On of heals of rumors that Microsoft is going to end all Zune players except Zune HD, there is a new rumor that Apple is set to kill off iPod Classic and just carry iPod touch, nano and shuffle !

Maybe is because the iPod touch with flash memory is approaching higher capacities and with greater revenue stream (profits from device and from App store)  that Apple thought it is best to move off of iPod Classic completely !

So folks if you are in market for a high capacity MP3 player from Microsoft or Apple, get them while they are still available hopefully offered at a great discount  like Zune 120 @ Amazon for $189 , iPod Classic currently sells for  $224 (maybe further discounts are underway in future)

You can also see  the iPod Classic vs Zune 120 comparison in one of my earlier posts.

Via Silicon Alley Insider and CrunchGear

With good amount of details of Zune HD out I thought it be great to compare it to existing 2nd gen iPod Touch and see how  well they compare.  I know Apple has confirmed the 09/09/09 rock and roll event and they might potentially announce new iPod Touch but until then, here goes the ultimate and most elaborate Zune HD Vs iPod Touch (2nd Generation). 

   VS  

Find great deals on Zune and iPod from real time comparison shopping site kalistro.com

• Zune HD
• iPod Touch

I will provide a updated new comparison once we know more details about the next generation of iPod touches (possibly after 09/09/09 apple event)

Sri

The Apple rumor mill/speculation  has started again and this time it is about the iPods and iTunes and not about the  Apples possible tablet (iPad).  It looks like Apple has scheduled an event the week of September 7th.  Number of sources say this includes the redesigned iTunes with features like interaction with social networks and better interface  (much overdue) and also introducing the new iPods.

Read More about the event @ CrunchGear and  @ MediaMemo-AllThingsD.

Hopefully Apple has something big instore to counter the growing hype of Zune HD.  If they only make incremental changes to iPod Touch  I see a big wave in favor of Zune HD helping it gain critical mass.  With much rave reviews of Zune HD from early reviewers and user excitement surrounding it, there is no doubt this time around that there is formidable competitor for Apples iPod touch (more than ever before).    Apple has always surprised people, let us see what they got instore this time around !

Find great deals on Zune and iPod from real time comparison shopping site kalistro.com

• Zune 120 GB
• iPod Classic

I tried my best to include pretty much all the differences I can come up with however you might find this a little pro-zune, because I truly enjoy using my zune compared to iPod, but in all due fairness please leave a comment if you think, there is something that needs to be added on either side.

Sri

The most glaring feature was the built in accelerometer that changes the view from portrait to landscape based on the way you have your nano positioned.

Another cool feature is to shake the device to put it in the shuffle mode. Thought this looks like a cool new feature, I doubt most nano users would enable or use it.  What happens when you are jogging ? Does it go to the shuffle mode by default because you are running ?  Granted I have not used it, I reserve my judgement on how effectively this was implemented!

Nano is now more curved both sides and the form factor now resembles more of a Zune than the previous nano (fatty)! The range of colors nano was introduced does look impressive.

  Some other new features

• Nike receiver included by default
• Games specifically for Nano that use accelerometer.

Apple also introduced the new IPod Classic with 120GB of storage killing the 160GB model. The new 120GB is supposedly thinner.

As expected the coverage and the hype  for this event was huge. You can find them here Engadget,  Gizmodo

Once I have more details on both the devices and have had a chance to play with  them, it would be pretty interesting to compare head to head the zune flash and ipod nano and similarly zune 120 against the ipod 120. 

I also plan on aggregating number of online resources on zune and providing tips and tricks  periodically.

As this evolves, I plan to share my other comparisons and evaluations.

Disclaimer: All the view expressed in this blog is purely my own and does not represent any corporate entity or organization.