64GB Zune HD To Make Its Debut Soon

By: Tariq Bamadhaj (Senior Editor)

If 32GB of on-board storage was too small to make you jump over to the Zune ship, maybe 64GB of goodness will be that magic number? If so, listen up: Microsoft just announced that, beginning April 12th, you’ll be able to order these huge-capacity media players for only $349.99 at ZuneOriginals.com in their choice of Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple or Magenta colors.

If 64GB is way too much space for you (as it is for me), then maybe we could entice you with a $199.99 16GB or a $269.99 32GB Zune HD? If so, they’re now available at this price and if you don’t see that at your favorite retailer, move on to the next one.

Here’s the press release:

We’re excited to share that Zune fans will be able to purchase a new 64GB capacity of the popular Zune HD device for $349.99 starting April 12th through ZuneOriginals.com. By increasing the Zune HD capacity to 64GB, users will be able take up to 16,000 songs, or 20 hours of high definition video from Zune Marketplace, or 25,000 pictures* on the go! Customers will be able to customize their Zune HD 64GB through ZuneOrginals.com, available in their choice of Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta colors.

In addition to introducing the new 64GB capacity, we are also reducing the prices of the 16GB and 32GB devices. Starting today, price lists are being distributed to retailers, setting the Estimated Retail Price (ERP) for the Zune 16GB device at $199.99 and the Zune HD 32GB device at $269.99.

With its OLED multi-touch screen, built-in HD radio, HD video out capabilities and Internet browser, Zune HD is a full-function media player which has received accolades from press and consumers. We’ve also announced details of an upcoming firmware update which will add even more features to the device, such as Smart DJ auto-playlists directly on the Zune HD, ability to browse, stream and acquire music from Zune Marketplace on your TV (while the device is connected to a TV set through the A/V dock) and expanded codec support allowing users to play more video formats natively from the device.

We are excited to be offering a great range of storage capacities for the Zune HD at a competitive price point and will be sharing more news on the availability of the 4.5 firmware in the coming days.

*Music estimates based on 128 Kbps WMA files with length of 4 minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size; video estimates based on 500 Kbps WMV files with 128 Kbps WMA audio tracks.

Will these new higher capacity and price drops bring you over to the Zune nation? Or are you stuck in the ‘i’ world and have no plans of coming out?

(via: Engadget.com)