ZuneHD vs Zii Egg vs iPod Touch 3rd Gen

[jacobdrj]

Well, I am getting excited by the Zune HD... It's specs are being released, and looks like it will have a 33 hr audio and 8.5 hour video rating. Most important thing is that it is the ONLY product with a portable HD radio (super excited about this).

Now, while doing some research, I stumbled upon some other not-yet-released players that might cause me to hold off on this. Creative is releasing an android based phone called the Zii Egg. It has more goodies than the ZuneHD, such as an SD card slot, GPS, 2 cameras, and an open software platform. And then Apple is coming up with their annual updates to their iTouch line. I doubt they will have any radio at all (as usual) which is a bummer, but they have the apps, and better sync software.

Anybody looking in to any of these players. The HD radio is my killer app and supplants all other features for me right now.

How bout you guys?

[ElNono]

I have HD radio in my car, and I love it.
I also have a touch and love it too.
I would recommend waiting a bit and actually get to play with the devices.
Apple obviously has a big advantage with the App market, and now that 3.0 allows third party apps to talk to accessories, if the HD Radio thing picks up steam I'm sure you'll see a HD Radio accessory for both the iPhone and Touch (speculation here though).
From what I read the ZuneHD will actually have smaller screen resolution than the touch. On the other hand, I expect better integration with other MS products like the XBox and windows in general.

[jacobdrj]

It would appear that the MO of Apple is to NEVER allow OTA radio to be a function of an iPod, which is sad. But IMHO the iTouch needs some more functionality, beyond radio, to lure me back to Apple PmP's. I want every feature present on an iPhone to be on an iTouch, sans the phone, including GPS, double cameras, voice recording, and internal speaker. I know it is a lot to ask for, but their prices are premium, and their interface restrictive. I expect a LOT from them.
ZuneHD has a nice interface, crappy software, but that oh-so-sweet HD radio. Sure, I could wait for the other companies to catch up and get portable HD radio technology, like Cowon (which might be the best PmP company out there), but I am getting a little impatient.

But you are right: I should at least wait for THESE devices to come out before blowing a wad of cash on a potential brick...

[IronMexican]

When they say HD radio, do they mean Sirius or XM or just high quality FM/AM?

[leemajors]

It would appear that the MO of Apple is to NEVER allow OTA radio to be a function of an iPod, which is sad. But IMHO the iTouch needs some more functionality, beyond radio, to lure me back to Apple PmP's. I want every feature present on an iPhone to be on an iTouch, sans the phone, including GPS, double cameras, voice recording, and internal speaker. I know it is a lot to ask for, but their prices are premium, and their interface restrictive. I expect a LOT from them.
ZuneHD has a nice interface, crappy software, but that oh-so-sweet HD radio. Sure, I could wait for the other companies to catch up and get portable HD radio technology, like Cowon (which might be the best PmP company out there), but I am getting a little impatient.

But you are right: I should at least wait for THESE devices to come out before blowing a wad of cash on a potential brick...

there's a free public radio application you can listen to NPR stations around the country with. I have never understood the need for radio on a pmp though, personally. I would rather have an AM radio since FM stations usually just suck, HD or not.

[jacobdrj]

When they say HD radio, do they mean Sirius or XM or just high quality FM/AM?

Actually, neither. HD radio is a free broadcast standard, that like HDTV, will eventually replace standard AM/FM radio. Not only do you have the standard call-sign stations broadcasting, but you have them broadcasting up to 3 channels each, including song/artist information. Transmission is at CD quality and it is digital, so no static: Either it will work or it wont (bad IMHO).

there's a free public radio application you can listen to NPR stations around the country with. I have never understood the need for radio on a pmp though, personally. I would rather have an AM radio since FM stations usually just suck, HD or not.

Both AM and FM radio stations are required to broadcast in HD standards. This means that the AM stations that I can't listen to on almost all PMPs can be heard on HD radio. I am listening on the 'go' not at my desk. I will not always have wifi available to me, nor do I want my PmP to be my phone.

[jacobdrj]

So I was mulling over it. I decided that it just isn't worth it. Zune/iPhone just don't have enough of the features I want at the price they are asking... Hopefully next year there will be other companies making portable HD radios. The Zii Egg just scares the crap out of me after the quirks of the Zen.

[usckk]

Hey guys,

Any other opinions on the Zune HD vs. 3rd Gen Ipod touch debate?