Microsoft recently announced a new version of its Zune music player, a touch-screen player called the Zune HD. They also announced a Zune extension into the Xbox Live platform, with goal to "create a game-changing entertainment experience".
The Zune HD features a built-in HD radio receiver -- the first mainstream integration of HD radio in a portable media player. It will also have a web browser to go with its WiFi capabilities, something the old Zune's didn't really use for more than syncing.
I do wonder if the LiveMesh capabilities will be extended to the device as well. Now that there is a developer's environment available for the Zune, the ability to apply these tools for a business purpose is in reach.
This last week, I was at a large consumer goods company and we were discussing the possibilities of the Consumerization of IT. As these types of low costs devices open up their capabilities in ways that are compatible with an organization's existing and future investments, a whole new range of possibilities can be accessed.
