iPod Touch vs Zune HD

Apple or Microsoft ? The battle moves to your pocket with two new top-notch, touch-screen media players. Which one is right for you ?

Microsoft's long awaited Zune HD is finally here, and just in time to do battlewith the latest iPod touch. The big question is which touch-screen portable media player reigns supreme?

It's a close race, but technically, today, the touch has the edge, given it's broad versatility. More than 75,000 easily downloadable apps can transform Apple's player into a full-fledged mini computer. The Zune Marketplace, on the other hand, only offers a handful of add-on programs right now, but that's likely to change. Apart from the apps, the latest Zune is a smartly designed, well-executed device that keps a sharp focus on music,video and the Web. And it's the best non-Apple PMP you will find.

So which of these pocket-sized media powehouses is right for you? Let's find out.

So how do you improve the mighty iPod touch? Hmm. That's a question that seems to have Apple stumped. The third generation of iPod touches look identical to the 2nd generation models, but the capacities and prices are improved : 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299) and 64GB ($399). There's no built-in camera as had been rumored, which is a bit of a surprise, considering the less-expensive and much tinier nano got one. With the touch, Apple's focus remains firmly on music and portable gaming. Along with a nice speed bump come some app improvements and new Genius features, all of which are welcome additions. Even if there is no exciting surprise with this touch iteration, after 3 long years, there's still not a better PMP out there.

The new iPod touch doesn't just look like the old iPod touch but it is identical.Measuring 4.3 by 2.4 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and weighing in at 4.1 ounces, the device is,  as always, dominated by its luscious 3.5 inch glass touch-screen. With a 480 by 320 resolution, the display is the best in the business - only the LCD on the upcoming Zune HD, which is smaller, rivals the touch's bright and responsive screen. The player's top panel houses the Power button, the back of the player looks like a warped funhouse mirror, and the proprietary connection for the USB syncing cable lives on the bottom panel alongside the earphone jack. The Home button remains centered below the display. Included with the touch : a sync cable, a plastic dock adapter and a pair of standard issue white (and dismal sounding ) Apple earbuds.

File support remains unchanged - and could be more robust. You can play AAC (both old Apple DRM and unprotected files), MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV files. There's still no FLAC or OGG support. Video is limited to H.264 and MPEG-4. For photos, JPEG and most other common photo formats are supported. Note : While the new iTunes LP feature, which includes video, song lyrics and liner notes with album purchases is very cool, you can only experienxe those extras in iTunes, not on the touch itself (same goes for the nano, classic and iPhone too). There's no Wireless N support yet - the 3rd generation touch is 802.11b/g Wi-Fi only.

We already know that iPod touch has the best user interface and most extras of any player on the market : Tens of thousands of free or low - pricing apps including tons of games, a stellar mobile Safari browser - you name it. No other PMP comes close to offering this much entertainment.

After 10 years of trying, has Microsoft finally beaten Apple at it's own game that started with the iPod? Well, not quite. But the fantastic Zune HD, priced at $219.99 (16GB) and 288.99 (32GB), certainly gives the iPod touch some worthy competition. The lack of a robust App Store is a major drawback for the Zune HD, which otherwise flaunts a beautiful touch-screen, an excellent user interface, HD radio and the best browser we've seen since Apple's mobile Safari. While the touch is the best PMP available, the Zune HD is a close second, and it's the strongest device you can buy if you don't want to use iTunes. Also, at the only capacity where the two players overlap (32GB) and the Zune HD will cost you $10 less.

A very good looking gadget, the 16GB Zune HD is Onyx Black and the 32GB version is Platinum Silver. The larger capacity player is available in exclusive colors including red, blue and a yellowish - green at ZuneOriginals.net. When you compare it side-by-side with the iPod touch, what's most striking about the 2.6 ounce, 4.0 by 2.1 by 0.4 inch (HWD) Zune HD is it's smaller, lighter frame. (The 4.1 ounce touch measures 4.3 by 2.4 by 0.3 inches.) The Zune's 3.3 inch multi-touch-capable OLED screen is noticably smaller than the touch's 3.5 inch LCD, and the 480 by 272 resolution is slightly lower than the iPod's 480 by 320. Still, the screen is bright and sharp - due in part to Microsoft's decision to use OLED and keep it smaller.

As for responsiveness, the toch and the Zune HD seem nearly identical in sensitivity. Navigating the player's menus with your fingers and pinching and squeezing to zoom in and zoom out is a pleasure. For a clean design, physical controls are kept to a minimum. There's a power button up top, a Home button underneath the LCD, and a button on the right panel calls up playback and volume controls. The back panel is a black canvas that can be adorned with one of the several free designs available at Zune Web Site. Included with the player : A pair of mediocre ear buds with 3 pairs of colorful eartip covers and a proprietary cable for wired PC syncing. The Zune HD and AV Dock is sold seperately for $89.99, and is required to view 720p HD videos from your player on an HDTV.