in the same category but comparisons of them are inevitable and so the apple fanboys will have no choice but to start flaming (ahem)...

3. nothing is ever "unrecoverable" the big MS just needs to put in a little more work and they'll continue to take over :) ALL HAIL BILL GATES

Microsoft isn't putting much effort into the marketplace apps for the Zune HD but the hardware is very very good. Used my friend's iphone the other day and it just looks cheap and doesn't feel as snappy. The OLED screen on the HD can't be touched and watching movies on the small screen is actually very enjoyable. Development with XNA is a breeze so hopefully the third party stuff will explode, eventually.

New word on next months Dual gpu cards from ati. 300 Watt or just as guess two 5770 gpu, so won't there be next step up to 59-5 with two 5870 gpu in it?

Neat Thing About Zune, Kids think Its' CELL, sort of. At times of Combo, Walkie Talkie Driver....for Private emergs.

drashek

....must have been abused by Microsoft in some way I reckon.

Are dilusional???

Quote from story: "Things are looking up for Microsoft in the entertainment device department."

Microsoft has failed dismally in the entertainment device department. The biggest failure for 20 years in IT. An entertainment device is not only a music player, but also a smartphone, as people now want both in their pocket.

Both Zune and Windows Mobile have collapsed in the market place, with WinMo's worldwide sales in complete freefall. Currently 9% and still plummeting. It's an unrecoverable position. It will prevent Microsoft from extending its desktop monopoly into the new era of handheld devices.

Microsoft's next mobile platform, version 7, will apparently combine Zune with Windows Mobile. It is due to ship in 2010. Too late. Android and iPhone have taken the market. The public has thoroughly rejected Windows Mobile + Zune.

This ain't "looking up". This is looking down and falling. Failed platforms from Microsoft.