Why You Can Trust CNET Zune HD Amazon page mentions apps, Xbox games
A preliminary listing of Microsoft's Zune HD MP3 player made its way to Amazon.com, giving additional details on the product.
Update: A representative from Microsoft's Zune team claims the information listed on Amazon's product page is partly inaccurate. The Amazon page has been taken offline until further notice. It's unclear exactly which statements are false or misleading, but I have been told that there are no plans to allow direct transfer of content (games, video, etc.) from the Xbox to the Zune HD.
A product page for Microsoft's
"A built-in accelerometer senses when the Zune HD is moving, so you can play games and use apps that are controlled by moving the device."
This could just be a careless choice of words to describe "apps" such as the built-in photo viewer, which also take advantage of the accelerometer control. What gives me hope, however, are the Xbox partnerships with Last.fm, Facebook, and Twitter, that Microsoft announced at E3 2009. Also, the Zune HD's main menu interface is the first in the Zune series to include an item for "more," accompanied by an icon that looks like a clump of iPhone-esque apps.
The Amazon listing also mentions Xbox Live games coming to the Zune HD.
"Integration with the Xbox LIVE network gives you access to millions of videos, TV shows, and games from Xbox LIVE."
Microsoft laid the groundwork for getting Xbox games on the Zune last year, when it showed off its XNA game development platform, but it has been slow to actually push new games to the Zune. If the Amazon details are correct, the Zune HD may become just as much an Xbox peripheral as a portable media player. Maybe this is Microsoft's new strategy, pitching the Zune to its solid base of Xbox customers, rather than relying on iPod expats and subscription music fans. It's a strategy that's certainly worth a shot.
(Via Electronista)