Technologylog: Zune HD gaming and app downloads confirmed: Twitter, Facebook, and 3D games on the way

Zune HD gaming and app downloads confirmed: Twitter, Facebook, and 3D games on the way
by Thomas Ricker
posted Sep 15th 2009 at 3:59AM
The promotional video and leaked shots already made it clear but now it's official: the Zune HD will be a gaming and application platform. In addition to a few casual games, calculator and MSN Weather apps pre-loaded onto the Zune HD, the official Microsoft press release touting the launch contains this little nugget of gaming gold:
"Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3-D games such as "Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition," "Vans Sk8: Pool Service" and "Audiosurf(TM) Tilt." Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the Wi-Fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software."
Hear that Nintendo, Sony, and Apple? There's a new handheld gaming platform in town. All that remains to be seen is how it will integrate with the Xbox 360.
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So, the Zune is back! And it looks like they're going all social on us.. But will it be enough to content with the entire iPod range?
Admitedly many people now are avoiding Apple purely because of the name (seeing it as a large corporate giant), or the bloated software that is iTunes, but in terms of popularity the iPod still seems to be one of the biggest selling music devices in history.
Personally I haven't tried a Zune, but I can vouch for the easy of use that is the iPhone and the iPod.. So, is there anything tempting me to a zune in the above?
- Twitter I have (MANY apps)
- Facebook I have (plus FB sync)
- 3D games I have hundreds already
- HD video, potentially the only place to make a difference..
HD TVs I can understand, I love watching good quality HD, and Vimeo too in HD, but would you really tell the difference on a tiny mobile screen, in what is likely to be poor lighting conditions?
HD would presumably require more processing and more output, so battery life would be in theory worse, would it be worth the sacrifice? not for me..